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A new online resource to enable children and young people to contribute to a review of how the UK complies with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is being launched yesterday by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to mark International Human Rights Day.

The web based resources describe the CRC and what it says a child needs to survive, grow, and live up to their potential in the world. Consisting of an animated film and a series of fact sheets, they also explain how young people across England and Wales can give their views as part of the UN’s review of the UK’s compliance with the Convention. The UK Government ratified the CRC in 1991 and must report periodically to the UN on the steps it has taken to protect the rights set out within it.

In 1950, the UN General Assembly invited all nations to celebrate Human Rights Day on 10 December each year. This year the Equality and Human Rights Commission has decided to do so by focusing on children and young people with the launch of these new resources. As part of the process nearly 90 young people aged between 11 and 18 attended events and contributed to the factsheets.  A highlight of the events was a role-playing activity where young people were able to tell adults acting as members of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child what they thought the important human rights were for children in Britain.

As a National Human Rights Institution, the Commission monitors and reports on the UK’s performance in relation to the Convention, and works to involve children in this process. The Commission also follows up with government, civil society and Parliament to implement recommendations made by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Equality and Human Rights Commission Chief Executive Mark Hammond said:

Human rights are for everyone, and that includes children and young people. We hope this new online resource will give them a better understanding of their rights and ensure they can play an active role in protecting and promoting them for themselves and other children in the future.  Focusing on the rights of the child is a great way to mark International Human Rights Day.

For more press information contact the Commission’s media office on 0161 829 8102, out of hours 07767 272 818.

Notes to Editors

• The materials were drawn up in collaboration with the British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR).
• The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006. It operates as an independent body to protect and promote equality and human rights in Great Britain.  It aims to encourage equality and diversity, eliminate unlawful discrimination, and promote and protect human rights.  The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. It encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998 and is accredited by the UN as an ‘A status’ National Human Rights Institution.