Orphans ignored by public employees

Children’s Ombudswoman Tamara Plamadeala will propose the MPs a bill for editing certain documents, concerning the administrative and criminal punishment of public employees who don’t honor their obligations in the protection of children’s rights. Tamara Plamadeala told Info-Prim Neo that a child left without parental care and guardianship, having an established juridical status, has the right to social protection and monthly allowances. However, residential institutions shelter a many children who do not have an established status, because the relevant bodies delay this process, albeit, according to the Law, a child’s status should be determined within 6 months. These kids do not receive benefits, and are not included in adoption lists. According to Plamadeala, the fault for this situation falls upon social assistants from communities, and on the residential institutions’ personnel. “We propose that these sanctions be drastic and imply fines, as well as jail time”, said Tamara Plamadeala. Moldova’s residential institutions host about 5,000 children.