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New online debate on the theme of ‘freedom’

From September 10 to October 08

Our debate theme for this month is ‘freedom’

Article 15 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child says that governments should recognise the rights of children to ‘freedom of association’ and ‘peaceful assembly’. This means that children and young people should be allowed to meet, hang out and discuss issues in public places.

Everyone has this right under the European Convention on Human Rights (in article 11).

The Convention on the Rights of the Child says that no limits can be placed on this right, except for those in line with the law, and for reasons of national security, public order, safety, and public health.

In 2003, the Government passed the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, which gave the police in England new powers to disperse (move away) young people under 16 if more than two of them were together in a public place, and making other members of the public feel upset or scared. Young people under 16 can also be removed from certain public areas after 9pm. Some people think this limits children’s rights to hang out in public places.

What do you think?

Should groups of children and young people be able to gather together in public places?

Have you been stopped from hanging out in a public place with your friends?

Do you think the police use their new powers fairly towards young people?

Do you think a child’s right to ‘freedom of association’ is protected as well an adult’s?

Join in the debate!

On Wednesday, September 26, 2007 Kevin said:

Yes groups of children and young people should be able to gather together in public places. Its with their right to meet up and play. It is everyones right to meet up and ‘hang out’ including adults, Is it right that young people are demonised for it? Ok yes there are some trouble makers but the minrotiy makes it much much worse for the majority!
Police don’t treat young people farily, they can be patrionising!!! We must pay our respects though for the police who have to deal with the minority trouble makers- they must have so much abuse thrown at them!
Our laws tend to protect adults from most things and young people from harm when it should fully protect young people and adults alike- our government is treating us young people unequally!!!
What makes young poeple differenty form adults? nothing except their age! that’s why legislation needs to prevent age discrimination!!!

On Monday, October 01, 2007 Iqra said:

I think it is unfair to say that the police ‘abuse’ their powers, for 2 reasons:
1) Their not abusing their power it’s their orders to implement it.
2) It’s the goverment to blame, for they are the ones that made the order.

In my experience I have always been respected by the police, and having spoken to some officers and found that they aren’t against young people and that they don’t seperate and send home every group of young people they see, only those that they have suspicions against, and even then it is for the safety for the rest of the community including other young people.

Maybe we should try and understand the position the police are in and not acuse them of foul play. The problem to focus on is the goverments stance on it.

I agree with everything else said before.

On Friday, October 05, 2007 Kirrun said:

About freedom – i’m not too sure. I mean, its about who decides where to put the limits.

I do agree with Eni and so it is a hard decision. I reckon young people should be able to hang around parks at night but if the place gets vandalised many times, then perhaps it should be restricted. i know it’s not fair for all young people – but what else can be done?

perhaps, there should be places for young people to go to and i mean DECENT places. if there are place, then they should be advertised so young people know about them.

re: the police, i agree very strongly that they do act overstrict with young people. it’s like, they see a young person and they automatically think: ENEMY.

the main problem is that adults need to be open-minded and think that all young people aren’t the same just like adults so treat everyone the same like you would like to be treated.