children’s rights

14th session of Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

/ WIT / Leave a comment

Mr. Binota Moy Dhamai, as the opening speaker, set the scene for the meeting. On one hand, he indicated that the right of self-determination is a foundational right, without which indigenous peoples’ human rights, both collective and individual, cannot be fully enjoyed. The right of self-determination as recognized in article 3 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Draft report on achieving the ends of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, with a focus on self-determination explained how indigenous people exercise, defend, and support the right of self-determination in local, regional, and international contexts. The importance of revitalizing the indigenous language and other cultural practices was emphasized, which was further illustrated by other speakers. Nonetheless, challenges in achieving self-determination lie in the lack of constitutional recognition of the indigenous people. The Expert Mechanism reports called upon states to recognize the land, participation, and consultation of indigenous peoples.

On the other hand, the Draft study and advice on the Rights of the Indigenous Child under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples took a human and children’s rights-based approach to tackle existing gaps in areas such as education and child welfare. The Draft study examined the current legal framework. Speakers further discussed the status of the exercise of the rights of indigenous children worldwide, which includes non-discrimination, the right to be heard, the right to life, the right to education, the right to health, the socio-economic rights, cultural and language rights, access to justice and interactions with child justice systems. They agree in general that states should take the necessary measures to protect indigenous children, particularly girls.

Date/Location: Tuesday, Jul 13, 2021 and the meeting was held virtually.

Speakers: Binota Moy Dhamai, Member Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Ambassador Sally Mansfield, Permanent Mission of Australia, Geneva; Group of Indigenous Children of Bangladesh, Child Participant (Supported by Save the Children); Khmers Kampuchea-Krom Federation (KKF Youth) Priscilla, (youth); New Zealand, Oranga Tamariki (Ministry for Children) Charlotte Beaglehole, General Manager Policy; Dujuan, Aboriginal Youth, Australia (youth) (Video); UNICEF, East Asia and Pacific Region, Lucio Valerio Sarandrea, Child Protection Specialist; Maleya Youth Group; Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Network on Climate Change and Biodiversity (BIPNet) and Maleya Foundation Jami (youth); Hannah McGlade, Member, UN Member Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; New Zealand Human Rights Commission (Item 3) Tricia Keelan, Deputy Chief Executive; Bangladesh Indigenous Youth Forum, Toni Chiran, Organizing Secretary; Ton Kla Indigenous Children and Youth Network, Pinsuda (youth), Vice President; Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus, Cleopatra Tripura; Whareroa marae, and the Ngāti Kuku Māori peoples (of Tauranga, Aotearoa New Zealand), Joel Ngātuere; Bangladesh Jatiya Hajong Sangathan, Mita Hajong; Indonesia, Anindityo Primasto, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia, Geneva; Inter State Adivasi Coordination Committee (ISACC), India, Elina Horo; New Zealand, Te Puni Kokiri (Ministry of Maori Development), Geoff Short, Deputy Secretary Policy Partnerships; Yingiya Guyula, Member of Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, Australia; Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples/Aotearoa Independent Monitoring Mechanism, Tina Ngata; Nineveh Center for Minority Rights; Indigenous Peoples Organisation (IPO) Australia, Cathy Eatock; Hawai’ Institute for Human Rights, Joshua Cooper; New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC), Anne Dennis Chairperson; National Native Title Council -Australia, Kado Muir, Chair and Ngalia Leader; West Papua Interest Association, Ronald Waromi; Indigenous Peoples Organization (IPO) Australia, Virginia Marshall, Executive Board Member; New Zealand Human Rights Commission (Item 8), Tricia Keelan, Deputy Chief Executive; Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus, Gam A. Shimray; Whareroa marae, and the Ngāti Kuku Māori peoples (of Tauranga, Aotearoa New Zealand), Awhina Ngātuere; Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN), Abdi Akbar; TAKAD (Taskforce Against Kaiduan Dam), Diana Sipail; Megan Davis, Vice Chair, Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Written by: WIT-UN Intern Tracy Cheng

The Sustained Eradication of Child Labour

/ WIT / Leave a comment

Child Labour

This meeting was a Briefing on the IV Global Conference on the Sustained Eradication of Child Labour. It was co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Argentina and Belgium, and the International Labour Organization.

Mr. Ted Chaiban, UNICEF Director of Programmes, spoke about approaches to ending child immigration detention. Specifically, he discussed: worldwide dialogues; agreeing and focusing on solutions and practices; a global compact on migration under the supervision of co-facilitators; and, encouraging member states and their partners to build road maps for taking systematic steps.

Mr. Donald M. Kerwin, Jr., Executive Director Center for Migration Studies, noted that most migration situations can be met by alternatives.  Detention should be a last resort only after all other solutions are fully exhausted. Moreover, states have a legal obligation to carefully examine the use of detention if other options are not sufficient. Also, the number of detentions and for-profit prisons should be reduced, and detentions should be used for non-criminals for the shortest period possible.

Ms. Ashley Feasley, Director of Policy for United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Msgr. Bob Vitillo, Secretary General of the International Catholic Migration Commission, discussed their organization’s support for: family reunification; refugee housing; fighting human trafficking; and, maintaining the family unit. They both stressed more protection for children’s rights as well.

Overall, it was felt that it is cruel and degrading to deprive children of their liberty of because of their parents’ immigration status. Children should not suffer due to circumstances out of their control. Many delegates agreed with this stance, and are working on the further development of effective alternative solutions to the detention of children.

Meeting: Briefing on the IV Global Conference on the Sustained Eradication of Child Labour (co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Argentina and Belgium, and the International Labour Organization)
Date/Location: Wednesday, February 21st, 2018; 13:15-14:30; Conference Room 12, United Nations
Headquarters, New York, NY
Speakers: Ted Chaiban, Director of Programmes for UNICEF; Mr. Donald M. Kerwin Jr., Executive Director Center for Migration Studies; Ashley Feasley, Director of Policy for United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; Msgr. Bob Vitillo, Secretary General of the International Catholic Migration
Commission
Written By: WIT Representatives David Jansen, June Hong, and Calvin Ferrara

Women and Children’s Rights: Draft Resolutions in the Third Committee

/ WIT / Leave a comment

 

4295926

 

The November 22nd meeting began with a report of UN spending and proposed draft resolutions on preventing and combating corrupt practices and facilitating asset recovery. The Committee Secretary and the representative of Colombia stressed the importance of crime prevention and criminal justice. The Third Committee further discussed social development in the context of regional culture regarding youth, aging, disabled persons, and family life. Representatives focused on implementing outcomes of the World Summit for Social Development and the twenty-fourth special session of the General Assembly. The Committee deferred draft resolutions regarding women’s socioeconomic advancement, trafficking of women and girls, as well as “assistance to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions” until a later time.

The committee discussed the promotion and protection of the children’s rights. Representatives proposed draft resolutions relating to “Child, early and forced marriage,” “Protecting children from bullying,” and “Rights of the child” (including, but not limited to migrant children). After some debate about language and content of the proposed revision, Sudan’s oral amendment to “Rights of the child” (A/C.3/71/L.20/Rev.1) was rejected by vote. The Committee adopted the revisions as earlier proposed, and several delegations followed with relevant personal statements. The committee agreed to adopt draft resolution to A/C.3/71/L.17/Rev.1 regarding the rights of indigenous peoples.

Meeting: Third Committee, 55th Meeting

Date/Time/Location: Tuesday, 22 November 2016; 10:00 to 13:00; UN Headquarters, Conference Room 1

Speakers: Chairperson of the Third Committee, Secretary of the Third Committee, Representative of Colombia, Representative of Nigeria, Representative of the Philippines, Representative of Mexico, Representative of Iceland, Representative of Sudan

Written By: Renée S. Landzberg, WIT Representative

Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the NGO Committee on Children’s Rights and DPI

/ WIT / Leave a comment

imagesThe NGO Committee and Department of Public Information celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The briefing opened with Mr. Jennifer Tang outlining three articles detailed the rights of the child which were to respect for the views of the child, the right to freedom of expression, and the right to free association.

Ms. Formsma represented children who are indigenous by saying, “Often the participation and voices of indigenous children is not being heard; in developed countries, some indigenous children live in third-world conditions” She also stated how we must listen to young people because they know and understand what their community needs; they just need the support and resources to help develop the needs of the community. Chenor Bah told a story about his personal experience of being involved in the war of Sierra Leone; he became a refuge and thought to himself during all of the hardship, “This is not right; children should have a voice in this war.”

Dr. Flores revealed data about a survey taken children and adults throughout the world. The results revealed issues that matter most to children and their families: good education, better healthcare, better job opportunities, an honest and responsive government, protections against crime and violence, and phone and internet access. Dr. Flores outlined a few principles of democratic participation for children: power in relationships and decision making process must be transparent and understood by children; children should be involved in the initial stages of any process or project; all children should be treated with equal respect; demonstrate to children that they are being heard by actively listening; provide encouragement so children will speak, participate, and learn to make decisions.

Meeting: DPI/NGO Briefing: Have you heard us? Children’s Voices in Creating a World Fit for ALL: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the NGO Committee on Children’s Rights and the Department of Public Information
Date/Location: November 20, 2014; 11:00-12:45; Conference Room 1
Speakers: Ravi Karkara, Global Expert Advisor; Children and Youth with UN-Habitat and Advisor to the UN Millennium Campaign on Child and Youth Engagement; Therese Folkers Plair, Co-Chair; NGO Committee on Children’s Rights; opening song by Young at Arts – Amani Choir; Jennifer Tang, Research Associate, Children’s Environments Research Group; Jocelyn Formsma, Indigenous Child Rights Advocate; Public School 333 Manhattan, 4th – 5th Graders; Chernor Bah, Co-founder and Youth Engagement Coordinator, A World at School; Dr. Roseanne Flores, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Hunder College of the City University of New York; Kaylee Beree Weinberg, Ramapough Lenape Student Speaker; closing song by Carrie E Tomplins, Elementary School
Written By WIT Representative: Eman Osagie

Edited By WIT Representative: Aslesha Dhillon