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NCPA to probe if kids used as human shields by parents

11 Oct 2022

BY Dinitha Rathnayake  The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) is to investigate allegations of violence inflicted by the Police against women and children that took place during the peaceful protest held at Galle Face, Colombo, on Sunday (9), as well as whether the parents used their children as human shields in these incidents.  “There are two sides to this matter: One is about the Police taking action against parents with children present, and the other is about parents intentionally exposing their children to such danger. I think that some are using children as shields, which violates international law,” said NCPA Chairman Udayakumara Amarasinghe, speaking to The Morning.  He added that the NCPA had also received a complaint from a teachers’ union related to a one-year-old child being subject to inhumane treatment in the process of their father being dragged away by the Police. According to Amarasinghe, one child who was hospitalised as a result of Sunday’s incidents had been discharged yesterday (10).  “The Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) Director said that the child did not suffer any injury. We however urge parents to not use or take children into such heated situations in the future,” he said. Meanwhile, a child who was present at the Galle Face Green on Sunday had been admitted to the Emergency Treatment Unit of the LRH. LRH Director Dr. G. Wijesuriya told the media yesterday that the said child is in good health and bears no external or internal injuries. He further said that parents should be more concerned about their children in such situations, and recommend against parents taking their children along when participating in protests. Meanwhile, the Child Protection Alliance condemned the violence against women and children that occurred during the peaceful, unarmed protest at the Galle Face, Colombo on Sunday by the Police.  “The shocking images of a young child wailing in fear, clutching her mother while they are both forcefully dragged away by police officers, is a clear violation of Article 11 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom from torture and cruel, inhumane, degrading treatment, or punishment. Research has shown the severe psychological trauma incurred by children who are exposed to violence, with many suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adulthood.  “Child protection is a collective social responsibility. Considering the volatile political situation, we recommend that parents avoid taking children, the most vulnerable members of a community, to protest sites. Whilst honouring the right to peaceful dissent of all citizens, we urge the authorities to protect and promote the rights of the true beneficiaries of the future of Sri Lanka, our children,” the Child Protection Alliance said in a statement issued in this regard.


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