Young activists work together with UN representatives at General Comment 26
Osnabrück/Berlin, February 23, 2022-Terre des Hommes of February 24, together with the United Nations Children's Rights Committee, starts working on General Comment No. 26 on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. "We want to create a strong instrument that continues governments all over the world to protect children from harmful environmental influences and to ensure that they can grow up in a healthy and sustainable world," said Jonas Schubert, child rights expert at Terre des Hommes.
A "General Comment" explains the specifications recorded in the Child Rights Convention on a specific topic. The "General Comment No. 26" will specify the so far very vague statements of the Child Rights Convention on the subject of environmental protection. The UN Children's Rights Committee monitors and evaluates whether the 196 states, which the Child Rights Convention on November 20, 1989 passed at the UN General Assembly and later ratified, comply with the provisions of the Convention.
Terre des Hommes has been struggling for a healthy environment for over -ten years for the fixed law of international law and concretization of child law. Because partner organizations from all over the world have stated how children suffer from mining projects, pesticide use or water and air prayers. In recognition of these expertise, the UN Children's Rights Committee Terre des Hommes has commissioned the essential content for the General Comment entitled "Children's Rights and the Environment With A Special Focus on Climate Change".
Experts and those affected, but above all children and adolescents, are called to contribute their concrete experiences with the violation of children's rights through environmental degradation in the next twelve months and to formulate demands to the community. Young activists also have their say at the opening event alongside UN and Government Officer.
"General Comment 26 is to be adopted by the Children's Rights Committee in March 2023," said Jonas Schubert. “Then it goes to the national and local implementation. That is the crucial point, because then the governments of this world must enact effective national laws to protect the environment and ensure compliance. Terre des Hommes and the young activists will pay attention to the fact that this happens quickly and comprehensively. «
Further information: Childrightsenvirste.org