Protecting and promoting children’s rights in Aotearoa through UPR3
The Children’s Rights report for UPR 3Developed by Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa, Save the Children, Child Poverty Action Group and IHC and is supported by 21 organisations and individualsPositive developments on children’s rights since UPR 2:work to reduce child poverty and development of a child wellbeing strategyinclusion of children’s rights in some legislation (UNCRC, UNCRPD)increased consideration of children’s views by GovernmentMinister for Children
Children’srightssituation in Aotearoa New Zealand
Despite progress…Significant inequities remain forMāori childrenPasifika childrenchildren with disabilitieschildren living in povertychildren in State careKey issues that need progressChildren’s rights in domestic law, policy and practiceViolence and mortalityChild PovertyChildren in State care
1.Children’srightsindomesticlaw,policyand practice
Still significant work to do to align law, policy and practice with the rights of children.RecommendationsRatify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedureWithdraw Aotearoa New Zealand’s reservations to UNCRC (reservations are to articles 2 (discrimination on the basis of immigration status), 32(2) (protections for children who work) and 37(c) (age-mixing in places of detention))Reform adoption law to fully promote and protect children's rights.(Slovakia, Viet Nam, Brazil, Thailand, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Netherlands, Ukraine)
2. Violence andMortality
Violence, abuse and neglect remain significant issues for childrenRecommendationsPrioritise resources and actions to address and prevent:violence, abuse and neglect ofallchildren, including those in State careyouth suicide, with urgent priority focus on preventing suicide among MāoritamarikiandrangatahiTake action to reduce infant mortality ratesEnsure, as a matter of priority, that the detention of children and young people is consistent with their rights including international youth justice principles(Australia, Romania, France, Switzerland, UK, Chile, Rep. Of Congo, Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Iran, TimorLeste)
3.Childrenin State care
Current concerns include:a high and increasing number of children deprived of care in their own familya shortfall in the number of caregivers and on-going abuse and harm of children in the State care systemthe number of newborn babies being taken into State careRecommendationsEradicate, as a matter of urgency, abuse, harm and violence against children in State careProvide training on children’s rights to professionals, parents and caregivers, family,whānauand community
4. Child Poverty
Child poverty remains a significant issue -28% of children experience income poverty, 135,000 children live in material hardshipRecommendationsAlign legislation, policy and services with children’s rights and use robust data to ensure all children have:an adequate standard of living, including through a fair and compassionate welfare system and the immediate abolition of benefit sanctionssafe, warm and secure tenure of housingfree, inclusive and quality, public educationgood health ( nutritious food, safe drinking water, and quality healthcare including mental health care when needed)(Australia, Ukraine, Cape Verde, Slovenia, Mexico, Netherlands, Germany, Djibouti,Malayasia, Chile, Canada, Viet Nam)
Thankyou-fromall themembersofourcoalition:
Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa (ACYA)BarnardosCCS Disability ActionChild MattersChild Poverty Action Group (CPAG)Christian World ServiceIHCJustSpeakNew Zealand Nurses OrganisationTōpūtangaTapuhiKaitiakio Aotearoa (NZNO)NZEI Te Riu Roa
OMEP Aotearoa New ZealandPeace Movement AotearoaThe Public Health Association of New ZealandRoyal New Zealand Plunket TrustSafeguarding ChildrenTiakinangātamarikiSave the ChildrenNZStand Children’s ServicesTuMaia WhanauUNICEF New ZealandUniversity of Otago Children’s Issues CentreWesley Community ActionYouthLaw
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