DOCSLIB.ORG

The Day of the African Child 30 Years On, Where Are We Now? Page 2

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

The Day of the African Child 30 years on, where are we now? Page 2: Adelaide Benneh Prempeh Advancing the Welfare of children in Ghana Page 18: Maria Mbeneka Child Marriage Page 22: Presentation Judge Fatoumata Dembélé Page 23: Diarra – Mali Euridce Baptista – Angola Page 24: CLA Role of the Law in Eliminating Child Marriage 2/10/21 ADVANCING THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN IN GHANA. Presented By: Adelaide Benneh Prempeh Managing Partner B&P ASSOCIATES 1 OVERVIEW u GHANAIAN HISTORICAL CONTEXT & BACKGROUND. u THE CHILD & FAMILY PROTECTION SYSTEM IN GHANA. u LEGAL FRAMEWORK. u LEGISLATIVE REFORM IN GHANA’S ADOPTION LAW. u ADVANCING CHILDREN’S RIGHTS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT- EDUCATION. 2 1 2/10/21 I. GHANAIAN HISTORICAL CONTEXT & BACKGROUND 3 In the Ghanaian context “Best interests of the Child” will includes cultural perspective and respect for customary structure. Ø Extended family environment. Ø Benefits: Children are allowed to remain in a familiar environment, still connected with their natural family; safety net for children to receive support within family and community. Ø Challenges: Lack of an enforced legal regime to govern this type of “informal family arrangement” for more vulnerable children, as well as the inherent difficulty in monitoring such social arrangements, lends itself to corporal punishment, domestic violence, sexual abuse, sexual violence and exploitation, ritual servitude (Trokosi). 4 2 2/10/21 II. CHILD & FAMILY PROTECTION SYSTEM IN GHANA. 5 2013 International Social Service Report. Ø Weaknesses in the alternative care system/ fosterage. Ø Open adoption of children. Ø Child trafficking. 6 3 2/10/21 Technical Committee Recommendations: Ø Robust child protection framework; Ø Strong regulatory and supervisory institutions; Ø Licensing and accreditation of agencies; Ø Financing of residential facilities; and Ø Comprehensive Child and Family Framework. 7 Child & Family Welfare Policy 2015. Ø Comprehensive legal framework for child protection. Ø Recognition that there is a dichotomy between laws and community approaches. Ø Need for education and sensitization of communities. Ø After the launch of the Child and Family Welfare Policy in 2015 and the Justice for Children Policy in 2016, the Government of Ghana in collaboration with UNICEF embarked on a workforce strengthening initiative in 20 pilot districts. 8 4 2/10/21 Child & Family Welfare Policy 2015. Ø Building on district level learning, guidelines were developed to offer a framework of reference for continued implementation of the Child and Family Welfare Policy. Ø Foundation to Accession to the Hague Convention on The Protection & Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption 1993. 9 III. LEGAL FRAMEWORK 10 5 2/10/21 u United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989 u African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, 1990 u The 1992 Constitution of the 4th Republic of Ghana u The Hague Convention of the Protection and Cooperation in respect of Intercountry Adoption, 1993 u The Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) u The Children’s (Amendment)Act, 2016 (Act 937) u Adoption Regulations, 2018 (LI 2360) 11 General Definition of Adoption Process whereby a person legally assumes the parenting of another, usually a child, from that person's biological or legal parent or parents. Ø Legal parent-child relationship. Ø Parental Responsibility of Adoptive Parents. Ø Termination of pre-existing legal rights with natural family. 12 6 2/10/21 Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) u Introduction of a formal framework for adoption. u ‘Best Interest’ principle & wishes of the child from the child’s perspective, if appropriate. u Parental consent to adoption and the child’s consent, if appropriate. u Effect of adoption on parental rights. u Disclosure of child’s heritage. 13 Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) (Cont.) u Court Jurisdiction – High Court, Circuit Court, Family Court. u Adoption Children Register. u Notification of travel. u Intercountry adoption in the best interest of the child. 14 7 2/10/21 IV. LEGISLATIVE REFORM IN GHANA’S ADOPTION LAW. 15 The Hague Convention on The Protection & Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption 1993. u Accession to The Hague Convention of 1993. u System of ‘Co-operation’ and Disclosure between Contracting States. u Role of Central Authorities. u Unified approach between Contracting States. u Priority on support of family placements. u Appropriate measures to prevent child abduction/ sale/ trafficking. u Intercountry adoption in the best interests of the child. 16 8 2/10/21 Children (Amendment) Act, 2016 (Act 937) u Incorporation of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption. u Effective 1st January 2017. u Coherency and Accountability. u Accreditation of adoption agencies. u Case management processes to ensure child is adoptable. u Emphasis on Ghanaian placement/ Ghanaian PAPs. u Assessment and Matching of Prospective Adoptive Parents (PAPs). u Promotion of well being and best interest of the child/ 17 Institutions In Charge of Adoption: u Central Adoption Authority (CAA)(sole mandate for Adoption) u Adoption Secretariat u Adoption Board u Technical Committee 18 9 2/10/21 Institutions In Charge of Adoption: u All Adoption Agencies are to be “not–for-profit” organisations, accredited or authorized by the CAA. u Foreign Adoption Agencies require authorisation to operate in Ghana. u They serve as a liaison between the CAA and adoptive parents and are part of a regime for safe intercountry adoption. u An application for adoption is made through an accredited Adoption Agency. 19 Institutions In Charge of Adoption: u In protecting the child’s best interest, the law incorporates penalties for Adoption Agencies which act contrary to the Regulations. u Currently, the CAA has not yet accredited any Adoption Agency. u The Department of Social Welfare is the only State Adoption Agency facilitating adoptions in Ghana. 20 10 2/10/21 Future of Adoption In Ghana. u The Central Adoption Authority’s currently focused on assessing the applications of adoption agencies already received within the first quarter of 2021. u Accreditation of adoption agencies u A rigorous application process as dictated by the law in order to achieve accreditation. 21 Future of Adoption In Ghana. u CAA’s 2021 Action plan- undertaking community engagement on matters of adoption. u Ghana’s CAA oversees a well structured strong intercountry adoption system to guarantee safe intercountry adoption for the benefit of the child. 22 11 2/10/21 V. ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS OF CHILDREN FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - EDUCATION 23 Introduction u On 16th June of every year, the African Union and its Member States observe the Day of the African Child (DAC). u It is celebrated in commemoration of the 16th June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa, where students who marched in protest against apartheid-inspired education, were brutally murdered. u The Day of the African Child is a day of pride, of recognition, and of a celebration of their rights. u However, we cannot fully rejoice unless every African child can join us. 24 12 2/10/21 Education of Children. Ghana’s Flagship Free SHS Program SDG Goal target 4-1: Free primary and Secondary School Education Ø Transformation of Ghana’s educational system, ushering in a higher quality learning experience with emphasis on science, mathematics and a strong sense of citizenship. Ø Introduction of the free Senior High School programme which has been in operation since 2017 in furtherance of the human rights guaranteed children by virtue of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and SDG 4 Goals 25 Free SHS Policy Ø 2017 marked a switch to a free senior high school policy by eliminating the financial burdens parents face in paying their children's fees. Ø The Policy provides free public education for the Ghanaian child from basic to the senior high school level. 26 13 2/10/21 Free SHS Policy Ø In its first year of implementation, an 11% increase in enrolment into Senior High Schools. Ø An appreciable increase of school enrolment at the senior high school level. Ø Parity in access to education, with respect to the percentages of boys and girls going to school being almost identical. Ø Criteria for free Education Eligibility (Computerised School Selection & Placement System). 27 Free SHS Policy Ø Improved equity through implementation of mixed placements (private and public schools). Ø Double Track Intervention- accommodating more systems in the same facility to tackle issue of overcrowding and infrastructure deficit. Ø Intervention has now ceased for first and third years with plans to improve on infrastructure. 28 14 2/10/21 African Countries Offering Free Secondary School Education: u Ghana, 2017 u Kenya, 2008 u Tanzania, 2006 u The Gambia, 2015 u Uganda, 2011 29 Education for the Covid-19 Generation. u The Covid Challenge- u Global impact of Covid on the Education Sector- lockdowns, lapses & rapid move to digital education- • Transition of education by: u Investment and scaling up in digital infrastructure; u Strengthening of Tech-based solutions to prevent the widening of inequality gaps that are already in existence so that the African Child achieves his/ her utmost potential. u SDG- Goal 4- “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” 30 15 2/10/21 THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! ADELAIDE BENNEH PREMPEH [email protected] 31 16 DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD 30 YEARS ON- WHERE ARE WE NOW;ASPOTLIGHT ON CHILD MARRIAGE Maria Mbeneka – CLA Council Member (East Africa & Seychelles) 1 June 16th is Day of the African Child. It was first established by the Organization of African Unity in 1991 with a focus on the improvement in education. The CLA report on the Role of the Law in eliminating Child marriage in the Commonwealth 2018 considers the prevalence of child marriage within the 52 member states of the Commonwealth and how the Commonwealth is implicated in the wider global context of child marriage, with a specific focus on the role and status of domestic and international law in eliminating child marriage in the Commonwealth.
Recommended publications
  • A Comparative Study of Cervical Cancer Among Indigenous Amerindian, Afro-Guyanese, and Indo-Guyanese Women in Guyana

    A Comparative Study of Cervical Cancer Among Indigenous Amerindian, Afro-Guyanese, and Indo-Guyanese Women in Guyana

    Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2017 A Comparative Study of Cervical Cancer Among Indigenous Amerindian, Afro-Guyanese, and Indo- Guyanese Women in Guyana Carol Jones-Williams Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Public Health Education and Promotion Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Health Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Carol Jones-Williams has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Donald Goodwin, Committee Chairperson, Public Health Faculty Dr. Shingairai Feresu, Committee Member, Public Health Faculty Dr. Michael Furukawa, University Reviewer, Public Health Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2016 Abstract A Comparative Study of Cervical Cancer among Indigenous Amerindian, Afro- Guyanese, and Indo-Guyanese Women in Guyana by Carol Jones-Williams MPH, Walden University, 2012 MA, New York University, 1997 BSc, York College, City University of New York, 1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Health, Epidemiology Walden University September 2016 Abstract Cervical cancer is a major public health problem in developing countries. In Guyana, factors associated with increasing cervical cancer cases among Indigenous Amerindian women (IAW), Afro- women (AGW), and Indo-Guyanese women (IGW) have not been fully examined.
  • Diversifying Political Power to Build Inclusive Societies

    Diversifying Political Power to Build Inclusive Societies

    DIVERSIFYING POLITICAL POWER TO BUILD INCLUSIVE SOCIETIES 8TH ANNUAL GATHERING ORGANIZED BY THE GROUP OF WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS AUTHOR TRANSLATION DESIGN AND LAYOUT PHOTOS JACK MELAMED AISLIN RYAN LISA TEMES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF ECUADOR ParlAmericas would like to sincerely experts who shared their experience TABLE OF CONTENTS thank the National Assembly of Ecuador and knowledge: Otilia Lux de Cotí for their invaluable contributions as (member of the Management Group the host of the gathering. In particular, of the Indigenous Fund for Latin 4 Message from the President of ParlAmericas ParlAmericas wishes to thank the America and the Caribbean), Tonni President of the National Assembly, Ann Brodber (Deputy Representative 5 Message from the President of the Group of Gabriela Rivadeneira, and the President Women Parliamentarians of the UN Women Multi-Country Office of the Group of Women Parliamentarians for the Caribbean), Irune Aguirrezabal 6 ParlAmericas and Member of the National Assembly, (Regional Advisor on Leadership and 6 The Group of Women Parliamentarians Gina Godoy. We would also like to thank Political Participation for UN Women) 7 The Gathering: Diversifying Political Power to the administrative and technical staff and Marco Aurélio Martins (Executive Build Inclusive Societies of the National Assembly whose work Coordinator of Promundo Brazil). was vital to the gathering’s success. 9 Sessions We would also like to thank the We extend our gratitude to the community leaders in Ecuador for their 14 #NiUnaMenos (NotOneLess) Campaign participating delegates, moderators, participation and generosity in sharing Declaration of Commitment 23 and panellists for their contributions their experiences. 26 Glossary during the working sessions and their Finally, ParlAmericas is immensely unwavering commitment to achieving 27 Participants grateful for the financial support gender equality in the hemisphere.
  • D. Trotz Behind the Banner of Culture? Gender, Race, and the Family in Guyana

    D. Trotz Behind the Banner of Culture? Gender, Race, and the Family in Guyana

    D. Trotz Behind the banner of culture? Gender, race, and the family in Guyana In: New West Indian Guide/ Nieuwe West-Indische Gids 77 (2003), no: 1/2, Leiden, 5-29 This PDF-file was downloaded from http://www.kitlv-journals.nl Downloaded from Brill.com09/29/2021 09:49:45PM via free access D. ALISSA TROTZ BEHIND THE BANNER OF CULTURE? GENDER, "RACE," AND THE FAMILY IN GUYANA INTRODUCTION This article is a conceptual-historical effort to show the relevance, indeed centrality, of the family to representations of gendered and racialized dif- ference in the Caribbean.1 While it addresses itself to broader postcolonial feminist and Caribbeanist debates and concerns, it specifically grounds this analytical terrain in Guyana, a country where the racialization of the political process - between Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese - is today deeply embedded in the country's coastal fabric. Most scholarly and popular writings locate the historical "origins" of the conflict between these two groups (a conflict that reduces the country to its coastal limits and marginalizes all racialized "others" and in particular the indigenous, Amerindian populations) to the formal divisions of labor in a colonial plantation economy. I hope to contribute to, and extend, this discussion by showing why and how family comes to matter in the production of racialized differences, and what its consequences are for women.2 1. A much earlier version of the historical section of this paper was presented at the Conference on Slavery and the Atlantic World, Tulane University, New Orleans, 1996. I am grateful to Betty Wood and Sylvia Frey for encouraging me to reflect on these historical questions, and to Prabhu Mohapatra, whose historical work on British Guiana in large part inspired this essay.
  • Frange EXPLORATORY ASSESSMENT

    Frange EXPLORATORY ASSESSMENT

    EXPLORATORY ASSESSMENT OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS IN THE CARIBBEAN REGION: The Bahamas The Netherlands Antilles Barbados St Lucia Guyana Suriname Jamaica Trinidad and Tobago frange Domestic Servitude Forced Labor Sexual Slavery Second Edition 2 The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. As an intergovernmental body, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration, advance understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration and uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants. This publication was made possible through the support of the United States Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM). The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Department of State or IOM. Publisher: International Organization for Migration (IOM) 17, route des Morillons 1752 N Street NW, Suite 700 1211 Geneva 19 Washington, DC 20036 Switzerland United States of America Tel: +41 22 717 91 11 +1 202 862 1826 Fax: +41 22 798 61 50 +1 202 862 1879 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Internet: http://www.iom.int http://www.iom.int/unitedstates ISBN 978 92 9068 249 3 ©2005 (first edition) International Organization for Migration (IOM) ©2010 (second edition) International Organization for Migration (IOM) Design: Noelle Ahmann Copy Edit: Sinéad Costelloe All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.
  • India Progressive Writers Association; *7:Arxicm

    India Progressive Writers Association; *7:Arxicm

    DOCUMENT RESUME ED 124 936 CS 202 742 ccpp-.1a, CsIrlo. Ed. Marxist Influences and South Asaan li-oerazure.South ;:sia Series OcasioLal raper No. 23,Vol. I. Michijar East Lansing. As:,an Studies Center. PUB rAIE -74 NCIE 414. 7ESF ME-$C.8' HC-$11.37 Pius ?cstage. 22SCrIP:0:", *Asian Stud,es; 3engali; *Conference reports; ,,Fiction; Hindi; *Literary Analysis;Literary Genres; = L_tera-y Tnfluences;*Literature; Poetry; Feal,_sm; *Socialism; Urlu All India Progressive Writers Association; *7:arxicm 'ALZT:AL: Ti.'__ locument prasen-ls papers sealing *viithvarious aspects of !',arxi=it 2--= racyinfluence, and more specifically socialisr al sr, ir inlia, Pakistan, "nd Bangladesh.'Included are articles that deal with _Aich subjects a:.the All-India Progressive Associa-lion, creative writers in Urdu,Bengali poets today Inclian poetry iT and socialist realism, socialist real.Lsm anu the Inlion nov-,-1 in English, the novelistMulk raj Anand, the poet Jhaverchan'l Meyhani, aspects of the socialistrealist verse of Sandaram and mash:: }tar Yoshi, *socialistrealism and Hindi novels, socialist realism i: modern pos=y, Mohan Bakesh andsocialist realism, lashpol from tealist to hcmanisc. (72) y..1,**,,A4-1.--*****=*,,,,k**-.4-**--4.*x..******************.=%.****** acg.u.re:1 by 7..-IC include many informalunpublished :Dt ,Ivillable from othr source r.LrIC make::3-4(.--._y effort 'c obtain 1,( ,t c-;;,y ava:lable.fev,?r-rfeless, items of marginal * are oft =.ncolntered and this affects the quality * * -n- a%I rt-irodu::tior:; i:";IC makes availahl 1: not quali-y o: th< original document.reproductiour, ba, made from the original.
  • THE RECORD NEWS ======The Journal of the ‘Society of Indian Record Collectors’ ------ISSN 0971-7942 Volume: Annual - TRN 2011 ------S.I.R.C

    THE RECORD NEWS ======The Journal of the ‘Society of Indian Record Collectors’ ------ISSN 0971-7942 Volume: Annual - TRN 2011 ------S.I.R.C

    THE RECORD NEWS ============================================================= The journal of the ‘Society of Indian Record Collectors’ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ISSN 0971-7942 Volume: Annual - TRN 2011 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ S.I.R.C. Units: Mumbai, Pune, Solapur, Nanded and Amravati ============================================================= Feature Articles Music of Mughal-e-Azam. Bai, Begum, Dasi, Devi and Jan’s on gramophone records, Spiritual message of Gandhiji, Lyricist Gandhiji, Parlophon records in Sri Lanka, The First playback singer in Malayalam Films 1 ‘The Record News’ Annual magazine of ‘Society of Indian Record Collectors’ [SIRC] {Established: 1990} -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- President Narayan Mulani Hon. Secretary Suresh Chandvankar Hon. Treasurer Krishnaraj Merchant ==================================================== Patron Member: Mr. Michael S. Kinnear, Australia -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Honorary Members V. A. K. Ranga Rao, Chennai Harmandir Singh Hamraz, Kanpur -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Membership Fee: [Inclusive of the journal subscription] Annual Membership Rs. 1,000 Overseas US $ 100 Life Membership Rs. 10,000 Overseas US $ 1,000 Annual term: July to June Members joining anytime during the year [July-June] pay the full
  • J O SSM ^ G ® © CD Jc3 © the CEYLON GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

    J O SSM ^ G ® © CD Jc3 © the CEYLON GOVERNMENT GAZETTE

    (JoSSM ^g® © CDjC3 © THE CEYLON GOVERNMENT GAZETTE £fog© 13,215 — 1962 g g 20 £>i& Qs?<fo$ — 1962.7.20 No. 13,215 — FRIDAY, JULY 20, 1962 (Published by Authority) PART I : SECTION (II)-ADVERTISING (Separate paging is given to each language of every Part in order that it may be filed separately) PAGE PAGE Posts—Vacant 789 Sale of Toll and other Rents 819 Examinations, Results of Examinations, &c. 798 Unofficial Notices . 827 Notices calling for Tenders 799 Applications for Foreign Liquor Licences 828 Notices re Decisions on Tenders 818 Auction Sales 829 Sale of'Articles, &e. 818 Miscellaneous Notices ' Note.—P art. V I published with this issue contains a list of Jurors and Assessors of the Kalutara District. Posts — Vacant GENERAL CONDITIONS APPLICABLE. TO APPOINTMENTS TO POSTS IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE ADVERTISED IN THE “ CEYLON GOVERNMENT GAZETTE-” 1. A l l o w a n c e s —Unless otherwise stated, Rent Allow­ (iv) New Entrant Officers who qualify for entry into ance, temporary Cost of Living Allowance and the Public Service through the Sinhala temporary Special Living Allowance are payable Medium will be exempted from the Proficiency according to Government Regulations. Test in Sinhala. 2. Conditions of Service .—Appointments will be N o te .—The term “ New Entrant Officers ” in this con­ subject tq the Public Service Commission Rules, the text means officers appointed to posts in the Financial 'Regulations, the Regulations of the Manual Public Service on or after September 24, 1956, of Procedure, Departmental Orders or Regulations, and who are not deemed to be old entrant officers any other orders' or regulations issued from time to in terms of sub-paragraphs 2 (ii) (b) and 2 time by the Government.
  • ACP Women, Actors of Development « an Initiative of the ACP Secretariat, Funded by the European Union »

    ACP Women, Actors of Development « an Initiative of the ACP Secretariat, Funded by the European Union »

    In the course of this challenging research project, we had the kind assistance of a host of committed individuals, organisations and international develop- development agencies. list being too long to cite, we would like to express our special gratitude to the numerous women’s organisations in ment agencies. list being too long to cite, we would like to express our special gratitude to the numerous women’s organisations in Africa,the Caribbeanbbeaan & PacifiPacifi c who shared their contacts and insightsinsights and assisted in puttingputting togethertogether this publication.publication. The ppurposeurpose of thisthi publicatio is to Africa,the Caribbean & Pacifi cwho shared their contacts and insights and assisted in putting together this publication. The purpose of this highlightght thethe keykkey roleroolee womenwommeenn playp in achieving human sustainable development. It showcases the outstanding contributions of grassrootsg women publicatio is to highlight the key role women play in achieving human sustainable development. It showcases the outstanding contributions of to equitableuiittaabble andand sustainablessusttaiinan bble developmentdevelopment on the ground,ground, and in their respectiverespective countries across the Sub-Saharan Africa,Africa, CaribbeanCari and Paci- fi c regions.ions. outstanding challenges and opportunitiespp for advancingg women’s rightsg in thethe economic,eeconommiicc, politicalpop littiiccaal and social dimensionsd of grassroots women to equitable and sustainable development on the ground, and in their
  • Introductory Material (PDF)

    Introductory Material (PDF)

    Dear Reader: Throughout my career—as a prosecutor, a United States Senator, and now as Secretary of State—I have dedicated myself to ensuring victims of exploitation and abuse are treated with dignity and respect before the law, so that they may see their abusers brought to justice and begin the process of healing. Last year, I chaired the first-ever hearing on human trafficking in the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, where we heard about the challenges trafficking victims face in getting out of harm’s way and getting their lives back on track. As Secretary of State, I am committed to making sure that survivors’ voices JOHN F. KERRY continue to be heard, because their experiences and knowledge help shape our laws and SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Kerry Official Portrait 8x10 CX1.indd 1 3/25/13 8:09 AM policies as well as the way we implement them. Ending modern slavery must remain a foreign policy priority. Fighting this crime wherever it exists is in our national interest. Human trafficking undermines the rule of law and creates instability. It tears apart families and communities. It damages the environment and corrupts the global supply chains and labor markets that keep the world’s economies thriving. We also have a moral obligation to meet this challenge head-on. Human trafficking is an assault on our most dearly held values of freedom and basic human dignity. American leadership means protecting those values at home and working to advance them around the world. We will continue to do so through our diplomacy and development efforts.
  • Tamil Minority Problem in Sri Lanka in the Light of Self-Determination and Sovereignty of States

    Tamil Minority Problem in Sri Lanka in the Light of Self-Determination and Sovereignty of States

    TITLE OF THESIS TAMIL MINORITY PROBLEM IN SRI LANKA IN THE LIGHT OF SELF-DETERMINATION AND SOVEREIGNTY OF STATES NAME OF CANDIDATE R. P. Samarasinghe TITLE OF DEGREE Master of Laws (Honours) YEAR OF SUBMISSION 2005 UNIVERSITY University of Western Sydney Parramatta Campus School of Law SUMMARY This thesis analyses the Tamil minority problem in Sri Lanka in the light of Self- Determination and State Sovereignty. The first Chapter gives an introduction. The second Chapter discusses the location, composition and historical background, as it relates to the Tamil minority problem in the country. The third Chapter focuses on the legal issues and principles involved in the exercise of the right of self-determination. The fourth Chapter discusses the principle of self-determination. The fifth Chapter discusses the principle of self-determination in the light of treaty law. Chapter six focuses on State practise with respect to self-determination. The cases of Aaland Island, Katanga, Biafra and Bangladesh are discussed in detail. Chapter seven deals with the specific issue of self-determination in the Sri Lankan context of secession. The chapter tries to ascertain the legal conditions, which would warrant secession. Chapter eight will focuses on the inherent tensions between the two principles of self- determination and the State sovereignty. Chapter nine focuses on the definition of statehood and factors undermining separatists claims to create separate States. Chapter ten evaluates the discussion in the earlier chapters. CERTIFICATION I, Ruwan Prashantha Samarasinghe of 52 Robert Street, Telopea 2117 NSW do hereby certify that this work has not been submitted for a higher degree at any other institution.
  • HUM, He Assisted Olcott in the Collection of Funds For

    HUM, He Assisted Olcott in the Collection of Funds For

    P 0.-HISTORY OF EDUCATION 246. HUM, "Anagarika Dharmapala as an Educator."Journal of the National Education Societ ofCeylon.va.15, 1964. pp. 18 -32. When Dharmapala was a youth he came underthe influence of Colonel Olcott and FadameBlavatsky of the Theosophical Society who visited Ceylon in the188018. He assisted Olcott in the collection of funds forthe Buddhist educational movement.He later developed to be a great educational and socialreformer, and a religious leader.He worked in the fields of educational and social reform in both India and Ceylon.He was an admirer of the educational systems of Japan and the United States, and he urged India and Ceylon toestablish an educationalsystem that would make every child grow up to be an intelligentthinking individual with a consciousness active for the good of all beings. He set up schools to translate intopractice the idealshe had in mind.He emphasised the importance of technical education, especiallyinthe fields of agriculture and industry.He started several industrial schools and tried to wean students away from too bookish an education. He was a great believer in adult education, which he thought could be best promoted throughthe mass media. For this purpose, he started a Sinhala newspaper in Ceylon and anEnglish journal The lishabodhi Jou.1. which had a wide circulationin'IndlTW" o. Ceylon. 247. KARUNARATNE, V. T. G. "Educational changes in Ceylon." ---Ceylon Daily Nears. December 3, 1963. 1550 words. December 1, 1960 is significant in the history of education in Ceylon as the day on which one of the fetters of colonialism, namely the denominationalschool system, was shattered.The Britishencouraged missionary enterprise in Ceylon and were reluctant to enter the field of education.
  • The Failure of Jennings' Constitutional Experiment In

    The Failure of Jennings' Constitutional Experiment In

    ! 3 The Failure of Jennings’ Constitutional Experiment in Ceylon: How ‘Procedural Entrenchment’ led to Constitutional Revolution g Asanga Welikala ! ! Introduction When the United Front (UF)1 won a landslide victory of over a two-thirds majority in Parliament in the general election of May 1970, 2 the stage was set for radical constitutional changes that would signify the end of an era and the beginning of another, or to put it more dramatically: the death of Ceylon and the birth of Sri Lanka. In its election manifesto, the UF had sought a mandate to repeal and replace the constitution under which independence had been granted (known as the Soulbury Constitution) with a republican constitution. The manifesto also indicated that such a sovereign and independent constitution would be drafted and enacted by a Constituent Assembly separate from Parliament, signifying an exercise of popular sovereignty, effecting a complete break with the colonial past. The UF manifesto sought a mandate for these constitutional changes in the following terms: “We seek your mandate to permit the Members of Parliament you elect to function simultaneously as a Constituent Assembly to draft, adopt, and operate a new Constitution. This Constitution will declare Ceylon to be a free, sovereign and independent Republic pledged to realise the objectives of a socialist democracy; and it will also secure fundamental rights and freedoms to all citizens.”3 1 A coalition comprising chiefly of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), and the two main Marxist parties, the Lanka Samasamaja Party (LSSP) and the Communist Party of Ceylon (Moscow Wing). 2 The UF won 115 of the 151 elected parliamentary seats of the last Parliament under the Soulbury Constitution at the general election of 27th May 1970.