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The International Network of Social Street Workers contributes to the 16th Meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council about Children’s Rights, children that live or work on the streets
19 May 2011
On March 22nd, 2011, the United Nations event to examine Children’s Rights issues within the framework of the 16th Plenary Meeting on Human Rights was held. This year’s debate focused on those children who live or work on the streets. The Human Rights Council, in an official document used by the Network to extend their proposals, urged the different nations to provide a global answer.
The contribution of the International Network of Social Street Workers to the meeting was in the form of several written recommendations. Some of these recommendations are: the necessity for political persons and other characters involved to focus on bringing to fruition effective conditions that make it possible for people to exercise their rights, the duty of the Nation to provide a social protection system available for all, and a security system in existence for every individual, whatever his social situation may be. To protect children, the Network proposed a protection of the educational environment and the existence in every country of a minister who coordinates children’s rights and an autonomous and independent authority that oversees its proper application, such as a Minor’s Rights Ombudsman.
In regards to the subject of caring for children living on the streets, priority shall be given to cancel legal processing and institutionalization and to enforce that children’s rights be heard and defended. The educational and emancipatory approach shall be prioritized, and attention shall be given to the fight against poverty and its consequences, to the placement of children and to abusive school orientation and stigmatization. It is important to avoid rules and programs productive of stigmatization or based on ideas that tend to consider young people as dangerous characters.
Since the exercise and defence of Human Rights as a practice is not free of risk in certain countries, nations are required to guarantee protection for those committed to Human Rights defence.
The final text of the United Nations Human Rights Council expresses the proposed recommendations, condemning any violation of Human Rights and abuses against children’s rights that live or work on the streets, urging the Nations to provide a global answer based on minor’s rights, from a gender standpoint.
To prevent the occurrence of children living and working on the streets, the final text proposes to attack its causes, such as forcing the registration of babies right after birth, bringing to reality the right to health, the right to education with equal opportunities and the right to no discrimination. The text urges the Nations to take steps from a legislative standpoint and from any other standpoint necessary in order to eradicate violence and discrimination, to impose effective penalties for human trafficking and other forms of child exploitation and to provide protection for any minors affected by armed conflicts. Participation on the part of the child in any judicial process incumbent to the child or in any social intervention where the child is involved is as well a central part of the text, echoing in that way the child’s interests and avoiding in that manner further victimization. The text finally encourages the Nations to work towards eradicating the existing stigmatization and discrimination that surrounds these minors at present.
To read the full document as written by the United Nations Human Rights Council, click here.
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