Brasília, 11 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Council on Child and Adolescent Rights (Conanda) is celebrating the12th anniversary of the Brazilian Child and Adolescent Statute. "We have much to commemorate. The council has decentralized activities, [putting local authorities in charge] which is a great step forward," said Claudio Vieira, Conanda president.

Vieira said he wants minors under 18 to be treated criminally as minors, children to have a right to daycare and pre-school. "We must eliminate all forms of child labor. We need to protect all children from all forms of sexual exploitation," he said, pointing out that lower infant mortality rates and higher school enrollments were government victories. (AB)