Submitted by crinadmin on
[24 October 2007] - Children's rights NGOs in Europe have welcomed the new EU Reform Treaty, which was officially adopted by European leaders on 19 October in Brussels. “EU leaders have finally recognised that children are European citizens too” said Mieke Schuurman, EURONET Secretary General, on the adoption of the Treaty, which includes the protection of children’s rights in the internal and external objectives of the European Union. “The new Treaty will pave the way for children’s rights and needs to be fully taken into account across EU policy-making – something which is long overdue,” he said. The treaty will need to be ratified by each of the EU's member states, before entering into force in mid-2009. Euronet said they were also pleased that the Charter of Fundamental Rights, which includes children’s rights, is made binding by the new Treaty. However they added they were concerned that opt-outs for the UK and Poland will weaken protection for children. “Many areas of EU policy making have an impact on children” noted Kathleen Spencer Chapman, President of EURONET. “Childrens’ NGOs have long been highlighting the need for all EU actions to be in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The new Treaty provides a strong basis for this - the challenge now is for EU leaders to make sure it happens”. The new treaty amends the Treaty on the European Union (Maastricht) and the Treaty Establishing the European Community (Rome). The treaty replaces a draft constitution, which was jettisoned after France and the Netherlands voted against it in referendums in 2005. Other treaty provisions include: Further information