The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Sale, Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse of Children, Mama Fatima Singhateh, arrived in our country on May 16 to assess and advise on the current situation on the matter, in response to a government invitation. . For ten days, the expert met with representatives of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, municipal authorities, civil society organizations that work on the issue, and shelters for children and adolescents.
He also heard the testimonies of victims. His tour was not limited to the capital, but also reached Chuy and Paysandú.
During her stay in Uruguay, Mama Fatima Singhateh held meetings with representatives of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. These meetings made it possible to comprehensively address the policies and strategies implemented in the fight against the sale, exploitation and sexual abuse of children.
In addition, the challenges and obstacles that still persist in this area were analyzed, as well as the possible solutions and recommendations to be implemented.
After an in-depth analysis, the UN representative pointed out against the joint custody law that “puts the interest of a small group of adults before the best interests of the child.” The expert opined that the regulation “does not address the growing problem of domestic violence and leaves children unprotected by exposing them to situations of violence and abuse by a family member.” In turn, she assured that “it also contradicts existing laws, such as, for example, some articles of the Code for Children and Adolescents, as well as the opinion of lawyers, defenders of children’s rights and legislators.” “I hope the government will reconsider this law or, alternatively, commit to taking steps to ensure that the best interests of the child will be the primary consideration for any entity applying this law,” Singhateh said.
Bianchi furious with Mama Fatima Singhateh
After the visit of the honorable representative Mama Fatima Singhateh, the senator for the National Party, Graciela Bianchi, ran to her Twitter account to demonstrate against her and her assertions.
In response to a tweet from La Diaria, which shared a note about the above, Bianchi replied: “The UN does not rule us! We know what to do. Worry about regimes where no one has rights. These attacks on our sovereignty have to be stopped now.”
Subsequently, he shared two screenshots showing the media note in question, and an image that reads the following text: “How is the quality of life in The Gambia? It is one of the poorest countries in the world, there are hardly any hospitals or public schools. Life in The Gambia does not seem easy. In the Human Development Index, The Gambia ranks 165 out of 198 countries for which data is available.
In another tweet, he added: “The Gambia declared its independence in 1965. Do not underestimate us, gentlemen. Our Homeland was born with Artigas, who was already concerned about PUBLIC HAPPINESS at the beginning of the 19th century”.
This earned her a lot of criticism where she was pointed out for racism. “I did not know that in addition to all the hate that you spit out daily, you were a racist, senator, another commendable aspect of your personality.”
For his part, Javier de León, pointed against her for being “racist and classist”. Celia Rodrígues said that she was “aporophobic”. Another tweeter identified as Andrés Facundo published: “Disgusting racism, and contempt for those who don’t think the same. Shame on our Parliament!!!”.
