A Round Table Conference was held on 13 Oct, at a hotel in Chiba Prefecture of Tokyo under the auspices of Arigatou Foundation Japan. The theme of conference was potential of inter-religions dialogue to build stronger partnership for children.

Addressing the conference Mir Nawaz Khan Marwat Assistant Secretary General World Muslim Congress emphasized the need to have comprehensive child protection policy. He highly appreciated the efforts of Arigatou Foundation to hold the important event. He said Rev Keishi Miyamoto is a talented and dynamic person having zeal and capacity to work for religious harmony, interreligious understanding and desire for the uplift and protection of children rights, deserves our rich tributes and unstinted support for the accomplishment of his noble mission.

"Duty is cost upon all of us to protect the rights of children, provide them proper guidance and solve their problems. Asia being the cradle of old and rich civilization and the birth place of all great religions of world has to shoulder great responsibility in this context. The hounds of world wars I & II besides great devastation and spilling of human blood, had left millions of orphan children and large number of widows.

"It affected the family thread and led to financial constraints. It destroyed the joint family structure. Hence the children in their tender age had to work to earn their livelihood and they were deprived of educational facilities. It led to the menace of child labour. The crime hike and flaws in law gave birth to child abuse and child trade.

"The impact of religion got weak hence the youth could not get proper guidance. Poverty is the main cause which makes children vulnerable to many vices. The grip of law being loose in some countries the cases of child abuse, child trade and child labour are rampant. It requires speedy trial of criminals, implementation of law and dispensation of justice.

"Child is like a flower. The flower is a flower, it may be from any garden or region. It is the collective responsibility of the society to guide the children and look after their wellbeing.

"The protection of child rights demands immediate attention and it needs comprehensive child protection policy. In addition to the constitutional obligations of the state towards children there are also international obligations of state being party to international treaties.

"Article 4 of the UN convention on the rights of child ratified by member states made it obligatory on the state parties to take all appropriate, legislative, administrative and other measures for the implementation of the rights enshrined in the convention. The committee on the rights of child in its General Measures of Implementation of the UNCRC 2003 says that "when a state ratifies the convention on the rights of the child, it takes on obligations under international law to implement it".

"In para 40 of GC5 it has been stated that the committee has found it necessary to emphasise to many states that decentralization of power, through devolution and delegation of government, does not in any way reduce the direct responsibility of the state party's government to fulfill its obligations to all children within its jurisdiction, regardless of state structure.

"Now let us examine whether member states who ratified the above mentioned convention has adhered to it has discharged its responsibility. In case of non compliance what measures were taken by UN against them. Respect of law is the prime responsibility of state.

"Every religion teaches us lesson to be kind, compassionate and generous to children particularly to poor, orphans and destitutes. We have to ponder over it whether as religionists we have performed our obligations and have taken care of child rights and wellbeing.

"In some areas poor children for small monetary gain or the false interpretation of religion and promise of paradise by some extremists, the innocent children fall prey to their evil designs and are led to become suicidal bombers.

"We have to gather on a common platform and evolve common programme to educate children that no religion permits killing of innocent people and it is a heinous crime. We have to strengthen the grip of religion and impart religious and moral education. We have to work together for eradication of poverty and adopt the policy of sharing and caring.

"The family thread is to be strengthened; the parents and elders of the family have to ensure proper brought up and guidance of children. Children should not be compelled to work to earn their livelihood. It is the responsibility of family, society and state to provide them livelihood and other facilities". Mr. Marwat said.

He also pointed out that there are some unresolved conflicts which requires early resolution. These conflicts if not resolved, can lead to armed conflicts, the aftermath would be large number of orphans and widows which would cause further agonies, he said.

---