Anne nanindigan para sa mga kabataan: Hindi sila kriminal

ANNE CURTIS

MATAPOS maiproklama ang 12 senador na nanalo sa nakaraang eleksyon, nag-post si Anne Curtis ng mensahe tungkol sa isyu ng pagpapababa sa edad ng criminal responsibility ng mga kabataan.

Muling nanawagan ang TV host-actress sa mga lawmaker na maging maingat sa pag-apruba ng batas tungkol sa nasabing usapin dahil buhay ng isang bata ang nakasasalay dito.

Narito ang kabuuan ng hugot ni Anne, “Council for the Welfare of Children, civil society organizations, professional associations, child protection experts, well-meaning citizens, parents and the youth.

“I stand with them for NOT lowering the criminal age of responsibility but instead supporting the full implementation of the current law of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act,” lahad ng aktres.

Pagpapatuloy pa niya, “I understand that there are those who see differently but if you could only try and discern that they are STILL CHILDREN, are victims of their circumstance and are still young enough to change their ways.”

Naniniwala si Anne na sa murang edad ng mga batang nakakagawa ng krimen dahil na rin sa matinding kahirapan, ay maaari pang magbago sa pamamagitan ng tamang paggabay.

“Instead of being penalized, they should have access to proper rehabilitation—where they can be properly cared for to understand what they may have done wrong, learn to change their ways and be given a second chance at life.

“I stand with UNICEF as they call on the Government to work with child rights defenders and strengthen the juvenile justice system for the sake of all Filipino children,” with the hashtag “#ChildrenNotCriminals,” aniya pa.

Sa ilalim ng Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, hindi maaaring ikulong o kasuhan ang mga kabataang nasa edad 15 pababa sa halip, sila ay dadalhin sa mga rehabilitation center o mga government institutions na maaaring makatulong sa kanilang pagbabago.

Ilang celebrities naman ang humanga sa katapangan ni Anne para ipaglaban ang karapatan ng mga kabataan kabilang na riyan si Angel Locsin na nag-comment ng, “Proud of you Anita. Ilaban ang magandang kinabukasan ng mga kabataan.”

Nagpasalamat din ang UNICEF kay Anne, “Thank you for speaking up, Anne! ALL CHILDREN must be treated with dignity and accorded their inalienable rights. Children in conflict with the law, who are already vulnerable and exploited, need to be protected and not further penalized. They deserve a second chance in life. They are #ChildrenNotCriminals.”