Human Trafficking in [Brunei Darussalam] [other countries]
Street Children in [Brunei Darussalam] [other countries]
Child Prostitution in [Brunei Darussalam] [other countries]
 

Prevalence, Abuse & Exploitation of Street Children

State of Brunei Darussalam [ Country-by-Country Reports ]

The State of Brunei Darussalam [map], a small, wealthy monarchy located on the north coast of Borneo, is a sultanate ruled by the same family for 600 years. Its two sections, separated by Brunei Bay, are surrounded by Sarawak, Malaysia. Its capital and major port is Bandar Seri Begawan. The government provides for all medical services and free education through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine internal social cohesion. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.

CAUTION:  The following links and accompanying text have been culled from the web to illuminate the situation in Brunei Darussalam. Some of these links may lead to websites that present allegations that are unsubstantiated or even false.  No attempt has been made to validate their authenticity or to verify their content.

Quick Search for Missing Children - Select Gender, Country, and Years Missing

Bur of Democracy, Human Rights & Labor - Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2005

CHILDREN - Education is free, compulsory, and universal for the first 12 years, after which it is still free but no longer compulsory. The highest level of education achieved by most children was completion of secondary school, which normally consists of 12 to 14 years in school, ending at age 16 to 18 depending on whether the student pursues a vocational, academic, or arts course of study in secondary school. A significant percentage of students continued on to tertiary education. With a few exceptions, involving small villages in extremely remote areas, nutritional standards were high and poverty was almost unknown.

SECTION 6 WORKER RIGHTS – [d] Various laws prohibit the employment of children under age 16. Parental consent and approval by the Labor Commission is required for those under 18. Female workers under 18 may not work at night or on offshore oil platforms. The Department of Labor (DOL), which is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, effectively enforced laws on the employment of children. There were no reports of violations of the child labor laws.

The government adhered to the standards of ILO Convention 182 on the worst forms of child labor

Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) - 2003

[14] The Committee is concerned that insufficient efforts have been made to involve civil society in the full implementation of the Convention and in the reporting process

[18] The Committee is concerned at the existing lack of systematic and comprehensive collection of disaggregated data for all areas covered by the Convention and in relation to all groups of children in order to monitor and evaluate progress achieved and assess the impact of policies adopted with respect to children.

[20] The Committee is aware of the measures undertaken to promote widespread awareness of the principles and provisions of the Convention and welcomes the translation of the Convention into Malay, but is of the opinion that these measures are not sufficient and need to be strengthened by providing the necessary resources. In this respect, the Committee is concerned at the lack of a systematic plan to introduce training and raise awareness among professional groups working for and with children.

[51] The Committee acknowledges that the Sate party is not a member of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and is concerned that the minimum age for employment is not clear

[57] The Committee recommends that the State party ratify the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and on the involvement of children in armed conflict.

'Ojek' ride can be bit scary but is cheaper and faster

Though in Brunei, you do see young children peddling food goods from home coming into restaurants and approaching strangers, the number of the children you see begging and roaming the streets here are numerous, on some days I have also seen mothers cradling their babies on cloths tied between two posts around the streets.

Statement at the UN Special Session (UNGASS) On Children

Brunei is indeed fortunate not to be concerned with issues like child labor, street children, children in armed conflict and trafficking of children among others. Nonetheless, relevant agencies are available to address such issues.

Featured Article - Brunei Darussalam: Government Keen on Child Labor free Hari Raya

The Hari Raya festival, which falls on December 6^th this year, marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. However, these days also witness a steep increase in the numbers of “festive” child beggars on the streets of Brunei.

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Human Trafficking in [Brunei Darussalam] [other countries]
Street Children in [Brunei Darussalam] [other countries]
Child Prostitution in [Brunei Darussalam] [other countries]