Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: New York 14 May 2002 - What
should have been a momentous
occasion for the protection of child
rights turned out to be a set back,
said Yvonne Terlingen , Amnesty
International's representative at the
UN, referring to the UN General
Assembly Special Session on Children
(UNGASS).
(New York) What should have been a momentous occasion for
the protection of child rights turned out to be a set back, said
Yvonne Terlingen , Amnesty International's representative at the
UN, referring to the UN General Assembly Special Session on
Children (UNGASS).
In a disappointing turn of events, the Outcome Document of
UNGASS missed a crucial opportunity to make the Convention on
the Rights of the Child, ratified by virtually every country in the
world, into the framework for all future work of the UN on
children. Instead the document does no more than acknowledge
the Convention's existence.
"It is highly ironic that the Outcome Document which sets the
promotion of healthy lives of children as one of its key priorities,
does not call for a halt to the execution of child offenders," stated
Ms Terlingen.
In particular, Amnesty International is concerned that the
Outcome Document does not rule out the death penalty for
children because of obstruction by the USA -- a government that
described itself during the Special Session as "the global leader in
child protection". It is sad that the EU did not achieve a stronger
text to reflect its strong opposition to the execution of juvenile
offenders.
"When it comes to protecting children's right to life, there should
be no trade-off," declared Ms Terlingen.
Somalia's decision to sign the Convention on the Rights of the
Child is a welcome commitment to the protection of children's
rights. The Somali government also stated its intention to ratify
such instrument in the near future. The USA will then be the only
country to have failed to ratify the Convention on the Rights of
the Child.
"The USA will be exposed as the only country in the world not
willing to fully commit to protecting children's rights," said Ms
Terlingen.