The Legal Framework for Protecting Children from Begging in Maysan Governorate

Abstract

 As Helen Keller said, "Alone I can do nothing, but together we can do everything." The world has moved beyond the barbaric stage of exposing children to unpleasant situations. If we can remember that children are a gift from God and a guarantee for the future, then their public conduct should be of utmost concern to everyone. In Iraq, and particularly in Maysan Governorate, the sight of children in tattered clothes, neglected and chasing after cars and passersby in search of food or money, or begging in various ways, along with the increasing phenomenon of indirect begging—which we see in the streets of Maysan as children selling tissues, washing cars, or deliberately trying to force drivers to pay them for cleaning their vehicles, sometimes even creating problems with citizens—is truly a deplorable scene, a poem that deserves to be rewritten globally. Children begging for alms is deeply degrading and inhumane, not only for the child but also for society as a whole. Children have the right to security and a dignified upbringing, and they must be treated with the utmost care and respect. They represent the next generation of professionals and non-professionals: lawyers, doctors, teachers, presidents, members of parliament, leaders, parents, business owners, and so on. In social protection policies, they constitute the most vulnerable group worldwide, and they are naturally unable to enforce their rights. This perspective is clearly reflected in international, regional, and national laws concerning the protection of children from begging. Begging is another prominent, albeit neglected, aspect of human rights in Iraq and globally. Therefore, this study seeks to examine the illegality of child begging for alms, the necessity of prosecuting violators, and the dangers it poses to children in society. This study also serves as a clear call to relevant authorities, particularly in Maysan Governorate, to intensify the campaign against child begging for alms. Furthermore, the study offers practical and constructive recommendations to address the growing phenomenon of child begging in the country.