The State Human Rights Commission is once again calling for for the elaboration of a reliable database that lists all minors living in privately-run child-care centers (shelters) in Jalisco.
The identities of the children should be for official use only but general data regrading their numbers, family situations and transfers should be in the public domain, the commission said.
Over the past two years the commission has conducted extensive investigations into the operation of children’s shelters following allegations of neglect and abuse. They have been critical of the regulations governing the shelters and have frequently questioned the commitment of state authorities to protect the health, safety and well-being of children reside in such facilities.The commission has suggested that the state sets up a “filter” shelter from where children can be channeled to adequate and well-regulated facilities. Only two shelters in Jalisco – the Hogar Cabañas and Villas Miravalle – are run by state authorities and the commission believes this number should be much higher.