The “Zanmi Timoun” Foundation demands that the Haitian state take measures in favor of street children

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNESCO organized Street Children’s Day in 2009 and, since then, the date of April 12 is commemorated every year around the world. But, in recent months, the time seems to be calming down in several arteries of the metropolitan area with a clear reduction in street children. These children from disadvantaged families living in working-class neighborhoods and sometimes coming from provincial towns wanting to escape poverty offer themselves this escape. And the only chance of survival, the street as a place of supply and habitat. It must be said that the violence in the streets did not leave civil society organizations, including the “Zanmi Timoun” Foundation, indifferent. She wants decisions to be made by the Haitian state to respect their rights and integrate them into society.

Furthermore, this category, visibly neglected by the Haitian authorities and society, fought daily in the streets to earn their bread. Because the situation of these children remains the same and their primary needs are not guaranteed by the State, despite the laws, decrees and conventions signed and which truly constitute the legal framework in terms of child protection. ‘Child. In this case, given the precariousness of the families, they are unable to ensure the survival of the children, they have no other choice than to go to the streets to get supplies. Every day, dozens of little girls and boys, left to their own devices, cross the infernal hell of the metropolitan area exposed to all kinds of insecurity. These children do not enjoy any rights. However, the Haitian Constitution of 1987 in its article 19, stipulates: the State has the imperative obligation to guarantee the right to life, to health, to respect for the human person, to all citizens without distinction, in accordance with the universal declaration of human rights. However, the total indifference of the authorities concerned does not reflect any interest in street children, who are often victims of abuse, sexual violence, assault and other actions that attack their dignity.

The “Zanmi Timoun” Foundation is once again sounding the alarm on the situation of street children in Haiti in order to attract the attention of the Haitian State on April 12, 2023 for genuine care for these children.

Done in Port-au-Prince, April 12, 2023

Joseph Richard FORTUNÉ
Communication manager
Tel: 509 3187 73 63 / 3387 06 88