1. März 2013

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Sicherungssystem der Jugendwohlfahrt; Versorgung von Jugendlichen mit Unterkunft, Nahrung, Bildung

Laut einer im August 2011 von der Kinderrechtsorganisation Save the Children Schweden herausgegebenen Analyse zu Kinderrechten in Tunesien wurde das tunesische Kinderschutzgesetz 1995 verabschiedet und sei am 11. Jänner 2006 in Kraft getreten. Das Gesetz garantiere das Recht des Kindes auf Überleben, Entwicklung und Schutz und definiere Situationen, in denen Kinder gefährdet seien und Schutz benötigten. Dazu gehöre der Verlust der Eltern, Vernachlässigung, Vagabundieren, Mangel an Bildung und Schutz, Misshandlung, sexuelle Ausbeutung, Ausbeutung durch organisiertes Verbrechen oder wenn das Kind der Bettelei ausgesetzt werde, sowie ökonomische Ausbeutung. Nach Inkrafttreten des Gesetzes sei ein umfassender Kinderschutzmechanismus eingerichtet worden. Dazu zähle die Ernennung von Kinderschutzbeauftragten, die im Interesse von gefährdeten Kindern eingreifen könnten:

„The Child Protection Code (Law n. 95-92) was adopted in 1995 entered into force on 11 January 2006. The Code guarantees the right to survival, development and protection of the child, and defines the following situations as putting a children in danger and in need of protection (a) Loss of parents, so that he or she remains without family support; (b) Exposure of a child to negligence and to vagrancy; (c) Continuous and well-established lack of education and protection; (d) Habitual ill-treatment of the child; (e) Sexual exploitation of the girl or boy child; (f) Exploitation of the child in organised crime; (g) Exposure of the child to begging and economic exploitation of the child. Article 2 of Law No. 83 (2005) provides for the protection of persons with disabilities from economic and sexual exploitation, displacement, neglect and abandonment.

Following the entry into force of the Child Protection Code, a comprehensive child protection mechanism has been put in place, including the appointment of Child Protection Officers, able to intervene on behalf of children in danger.” (Save the Children Sweden, August 2011, S. 191-192)

Das Manara Network, ein regionales Netzwerk zur Koordination und Förderung von Informationen und Maßnahmen zu Kinderrechten im Nahen Osten und Nordafrika (MENA) veröffentlichte im August 2011 unter der Mitarbeit der Organisationen Amal pour la famille et l’enfant in Tunis, sowie dem MENA-Regionalbüro von Save the Children Schweden und dem International Bureau for Children’s Rights in Montréal ein Länderprofil zu Tunesien. In dem Länderprofil wird erwähnt, dass es in Tunesien in 18 Provinzen insgesamt 23 Integrierte Zentren für Kinder und Jugendliche des Ministeriums für Frauen, Familien, Kinder und ältere Menschen gebe. Dies seien sozio-edukative Zentren für gefährdete elternlose Kinder oder für Kinder in sozialen Schwierigkeiten. Die Kinder seien zwischen sechs und 18 Jahre alt, würden die Schule besuchen oder eine Berufsausbildung absolvieren, seien körperlich und geistig fit und in der Lage, in Gruppen mit anderen Kindern zu leben. Die Zentren würden auch ein System von Internaten für gefährdete elternlose Kinder anbieten sowie ein System von Halbinternaten für Kinder mit sozialen Schwierigkeiten in Folge des Verlusts eines Elternteils oder des Zusammenbruchs der Familie:

„Tunisia has 23 integrated centres for children and young people, in 18 governorates, under the Ministry of Women, Family, Children and the Elderly Affairs. Integrated centres for children and youth are socio-educational centres catering for children who lost their parents and are at risk as defined by Article 20 of the Child Protection Code (CPE) or living with social difficulties. These children fall between the ages of six and 18, attend school or vocational training, be physically and mentally fit, and be able to live with groups of other children. These centres also provide a system of boarding school for children who have lost their parents and are at risk, as well as a system of semi-boarding school for children with social difficulties due to the loss of a parent or family breakdown, provided that the location of their residence permits them to attend the centre daily.” (Manara Network, August 2011, S. 27-28)

In einem von der tunesischen Vertretung des Kinderhilfswerks der Vereinten Nationen (UNICEF Tunis) herausgegebenen arabischen Leitfaden zu den Strukturen des Kinderschutzes werden die Adressen der 23 Integrierten Zentren für Kinder und Jugendliche aufgelistet. Bei jedem Zentrum wird die Zahl der Betreuungsplätze für das Internat (insgesamt 1122 Plätze) bzw. das Halbinternat (insgesamt 2241 Plätze) angegeben. Zu den Aufgaben der Zentren gehören laut Angaben im Leitfaden die Deckung des täglichen Bedarfs der Kinder und Jugendlichen, die Gesundheitsversorgung, Mediation, Intervention bei Bildungseinrichtungen und Behörden, psychologische Unterstützung, Freizeitgestaltung und soziale Integration (UNICEF Tunis, ohne Datum, S. 11-12). In dem Leitfaden werden auch noch andere Anlaufstellen für Kinder und Jugendliche genannt, darunter auch die Adressen von elf Zentren für Schutz und soziale Integration, die eine Tagesbetreuung für Kinder und Jugendliche anbieten (UNICEF Tunis, ohne Datum, S. 23-24).

 

In einem im Jänner 2011 verfassten Protokoll einer Besprechung des UNO-Kinderrechtsausschusses (CRC) vom Juni 2010 wird die Aussage von Frau Jaber, Mitglied der tunesischen Delegation, zitiert, wonach Kinder und Jugendliche von sechs bis 18 Jahren und darüber hinaus, falls sie noch studieren, bis zu ihrer Unabhängigkeit von den Integrierten Zentren für Kinder und Jugendliche betreut würden. Auch die Unterbringung in einer Pflegefamilie sei möglich. In den Zentren würde die Betreuung durch Bildungspersonal, PsychologInnen und SozialarbeiterInnen erfolgen. Es würden 7000 Kinder in den Zentren betreut, davon hätten 200 keine Familie, die anderen kämen aus Problemfamilien:

„16. Until the age of 6, abandoned children were cared for by institutions run by the Ministry of Social Affairs. From 6 to 18, and beyond if they were still studying, they were cared for by public institutions called ‘integrated centres for children and young people‘ until they achieved independence. They could also be placed with a foster family.

17. In the integrated centres for children and young people, youngsters were supervised by educational social workers, psychologists and social workers. A programme was being prepared with UNICEF to ensure that, as soon as they arrived at the centre, every child would be part of an integration scheme that would help them to gain independence.

[…] 31. Ms. Jaber (Tunisia) said that only 200 out of the 7,000 children in integrated centres for children and young people had no families. The remaining children came from problem families and both educational support officers and NGOs worked to ensure that they attended school. Their school grades were generally satisfactory, and sometimes even better than the national average.” (CRC, 13. Jänner 2011, S. 3-4)

Das Länderprofil des Manara Network nennt auch das Nationale Institut für Kinderschutz als soziale Schutzinstitution des Sozialministeriums für die Versorgung von Kindern ohne familiäre Unterstützung:

„The National Institute of Child Protection is a social protection institution providing care for children who lack family support, and is affiliated to the Ministry of Social Affairs, Solidarity and Tunisians Abroad. Established in 1972, the Institute activities such as looking after children who lack family support and fulfilling their right to live by meeting their basic needs and granting a patronymic family name to abandoned children or those of unknown parentage under the age of six.” (Manara Network, August 2011, S. 28)

Das Gesetz sehe in Tunesien eine neunjährige Schulpflicht bis zum Alter von 16 Jahren vor, so das Länderprofil des Manara Network. Das Gesetz regle, dass der Schulbesuch kostenlos sei und keinerlei Diskriminierung erlaube. Zwischen 2005 und 2009 habe es in der sechsjährigen Primärstufe Einschreibungsraten von 97 Prozent bei Jungen und 98 Prozent bei Mädchen gegeben, die Schulbesuchsrate sei bei 95 bzw. 93 Prozent gelegen. Die Einschreibungsraten an höheren Schulen seien bei 67 bzw. 76 Prozent gelegen. Laut UNICEF habe man sich in den letzten Jahren nicht ausreichend mit der Rate an Schulabbrüchen befasst, Schätzungen zufolge würden jährlich zwischen 60.000 und 80.000 Kinder die Schule abbrechen, sie hätten keinen Zugang zu einer weiteren Ausbildung oder Berufsausbildung. SchulabbrecherInnen würden oft als Lehrlinge außerhalb der formalen Ausbildung eingesetzt. Die Berufsausbildung habe besondere Aufmerksamkeit im Rahmen eines Reformprozesses erhalten, der zur qualitativen und quantitativen Steigerung der Leistungsfähigkeit des Systems beigetragen habe:

„According to Orientation Law No. 80 of 23 July 2002 on education and school education, formal schooling is compulsory until the age of 16 and free for all Tunisians without any discrimination. Basic education in Tunisia consists of nine years of schooling and is divided into two distinct stages: six years of primary school and three years of preparatory education. After these nine years, students sit for the national exam of graduation from basic education and must pass it in order to obtain a diploma of completed studies. […] Between 2005 and 2009, enrolment rates for primary education was 97% for boys and 98% for girls and primary school attendance rates were 95% and 93%, respectively. Enrolment in high school, however, was lower at 67% for boys and 76% for girls. According to UNICEF, in recent years the drop-out rate has not been addressed as needed. Despite the fact that Tunisia spent 7.2% of its GDP on education in 2010-2011, the rise in high drop-out rates will have costly long-term effects. It is estimated that between 60,000 and 80,000 children drop out of school each year and 7.6% of these leave in the seventh year. These children have no access to a second-chance education or to vocational training, largely because information about opportunities is not available. A review of vocational training was conducted but raised the issue of prerequisites for admission. As a result, children who have dropped out of school are often used as apprentices outside of the sphere of formal training. As a result, two years after leaving school a child can be considered de facto illiterate. […]

Vocational training also received special attention through a comprehensive reform process that improved the system’s performance and applied structural interdependence between vocational training on the one hand and education and higher education sectors on the other. This contributed to significant achievements in terms of quantity and quality. Indeed, the number of vocational training students increased by 8% between 2008 and 2009. Girls account for 32.7% of total students in training. The number of vocational centres stood at 212 in 2008/2009, whether in the private or public sector.” (Manara Network, August 2011, S. 41-42)

Gefährdung von Kindern durch Kinderarbeit und Kinderprostitution

Das US-Arbeitsministerium (USDOL) schreibt in seinem Bericht zu Kinderarbeit vom September 2012, dass Kinder in Tunesien Berichten zufolge den schlimmsten Formen der Kinderarbeit ausgesetzt seien. Der Mangel an offiziellen Daten und Informationen erlaube jedoch keine genaue Einschätzung der Art und des Ausmaßes der Kinderarbeit. Der Bericht erwähnt, dass Kinder in der Landwirtschaft, als Haushaltsgehilfinnen, in Fabriken und als Straßenhändler arbeiten würden, und beschreibt die damit verbundenen Gefährdungslagen. Das Gesetz würde als Mindestalter für die Beschäftigung von Kindern generell 16 Jahre vorsehen, der Bericht zählt aber auch abweichende Altersgrenzen für spezifische Fälle auf. Auch Kinderprostitution und die Teilnahme von Kindern an Kriegen und bewaffneten Konflikten seien gesetzlich verboten:

„Children in Tunisia are reportedly engaged in the worst forms of child labor. However, the lack of official data and other information does not allow for an accurate assessment of the full nature and extent of the worst forms of child labor. Evidence indicates that children work in agriculture. According to a recent World Bank report, rural children in Tunisia are less likely than urban children to attend school past age 10. Such children may be working instead of attending school. Children working in agriculture may be exposed to chemicals, injured by dangerous machinery or tools and suffer physical harm from performing repetitive motions and carrying excessively heavy loads. There are reports that Tunisian children, mostly girls, work as domestic servants. Children employed as domestics may work long hours and are isolated in private homes, where they are susceptible to physical and sexual abuse. […] Children reportedly work in factories and as street vendors selling candy, cigarettes and other small items. Children working on the streets may be exposed to multiple dangers including severe weather, vehicle accidents and criminal elements. The 2010-2011 Tunisian Revolution resulted in the creation of a new constitution and improvements in governmental transparency, but the political turmoil exacerbated the country’s poverty and unemployment. NGOs have reported anecdotally that child labor has become more pervasive and visible in Tunisia since the revolution, referencing a greater presence of street children and citing increased economic pressure on rural families that may push children into child labor.

Laws and Regulations on the Worst Forms of Child Labor

Tunisia’s Labor Code sets the minimum age for employment at 16, with some exceptions such as work in family-run businesses. Children can also participate in light agricultural work from age 13 and in light industrial work from age 14, provided the work is not hazardous and does not interfere with schooling. The Labor Code and the Child Protection Code both bar children under age 18 from hazardous work. After an inspection of the workplace, the Government can authorize some children to engage in hazardous work from age 16 as long as the child’s health is monitored and the work is paired with specific education and training. The Labor Code gives the Ministry of Social Affairs, Solidarity and Tunisians Abroad the authority to determine the hazardous jobs and activities in which children cannot engage. However, research found no evidence of such a list. Children under age 16 are not legally permitted to work as domestic servants.

Education is compulsory until age 16. In addition, the Government of Tunisia provides free schooling beyond the age of compulsory education. Tunisian law forbids the use of forced or slave labor. The Tunisian Penal Code proscribes capturing, detaining or sequestering a person for forced labor. In 2011, an anti-trafficking bill was drafted, but it has not been passed into law. Child prostitution is forbidden under the Penal Code and the Child Protection Code, and the applicable provisions cover both girls and boys. Tunisian law also criminalizes the production and distribution of child pornography. It offers further protection for children against forced begging and exploitation for illicit activities. The Child Protection Code outlaws children’s participation in wars or armed conflicts, and voluntary military service is set at age 18. All male citizens are subject to compulsory military service at age 20.” (USDOL, 19. Juni 2012, S. 627-628)

Das US-Arbeitsministerium schreibt weiters, dass in jeder Provinz ein Kinderschutzbeauftragter zur Umsetzung des Kinderschutzgesetzes ernannt worden sei. Das Gesetz lege besondere Betonung auf Situationen, die Kinder gefährden könnten, darunter auch Kinderarbeit. Es gebe dennoch Bedenken, dass ein Kinderschutzbeauftragter pro Provinz nicht ausreichend sei. Nach der Revolution sei ein neues Komitee gebildet worden, die Delegiertengruppe für Kinderschutz. Dieses Komitee unter Vorsitz des Sozialministeriums sei eine Koordinationseinrichtung für die staatlichen Bemühungen zur Bekämpfung von Kinderarbeit. Es gebe auch Inspektoren des Sozialministeriums und 380 Arbeitsinspektoren, die zur Einhaltung des Verbots der Kinderarbeit beitragen würden. Unter dem Regime von Ben Ali habe Tunesien keine Strategien zur Bekämpfung der Kinderarbeit entwickelt. Die neue Regierung habe allerdings zugegeben, dass Kinderarbeit existiere:

„Institutional Mechanisms for Coordination and Enforcement

Under the previous regime, the Government of Tunisia established a Child Protection Representative in each of the country’s governorates to enforce the Child Protection Code. The Code places a special emphasis on situations that threaten a child’s health or moral or physical integrity, including the worst forms of child labor. These Representatives are still in place under the auspices of the Ministry of Women. Nevertheless, there have been concerns that having only one delegate per governorate is inadequate. Since the revolution, a new committee has been formed, called the Delegates Group for the Protection of Children. This committee, headed by the Ministry of Social Affairs, is considered to be the coordinating body for government efforts to combat child labor. The Ministry of Social Affairs is also responsible for enforcing child labor laws through its inspectors, who collaborate with child protection officers and medical inspectors to identify and prevent the economic exploitation of minors. In addition, Tunisia’s 380 labor inspectors collaborate with the General Union of Tunisian Labor to ensure that the Labor Code is enforced and that cases of child labor are reported and prosecuted. Labor inspectors occasionally coordinated spot checks with Ministry of Education officials, while National Social Security Fund officials also inspected factories and industries for compliance with labor laws. In 2011, the Ministry of Social Affairs reviewed 485 allegations of child labor, and of this number 24 cases were prosecuted. No information was available on the outcomes of these cases or the level of funding provided for child labor law enforcement. […]

Government Policies on the Worst Forms of Child Labor

During the rule of the Ben Ali regime, the Government of Tunisia did not develop any policies to combat child labor. However, the new Government recently acknowledged that child labor exists. The new Government has not conducted research to determine the extent and nature of child labor that may be occurring in the country.” (USDOL, 19. Juni 2012, S. 628)

Der UN-Kinderrechtsausschuss (CRC) schreibt im Juni 2010 in seinen Schlussbemerkungen zur Umsetzung der Kinderrechtskonvention durch Tunesien, dass er besorgt sei, dass 35 Prozent aller Fälle, die den regionalen Kinderschutzbeauftragten im Jahr 2008 zugetragen wurden, Vernachlässigung und Vagabundieren beinhaltet hätten. Angesichts der Dimension dieses Phänomens habe der Ausschuss seine Besorgnis über den offensichtlichen Mangel an adäquaten Schutzmechanismen und fehlende Informationen und Daten zur Situation von Straßenkindern ausgedrückt:

„59. The Committee is concerned that 35 per cent of the cases referred to regional child protection delegates in 2008 involved neglect and vagrancy. In view of the magnitude of this phenomenon, the Committee expresses concern at the apparent lack of adequate protection measures in place and at the absence of information and specific data in the report of the State party on the situation of children in street situations.

60. The Committee therefore recommends that the State party: (a) Undertake a systematic assessment of the situation of children in street situations in order to obtain an accurate picture of the root causes and magnitude;

(b) Develop and implement, with the active involvement of the children themselves, a comprehensive policy which should address the root causes, in order to prevent and reduce this phenomenon;

(c) In coordination with NGOs, provide children in street situations with the necessary protection, including a family environment, adequate health-care services, the possibility to attend school and other social services;

(d) Support family reunification programmes, when that is in the best interests of the child.“ (CRC, 16. Juni 2010, S. 14)

In einem Artikel auf der Nachrichten-Website Tunisia live vom Jänner 2012 wird auf der Basis von Interviews mit staatlichen und nicht-staatlichen AkteurInnen ausführlich über Straßenkinder und Kinderarbeit in Tunesien berichtet. Lange durch gefälschte oder unvollständige Statistiken geschönt, sei das Problem der Kinderarbeit nach der tunesischen Revolution immer deutlicher und sichtbarer geworden. Unter dem Regime von Ben Ali sei das Thema ein Tabu gewesen, die Zivilgesellschaft sei unterdrückt gewesen, und Regierungsorganisationen hätten die positive Fassade eines wohltätigen Regimes aufrechterhalten. Obwohl Tunesien über moderne und fortschrittliche Kinderschutzgesetze verfüge, sei die Umsetzung der Gesetze unter Ben Ali vernachlässigt worden. Auch nach der Revolution sei der Umsetzung keine Priorität eingeräumt worden. Eine Kinderrechts-Aktivistin habe über Misshandlungen von arbeitenden Kindern in Lokalen und an öffentlichen Plätzen berichtet, Menschen würden auf die Kinder herabschauen, sie manchmal beschimpfen oder sogar körperlich angreifen. UNICEF würde versuchen, ein Profil zur Kinderarbeit in Tunesien zu erstellen. Die meisten arbeitenden Minderjährigen seien männlich, so seien praktisch alle Straßenhändler in Tunis Jungen. Mädchen würden vorwiegend im Haushalt oder in der Landwirtschaft arbeiten:

„You see them in almost every public space in Tunisia: in sidewalk cafés, shopping centers, central markets and even in pubs. Whether begging, selling flowers, or shoe-shining, the sight of child workers is so ubiquitous in Tunisia that one almost forgets that these children are meant to be in school, at home, or playing with their friends - not making a living in the street. Long obscured by falsified or insufficient statistics, the problem of child labor in Tunisia has become far more pervasive and visible in the aftermath of the Tunisian Revolution. Moez El Cherif, a pediatrician and the head of a newly-founded non-profit – the Tunisian Association for the Defense of Children’s Rights, expressed deep concern regarding the dire situation currently facing Tunisia’s ‘street’ children. According to Cherif, the issue of child labor used to be a taboo during the era of the Ben Ali regime. ‘In the past, civil society was stifled; children’s rights associations were few, and many of the groups licensed to operate were governmental organizations that were founded to promote a positive facade of a charitable regime. Our association could have never existed in the past, as we would have been obliged to abide by the government’s dictated code – which was mainly about the falsification of data and the embellishment reports covering the issue,’ he stated.

While Tunisia maintains modern, progressive child protection laws – such as a minimum working age of 16, mandatory medical checkups, and a strict ban on night labor – the responsibility of enforcing these laws was swept under the rug during Ben Ali’s hold on power. After the revolution, that enforcement does not seem to have been prioritized by government authorities. Rébah Megudich is the General Director of the Employment Department at the Social Affairs Ministry, which houses the Delegates Group for the Protection of Children (Corps de délégués à la protection de l’enfance) – in charge of inspecting the situation of working children. Megudich does not deny that the current government is putting little focus on the child labor issue, and is primarily focusing on dealing with the wave of sit-ins and protests. He believes that Tunisia’s current socio-political instability has contributed to lax enforcement of child labor laws, but that the situation is starting to improve. ‘Since last January less control has been exercised in public spaces, as well as factories and workplaces, due to administrative disorder – some inspection teams are no longer working. Yet, things are gradually going back to normal,’ he said. Megudich believes that an in-depth survey should be conducted, especially given that the reports issued during Ben Ali’s era are deemed to lack credibility. ‘Depicting a miserable image of Tunisian society did not serve the ousted president’s interest. He was determined to make Tunisia appear to be a democratic state – preserving women’s and children’s rights. However, the reality was completely the opposite,’ he asserted. Megudich said that the Delegates Group has been conducting surveys to help evaluate the magnitude of the problem, but he called upon non-profits (such as the Tunisian Association for the Defense of Children’s Rights) and other civil society organizations to lead the charge while the reports are being compiled.

However, Cherif explained that without proper enforcement of Tunisia’s child labor standards the capabilities of non-profits are limited. ‘It is not enough to pass laws that claim to protect the rights of children – it is essential to put them into practice,’ said Cherif, adding that his group had formed a committee to advocate for reinforcement of existing laws in Tunisia’s new constitution. The non-profit is also reaching out to governmental bodies and trade unions, and is organizing a demonstration in front of the Constituent Assembly to draw attention to the issue.

Fortunately for Cherif, the Tunisian Association for the Defense of Children’s Rights is not alone in its struggle. Sonia Sallemi is a member of The Tunisian Association of Young Volunteers, a group of motivated students leading projects to pioneer outreach efforts in a variety of fields. Recently, she participated in a three-year project that aimed at providing working children with free tutoring. […] Sonia has also noticed a dramatic increase in the number of working children following the revolution. ‘The phenomenon has become much more visible than before. It is heartbreaking to see how children are being ill-treated in cafés and public spaces. People look down at them, sometimes insult them, or even attack them physically,’ she said, adding that this abuse may contribute to their further alienation from society.

Hala Skiri, a consultant in charge of children’s programs at the UNICEF branch office in Tunis, is trying to close the information gap that allows this phenomenon to persist unresolved. Skiri and UNICEF are trying to compile a profile of child labor in Tunisia. While the majority of underage workers are male (nearly all of the street sellers in the capital are boys), girls also represent a part of the demographic of child laborers – primarily in domestic and agricultural settings. Many of the children are also reportedly living outside of the home – either because their parents cannot support them or because of individual psychological or emotional problems that go untreated. ’Material and financial aid is never enough. Specific psychological programs for reintegration into society are needed,’ said Hala. Dr. Hala also stated that UNICEF is forming teams in approximately 14 regions to start building ties with underprivileged children.” (Tunisia live, 30. Jänner 2012)

Auch die französische katholische Tageszeitung La Croix berichtet im Mai 2012 über das Problem der Straßenkinder in Tunesien und interviewt zu diesem Thema Cherif Moez, den Präsidenten der tunesischen Vereinigung für Kinderrechte. Er kritisiert, dass es nur einen Kinderschutz-Delegierten pro Provinz gebe, der für die Hilfe von Straßenkindern zuständig sei. Andererseits würde das Gesetz eine Anzeigepflicht bei der Gefährdung von Kindern vorsehen, doch seien viele Akteure nicht ausreichend geschult oder würden das Gesetz nicht kennen. In bestimmten peripheren Vierteln von großen Städten seien zwischen zwanzig und dreißig Prozent der Kinder vernachlässigt:

„Comment l’Etat fait-il face au nombre grandissant d’enfants des rues?
Il existe actuellement plusieurs moyens en Tunisie pour venir en aide aux enfants, mais ils sont très insuffisants. Les délégués de protection à l’enfance sont chargés de leur porter directement secours, mais il n’y a qu’un seul délégué par gouvernorat. Ces délégués sont tellement surchargés de travail, et celui-ci est tellement éreintant psychologiquement, qu’ils ne restent généralement pas en poste très longtemps.

D’autre part, une loi oblige à signaler tout enfant en situation de détresse et garantit l’anonymat de celui ou celle qui fait le signalement, mais les enseignants, les médecins, les assistantes sociales ne sont pas assez formés et ne connaissent pas bien la loi. Cela engendre des situations dramatiques. Dans certains quartiers périphériques des grandes villes, il y a maintenant des taux d’abandon qui peuvent aller jusqu’à 20 à 30%.” (La Croix, 24. Mai 2012)

Save the Children Schweden erwähnt in seiner Analyse vom August 2011, dass Tunesien ein Ausgangsland für Kinderhandel zur kommerziellen sexuellen Ausbeutung sein könnte. Das Strafgesetz verbiete verschiedene Formen des Menschenhandels, vor allem zum Zwecke der sexuellen Ausbeutung. Der UNO-Ausschuss zur Beseitigung der Diskriminierung der Frau habe 2010 begrüßt, dass Tunesien einen Gesetzesentwurf zu Menschenhandel vorbereite, aber gleichzeitig beanstandet, dass es an Informationen über das Ausmaß von Menschenhandel mangle:

„Tunisia is a transit country for North and sub-Saharan African men and women migrating to Europe, some of whom may be trafficked for the purpose of involuntary servitude or sexual exploitation. Tunisia may also be a source country for internal trafficking of children for commercial sexual exploitation. Article 226 of the Criminal Code penalises various forms of human trafficking, especially trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation. In its 2010 Concluding Observations, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women noted with appreciation Tunisia’s initiative to draft a new law on human trafficking and to prepare a national plan of action. However, the Committee expressed its concerns on the lack of information available on the prevalence of trafficking, and lack of clear understanding of the concept of trafficking in human beings.” (Save the Children Sweden, August 2011, S. 192-193)

Save the Children Schweden schreibt in seiner Analyse vom August 2011 weiters, dass Tunesien seit 2010 deutliche Fortschritte bei der Gesetzgebung zum Schutz von Kindern vor körperlichen Strafen gemacht habe. Körperlichen Strafen seien nun zu Hause, in alternativen Betreuungsverhältnissen, in Schulen und im Strafsystem ungesetzlich. Das Strafgesetzbuch sei im Juli 2010 dahingehend novelliert worden, dass der Angriff auf ein Kind eine kriminelle Tat sei. Tunesien sei damit eines von 29 Ländern weltweit, die ein komplettes gesetzliches Verbot von körperlichen Strafen hätten. Eine effektive Umsetzung dieser legislativen und exekutiven Maßnahmen sei notwendig, um dem weit verbreiteten Vorherrschen von Gewalt und Missbrauch an Kindern zu begegnen. Einer Studie aus dem Jahr 2006 zufolge seien 94 Prozent der Kinder zwischen zwei und 14 Jahren Opfer von verbaler, physischer oder psychologischer Gewalt in der Familie geworden:

„Since the 2010 Concluding Observations of the Committee, Tunisia has made significant legislative progress in the protection of children from corporal punishment. Corporal punishment is now unlawful in homes and alternative care settings, schools, and the penal system. Article 319 of the Penal Code was amended in July 2010 (Law No. 2010-40 of 26 July 2010) to make it a criminal offence to assault a child. Corporal punishment is also unlawful as a sentence for crime, and is unlawful as a disciplinary measure in penal institutions. Tunisia is now one of the 29 countries in the world with full prohibition in legislation. The effective enforcement of these legislative and executive measures is necessary to address the widespread prevalence of violence and abuse of children. A 2006 Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey indicated that 94 per cent of children in the age group 2-14 years old were victims of verbal, physical or psychological violence within their family circle.” (Save the Children Sweden, August 2011, S. 192)

Im Detail widmet sich auch das Länderprofil des Manara Network dem Thema körperliche Gewalt gegen Kinder (Manara Network, August 2011, S. 43-44). 

Quellen: (Zugriff auf alle Quellen am 1. März 2013)