“Child Protection Network” directed an open letter to the mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan. The letter read:
On the 24th of May this year there information was published which informed that Yerevan Municipality authorized the «Chumbo» initiative group to organize a dance event for 40000 pupils.
The “Child Protection Network” encourage the organization of entertaining charitable events for kids, but simultaneously attaches much importance to provision of minimum security requirements for children during such expansive events.
From the video above, it becomes clear that a number of significant factors were not taken into account by Yerevan Municipality when granting authorization for implementation of the event.
Particularly:
• The safety of children was not organized in a proper way. A large number of children were at the same time in the institution where there was no proper ventilation and there were no adequate safety equipment (e.g. ambulances, adequate number of police officers, etc.). The video also states that children were not provided with water.
• Some parents stated that the participation in the event had compulsory character, which is considered unacceptable. Participation in entertaining events cannot be imposed by the school administration.
• The content of the event has not been designed for the participants of all ages.
Please, inform basis on what criteria have the Mayor’s office authorized organization of such event and what supervision has been carried out?
Being concerned about the safety of children, we call to make sure when granted authorization for organization of such event that the minimum safety requirements for the kids shall be met, and also that the participation in such events is voluntary and that the event contributes to the development of the child.
