Euro-MP: International Community must protect South Asia Children

2.15.00pm GMT Wed 12th Jan 2005

The European Parliament was today debating a joint resolution about EU aid to the victims of the Tsunami in South Asia. One of the issues raised was the welfare of children in the area and the dangers of children being exploited.

UNICEF is warning that because of the breakdown of institutions, due to the Tsunami, it will be easier for criminals to exploit the situation and abduct children for trafficking, sexual exploitation or extreme child labour.

Speaking following the debate Liz Lynne Liberal Democrat MEP, who sits on the South Asia delegation in the European Parliament, urged the International community to do more to protect children in the area.

"Children not only make up to a third of the estimated deaths from the tragedy but many thousands have been left orphaned. The children whose parents died are at great risk from criminals who seek to traffic in human beings.

"Illicit trafficking of human beings, especially children, is big business and we need to find ways of protecting these children. That is why I very much welcome the Indonesian government's restriction on children leaving their home area without being accompanied by a parent. However, we have already heard reports of children being taken from hospitals and in many cases it may already be too late to act.

"Child registration, which will help prevent the abductions has begun in India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia but without surviving relatives or documentation many children will struggle to prove their identity.

"The news that schools are beginning to re-open in Sri Lanka has to be welcomed as schools are the one place children can feel safe at the moment. Teachers will be able to protect the children and help them cope with the trauma."