C. Protection against Neglect, Abuse, and Delinquency
Lebanese law gives the judicial authority the power to interfere sua sponte whenever a child’s interest is at risk.[12] The following situations may trigger a judicial action for imposing protective or corrective measures whenever a child:
Is in an environment exposing him to exploitation, or adversely affecting the child’s health, safety, morality, or upbringing;
Is exposed to sexual or violent corporal attack beyond the customary non-harmful disciplinary measures; or
Is found in a state of mendacity or vagrancy.[13]
In any of these situations the judge has the discretion of taking whatever measures deemed necessary for the protection of the child, including rehabilitative measures when appropriate
Child Health and Social Welfare
The Lebanese Law gives the government the right to enter into contracts with medical doctors and nurses for supervising the medical environment in the public schools and of attending to the health of their students.[15]
In a report prepared in 1994, the Lebanese Government informed the Committee on the Rights of the Child that the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health had set several objectives to be achieved in 1995 regarding the health and welfare of children through various programs in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs, UNICEF, and non-governmental organizations. Among these objectives were:
the reduction of the infant mortality rate;
the reduction of severe malnutrition; and
the reduction of the incidences of intestinal diseases, measles cases, and deaths.[16]
In its report prepared in 1989 the Lebanese Government reported that the health status of the Lebanese population had improved and that this was evident in “the increase in life expectancy at birth, in the reduction of child mortality, and in other positive indicators.”[17] The report also concluded that “the health sector in Lebanon … suffers from a number of structural and functional deficiencies which have an adverse effect on its performance and also have particular implications for the health status of children.”[18]
In 2000, a new law gave disabled persons, including children, specific rights such as the right to free health services paid by the Government
Child Health and Social Welfare
The Lebanese Law gives the government the right to enter into contracts with medical doctors and nurses for supervising the medical environment in the public schools and of attending to the health of their students.[15]
In a report prepared in 1994, the Lebanese Government informed the Committee on the Rights of the Child that the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health had set several objectives to be achieved in 1995 regarding the health and welfare of children through various programs in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs, UNICEF, and non-governmental organizations. Among these objectives were:
the reduction of the infant mortality rate;
the reduction of severe malnutrition; and
the reduction of the incidences of intestinal diseases, measles cases, and deaths.[16]
In its report prepared in 1989 the Lebanese Government reported that the health status of the Lebanese population had improved and that this was evident in “the increase in life expectancy at birth, in the reduction of child mortality, and in other positive indicators.”[17] The report also concluded that “the health sector in Lebanon … suffers from a number of structural and functional deficiencies which have an adverse effect on its performance and also have particular implications for the health status of children.”[18]
In 2000, a new law gave disabled persons, including children, specific rights such as the right to free health services paid by the Government
Child Health and Social Welfare
The Lebanese Law gives the government the right to enter into contracts with medical doctors and nurses for supervising the medical environment in the public schools and of attending to the health of their students.[15]
In a report prepared in 1994, the Lebanese Government informed the Committee on the Rights of the Child that the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health had set several objectives to be achieved in 1995 regarding the health and welfare of children through various programs in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs, UNICEF, and non-governmental organizations. Among these objectives were:
the reduction of the infant mortality rate;
the reduction of severe malnutrition; and
the reduction of the incidences of intestinal diseases, measles cases, and deaths.[16]
In its report prepared in 1989 the Lebanese Government reported that the health status of the Lebanese population had improved and that this was evident in “the increase in life expectancy at birth, in the reduction of child mortality, and in other positive indicators.”[17] The report also concluded that “the health sector in Lebanon … suffers from a number of structural and functional deficiencies which have an adverse effect on its performance and also have particular implications for the health status of children.”[18]
In 2000, a new law gave disabled persons, including children, specific rights such as the right to free health services paid by the Government
Sale and Trafficking of Children
There is no specific law prohibiting the sale and trafficking of children. The Lebanese Penal Code, however, specifically make the abduction or taking of a child a criminal offense punished by three months to three years imprisonment or by temporary hard labor if the child is under thirteen years of age, or was taken or abducted by force or by ploy.[34]
Furthermore, anyone who repeatedly entices children or other persons under the age of twenty into prostitution or immoral acts, or helps and facilitates the commission of such acts shall be punished by one month to one year imprisonment and a 50,000.00 to 500,000.00 Lebanese pounds fine (US$33 to 330).
The question is do they apply all what they say??? iam sure they don't even care about what they say? what made me really laugh is that they stopped giving kids ,disabled free health service.
What a punishment they get for chlidren's trafficing its hilarious and shame.
further more kids are sent on the streets to beg for money or sell chewing gums..What punishment do their parents have?? Nothing...
I can only say it really digusting to see all that and we just sit and do nothing..
15th July 2009
