SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican Republic has initiated a major legislative overhaul of its child protection framework, targeting Law 136-03 which established the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI) over two decades ago. CONANI President Ligia Pérez announced the comprehensive reform during the International Forum for the Protection of Children, highlighting the urgent need to modernize legislation in response to evolving societal challenges.
The reform initiative operates through a three-phase process currently concluding its initial diagnostic stage. A high-level commission led by First Lady Raquel Arbaje and Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza is steering this collaborative effort involving government agencies, civil society organizations, and international experts. Chilean children’s rights attorney Esther Valenzuela contributed specialized expertise through a keynote address at the international forum.
Pérez emphasized CONANI’s multidisciplinary approach to child protection, describing coordinated operations with the Attorney General’s Office, Ministry of Labor, Interior and Police, and Tourist Police. These joint efforts focus on rescuing children from street situations, hazardous labor conditions, and exploitation scenarios. The organization implements rigorous follow-up procedures with families to address underlying factors contributing to children’s vulnerability.
Regarding institutional jurisdiction, Pérez clarified that CONANI doesn’t oversee correctional facilities, redirecting inquiries about juvenile detention conditions to the Attorney General’s Office. The organization’s primary mission centers on family welfare preservation through environmental monitoring and ensuring living spaces meet safety standards for children’s development.
The ongoing legislative revision represents the most significant update to the country’s child protection system since its establishment 22 years ago, aiming to create more responsive mechanisms for contemporary protection challenges.