COLOMBO (News 1st); UNICEF Sri Lanka has condemned all events of violence against children during the recent protests, and had issued a statement with regard to the issue. 

Accordingly, UNICEF states that it is concerned with reports of violence during protests involving children, and that all actors must guarantee the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, including for children.

According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, children and adolescents have the right to participate and express their opinions on issues that affect them. The State, local communities and families have a shared responsibility to protect children and safeguard their rights, UNICEF mentions.

Therefore, UNICEF emphasizes that all acts of violence must stop, and every adult must act with a sense of responsibility and avoid exposing children to all forms of violence, including during protests.

“We call on law enforcement agencies to avoid the use of force and ensure that fundamental guarantees for the protection of children remain applicable everywhere, at all times”, the statement added.

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