The Government reports to the United Nations on children’s rights

In July, the Government sent a report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child about how it is putting the Convention on the Rights of the Child into practice in the UK.

The Government is writing a young people’s version of this report, which will be published soon. In the meantime, here are some of the things that the Government told the UN Committee:

• It is still committed to putting the Convention on the Rights of the Child into practice in the UK.
• Lots of new projects have started since 2002 (when the last examination happened) to make sure all children have equal chances in life, and that they stay safe and healthy, enjoy their lives, do well in school, and can contribute to society.
• The Children’s Commissioner for England, Professor Sir Al Aynsley Green, has started work to collect children’s views and make sure they are listened to.
• Changes the Government has made to protect children in trouble with the law.
• Laws to deal with anti-social behaviour by children and young people.
• The Government’s plans to make laws against all types of discrimination (when someone is treated differently because of something about them) a lot clearer.
• Work to make sure children and young people can have a say in decisions about their lives at school, in court, and when they are in care.
• The Government will not sign up to the part of the Convention that says how refugee and asylum seeking children should be treated, as the laws in the UK already make sure they are well-protected.

You can find out more about the Government’s report on the Every Child Matters website

Posted on Thursday, August 23, 2007 in