More Babies Abandoned In Brunei Every Year

Tutong Town - A leading woman social worker noted yesterday that the number of cases of abandoned babies in the sultanate was "quite worrying."

At least 15 babies were found abandoned since 1995. Last year alone there were three babies found abandoned.

She added that at least one case of newborn baby left abandoned has been reported every year.

The speaker, Hajah Mordia, a panellist from the Development Community Department, Dayang was outlining the role of the Youth Development Community Department, which include providing a shelter for children with problems.

She was speaking at the Forum on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child here yesterday

Another speaker Tutong District Officer Awang Hepni said that His Majesty's government was always giving serious attention to the welfare of the children of all ages including their education and medical needs.

In his address, Awang Hepni urged members of the public to report any incidents that violated the convention.

The forum was participated by officers from various ministries who discussed various issues pertaining to children.

One panellist, Pengiran Hajah Zoraida from the Attorney General Department said the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child was adopted at the General Assembly of United Nation in 1989. Brunei became a signatory member in 1995.

It is a most comprehensive document, which establishes ethical principles and international norms of behaviour towards children. Children are born with inherit rights of all human being, it was stated.

The forum has been organised as one of His Majesty's government efforts to widely disseminate the awareness and caring towards the children's right in the sultanate.

The Convention, which include a person under the aged of 18 years have several categories of rights. This includes the rights to basic health and welfare, rights to education, leisure and cultural activities, rights to special protection and civil rights and freedom.

There are 108,000 children in the sultanate who are under 15-years-old.

Brudirect.com