Children's Human Rights...

What do we mean when we talk about Children's Human Rights as part of the RightSpace project? Read on for an overview of the issues...

Rights rise

1989 saw the beginnings of an upturn in interest and understanding and use of rights language to promote the voice and influence of children and young people in matters that affect them. The Children Act of 1989 most coherently placed the right of children and young people in child protection proceedings to have their “wishes and feelings taken into account.” This was extended in the 2004 Children Act to all children and young people in need. Also in 1989, the UN set out the Convention on the Rights of the Child which has been signed and ratified by all nations of the world save two and both these – Somalia and the United States - are getting closer to doing so (www.childrightscampaign.org). 

This movement to enshrine adult responsibilities for the wellbeing and welfare of children and young people into law is to be applauded, rather than leaving it to transitory attitudes or passing policy priorities. But there are some risks which you can explore and comment on in this section.  

Human rights not children’s rights

The language of children’s rights can speak of “them and us”, which can be interpreted as oppositional or divisive. Liam Cairn’s video clip shows the greater strength from affirming children’s human rights, drawing strength and learning from other “emancipatory movements.” And at the Children’s Rights Alliance for England’s (CRAE) annual children’s rights conference on 20 November 2009, Professor Klug urged that children and young people’s rights do not become a separatist movement, but one held and championed within a wider human rights framework which holds the “vision for society based on ethical norms,” rooted in “the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – the mother & father of all human rights instruments.” 

Right and virtuous action

Why do we do what we do? What is our motivation? We can look at this in three ways: because we’re ought to, because we’re told to and because we want to. If we only, for example, encourage children and young people’s participation because the law tells us we must, that is not very high motivation and may not face up to a contrary climate. Check out Talha Ghannam’s short clip in this section for a powerful commentary on intention and the reason for action.   

Right challenges

These two challenges above come together in a third area of concern: how we see and treat children and young people in England. We tend to polarise them as angels, victims, empty vessels, units of investment, threats and thugs. Our policy and personal responses too often shift to suit political expedient and public scapegoating. But, “Children and young people’s human rights are not a pick and mix assortment of luxury entitlements, but the very foundation of democratic societies” (Alvaro Gil-Robles, Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner). And our social and political reference points should enshrine this.