EUROPE: European Parliament Election Manifesto - Make Children's Rights a Priority!

The Manifesto is targeted at candidates to the European Parliament and demands them to commit to representing the rights and interests of children in Europe.

The key demands for future MEPs are:

• Help make the EU a leader in children’s rights by ‘child rights proofing’ all EU policies and actions,
• Advocate for children’s views to be sought out and listened to in EU decisions and discussions, and for children to be empowered to participate,
• Act for sufficient resources to be provided for children’s rights in the EU budget,
• Support progressive EU measures to combat discrimination against children,
• Promote ambitious EU action for the eradication of child poverty and social exclusion in the EU,
• Back EU action to protect children against violence, abuse and exploitation,
• Ensure that the EU promotes and protects the rights of children subject to immigration control,
• Promote the integration of children’s interests and needs across EU environment, media and consumer protection policies and legislation, as well as in the fields of health, education and culture,
• Call for policies which actively contribute to improving the rights of children in EU accession and candidate countries, and
• Act to improve the implementation of the EU’s external relations tools and instruments for children’s rights.

Further information

• About the European Union and children's rights
• Glossary for European human rights system
• India: Child rights election manifesto launched (12 April 2009)

pdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/EurochildManifestoEP2009.pdf