Defend it like Beckham: Governments urged to deliver on child rights

The Commonwealth Secretariat and soccer ace David Beckham are together urging governments to “stick to their promises” on children’s rights.

The UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, alongside Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie and a host of leading international figures, have contributed testimonials to a new Secretariat publication marking the 20^th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“I know that today, all over the world children’s rights are still being denied and this needs to stop,” writes Mr Beckham in the Child Rights in the Commonwealth book, which is launched today (9 December 2009) at the Secretariat’s headquarters at Marlborough House, London, UK.

“The world,” he said, “needs to stick to its promises to children and ensure that they have the best chances and opportunities in life.”

‘Serious challenges remain’

According to the publication, which offers key indicators and statistics related to the implementation of the 1989 United Nations convention, Commonwealth governments have taken important strides to protect and uphold the rights of children. All member states have ratified the convention, and infant and child mortality rates and malnutrition rates have declined in most member states.

Yet, as the publication demonstrates, the picture across the 54-member state association is not yet rosy. Child labour and child marriage remain significant challenges in many parts of the Commonwealth, as is female genital mutilation.

“Much progress has been won for the rights of children in Commonwealth countries, yet serious challenges remain,” explained the book’s editor, Dr Purna Sen, Head of Human Rights at the Secretariat. “Child labour blights too many lives, not all children enjoy a full education or access to health services, and child marriage remains prevalent in many countries.”

“While we take this opportunity to mark the anniversary and disseminate the contents of the convention more widely, this publication also highlights some excellent progress on the rights of children across the Commonwealth and notes some of the outstanding challenges that still need to be met.”

‘A reminder to us all’ – Angelina Jolie

As well as featuring key statistics and testimonials, the 68-page book neatly summarises the key themes of the convention, including states’ responsibilities to ensure children’s rights to health, education and living standards and to protect against discrimination, exploitation and violence.

Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, welcomed the book as helping to quantify “how far we have come and how far we still have to go”. He said: “The 20^th anniversary of the convention invites us to take stock of how well the Convention is being implemented. In the end, international law is only as strong as the will and ability of governments to realise and implement their commitments to improve the lives of their citizens.”

Taking stock and implementing

American actress Angelina Jolie, also writing in the book, added: “The [convention] is a reminder to us all of our responsibilities to protect displaced children, so they can grow up in an environment of safety, protection and understanding.”

Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and Commonwealth Chair-in-Office, said: “As Trinidad and Tobago strives towards developed country status and a culture of peace and human rights, the development and well being of our most precious human resource, our children, is a priority. I am therefore pleased that the Commonwealth is commemorating the anniversary of this convention.”

Key Links:

• Human Rights

Related News:

• UNICEF
• Buy Online: Child Rights in the Commonwealth