What regulates the rights of the child in Belarus
Each state sets itself the task of educating the younger generation, its cultural and spiritual development, as well as the adoption of legal and practical measures to protect childhood. Belarus is no exception. In the Belarusian state, an effective regulatory legal system has been formed that regulates the protection of childhood and enshrines the rights of children.
In particular, Belarus adopted the Law “On the Rights of the Child” dated 11/19/1993. The norms of the Law are based on the norms of international law, in particular, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989.
According to the Law, a child is an individual who has not reached the age of eighteen years.
The child’s right to life and health
Every child has an inalienable right to life. In Belarus, it is forbidden to apply the death penalty and life imprisonment to minors. Encroachment on the life of minors is severely punished in accordance with criminal law.
Children have the right to the protection of physical and moral health, which is ensured by the provision of free medical care, as well as free recreational activities and benefits for sanatorium treatment.
The right of the child to a name and a home
Every child born has the right to a name. Choosing a name for a child is the right and duty of the parents.
All children have the right to have a home. Usually the child lives at the place of residence of the parents, but if the parents are divorced, then the place of residence of the child is determined by agreement between them or in court.
It should be noted that when a child reaches the age of ten, he has the right to appear in court and express a desire to live with his father or mother.
Parents are obliged to keep the dwelling where the child lives clean, providing him with the necessary household items (a bed in accordance with the age of the child, a school desk for learning, etc.).
The right of the child to freedom of expression
Every child who is able to formulate his thoughts has the right to express his opinion on issues that affect his interests. So, for example, a child has the right to say what kind of activity he wants to do so that his abilities and talents develop.
Parents, in turn, should contribute to the development of the child’s talents, encouraging his aspirations.
The right of the child to education and spiritual development
Children are entitled to free basic education. Parents do not have the right to interfere with their child’s education. Parents can choose any educational institution, taking into account the opinion of the child, but in most cases the child is educated at a school or gymnasium in the community.
Belarus is a state of traditional family values. The child has the right to receive spiritual development in accordance with traditional family values.
It should be noted that only parents have the right to influence the religion of their children, namely, to accompany them during religious rites (for example, Orthodox – baptism, communion, etc.). No unauthorized person has the right to force a child to participate in religious rites.
Protecting children from negative information
The Law of the Republic of Belarus “On the Rights of the Child” establishes that children must be protected from negative information on the Internet, as well as on television and through other means of obtaining information.
Thus, the legislator has introduced special requirements for producers of information content: at the beginning of a film or video, it is necessary to acquaint the viewer with the age limit. So, the inscription “6+” means that the film should not be viewed by children under 6 years old.
It is also prohibited for children to view content containing:
– obscene language and expressions;
– frightening scenes;
– scenes promoting violence;
– scenes promoting an immoral lifestyle;
– other negative information.
It is important to note that special attention in the state is paid to disabled children and children left without parental care. All of the above rights also apply to children born out of wedlock. Consequently, every little citizen has legally protected rights from birth, regardless of whether the parents are married, their state of health, or whether their parents are alive.