Transcript Slide 1

Foundation module 2
Child rights-based approaches
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Section 1
Introduction to rights
Section 2
The CRC
Section 3
Child rights-based approaches
Section 4
Child rights monitoring
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Section 1
Introduction to rights
Key learning points
● All people have basic rights to which they are entitled without discrimination.
● Human rights have been given legal status through the adoption of a series of
treaties and other international instruments.
● The relationship between duty bearers and rights holders is a key element of
rights-based approaches.
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Investing time in understanding what a right is
helps distinguish rights from needs.
It’s not rights or needs, it’s
rights = needs + obligation + accountability
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Rights as a relationship
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Section 2
The UN convention on the rights of the child (CRC)
Key learning points
● The CRC and its optional protocols offer the highest standards of protection
and assistance for children of any international instrument.
● The CRC is based on the following general principles
- non-discrimination
- the best interests of the child
- the right to life, survival and development
- the right to be heard.
● The CRC offers potential for the protection of children in emergencies because
of its near universal acceptance and non-discrimination principle.
● In addition to the CRC, many other legal instruments guarantee children’s
rights in development and emergency contexts.
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CRC guiding principles
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CRC
Article 2
Non-discrimination
States parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present
Convention to each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any
kind, irrespective of the child’s or his or her parent’s or legal guardian’s race,
colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or
social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
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CRC
Article 3
Best interests of the child
In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private
social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative
bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.
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CRC
Article 6
Right to life, survival and development
States parties recognise that every child has the inherent right to life, and,
shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development
of the child.
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CRC
Article 12
Participation (the right to be heard)
States parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own
views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child,
the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and
maturity of the child.
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Key child protection articles in the CRC
Articles:
● 9 Family separation.
● 10 Family reunification across borders.
● 11 Illicit transfer of children.
● 16 Right to privacy, honour and reputation.
● 19 Protection from violence, injury, abuse, neglect, maltreatment
or exploitation.
● 20 Alternative care.
● 21 Adoption.
● 22 Refugee children.
● 23 Children with disabilities.
● 24 Harmful practices.
● 25 Periodic review of alternative care.
(Continued)
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● 32 Economic exploitation.
● 34 Sexual abuse and exploitation.
● 35 Abduction, sale or trafficking of children.
● 36 Other forms of exploitation.
● 37 Juvenile justice and protection from torture or other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment.
● 38 Protection in armed conflict.
● 39 Recovery and reintegration.
● 40 Children in conflict with the law.
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Section 3
Child rights-based approaches
Key learning points
● Child rights-based approaches use the CRC as a starting point, particularly its
four general principles, with the aim of securing long-term, measurable
impact on children’s lives.
● Child rights-based approaches can and should be applied in emergency
settings.
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Section 4
Child rights monitoring
Key learning points
● State parties to the CRC are obligated to report on progress they’ve made
towards its implementation, which can provide useful material for advocacy or
situation analysis for those countries under review.
● Reporting to the committee provides NGOs a unique opportunity to bring
concerns about the status of children to the international legal body
responsible for monitoring the implementation of the convention.
● The UN Security Council responds to grave violations of children’s rights in
armed conflict situations.
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