Local breakdance group Tiny Toones performed for prisoners in CC2 prison

All around the world one day of the year marks the celebration of the next generation - children. For many children around the world their childhood is a time of innocence and play, carefree of the world's troubles. Yet in Cambodia for many children, their childhood has been taken over by poverty and life's struggles and for the unlucky few of about 600 their childhood is spent behind bars.

To remember these children and to bring the festivities to them LICADHO celebrated 1 June, International Children's Rights Day at eight locations throughout Cambodia and in nine prisons that currently house minor prisoners, children living with their mothers in prison and pregnant women.

Under this year's theme of "Working Together to Combat Trafficking, Exploitation and Abuse of Children," festivities raised awareness about key issues including trafficking and rights of children in prison and those involved in the worst forms of child labor.

Audiences throughout Cambodia - in Chamka Leu, Kien Svay, Koh Kong, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Kampot, Khan Dangkor, and Mukkampoul Pont - took part in festivities and learned about children's rights. There were speeches, quizzes, music, performances by comedians, video-shows, traditional games, educational leaflet-distribution and releasing of balloons. At the prison celebrations around the country food and other essential materials were given to minor prisoners, children living with their mothers in prison, pregnant women and children of prison officials.

During her speech to the children in CC2 prison, LICADHO's President, Dr. Kek Galabru emphasized that: 'We have not forgotten about you. Even though some of you made a mistake in the past, your rights should be respected. If you leave prison, try to follow some form of education as that is essential for your future. All of you are the future of the country'

LICADHO, Legal Aid of Cambodia (LAC) and DanChurchAid (DCA) also sponsored additional prison activities as part of their joint campaign 'Children in Prison - No place to grow up'. Children from the Centre for Children's Happiness (CCH) performed traditional Khmer dancing and a role play, and local breakdance group Tiny Toones, made up of children living in Phnom Penh's high at-risk areas, performed to an appreciative crowd of minor prisoners.

At CC2 and Kandal prison (the only two prisons of the 26 around the country in which the minors have been separated from the adults) the children loved watching the role play, laughing and smiling, and afterwards they joined children from CCH to dance with them. The amazing stunts of the Tiny Toones set the scene for a number of talented children who later showcased their own breakdance abilities. Unfortunately, many minor prisoners were not allowed to leave their cells and could only watch the performances through the bars of their cells.

In the end the day was a happy celebration of children's rights in Cambodia. However it was also a clear reminder of the grim realities of life for children living and growing up in prison. LICADHO reminds the Cambodian government of its international obligation to protect children's rights. Under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which Cambodia has ratified, children that are incarcerated must be housed separately from adults.