What is the UNCRC?  (Section 2 of 2)

‘A legally-binding international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities.’(savethechildren.org.uk.)  It was adopted by the UN in November 1989 and has to date received 194 ratifications from member states of the UN.  These states  ‘ have agreed to do everything they can to make the rights a reality for children around the world.’   Many of the Articles reflect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, such as the right to education, the right to belong to a country, the right to freedom of conscience, association and beliefs.  NGOs such as Save the Children and UNICEF have powers to implement  the Articles of the UNCRC.

In May 2000, two optional protocols were added which I think are crucial to children’s rights when considering conflict situations, and more than 120 states have so far signed up to these.  They are: that governments ensure that those under 18 are not forcibly recruited into their armed forces (and if under 18s are members of the armed forces, that they do not take part in combat); and secondly that governments prohibit child prostitution, child pornography and the sale of children into slavery.

The UNCRC is concerned with Provision: e.g., the right to an adequate standard of living, education, health services.  Protection: e.g. from abuse and neglect, from sexual exploitation, from inappropriate forms of work.  Participation: e.g. the right to freedom of thought and expression, the right to have a say in decisions made about them.   I think it goes without saying that nations in a state of war are going to struggle to maintain the minimum standards recommended by the Convention, even if their previous Human Rights record was good.

There are 42 Articles, and a few more which are to do with how they should be implemented.  My plan is to look at most, but not all, of the Articles in turn and explore how they are violated by states or countries at war.   As I said last time, I’m not out to take sides, I’m blaming war itself, if you like.   Some of the Articles can be doubled up to form one blog entry, and some are not relevant, so I estimate it will take about six months to work through the Charter.  It’s going to be a bit of a challenge!   But first, we have to ascertain: What is a child and how is childhood defined, in order to determine who exactly the Convention refers to, and why.  This is the subject of the first Article  of the UNCRC and will be the subject of the next blog entry.