L-R: Fernand Etgen, President of the Chamber of Deputies; Charel Schmit, Ombudsman for children & youth;
Credit: Chamber of Deputies
Luxembourg's Ombudsman for children and youth (Ombudsman fir Kanner a Jugendlecher - OKaJu) presented his annual report for 2021 earlier this week.
On Tuesday 16 November 2021, Charel Schmit, Ombudsman for children and youth, submitted the new report to the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Fernand Etgen.
The 2021 report looks back on the COVID-19 health crisis and the repercussions of the pandemic on children's rights, particularly in areas such as health, education or hobbies. The main message of the report is looking at how to "increase the well-being of children by strengthening their rights".
In the context of the health crisis, the OKaJu received 71 requests for information between February 2020 and October 2021. The majority of these requests came from parents or people working in the social sector or the school system.
Overall, around 1,100 phone calls were recorded between 1 November 2020 and 31 October 2021. A total of 102 new cases were opened in one year.
Commenting on the report, Charel Schmit stressed his commitment to ensure that more children and young people directly access his services.
On 1 April 2020, the OKaJu was attached to the Chamber of Deputies by law. Earlier this year, Charel Schmit took over from René Schlechter as Ombudsman.
