Question : PROTECTION OF CHILDREN S RIGHTS

(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the reports in the media demanding child free zones in areas like restaurants, theatres, hotels, resorts, air flights, etc;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether such child free zones are already operating in other countries and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether under the prevalent Indian laws, children are barred access to such areas; and

(e) if so, the manner in which the Government proposes to ensure protection of the rights of children in all respects?

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO._203 FOR 07.12.2012 REGARDING PROTECTION OF CHILDREN’S RIGHTS BY SHRI KAPIL MUNI KARWARIYA

(a): Some sections of the media have reported on the subject, mainly reflecting different viewpoints.

(b): No specific reaction of the Government is called for.

(c): Government is not aware of such cases. However, some articles in the Press have reported such instances like a casual restaurant in Pennsylvania, United States of America, banned kids below the age of six years, sometime last year. In June 2011, a Malaysian Airlines banned children under 12 years of age from first class cabins of certain flights.

(d): There are no specific laws prevalent in India that bar children’s access to areas such as restaurants, hotels, resorts, airlines, etc. However, under the Cinematograph Act, 1953, a film can be categorized under ‘A’ certificate, which restricts its viewing by children.

(e): There are several laws in the country for the protection of child rights. These include: the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. Further, to protect the rights of children in all respects, the Government has established a National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in 2007, under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. The Commission ensures that all laws, policies, programmes and administrative mechanisms are in consonance with the child rights perspective, enshrined in the Constitution of India and the Convention on the Rights of Child (CRC), to which India is a party.