HR expert reveals reality of Iraqi children

The human rights expert, Fadel Al Gharawi, said that the reality of child's rights in Iraq is threatened to collapse if the government does not take measures to address it, warning of increasing cases of domestic violence against children, calling on parents to deal with their children humanely.

Al-Gharawi added, in a statement to Arabs Today, that human rights committee is monitoring with great concern the cases of child abuse by their families in the past period, stressing that these acts are rejected by religions and customs and are alien to our society. He stressed the increasing number of children who are in conflict with the law and the low level of education and health care, calling for drafting new law to protect the child from domestic violence.

He added that the system of children's rights in Iraq is witnessing many challenges, stressing that the indicators confirm the increase in the number of orphan children.

Al-Gharrawi called on the government to take strict measures against those who commit domestic violence against their children, and not criminalize children and consider them victims. He called on parents to take care of their children and not to use beatings and torture against them.

He pointed out that the last two years were the most brutal and violent years against children of Iraq, because of the large number of violations by IS organization, in addition to what happens today especially in the southern regions of violence against children by their parents.

Al-Gharrawi indicated that studies have proved, in the Western world and the Arab world, that the main reasons of domestic violence are the use of alcohol and narcotics, followed by the psychological and social conditions of the couple.