You might have noticed the little ad on the right for ‘bloggers unite for human rights’. Today is the day when bloggers all over the world will share their thoughts and highlight situations where human rights are violated.
I had hoped to write something well researched but just haven’t had the time. And I guess that’s what I wanted to say. There is never time or we are all too busy. It reminded me of these words attributed to Niemöller:
In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;
And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up.
Our civil liberties are the most precious things we have, and yet we take them for granted.
I’m responsible for developing work with children and young people so I though I’d use my post today to remind us all (in accordance with Article 42: All adults and children should know about this convention) of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child:
Article 1 Everyone under 18 has these rights
Article 2 You have the right to protection against discrimination
Article 3 Adults should do what’s best for you
Article 4 You have the right to have your rights made a reality by government
Article 5 You have the right to be given guidance by your parents and family
Article 6 You have the right to life
Article 7 You have the right to have a name and a nationality
Article 8 You have the right to have an identity
Article 9 You have the right to live with your parents unless it is bad for you
Article 10 If you and your parents are living in different countries, you have the right to get back together and live in the same place
Article 11 You should not be kidnapped
Article 12 You have the right to an opinion and for it to be listened to and taken seriously
Article 13 You have the right to find out things and say what you think, through making art, speaking and writing unless it breaks the rights of others
Article 14 You have the right to think what you like and be whatever religion you want to be with your parents guidance
Article 15 You have the right to be with friends and join or set up clubs, unless this breaks the rights of others
Article 16 You have the right to a private life, ie you can keep a diary that other people are not allowed to see
Article 17 You have the right to collect information from the media
Article 18 You have the right to be brought up by your parents if possible
Article 19 You have the right to be protected from being hurt or badly treated
Article 20 You have the right to special protection and help if you can’t live with your parents
Article 21 You have the right to have the best care for you if you are adopted or living in foster care
Article 22 You have the right to special protection and help if you are a refugee
Article 23 If you are disabled, either mentally or physically, you have the right to special care and education
Article 24 You have the right to the best health possible and to medical care and information
Article 25 You have the right to have your living arrangements checked regularly if you are living away from home
Article 26 You have the right to help from the government if you are poor or in need
Article 27 You have the right to have a good enough standard of living
Article 28 You have the right to education
Article 29 You have the right to education which develops your personality, respect for other’s rights and the environment
Article 30 If you come from a minority group you have the right to enjoy your own culture, practice your own religion and use your own language
Article 31 You have the right to play and relax by doing things like sport, music and drama
Article 32 You have the right to protection from work which is bad for your health or education
Article 33 You have the right to be protected from dangerous drugs
Article 34 You have the right to be protected from sexual abuse
Article 35 No one is allowed to kidnap you or sell you
Article 36 You have the right to protection from any other kind of exploitation
Article 37 You have the right not to be punished in a cruel or hurtful way
Article 38 You have the right to protection in times of war. If under 15 you should never have to be in the army or a battle
Article 39 You have the right to help if you have been hurt, neglected or badly treated
Article 40 You have the right to help in defending yourself if you are accused of breaking the law
Article 41 You have the right to any rights in laws in your country or internationally that give you better rights than these
Article 42 All adults and children should know about this convention
We in Scotland often look around the world and shake our heads at what goes on in other countries but I read a statistic which shocked me last night. Nearly 20% of children attending the Sick Children’s Hospital in Glasgow show signs of malnutrition. It’s time we all made some time to look around and take seriously the rights of children in the world.
I didn’t know there was such a document. Nice.
I had no idea about this either. I think I should link you to my post.
Articles 7 and 8 speak volumes toward the blatant discrimination incurred upon children who are adopted. A child’s identity, name and nationality are sealed by the state (U.S) the day the adoption becomes finalized and STAY THAT WAY even when we reach adulthood.
Thank you for posting this.
Thanks for posting this. I live in the United States, where we haven’t ratified this. I’m so glad the rights of children are more respected now and taken seriously than in the past. I hope the US ratifies it after George Bush leaves the presidency.