President Trần Đại Quang has requested an extensive examination and inspection of the observance of law provisions at preschools, kindergartens and children’s groups throughout the country so as to prevent and strictly handle violations against children. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — President Trần Đại Quang has requested an extensive examination and inspection of the observance of law provisions at preschools, kindergartens and children’s groups throughout the country so as to prevent and strictly handle violations against children.

He also asked for effective solutions to ensure that children throughout the country live in a safe, healthy and inclusive environment both physically and mentally.

The request was issued yesterday following a series of cases of violence, abuse and murder involving children in some localities. An official letter, No 1581/VPCTN-TH, was sent from the President’s Office to the National Committee for Children, Central Committee of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security, the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuracy and people’s committees of the cities and provinces.

The letter noted that recent media reports had highlighted many incidents of violence against children, causing psychological pain, anxiety for families and concern among the public.

As a result, President Quang asked all relevant ministries, sectors and localities to intensify the inspection, examination and supervision of the implementation of the Party’s undertakings and guidelines as well as the State’s policies and laws on children, especially Direction No 20-CT/TW dated November 5, 2012 of the 11th Politburo on strengthening the leadership of the Party for the care, education and protection of children in the new situation as well as the 2016 Law on Children.

Within just one week, a series of cases of child abuse, kidnapping and even murder have been reported in the media.

On Sunday morning, a video posted online showed the owner and two teachers from a private kindergarten in HCM City slapping toddlers aged 3-5 on their faces, heads and backs, and throwing the children in the air.

Last week, three videos were posted online by a mother in northern Hà Nam Province showing a domestic helper slapping a one-month old infant on her face, head and back, throwing the girl in the air and putting a towel in her mouth.

Three days ago, a seven-year-old girl in the southern province of Kiên Giang’s Châu Thành District was allegedly tortured by her stepmother with a hot iron rod, leaving her scarred.

Alarmingly, a six-year-old boy was killed by a man in HCM City’s Tân Phú District on Sunday evening. On Monday, a 20-day-old infant in Thanh Hóa Province was found dead by a rubbish dump after being kidnapped from her home two days earlier.

All cases stirred anger and concern among the public about the care and protection of children. — VNS