Why upholding child rights is important for every country

The conflicts taking place in different parts of the world- Gaza, Ukraine and many other countries in Africa, South Asia and South East Asia have raised once again the need for all countries to remember that the rights of children, if not observed, can create serious osmotic effects on the community, different parts of a country and also within sub-regions and regions.

The terrible effect of the Gaza war on the Gaza population - men, women and children has been catastrophic. However, the media, both electronic as well as the print, have attached the serious consequences that have resulted in more than 65,000 deaths but more than 150,000 children who have suffered directly due to inadequate health care, food and education facilities. We have also seen how the population in general and the children in particular are continuing to face the impact of the Ukraine War. The recent past has also seen unacceptable civil wars in Africa having a consequential impact on women and children. The latest conflict on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has also created terrible scenarios.

Having been involved with human rights and the rights of children, my attention has been drawn to the OIC Covenant on the Rights of the Child, 2019 of which I had been a Member of the Drafting Committee as a Member of the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission from 2018 to 2021.

One needs to recall that the efforts of OIC Member States contributed to the development of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) of 1989, as well as other conventions and covenants, such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966, the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children of 1990, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the World Fit for Children Document.

The framing of the OIC Covenant on the Rights of the Child, 2019 took into account the objectives and principles of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as provided for in its Charter and Resolutions; and recognising that the child occupies a unique and privileged position in the society and has special needs that require preventive measures and legal protections. This Covenant also reiterated that the child should grow up in a family environment - in an atmosphere of compassion, care and understanding for the full and harmonious development of his/her personality.

It was also underlined that recalling and reaffirming adherence to the principles and the provisions of universal human rights standards, in particular UNCRC, every child is entitled to all the rights, freedoms and special care recognised and guaranteed therein, without distinction of any kind such as race, ethnicity, colour, sex, language, religion, national/social origin, fortune, birth or other status.

The OIC Covenant on the Rights of the Child, 2019 also reiterated that all human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and interrelated and must be treated globally in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing, and with the same emphasis. And that non discrimination should be present among children on grounds of religion, race, sex, colour, language, disability, national or ethnic origin, social or familial status, wealth, poverty, disability or any other reason.

It is the duty of States, regardless of their political, economic and cultural systems, to promote and protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms while keeping in mind the significance of national and regional particularities and various historical, cultural and religious backgrounds. It is also necessary to recognise the importance of international cooperation for improving the living conditions of children. In this context it was also clarified that a child means every human being below the age of 18 years, unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.

The OIC Covenant also underlined that it is important to ensure a balanced and safe childhood, in order to develop fully fledged and responsible future citizens with the ability to shoulder corresponding duties and responsibilities. It was also observed that the State needs to provide additional care and assistance to children in difficult situations - especially the disabled, abandoned, orphan or homeless ones. It was also expected that all countries suffering from difficulties related to children need to carefully work on the eradication of the root causes leading to such circumstances.

Within this paradigm of human rights, particularly for children, there was complete agreement on the need to universalise compulsory primary and secondary education, whilst ensuring it to be free of charge for low-income groups. It was also observed within the Covenant that in particular, countries need to enhance the quality of teaching for children by introducing technical education.

It was generally agreed that efforts need to be made to provide opportunities for the child to discover his/her talents and to recognise his/her importance and place in the society through the family and relevant institutions, as well as encourage his/her early participation in the cultural and social life of the society and inputs in the relevant development plans.

There was also consensus that within this dimension there was need to provide all and every possible assistance and support for children in all parts of the world, in coordination with governments or through international and regional mechanisms. We have seen in this context how despite financial difficulties, Bangladesh has been trying to ensure care, rights and duties among Rohingya children who have sought sanctuary in Bangladesh.

Considering that children, as part of the vulnerable segments of society, bear disproportionate burden of suffering as a result of natural and man-made disasters, such as armed conflicts, foreign occupation, famines and displacement, they need special care and protection.

States Parties shall also guarantee the child's right to protection and care deemed necessary for his/her welfare and development, taking into account the rights and duties of his/her parents, guardians or other persons legally responsible for them and, to this end, take all appropriate legislative and administrative measures for the realisation of such rights.

It was also observed and agreed that every child has the right to respect for his/her private life and to protect his/her image against any exploitation. It was also underlined that States need to encourage the child to acquire skills and capabilities to face and address new situations and challenges, including harmful cultural and traditional practices, through scientific and objective reasoning. This will then assist the child to prepare to positively embrace the digital age "Information Communication Technologies" to contribute constructively for the betterment of society.

States should help in educating the child to respect his/her identity, language, cultural and national values, as well as to develop a spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality and respect for other civilisations and cultures. Educational institutions also need to educate him/her to respect and conserve the natural environment, through his/her behaviour and practice, and to preserve his/her country's potentials and natural resources.

Attention has also been drawn to another important fact. Every child shall be protected from all forms of economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's physical, mental, spiritual, moral, or social development, or which may deny him/her the right to education and training.

The OIC Covenant also referred to protection of children in the unfortunate scenario that had led to their displacement due to conflict- as noticed in Gaza or Ukraine or Myanmar. It has been underlined that States Parties to this Covenant shall ensure, as much as possible, that refugee children, or those legally assimilated to this status, shall enjoy the rights provided for in this Covenant within their national jurisdiction. Unfortunately, this is not taking place within the current scenario.

States Parties shall also undertake to: take all appropriate measures to ensure that a child who is seeking refugee status or who is considered a refugee in accordance with applicable international or domestic law shall, whether unaccompanied or accompanied by parents or a legal guardian, receive appropriate protection and humanitarian assistance in the enjoyment of the rights set forth in this Covenant and other international human rights and humanitarian instruments to which each State is a party to; and undertake to cooperate with existing international organisations that protect and assist refugees in their efforts to protect and assist such a child, and to trace the parents or other close relatives or an unaccompanied refugee child, in order to obtain information necessary for reunification with the family.

Bangladesh has been undertaking this responsibility for nearly eight years with regard to the Rohingyas. One can only hope that other countries facing similar risks in South Asia, the Middle East and also in Africa will do the needful. Children are our future and that must not be forgotten.

The writer is a former Ambassador and an analyst, specialising in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance. He can be reached at muhammadzamir0@gmail.com