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Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly - 

The Ministry of Law and Human Rights on Friday granted remissions to children in conflict with the law, as part of National Children's Day commemorations.

"Efforts to protect the best interests of children in conflict with the law can come in various forms, including through child remissions," Minister of Law and Human Rights, Yasonna Laoly, said at an online event held to mark National Children's Day, originating from Jakarta on Friday.

According to the minister, the remissions were not just a legal mandate, but a tangible expression of his ministry's concerns in prioritizing the interests of children and accelerating the process of integrating children into society.

"The only hope from this remission is for children to be able to reunite with their families and communities more quickly, in order to reorganize their future," Laoly said.

Protecting the interests of children is the same as protecting the future of the nation and mankind, he remarked.

The Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia clearly states that every child has the right to survive, grow, and develop, and has the right to protection from violence and discrimination, he noted.

This does not only mean that the state recognizes children's rights, but also that it is responsible for ensuring their fulfillment, he said.

"The same goes for children who are in conflict with the law. The fact that they have to be included in the Juvenile Criminal Justice System and some of them have to serve a criminal period, does not mean that their protection, guidance, coaching, education, and health services are neglected," he added.

Children in conflict with the law should not be viewed as petty criminals, but as potential future successors of the nation, whose rights to identity, health, and education need to be protected so they are able to participate in development, Laoly said.

Indonesian children who are in conflict with the law need to always believe that their future is brighter, maintain optimism in order to produce their best work, and maintain the spirit to keep moving forward despite facing obstacles, he added//ANT