Pack of Trouble. Children of Nuseirat Refugee camp. photo John Harvey
Today at Mushkiki, I came across an eye-catching yellow poster, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child In Child Friendly Language. It is important that children know their rights, so that they are aware of their rights not be harmed by anyone. In light of the terrible harm brought recently to Palestinian children in Gaza, and for 61 years to all Palestinian children, I thought maybe someone/group should take up a court case against Israel for abusing Palestinian children under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Countries like Canada and the US, that support sanctions and support Israeli abuses of human rights, could also be taken to court for abusing the rights of Palestinian children, on the basis of the Articles I've noted below.
Article 2
All children have these rights, no matter who they are, where they live, what their parents do, what language they speak, what their religion is, whether they are a boy or girl, what their culture is, whether they have a disability, whether they are rich or poor. No child should be treated unfairly on any basis.
Article 6
You have the right to be alive.
Article 19
You have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, in body or mind.
Article 22
You have the right to special protection and help if you are a refugee (if you have been forced to leave your home and live in another country), as well as all the rights in this Convention.
Article 24
You have the right to the best health care possible, safe water to drink, nutritious food, a clean and safe environment, and information to help you stay well.
Article 27
You have the right to food, clothing, a safe place to live and to have your basic needs met. You should not be disadvantaged so that you can’t do many of the things other kids can do.
Article 31
You have the right to play and rest.
Article 37
No one is allowed to punish you in a cruel or harmful way.
Article 38
You have the right to protection and freedom from war. Children under 15 cannot be forced to go into the army or take part in war.
Article 39
You have the right to help if you’ve been hurt, neglected or badly treated.
2 comments:
I didn't know about this Rights of the Child! We need to be reminded of this in many places in the world, such as Africa, and certainly in Palestine it's been and still is horrific for the children.
yes, I was quite taken by this document, especially the Child Friendly version. I thought that children need to know their rights and us adults need to know them, too, so we don't abuse our children. It is an important document for all places. Especially Canada and the US where there are increasing numbers of children suffering sexual abuse, incest and other atrocities.
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