Unhappy Birthday for some?
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Last Sunday, we celebrated 22 years
since United Nations did the Convention
on the rights of the child.
The Convention is a document which says European countries
what they must do to protect the rights of children.
The European countries, which sign this document,
have to do what it says.
Eurochild is an organisation which fights
for the rights of children.
Together with Eurochild,
Inclusion Europe asks European countries
to respect the equal rights
of children with intellectual disabilities.
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Last Sunday marked the Anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1989. This Convention is a human rights treaty setting out the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children. And in principle, it would be a day to celebrate, if it wasn’t for the implementation of these basic human rights.
Nearly all countries of the world have signed and ratified the Convention. But its implementation into national law and policy is not always guaranteed. Be it the Financial Crisis making governments cut basic social services for children or ignoring the most vulnerable children.
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Eurochild and Inclusion Europe repeatedly called on regional, national and European authorities to recognise the equal value of children with intellectual disabilities. A recent joint report revealed that across the whole of Europe, children with intellectual disabilities are highly vulnerable to discrimination, abuse and exclusion. Preconceived ideas and prejudices against them are still strongly rooted. The voices of children with intellectual disabilities are not heard and their words are not taken seriously - they are 'invisible' children.
"With the financial crisis, it turns out that children with intellectual disabilities are not a priority. Governments use the financial crisis as an excuse to justify stopping progress in implementing children’s rights, especially in realisation of inclusive education." explained Maureen Piggot, President of Inclusion Europe. The right to inclusion in regular schools is of utmost importance for children with intellectual disabilities to be prepared to live in society, in their communities.
"We urge governments to stop placing children with intellectual disabilities in institutions. Properly implementing the UNCRC would mean to provide concerned families with appropriate community-based supports." said Maria Herczog, President of Eurochild and a member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Too many children with intellectual disabilities are still living in institutions, far from their families, because of the lack of support and services or the lack of educational opportunities in their communities.
It has to be a joint effort to make the 20 November a 'Happy Birthday for all'.
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