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INTRODUCTION: The topic of children's rights is widely
misunderstood by the
public and commonly exploited by adults, resulting in a
overly-simplified, paternalistic perspective by many adults.
Violations of the rights of children vary around the world, with
common issues including homelessness, sexual exploitation, and
economic mistreatment. Other items include child soldiers,
forced servitude, and more. The extension of children's rights
abuses extends towards young people and obliterates any chances of
equal participation for young people in society.
POINTS TO PONDER: "Perhaps we cannot prevent this world
from being a world in which children are tortured. But we can reduce
the number of tortured children." - Albert Camus (1948)
"When we love children we acknowledge by our every action that they
are not property, that they have rights - that we respect and uphold
their rights. Without justice there can be no love." - bell hooks
RESOURCES: The following resources are youth-led and/or youth-focused
organizations and websites that can help young people and adult allies understand
the rights of children around the world.
Websites and Organizations
UN Convention on the
Rights of the
Child
International law advocating children's rights. Read the full text in the
following languages:
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,
,
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Their mission is to
establish programs and activities that will reduce the poverty and
exploitation of children throughout the world, and to provide leadership
skills and citizenship opportunities to youth.
MADRE
MADRE works with
youth in areas such as Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Palestine, Nicaragua, and
Rwanda. MADRE promotes the rights of children and youth and partners with
young people to ensure that they are able to exercise the full range of
their rights. MADRE's programs provide youths with job training, educational
workshops on nutrition and sexual and reproductive health, arts programs and
leadership. MADRE also offers emergency trauma counseling to youth in areas
of conflict, and assists children who are at risk of becoming child
soldiers.
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Everyday in America...
*1 young person under
25 dies from HIV infection.
*5 children or youth under 20 commit suicide.
*9 children or youth under 20 are homicide victims.
*9 children or youth under 20 die from firearms.
*34 children and youth under 20 die from accidents.
*77 babies die.
*157 babies are born at very low birthweight (less
than 3 lbs., 4 oz.).
*180 children are arrested for violent crimes.
*367 children are arrested for drug abuse.
*401 babies are born to mothers who had late or no
prenatal care.
*825 babies are born at low birthweight (less than 5
lbs. 8 oz.).
*1,310 babies are born without health insurance.
*1,329 babies are born to teen mothers.
2,019 babies are born into poverty.
*2,319 babies are born to mothers who are not high
school graduates.
*2,861 high school students drop out.*
*3,585 babies are born to unmarried mothers.
*4,248 children are arrested.
*7,883 children are reported abused or neglected.
*17,297 public school students are suspended.*
*Based on calculations per school day (180 days of
seven hours each).
© 2002 Children's Defense Fund |
Human Rights Internet -
Youth Rights
International children's rights info and activism from Human Rights Internet.
Children's Defense Fund
A pioneering organization the advocates for the rights of children across
the United States through legal action, education, and many other venues.
Children's
Rights Law Resources
Massive collection from Cornell University law department.
An independent non-governmental organization set up during the International
Year of the Child (1979) to ensure on-going, practical, systematic and
concerted international action specially directed towards promoting and
protecting the rights of the child.
Simply stated, the
exploitation of children is about money. It is about economic survivability.
The children are used as commodities for trade, as are weapons, drugs,
tobacco, toxic waste, or nuclear arms.
The Children's Bill
of Rights project involved over 650 children from three continents, and
resulted in the first Bill (or Declaration) of Rights drafted, in part, by
children.
Information about
the use of child slaves in cocoa farming in the Cote d'Ivoire.
The European
Children's Network is a coalition of networks and organizations campaigning
for the interests and rights of children (defined in the 1989 UN Convention
on the Rights of the Child as all persons under 18 years of age).
Improving children's
lives through advances in law, justice, knowledge, practice, and public
policy.
CRIN is a Global
Network of Organistions Sharing their Experiences of Information on
Children's Rights. CRIN's "virtual desks" tackle a number of issues
important for child rights.
An independent
non-governmental organization set up during the International Year of the
Child (1979) to ensure on-going, practical, systematic and concerted
international action specially directed towards promoting and protecting the
rights of the child.
Resources on Youth Rights Today
An introduction,
points to ponder, and resources, including organizations, websites and
publications on the rights of youth today.
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