The Articles we will look at are:
Governments must do all they can to make sure that every child in their countries can enjoy all the rights in this Convention.
If the laws of a country protect children’s rights better than this Convention, then those laws should be used.
This week’s ‘Right’ is linked to International Women’s Day on the 23rd of February.
Article 2 – No discrimination
All children have all these rights, no matter who they are, where they live, what language they speak, what their religion is, what they think, what they look like, if they are a boy or girl, if they have a disability, if they are rich or poor, and no matter who their parents or families are or what their parents or families believe or do. No child should be treated unfairly for any reason.
Safer Internet Day is marked on 7 February every year.
We all have a right to feel safe and secure and that means safe online as well as in the real world. Safer Internet Day is an annual event that promotes the safe, responsible and positive use of the internet.
There are a large number of articles that link with being online. This week’s activities have a particular focus on Article 19, the right to protection from harm and Article 17, the right to reliable information.
The internet can be a great place but needs to be used carefully.
Article 17
Children have the right to get information from the Internet, radio, television, newspapers, books and other sources.
Adults should make sure the information they are getting is not harmful. Governments should encourage the media to share information from lots of different sources, in languages that all children can understand.
Holocaust Memorial Day is on the 27 January every year.
27 January marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. On this day we remember the six million Jewish people who were killed during the Holocaust, alongside millions of other people who were killed under Nazi persecution and in genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Holocaust Memorial Day is for everyone. Each year across the UK, thousands of people come together to learn more about the past and take action to create a safer future. We know they learn more, empathise more and do more.
Our activities this week link to:
Article 2 – No discrimination
All children have all these rights, no matter who they are, where they live, what language they speak, what their religion is, what they think, what they look like, if they are a boy or girl, if they have a disability, if they are rich or poor, and no matter who their parents or families are or what their parents or families believe or do. No child should be treated unfairly for any reason.
Governments must protect children from violence, abuse and being neglected by anyone who looks after them.
Children who are accused of breaking the law should not be killed, tortured, treated cruelly, put in prison forever, or put in prison with adults. Prison should always be the last choice and only for the shortest possible time. Children in prison should have legal help and be able to stay in contact with their family.
Children have the right to be protected during war. No child under 15 can join the army or take part in war.
This week we are looking at
Children must be registered when they are born and given a name which is officially recognized by the government.
Children must have a nationality (belong to a country). Whenever possible, children should know their parents and be looked after by them.
Children have the right to their own identity – an official record of who they are which includes their name, nationality and family relations. No one should take this away from them, but if this happens, governments must help children to quickly get their identity back.
We would like to say a big thanks for all your support this year and wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
We would be delighted if you could join us for cake and carols on Friday the 23rd of December at 11.00am.
Article 14 – Freedom of thought and religion
Children can choose their own thoughts, opinions and religion, but this should not stop other people from enjoying their rights. Parents can guide children so that as they grow up, they learn to properly use this right.
Every child with a disability should enjoy the best possible life in society. Governments should remove all obstacles for children with disabilities to become independent and to participate actively in the community.
World Children’s Day and Article 45
World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children. It takes place each year on the 20th November, the date when world leaders adopted the Convention in 1989.
From climate change, education and mental health, to ending racism and discrimination, children and young people are raising their voices on the issues that matter to their generation and calling for adults to create a better future.
Article 45 says non-governmental organisations, such as UNICEF and other United Nations bodies, can provide advice and assistance on children’s rights.
