Where are the rights you promised us?

Thursday, November 20, 2014

MONDAY 17 NOVEMBER, 2014 – A quarter century since the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted, a glaring gap remains between the Convention’s promises and the reality for millions of children, says international development agency World Vision. This perspective is echoed by children in a new report, Writing for Rights, published today by World Vision in the lead-up to the Convention’s 25th anniversary (November 20).

The report compiles 25 letters written by children around the world, who want their governments to work harder to make children’s rights a reality. This collection of children’s letters provides a unique insight into progress in their communities, while expressing their fears, including child marriage, forced labour, violence and lack of access to healthcare and education.

A letter from an 17 year Albanian girl is part of this report, too. “You changed my life, dear Convention… But only the efforts that children do are not enough for child rights respected. There are still many gaps, dear Convention, that are not allowing children in my country to enjoy their rights. And I know that this makes you sad”, writes Emanuela Sulo, from Babica e Madhe village, Vlora district.

“As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, my message to our government is to thank them for their efforts to improve education. But most important, to alert them to the reality of the poorest children in the most remote villages, and the need to ensure they have equal access and opportunities as the more privileged children in cities,” writes 16-year-old Alice from Sierra Leone.

“Basic health rights are still violated in Haiti: only 40 per cent of children in my country have access to health services. The heath centre closest to my home is located tens of kilometres away. You cannot get there if you do not have any money,” writes 16-year-old Julien.

Mau’men, a 14-year-old Syrian refugee in Lebanon, describes the insecurity he faces on a daily basis: “The conflict has caused psychological problems and made <Syrian children> introverts, destroyed their feelings and ruined their childhood. They were deprived of many of their rights, mainly the right to study and the right to play,” says Mau’men.

World Vision’s Director of Advocacy, Charles Badenoch, explains: “As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Convention, it’s time for us to listen. Children are experts on their own lives. They have unique knowledge about their needs. Decisions informed by children’s perspectives will be more relevant, effective and sustainable.”

A world fit for children

According to World Vision, the 25th anniversary of the Convention serves an opportunity remind world leaders that children’s rights should be a priority within the post-2015 development framework, because healthy, cared for and educated children become productive adults and contribute to healthy, peaceful and productive societies.

“The success of ‘post-2015’ targets that replace the Millennium Development Goals must be measured by their ability to reach the poorest and most vulnerable children in the hardest places to live,” says Badenoch.

Making rights a reality

World Vision is also urging all governments to make the Convention stronger and more accountable by ratifying a new UN treaty called the third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This protocol gives children the ability to report particular instances of rights violations directly to the UN. The UN will investigate their claim and can direct the child’s government to take action.

Background

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted on 20 November 1989,outlines the universal standards of care for all people under the age of 18. It is the most widely endorsed human rights treaty in history, with 194 countries signed on.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The report is available to download here: http://www.wvi.org/united-nations-and-global-engagement/publication/writing-rights-letters-worlds-children
The letter of Emanuela Sulo, English version, can be read here :
http://www.wvi.org/united-nations-and-global-engagement/article/writing-rights-emanuela-17-albania

World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty

If you need more information, please contact:

Elda Spaho Bleta

Communications Advocacy Officer

World Vision in Albania & Kosovo