Maia Bănărescu: I'll do my best to become a reliable defender and a friend to children in Moldova. I will be the person who will listen to children, will speak on her behalf and in their interest to ensure respect and promotion of children's rights and freedoms in our country.

Statements to this effect were made by the Ombudsperson for the protection of children's rights, Maia Bănărescu in the press conference held on 30th May, at the Info Prim Neo News Agency.

In the press conference, the Ombudsperson presented her opinion on the situation in the field of child rights, the most sensitive issues requiring urgent solution. Maia Bănărescu spoke about the priority directions of her activity at the beginning of the term.

Among the immediate objectives of the activity, Maia Bănărescu underlined: monitoring children rights to health care, education and social protection. The Ombudsperson keep under observation the issues related to development of social services and protection for children temporarily deprived of a family environment, children with disabilities, de-institutionalization and social inclusion of children.

Speaking of respecting the right to education of children, Maia Bănărescu considered as discriminatory the testing of children for their enlistment in elementary school, noting that she will seek for waiver of such practices, with the exception of profiled educational institutions, that require some special skills. The Ombudsperson also stressed that she will plead for the educational system in our country to ensure not only multilateral training, but also to give them practical knowledge and prepare them for coping with real life situations.

Speaking of de-institutionalization and social inclusion of children, Maia Bănărescu said she will monitor carefully the implementation of reforms, especially given that, in the current year, financing activities related to reforms will be placed on local authorities. The Ombudsperson said that she will follow that the local authorities pursue multidisciplinary and multisector work in order to detect children in need and at risk.

Children's Ombudsperson advocates for creating a child-friendly justice. In the context of juvenile delinquency, the Ombudsperson advocates for the adoption of a legal framework that would include non-coercive measures, aimed at the family, school, community, non-punitive preventive measures. Ms. Bănărescu labeled as "alarming" the statistics of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, according to which in the current year juvenile delinquency increased by 20 percent.

Maia Bănărescu stated her intention to monitor the situation of minors in detention: their access to quality health services, education, but also to track their reintegration into society.

Elimination of discrimination and violence against children, violence in schools, suicide prevention among children are other issues that the Ombudsman will seek solutions during the mandate, including cooperation and dialogue with the authorities, NGOs working in the field, teachers, parents and psychologists.

Maia Bănărescu also stressed the importance of ensuring the child's right to an opinion child and consultation, when decisions concerning him are made. The Ombudsperson announced her intention to establish an annual forum of children, in whose framework they can question the issues that concern them, but also the creation of a web portal for children.

The Children's Rights Ombudsperson referred to the most important cases that have been in her attention to during the early realization of the mandate: violence against children; access to education and healthcare of the minors. The Ombudsperson was being familiarized with the situation of women-detainees in the pre and postnatal phase, with children under the age of 3, during a visit to the " The House of the Mother and Child" from the Prison no. 16 Child. The Ombudsperson mediated and obtained the reconciliation of the parties in the case of a pupil with special educational needs.

Currently, Maia Bănărescu is monitoring the situation regarding the access of children with disabilities and those detained at the graduation examinations; organizing summer rest of children, in terms of ensuring adequate conditions, safety of children, including food safety. To this end, and with the purpose of meeting the children, the Ombudsperson intends to carry out several visits to summer camps during the summer vacation.

Also, Maia Bănărescu announced her plans and the next actions, in particular talking about activities that the Ombudsperson will organize during the International Children's Day.

Thus, on May 31, the Ombudsperson for the Protection of Child Rights will attend the "Last Bell" Ceremony - closure of the school year, which will take place at "Lucian Blaga" Lyceum in Tiraspol.

On June 1, the Ombudsperson will organize the Open Doors Day at the Office of the Ombudsperson for Children (SfatulTarii street, 16).

Also on June 1, Ms. Bănărescu will take part in the festivities organized by the Municipal Directorate for the Protection of Child Rights, the Centre for Children and Youth ARTICO in the Public Garden "Stefan cel Mare". During this event, the Ombudsperson will invite the children to participate in a raffle "Know Your Rights!", with small gifts for all the participants.

On June 6, the Children's Ombudsperson will meet the representatives of the civil society working in child protection, in order to present the priorities and objectives of the activity and determine directions of cooperation with the non-governmental sector. The discussion forum of the Children's Ombudsperson with representatives of NGOs in protecting children's rights will take place starting 10.00 AM, at the Republican Center for Children and Youth ARTICO, the exhibition hall (Stefan cel Mare Boulevard 169).

Maia Bănărescu was appointed Children's Rights Ombudsperson on April 8, with the vote of 60 deputies of the Parliament for a term of 7 years. Ombudsperson's mission is to promote and protect the rights and interests of the children.