Rights body decries harsh treatment of juveniles

Author: 
MUHAMMAD HUMAIDAN | ARAB NEWS
Publication Date: 
Wed, 2010-05-12 01:34

Hassan Al-Sharif, supervisor general of the NSHR in the Makkah province, said an NSHR team visited the center which is home to 150 youngsters between the ages of 20 and seven, some of whom are disabled and orphaned. The team found that the youths were punished with sticks and metal or plastic wires, and were living in undignified living conditions.
The team also discovered that the home was poorly furnished and that medications were being stored at the shelter’s clinic in a shoddy manner. Youngsters also told the team about how they were punished and abused by those in charge.
Al-Sharif said the visiting team however noted certain positive practices such as dividing the youngsters according to their ages. Boys up to 11 were in one group, those between the ages of 12 and 17 formed another group, and those over 18 formed the third group.
The team also commended the monthly distribution of stipends at the rate of SR600 to children of primary school age, SR700 to children of intermediate school age, and SR900 for children of secondary school age. Those studying at universities and colleges are given SR1,200 a month, and orphans wanting to get married are given SR20,000, he said.

Taxonomy upgrade extras: