Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights

The Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has been set up in July, 2007 as a statutory body under Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act 2005 (4 of 2006) to protect, promote and defend child rights in the state. The commission carries out various activities to ensure adherence to the standards for children prescribed in the CRC. Some of these standards include:

• The child is protected against all forms of discrimination, based upon race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
• In all actions concerning children, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.
• The child shall have the right to identity, name & nationality.
• Every child has the inherent right to life, survival and development, including the right to the highest attainable standard of health to to facilities for the treatment of illness, the right to education, which shall be directed to the development of the child’s personality, talent and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential; and the right to benefit from social security.
• A child has right to rest & leisure, & to engage in play and recreational activities.
• Every child has right to a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.
• No child shall be subjected to illicit transfer, abduction, sale or traffic for any purpose or in any form.
• Views of the child are to be given due weightage.
• A child shall not be separated from parents against their will, except when such separation is necessary for the best interest of the child.
• A child deprived of family environment, shall be entitled to special protection and assistance provided by the State.
• Institutions, services and facilities responsible for the care or protection of children shall conform to the standards established
• A mentally or physically disabled child should enjoy a full & decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance & facilitate active participation in the community.
• Children are protected from economic exploitation.
• Children are not subjected to illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
• Children are protected from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse.
• Every child is protected from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.
• No child is subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment or be deprived of his liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily.
• All appropriate measures shall be taken to promote physical and psychological recovery and social re-integration of a child victim of any form of neglect, exploitation or abuse, torture.
• The rules of international humanitarian law applicable to children in armed conflicts are respected
• Every child alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law has right to be treated in a manner consistent with the promotion of the child’s sense of dignity and worth.
• No child is subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his/her privacy, home or to unlawful attacks on his/her honor and reputation.

To know more about the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, please visit their website at   http://egov.co.in/