Human Rights Promotion Programmes The regional office had held 23 Human Rights Promotion Programmes in 2013. Some were conducted under the financial assistance of the UN Human Rights Programmes while some were conducted under the UNICEF. In addition programmes were also conducted in collaboration with other institutions as well. Targeted groups were members of civil societies, officers of the Department of Social Services, Religious leaders, Union leaders, school students, child protection committee members and members of the local government authorities. The following matters were identified during child right protection workshops and steps were taken to prevent them. - Children leaving schools - Entering into marriage before 18 years and poverty - Unwanted pregnancies - Child labour - Usage of narcotics and using children for sale of narcotics Programmes held with civil organizations 6 programmes were held with SEDEC Caritas, Jaffna. Those teams were members of Rural Development Societies for woman GramaNiladhari and SamurdhiNiladharis. Meeting with Government Officials During this meeting the issues faced by government officers in the investigations carried out by the Commission were discussed. Those issues were - Since the Department of Lands, Northern Province has powers to deal with state lands, the department finds difficulties when questions are raised in relation to private lands by the Commission. - The police officers of Jaffna police needed to be aware of the role of the Human Rights Commission Jaffna. - Taking up issues directly with the Human Rights Commission without taking them up with the Health sector unions, causes problems. Regional Committees 5 meetings with government institutions responsible for human rights & civil society activists operating within the jurisdiction were helpful to strengthen and develop coordination between them and the human rights in the society. 75