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[MANILA, October 2008] - The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is revising its human rights curriculum for the military and police. The move aims to make the curriculum more effective in promoting respect for human rights, particularly those of children. "Amendments to the existing curriculum are needed because of developments in institutional and legal frameworks," said CHR Chairperson Leila de Lima. She noted that the existing curriculum excludes the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This is a mechanism to protect the rights of children, especially those caught in armed conflict. De Lima added that updating the curricula will help the CHR to promote recognition of children as 'zones of peace.' She expects the revision to further boost CHR's efforts in mainstreaming human rights education among armed groups and government agencies. CHR's Child Rights Center (CRC) and its Education and Research Office are undertaking the revision which began this year. "We'll enhance the curriculum, which is based on International Humanitarian Law, to help strengthen human rights protection nationwide," said CRC officer-in-charge and lawyer Brenda Canapi. She emphasised the urgency of protecting the rights of children in conflict with the law (CCL), noting many of them continue to be detained with adult prisoners in cramped jails that lack sleeping and other basic facilities. "Detaining children violates their rights since they must be put in separate youth homes instead where there are adequate food, basic facilities and learning programs so they don't miss out on school, " she said. The Republic Act 9344, the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, defines children in conflict with the law as being under 18 years old and who are either suspected or accused as having committed offences under Philippine laws... [Source: news.balita.ph]