UN & Children's Rights
By Daydreamer of Oz
In the next minute, at least 3 children will become victims of human trafficking.
In the next minute, at least 4 female babies and children will be subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM).
In the next minute, at least 11 children will die of starvation.
Come with me on a journey; an exploration through the inexplicable, unforgivable ways the United Nations fails to ensure the basic human rights of children around the world.
Location: United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA
Date: 20 November 1989
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is adopted by the United Nations. UNICEF describes the Convention this way:
Furthermore
Iran - 13 July 1994
Iraq - 15 June 1994
Afghanistan - 28 March 1994
Sierra Leone - 18 June 1990
Rwanda - 24 January 1991
Sudan - 3 August 1990
Afghanistan ratified on the following condition:
How can a government attach conditions to rights which are universal and non-negotiable?
Location: Most of Africa, Middle Eastern countries and Southeast Asia
Date: Present
FGM is a barbaric, cruel practice carried out in the above regions. The procedure is used for a variety of reasons including religion, social initiation, control and aesthetics. The procedure is sometimes performed on babies but most often on girls 4 - 6 years old, ordinarily without an anesthetic.
The practice is not only discriminatory but also severely damaging to the children's emotional, physical and mental well-being.
It is practiced in a score of Islamic countries in the regions stated above. All of these countries have ratified the Convention.
Location: Darfur, Sudan, Africa
Date: 2003 - Present
Since war erupted in Darfur three years ago, innumerable human rights abuses have occurred. None are more at risk than children. Vital daily activities such as gathering firewood expose them to the threat of beatings, rapes and even death at the hands of the Sudanese militia.
Rape is being used as a weapon of war in Darfur with the horror extending far beyond the rape. Many girls have been branded to ensure that the shame never fades and many have been jailed for the offense of extramarital sex. Furthermore, Lumeya (2004) indicates that this attitude towards rape victims is pervasive and extends across all Islamic fundamentalist societies:
The UN has demanded that the US close Guantanamo Bay, citing human rights violations. However, they have merely requested that the Sudanese government stop the crimes against humanity which are happening in Darfur.
Location: Iran
Date: 15 August 2004
Atefah Sahaaleh, aged 16, is hanged to death in a public square in the city of Neka.
Her crime was being a rape victim, described by local governments as a crime against chastity. This type of murder is not uncommon in Iran where a crime of chastity is a capital offense. Women and girls are routinely charged with this crime and murdered. The courts made Atefah's death public to send a warning to women and girls. The Iranian government has ensured that the structure of the court system negates any action being taken by human rights groups.
Location: United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA
Date: Present
These outlined atrocities and innumerable more occur on a daily basis around the world. A friendly reprimand by the UN is the harshest penalty a country ever receives for crimes against humanity. Indeed, many of these countries don't even produce the annual reports they are obliged to submit to the international community.
The only international body with any power to enforce the Convention wrings its hands, declares 'cultural differences' and allows governments to deny children's basic human rights.
Meanwhile, three children will be trafficked, four girls will be mutilated and eleven children will starve in the next minute.
References:
Amnesty International FGM Factsheet
Bendisi, K 2005 Women and Girls in Darfur Raped, Jailed, Fined
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Convention Ratification Listing
Lumeya, F 2004 Rape, Islam, and Darfur's Women Refugees and War-Displaced
Save Darfur
UNICEF FGM Factsheet
UNICEF Sexual Exploitation Factsheet
By Daydreamer of Oz
In the next minute, at least 3 children will become victims of human trafficking.
In the next minute, at least 4 female babies and children will be subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM).
In the next minute, at least 11 children will die of starvation.
Come with me on a journey; an exploration through the inexplicable, unforgivable ways the United Nations fails to ensure the basic human rights of children around the world.
Location: United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA
Date: 20 November 1989
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is adopted by the United Nations. UNICEF describes the Convention this way:
The Convention is a universally agreed set of non-negotiable standards and obligations. These basic standards - also called human rights - set minimum entitlements and freedoms that should be respected by governmentsAmongst many other rights, the Convention covers the inherent right to life (Article 6.1) [which includes the right to adequate nourishment, healthcare and education], the right to be protected from human trafficking (Article 16.1) and the right to be free from economic exploitation (Article 32.1).
Furthermore
Having agreed to meet the standards in the Convention [by way of ratification], governments are obliged to bring their legislation, policy and practice into accordance with the standards of the Convention; to transform the standards into reality for all children; and to abstain from any action that may preclude the enjoyment of those rights or violate them. Governments are required to report periodically to a committee of independent experts on their progress to achieve all the rights.In the years since 1989, almost every country in the world has ratified - agreed to uphold - the principles set out in the Convention. Amongst those who have ratified the document are:
Iran - 13 July 1994
Iraq - 15 June 1994
Afghanistan - 28 March 1994
Sierra Leone - 18 June 1990
Rwanda - 24 January 1991
Sudan - 3 August 1990
Afghanistan ratified on the following condition:
The Government of the Republic of Afghanistan reserves the right to express, upon ratifying the Convention, reservations on all provisions of the Convention that are incompatible with the laws of Islamic Shari'a and the local legislation in effect.
How can a government attach conditions to rights which are universal and non-negotiable?
Location: Most of Africa, Middle Eastern countries and Southeast Asia
Date: Present
FGM is a barbaric, cruel practice carried out in the above regions. The procedure is used for a variety of reasons including religion, social initiation, control and aesthetics. The procedure is sometimes performed on babies but most often on girls 4 - 6 years old, ordinarily without an anesthetic.
The practice is not only discriminatory but also severely damaging to the children's emotional, physical and mental well-being.
It is practiced in a score of Islamic countries in the regions stated above. All of these countries have ratified the Convention.
Location: Darfur, Sudan, Africa
Date: 2003 - Present
Since war erupted in Darfur three years ago, innumerable human rights abuses have occurred. None are more at risk than children. Vital daily activities such as gathering firewood expose them to the threat of beatings, rapes and even death at the hands of the Sudanese militia.
Rape is being used as a weapon of war in Darfur with the horror extending far beyond the rape. Many girls have been branded to ensure that the shame never fades and many have been jailed for the offense of extramarital sex. Furthermore, Lumeya (2004) indicates that this attitude towards rape victims is pervasive and extends across all Islamic fundamentalist societies:
The fate of a raped woman in an Islamic fundamentalist society such as that in Sudan is already sealed. Rape survivors are more often than not rejected for being a visible reminder of the shame inflicted on the community by the rape act. The women will be inhibited from acting as full and honoured members of society; their prospects for marriage or a happy home life effectively erased forever. Compounding the trauma of the physical abuse of rape is the loss of identity and the imposition of a new, dishonoured identity. Ironically, the act of freeing themselves from the burden of shame and perhaps starting the process of healing by naming the offense is guaranteed to cement their rejected status in their societies.All of the countries that hold these beliefs have ratified the Convention.
The UN has demanded that the US close Guantanamo Bay, citing human rights violations. However, they have merely requested that the Sudanese government stop the crimes against humanity which are happening in Darfur.
Location: Iran
Date: 15 August 2004
Atefah Sahaaleh, aged 16, is hanged to death in a public square in the city of Neka.
Her crime was being a rape victim, described by local governments as a crime against chastity. This type of murder is not uncommon in Iran where a crime of chastity is a capital offense. Women and girls are routinely charged with this crime and murdered. The courts made Atefah's death public to send a warning to women and girls. The Iranian government has ensured that the structure of the court system negates any action being taken by human rights groups.
Location: United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA
Date: Present
These outlined atrocities and innumerable more occur on a daily basis around the world. A friendly reprimand by the UN is the harshest penalty a country ever receives for crimes against humanity. Indeed, many of these countries don't even produce the annual reports they are obliged to submit to the international community.
The only international body with any power to enforce the Convention wrings its hands, declares 'cultural differences' and allows governments to deny children's basic human rights.
Meanwhile, three children will be trafficked, four girls will be mutilated and eleven children will starve in the next minute.
References:
Amnesty International FGM Factsheet
Bendisi, K 2005 Women and Girls in Darfur Raped, Jailed, Fined
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Convention Ratification Listing
Lumeya, F 2004 Rape, Islam, and Darfur's Women Refugees and War-Displaced
Save Darfur
UNICEF FGM Factsheet
UNICEF Sexual Exploitation Factsheet
posted by Gary | 6:13 AM
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