Luanda: The Attorney General Pedro Mendes de Carvalho called on Tuesday in Luanda for strengthened cooperation between institutions as an essential way to secure the effective protection of the rights of children and adolescents.
According to Angola Press News Agency, addressing the opening of the National Conference on the Protection of the Rights of Children and Adolescents in the Family and Juvenile Justice, the magistrate stated that protecting children's rights means strengthening families, promoting social cohesion, consolidating the rule of law, and investing in a more just, secure, and humane future.
The magistrate said the conference reflects the renewed commitment of the Attorney General's Office to the promotion, protection, and safeguarding of the rights of children and adolescents, emphasizing that the well-being of minors is one of the main indicators of human development, social justice, and the solidity of the rule of law.
Mendes de Carvalho highlighted the protection of children as a shared responsibility between the State, family, and society, as established by the Constitution of the Republic.
The magistrate noted that the country has made progress in child protection through public policies implemented by the relevant sectors, the actions of the courts, the Public Prosecutor's Office, criminal investigation bodies, educational institutions, civil society organizations, churches, and international partners, which has strengthened the National Child Protection System.
Despite the progress, he acknowledged the prevailing challenges related to violence and abuse against minors, family conflicts, social vulnerability, the risks associated with new technologies, and juvenile justice issues.
Pedro Mendes de Carvalho explained that the conference aims to create a space for reflection and sharing of experiences among the different stakeholders in the protection of children and adolescents.
He added that the motto "United for the Protection of the Rights of Children and Adolescents in Family and Juvenile Justice" constitutes a call to strengthen cooperation, institutional trust, and partnerships for the benefit of children and adolescents.
The magistrate said the conference is expected to mark the beginning of a stronger institutional cooperation, capable of producing more effective responses to the challenges affecting childhood and adolescence.
