The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child brought to light the human rights of the child, defined as every human being below the age of 18 years. This was a clear statement by the international community that children are not humans of a lesser kind or the property of their parents but fully fledged members of the family and society.
It is acknowledged that because they are minors and still developing theirpersonal capacity to account fully for their actions, they have the right for care and protection.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted and set for signature, ratification and accession by the general assembly resolution 44-25 of November 20, 1989.
The convention is made of three parts, comprising a total of 54 articles, whereby articles 43-54 specifically focus on how adults and governments have to work together to ensure that all children can enjoy all their rights. The other articles present a variety of rights in the best interest of the child.
The convention encompasses all aspects of a child’s life, in that it lays down the civil, political, economic, social, as well as, cultural rights that all children all around the world are entitled to. The philosophical thought behind the convention is that every single child, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, language, abilities or any other status, has rights. Intriguing and important is the fact that the convention must be seen as a single statement, as a framework of rights. This indicates that all the rights are interrelated and no single right is given priority over the other.
Thus the right to education (Article 28) and the right to be safe from violence (Article 19) are no more important than the right to freedom of expression (Article 13) and the right to relax and play (Article 31).
Nevertheless, four articles of the convention are considered to be distinctive, and in fact they are acknowledged as the general principles. They are recognised as such because they are key in the interpretation of all other articles, while at the same time they fulfil a pivotal role in realising all rights in the convention for all children.
Children’s rights contribute in a big way to social cohesion and a society that is successful
These four notable articles are non-discrimination (article 2), best interest of the child (article 3), right to life survival and development (article 6) and right to be heard (article 12).
Malta ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child on January 26, 1990. The ratification of the convention meant that Malta entered into a commitment to protect and ensure children’s rights. The Maltese State, like the other signatory states, is expected to submit regular reports to evince how the rights of the child are being implemented.
In conformity with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Office of the Commissioner for Children was set up in Malta as per the Commissioner for Children Act of 2003.
This office was set up with the aim of ensuring the welfare of children, and therefore the focus is on the protection of children, the promotion of children’s rights, ensuring the participation of children and the necessary services for children. Furthermore, this office operates as a focal point which oversees the social and cultural circumstances in relation to children.
Undoubtedly, it is worth to mention the ‘National Children’s Policy – Public Consultation’, which was launched for consultation in 2016. The final policy document will be published in the coming weeks. The policy aims to tackle poverty and social media addiction, among other challenges faced by children.
The National Children’s Policy seeks to achieve four goals and outcomes. The four long-term goals are: have active and healthy generations, protect children and ensure an adequate living environment, grow up to be independent and responsible adults and become active participants within their community and state.
Moreover, the policy clearly outlines four short-term outcomes. These are: children living an active and healthy lifestyle, children living in a safe and economically stable family environment, children achieving their maximum potential in education and later in future employment and children are respected and enabled to be active participants in their social surroundings.
Consistent with these rights a number of policies and programmes were set up such as breakfast for children in schools to ensure that all children start the day with a healthy intake of food to help them learn and participate fully in the school’s activities.
The drive to develop the foster care system to provide alternative families that can offer a stable and caring family environment for those who lack one. The investment in learning support assistants to ensure that no child falls behind while the youth guarantee is meant to ensure that all young people realise their full potential through employment, training or education.
Therefore children’s rights make good business sense because they are a set of standards that ensure that children grow healthy, have access to opportunities to learn and participate fully in the life of the community. This guarantees productive adults who look to their future with hope and expectation.
Children’s rights contribute in a big way to social cohesion and a society that is successful. Child poverty in Malta is down and youth employment is up while the number of graduates from our educational institutes is at record levels. These are three important indicators that this country is on the right path.
Having said that more needs to be done, we are not there yet but definitely on the way to be among the leaders in this area of social policy.
To date, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, or UNCRC, remains the most widely-ratified international human rights treaty in history and the most complete statement of children’s rights that was ever produced.
In Malta it is a hallmark of our political and civil consciousness.
Michael Falzon is Minister for the Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity.