Child sex offenders to be kept away from schools

Persons convicted of sexual offenses against children or young teenagers will be banned from teaching jobs in educational institution, if a bill to this effect by Liberal-Democrat MP Mariana Palihovici, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, is adopted. The bill, which was recently registered with the Parliament's Standing Bureau, aims to enhance the safety of children and protect their fundamental rights, the Parliament said in a press release. Mariana Palihovici cited statistical data which show an increase in the incidence of abuses and violence against minors. She noted that sexual exploitation seriously affects the health and psychological development of children and young teenagers. This is why the persons involved in education must be upright from every point of view and adhere to moral principles and generally accepted norms of behavior. Liliana Palihovici earlier submitted a separate bill, which was already approved by the Government and the specialized parliamentary commission, proposing to make convicted child sex offenders ineligible for pardon or early release.