The situation of children with sensory impairments, deinstitutionalized children and children who do not have identification papers will be analyzed within three studies. The Ombudswoman for Children’s Rights Maia Banarescu has told IPN that UNICEF will help carry out the studies and, based on the conclusions, the Ombudswoman’s Office will formulate recommendations for remedying the situation intended for the central public authorities.
One of the studies will enable to find out the exact number of children with sensory impairments and how these can be included in the education system. “It’s known that the blind do not enjoy enough possibilities for integrating into the education system. Currently, the necessary equipment is provided only by nongovernmental organizations. There is also a shortage of specialists who should be identified and trained,” stated Maia Banarescu, noting the problems in the case of children with hearing impairments are the same.
Another study will follow the deinstitutionalization of children from the residential institutions of Hancesti and Orhei. There will be assessed the situation of deinstitutionalized children and the services prepared for these and monitored their integration into society.
The third study will center on the issuing of identification papers for children. “We think this is a serious problem because in the 21st century we still speak about children who do not have identity cards and even about parents without identity cards,” stated the ombudswoman.
According to her, the children born in Transnistria after 1992 do not possess identification papers and thus cannot study on the right side of the Nistru or abroad, even if they are citizens of Moldova, as they do not have official papers of the Republic of Moldova. This is an acute problem that can be solved by cooperation between the senior authorities.
The results of the studies will be made public this year.
