This November 20, it's International Child Rights Day! On this day, we celebrate the adoption of two landmark documents by the United Nations General Assembly: the 1959 Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (also known as the CRC) - both important milestones in the recognition of children's rights. The Convention has brought about fundamental change in many countries. It has led to new laws being passed that, for example, enable education and establish the participation of children in social and political issues. With the exception of the USA, the Convention has been ratified by all states, making it the most widespread and highly acclaimed human rights treaty. This year marks 35 years since the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. A cause for celebration! Under the motto 'Living Children's Rights - Strengthening Democracy', Germany will be reminding us this year that the implementation of children's rights to participation, equal opportunities and freedom of expression makes a significant contribution to living and safeguarding fundamental democratic values.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees children fundamental rights in a total of 54 articles, which can be divided into three main categories: protection, provision and participation. However, the four guiding principles that underpin all articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child must be considered holistically for all rights: The right to equal treatment and protection from discrimination (Art. 2), the primacy of the best interests of the child (Art. 3), the right to life and development (Art. 6) and the right to participation (Art. 12). As the social, political and living environments of children are constantly changing globally, General Comments are regularly published alongside the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which interpret and further clarify the existing Convention. This includes General Comment No. 25 on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment, which is of particular importance to the Stiftung Digitale Chancen (Digital Opportunities Foundation).
Nevertheless, 35 years is a short time and much remains to be done to bring about a change in thinking and to recognise all children as rights holders. Germany ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992 and has since taken numerous measures to implement children's rights. The state visit of Mama Fatima Singhateh, the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale of children and child prostitution, a few weeks ago showed that there is still a lot to be done in Germany: For example, she called for the appointment of a National Commissioner for Children’s Rights and the introduction of media literacy as a compulsory subject in all schools. Together with many other organisations in the National Coalition, we are also campaigning for children's rights to be enshrined in the German constitution. The aim is to give more weight to children's rights in political and social decisions.