MINSK, 15 September (BelTA) - The first meeting of the commissioners for children's rights (ombudsmen) of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) took place in the CIS Executive Committee on 14 September, BelTA learned from the press service of the CIS Executive Committee.
The online meeting was attended by representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan.
Opening the meeting, Chairman of the CIS Executive Committee – CIS Executive Secretary Sergei Lebedev stressed the importance of the event. He noted the urgent need to unite the efforts of the commissioners for children's rights and all government agencies involved in the problems of ensuring and protecting children's rights in the CIS. “I am convinced that you have a noble mission to protect children, develop an effective regional family policy, strengthen and protect the family institution, create conditions for the harmonious development of the younger generation. Better protection of children's rights and legitimate interests, as well as the opportunity for children to use their abilities and find a purpose in life depends largely on your effective work,” he said.
The parties took note of huge potential for cooperation in the protection of children's rights and agreed that such events should be held on a permanent basis at least once a year.
According to the participants of the meeting, the legal framework developed in the CIS has become the basis for interstate cooperation in the protection of rights. The 1995 Commonwealth of Independent States Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms is a key document that attests to the collective efforts of the CIS member states to establish the ideals of freedom and the rule of law, prevent violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the traditions of tolerance and friendship between peoples, and strengthen civil peace and harmony.
