From Casa Alianza / Covenant House in Guatemala, June 13, 2000
"Such initiatives can make a real improvement to the lives of the
country's children"
Casa Alianza / Covenant House in Guatemala is to help educate the
National Civil police about the lives and human rights of street
children in a effort to build better understanding and relations
between the two groups.
The police training initiative, which will last for a ten-month period, is
designed to create greater awareness amongst the national force on
human rights issues, including the rights of children. Casa Alianza,
a non profit organization dedicated to the defense and rehabilitation
of street children in Mexico and Central America, is to educated the
police officers on the lives and experiences of the thousands of
street children who struggle to survive on the country's streets every
day. It's hoped that through building a mutual understanding the
authorities will learn to see the children as human beings with rights.
Historically in Guatemala the police and military authorities have
committed the vast majority of the human rights violations committed
against street children.
Now, in a post civil war, post peace accord Guatemala it is hoped
that such initiatives can make a real improvement to the lives of the
country's children. In particular Casa Alianza will teach the officers
about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
which Guatemala ratified in 1990, the sixth country in the world to do
so.
Other participating organizations include the Human Rights office of
the Catholic Church (ODHAG) and the Rigoberta Menchu Tum
Foundation.
"For more than 7 years Casa Alianza has been trying to get
permission to train the Guatemalan police regarding the plight of
street children", commented Bruce Harris, the Regional Director of
Covenant House’s Latin American Programs. "We are really
pleased that we now get the opportunity to share the almost 20
year’s experience we have with the street children. It is a win, win,
win situation. Hopefully the children will be a little more secure as a
result".
The newly elected government has presented a more positive face
regarding human rights abuses in Guatemala. Whilst there is still a
long road to travel, at least now the government is allowing more non
governmental participation in the resolution and prevention of human
rights abuses.
BACKGROUND
Founded in Guatemala in 1981 Casa Alianza / Covenant House
Latin America is a non-profit organization dedicated to the care and
rehabilitation of street children in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and
Nicaragua. The organization’s Regional Office is based in San
Jose, Costa Rica. Casa Alianza is the Latin American branch of the
New York-based Covenant House a leading advocate of children’s
rights in the region.
Casa Alianza serves close to 5,000 street children a year through a
four-tier program designed to offer them hope, stability and help the
children leave their life on the streets. In addition Casa Alianza last
year helped an additional 4,000 children through community and
capacitating groups.
From Casa Alianza / Covenant House, Guatemala, June 13, 2000
