A letter to The Times

from Article 39, The Association of Child Protection Professionals and over 70 other signatories

Today is the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the UK ratified in 1991. This treaty grants every child the right to an adequate standard of living, the best possible health, to inclusive education which nurtures their talents and personality, and to protection from all forms of violence and exploitation.

It cherishes child-parent relationships and entitles parents to positive support from the state. Special protection and assistance is granted to those children unable to live with their families. Compassion, dignity and humanity are extended to all children, including those caught up in our immigration and criminal justice systems. The treaty’s general principles entitle children to be heard and taken seriously, to develop their full human potential and to enjoy all of their rights without any form of discrimination. Governments and public authorities are meant to treat children’s best interests as a primary consideration in all actions concerning them.

Earlier this month we published a document setting out 30 general election pledges. Our first call to political parties is to commit to incorporating the Convention on the Rights of the Child into UK law. If we are serious about building a society where every child is respected and can thrive, then let’s show we mean it with a Children’s Rights Act.

Are our politicians serious about children?

The election manifestos are all being published; the leaders of the political parties are actively campaigning and appearing on TV. Let’s hold them to account on their attitudes to children – will any of the parties truly show they are serious about building a society where every child is respected and can thrive?