Indonesian Government to Revise Law on Child Protection

Jakarta (Antara) - The government will speed up the revision of the Law No. 23 on Child Protection to strengthen legal enforcement on and prevention of child abuse and violence. The revision would include heavier punishment for child abusers and improvement of children's rights in line with the International Convention on Children's Rights, Indonesian Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Linda Amaliasari Gumelar told the press after attending a meeting on child protection led by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono here on Wednesday. "The process of the revision of the law is expected to be carried out (by the government) together with the current Parliament. We are ready with the scientific study," the minister said. Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono said the government had outlined 40 planned activities for a program of national movement against child abuse and violence to be implemented by the government and every element of the community. The 40 activities include the revision of the law on child protection, he added. The movement will involve 17 ministries, which will discuss and draft a presidential instruction to be implemented nationally and at the regional level. The participation of the government and the community in general, including NGOs, is needed," he noted. President Yudhoyono led a limited cabinet meeting, which was also attended by Vice President Boediono, to discuss the government's plan to launch a national movement against child abuse and violence. (*)