Secretary-General Calls for Commonwealth Agenda for Children Early in the New Millennium
3 November 1998
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, today pledged the Commonwealth's support in promoting the rights of the child, particularly the girl child, and said the Commonwealth Secretariat was working with the International Labour Organisation to develop a Commonwealth Manual on Good Practice for Implementing the Rights of the Child.
"The ultimate aim is to have a Commonwealth Agenda for Children early in the new millennium," the Secretary-General said.
Chief Anyaoku made the announcement today after receiving a delegation of human rights activists who presented him with a petition at Marlborough House. It called upon the Secretary-General to strive to promote the enforcement of children's human rights in member states by an intensive campaign of "exhortation and education".
The group stressed that disregard of children's rights and interests led to acute suffering, loss of life and endangerment to health. They expressed great concern about harmful traditional practices and, in particular, female genital mutilation.
Chief Anyaoku assured the delegation that all 54 Commonwealth member countries had ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. He also said that the Commonwealth Secretariat would do its utmost to assist members in implementing these commitments, particularly those concerning the rights of the girl child.
"The Commonwealth attaches high priority to the promotion of children's rights in member countries," the Secretary-General said. "The Secretariat, with support from the ILO, is currently developing a Commonwealth Manual on Good Practice for Implementing the Rights of the Child to assist member countries to give effect to the provisions of the Convention. We are also conducting a series of regional workshops to intensify the promotion of children's rights within member countries."
As part of its programme on women and health, the Secretariat is also liaising with other interested agencies and non-governmental organisations with a concern for female genital mutilation to strengthen the advocacy to eliminate such practices. Nearly all Commonwealth countries are signatories to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women which takes a strong stand against female genital mutilation. Three Commonwealth regional judicial colloquia have also been held to enhance the capacity of member countries to promote the human rights of women and the girl child through the judiciary.
The delegation of human rights activists comprised Ms Joan Davies, Baroness Emma Nicholson, Lord David Alton, Ms Zerbanoo Gifford, Dr Janet Wootton, Dr Bernard Inichen and Mr Keith Masters representing Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali of Rochester.
98/77 3 November 1998
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- Commonwealth ICT SummitBetty Mould Iddrisu, Director, Legal and Constitutional Affairs
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