OSCE Mission, police launch campaign against begging by children in Kosovo

PRISHTINE/PRISTINA, 9 October 2009 - The OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the police launched a campaign today to inform people about children's rights and reduce begging by children. 

Using television and radio spots, posters and leaflets to be distributed Kosovo-wide, the campaign informs the public that forcing children to beg is a criminal offence and a serious violation of children's rights.

"People living in Kosovo, known for their generosity, need to understand that by giving money to child beggars they are not helping the children but encouraging perpetrators to continue child abuse and exploitation," said Wolff-Michael Mors, the deputy director of the OSCE Department for Human Rights and Communities.

"Solving the problem of child begging requires a joint effort by the police, the judiciary, municipal authorities and social workers. This campaign is just a first step. If people stop giving money to child beggars, child begging will not be profitable for those behind the crime, hence leading to a reduction."

The campaign follows a well-received pilot project to combat child begging in the Peje/Pec region in August and September.

The campaign is part of the OSCE Mission's proactive police monitoring and co-operation with the police. The OSCE Mission promotes human rights and the rule of law, and supports efforts to foster an effective, accountable and human-rights compliant police service.