Latest news with #UNConventionontheRightsoftheChild
JAMnews
2 days ago
- Politics
- JAMnews
Azerbaijan warns against children attending religious ceremonies, sparking rights concerns
Children and religious rituals in Azerbaijan Azerbaijan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations have issued a joint warning, stating that some parents are bringing underage children to religious ceremonies — particularly memorial gatherings — and stressed that children's physical and psychological safety must be taken into account in such situations. In the official statement, parents are urged to consider that participation in such mass ceremonies is 'inadvisable' and are called on to show particular sensitivity in cases that may contradict the law. However, the statement has raised questions in the context of human rights, freedom of religion, and children's rights. JAMnews has analysed the situation from multiple perspectives. Legal expert: 'The limits of the ban are unclear' Khalid Bagirov | photo: RFE/RL Lawyer Khalid Bagirov argues that vague and abstract wording in government restrictions creates legal uncertainty and opens the door to abuse. In a comment to JAMnews, he stated: 'If a parent of Shia faith wants to bring their child to an Ashura ceremony, that is their right. The state must clearly define what exactly is being prohibited: mourning rituals, self-flagellation, chest-beating? Or merely presence? Such legal ambiguity is unacceptable.' Bagirov also refers to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, emphasising that raising children in accordance with parents' religious beliefs is a fundamental right. In his view, the government's approach is part of a broader, systemic policy of restricting the rights of the Shia community in Azerbaijan. He points to Ashura processions in regions like Lankaran, which raise concern among the authorities — but, he argues, at the heart of that concern lies the issue of freedom of peaceful assembly. 'Under the pretext of regulating religious rituals, the state is attempting to limit the freedom of assembly and public processions.' Bagirov adds that if such vague and restrictive measures continue, increased police control near mosques and bans on minors entering with their parents could soon follow. Believer: 'This is a continuation of the hostile attitude toward the Shia community' Alemdar Bunyatov | photo: Meydan TV Alemdar Bunyatov, representative of the Muslim Unity Movement in Europe, views the issue in a broader context. Speaking to JAMnews, he said the policy reflects a systemic and hostile attitude by the Azerbaijani authorities toward the Shia community: 'This is not just about religious ceremonies. It's part of a long-standing hostile policy toward people who identify as Shia. Now, under the pretext of protecting children, they are targeting the religious rights of families.' Bunyatov also stressed that such an approach is rooted in double standards. He questioned: 'What exactly is so concerning about a child being present at a mourning ceremony alongside adults that it warrants a ban? These people are part of society too — how can participation in such rituals possibly harm a child's upbringing?' Militarist propaganda in schools In Azerbaijan, there is a growing practice of introducing military-themed propaganda in schools from an early age. Officially promoted patriotic campaigns centre on the cult of martyrdom, alongside events and lesson formats that emphasise military symbolism. The authorities offer no critical commentary on these activities — on the contrary, such rhetoric is presented as a model of patriotism. This highlights the selective nature of official warnings regarding religious rituals: on one hand, state-approved and even state-promoted militarist and emotional narratives; on the other, administrative warnings against personal religious practices. Social worker: 'The state should keep equal distance from both religious and military rhetoric' Sanubar Heydarova | photo: personal archive Social worker Sanubar Heydarova approaches the issue from the perspective of child psychology. In an interview with JAMnews, she emphasised that to understand the authorities' concerns about children attending religious ceremonies, one must also consider parallel practices: 'From an early age, children in Azerbaijani schools are exposed to military rhetoric filled with images of blood, martyrdom, war, people crushed by tanks. This can be psychologically damaging. Yet the state presents it as patriotism and sees no threat in it.' Heydarova believes that if the government truly wants to protect children from harmful influences, its approach should be comprehensive and balanced, not selective. She proposes an alternative model for cultivating civic values: 'Children should be taught that loving your country means not littering, volunteering, caring for public property. Patriotism cannot be measured only through war.' In her view, schools should offer neutral, objective religion classes, where children receive information about different faiths. This, she argues, helps develop an informed and healthy capacity to make decisions about religious participation.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
What do children's digital rights really mean?
Opinion: When we talk about children and tech, it's often more about block and banning than what children are actually entitled to in digital spaces There's been growing calls lately to take phones away from children in schools, bedrooms and even entire communities. Some schools have already introduced full smartphone bans, and many parents are turning to apps that limit screen time or block certain websites. The logic feels straightforward: less tech, less risk. But beneath the surface of this well-meaning wave of bans lies a more complicated question. When we talk about children and technology, the conversation often focuses on what to block or limit. What we talk about far less is what children are actually entitled to in digital spaces. Just like they have rights in the offline world to be safe, to learn, to be heard, children also have digital rights. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, Dr. Victoria A Goodyear from the Institute for Mental Health at the University of Birmingham on how smartphone bans could leave kids ill-equipped Are we protecting children or simply shutting them out of a world they have a right to be part of? While the instinct to shield children from digital harm is natural, the internet is not just a danger zone. It's also where children learn, play, express themselves and connect with others. It's where their rights to safety, education, expression, and participation increasingly play out. These rights are based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and apply whether a child is at home, in school or online. Protection rights focus on keeping children safe from exploitation, abuse and harm online, much like we try to do offline. This means protecting children's privacy, shielding them from inappropriate or violent content and ensuring their data isn't harvested or misused. For instance, a 10-year-old watching videos on YouTube Kids has a right not to be targeted by disturbing ads or exposed to violent clips. The digital environment they use should be designed with their safety in mind, not just to hold their attention. Provision rights are about ensuring children have what they need to thrive in a digital world including access to devices, affordable internet and high-quality digital learning. This might mean ensuring that a child in a rural area can attend virtual classes during a storm, or that children from low-income households are not excluded because they don't have a tablet or wi-fi at home. Just as we make sure every child has access to books or school uniforms, digital access is increasingly becoming a fundamental part of educational equity. From RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime, does banning smartphones from schools really fix the mental health problem? Participation rights are perhaps the most overlooked. These are about giving children a voice in the digital world, the right to express their views, share their creativity and be heard in matters that affect them. Imagine a school developing a new digital homework platform. Instead of just choosing the system based on what's easiest for them, the school holds a session which students test and give feedback on. By genuinely including their input, the school is listening to the children, making decisions in their best interests and creating something that actually works for them. Of course, this doesn't mean throwing open the internet and hoping for the best. Children still need boundaries and parents still play a crucial role. But it's about striking a balance between safety and freedom, between guiding, trusting them and listening. The UNCRC makes this clear and, importantly, doesn't exclude parents. Article 5 recognises the role of parents in guiding children to exercise their rights in a way that's appropriate for their age and maturity. Instead of asking "how do I block this app?", we might also ask "how can I help my child make good decisions online?" It's important to understand that children's digital rights are not just about giving children access to phones or tablets. These rights are about what happens once they're in digital spaces, whether that's a school laptop, a family computer or a voice assistant at home. There are some persistent myths that make this harder. One common belief is that the only thing kids need is less screen time. But that depends on what they're doing with their screens. A child endlessly scrolling through short, repetitive videos for hours isn't the same as one learning to code or making digital art. It's not just about how long, it's about how well. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, UNESCO recommend smartphone ban in schools so could it work here? Another myth is that children don't know how to be safe online. What they often lack is support in developing good strategies, how to protect their privacy, manage peer pressure, or deal with online conflict. That's where parents and educators can really help: not by controlling everything, but by coaching and connecting. So what can parents actually do? Start with talking, not just lectures, but real conversations. Ask what your child enjoys online, what worries them and what they've seen lately that made them think. Play a game together. Watch something they love. Show that you care, not just about what they're doing, but how they're feeling. Children's digital rights mean recognising children as active participants in a digital world, not just passive users to be monitored or problems to be solved Rules matter too, but they work better when made with children rather than for them. Setting screen-time limits or device-free zones can help create balance, but these work best when they come from shared values, not just enforcement. As children grow, their need for independence grows too. That means giving them space to make mistakes and being there when they need help. Children's digital rights don't mean removing all structure or control. They mean recognising children as active participants in a digital world, not just passive users to be monitored, or problems to be solved. When we centre children's rights, we move from fear to confidence, from blocking to building, from control to collaboration. In the end, it's not just about protecting children from the internet, but about preparing them to shape it with us, not despite us.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Ombudsman ‘utterly dismayed' by issues around children's needs
Children's ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon called for the full and direct incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Irish law as he questioned whether ongoing scandals around child homelessness and scoliosis waiting lists would be as severe this year if they had been addressed earlier. Dr Muldoon told the Oireachtas Children's Committee on Wednesday that direct incorporation of the convention is 'the most important thing' that can be done to protect and safeguard the rights of Irish children. He said Ireland had already committed to these rights but there was a need to put 'real force' behind the international obligations. Dr Muldoon told the committee: 'It will put children's rights at the heart of every decision within the public and civil service, and give us a stronger basis to ensure we are keeping our promises to children. 'For example, imagine if five years ago the State had to come up with a child and family-focused home strategy. 'Would there still be 4,775 children in emergency accommodation today?' He added: 'Or if our recommendations around scoliosis as a children's rights issue as far back as 2017 was made against the backdrop of direct incorporation, would there be the same crisis as there is today?' Dr Muldoon said Ireland should be able to better funnel resources to where they are 'needed most', adding that societies are judged on how they treat their most vulnerable. He said: 'As ombudsman for children, I am exasperated and utterly dismayed at the persistent chronic issues around access to affordable housing for children and families, at the unacceptable delays in access to vital surgeries and assessments of need in a country as well-off as Ireland economically. 'We are now at a crossroads in terms of what can be achieved for children, and in the current climate of political uncertainty and change it's more important than ever for the State to bed down its commitments on children's rights.'
Morocco World
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
CNDH Elevates Children's Voices as Central in Government Legislation
Rabat – The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) in Rabat has brought together children from across Morocco for a two‑day national consultation on June 13 and 14 to strengthen child rights. The event marked the culmination of a year‑long journey of 12 regional consultations held between February 2023 and February 2024. Supported by UNICEF Morocco, the initiative aims to firmly embed the principle of children's participation into Moroccan laws and administrative procedures. CNDH President Amina Bouayach opened the session alongside children's representatives from each region. 'We are holding the national consultation today as a culmination of the regional consultations that we have conducted over the past year in the 12 regions of Morocco,' she told Morocco World News in an interview on the sidelines. CNDH two-day consultation in Rabat These consultations had two main objectives, Bouayach said. 'The first was to engage and discuss with children about implementing and establishing the principle of participation in the legal texts and administrative procedures in Morocco,' she explained. The second objective was to work with these children on identifying the major issues related to their rights, guarantees, and programs, in order to present their report next September. Over the two days, children will lead all discussion sessions, with a focus on how to apply the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in national policy and how to prepare their own parallel report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. In September, two elected child delegates from this consultation will travel to Geneva to present Morocco's children's perspectives directly to the committee. CNDH two-day consultation in Rabat 'Participation is key,' said Laura Bill, UNICEF Representative in Morocco, on the sidelines of the event. 'Most of the work of UNICEF around the world, and including in Morocco, is to ensure that children's participation is part of any government initiative,' she told MWN. Bill noted that the children's views will be included in the government's annual report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva. Laura Bill, UNICEF Representative in Morocco Bouayach described the initiative as a pioneering effort recognized both in Africa and around the world. She added that this national consultation not only gathers children's voices on legal and social issues, but also empowers them through practical workshops. Among these is an interactive drawing workshop on digital spaces and safe internet use. The event will close with the launch of a 'Children's Call,' a statement reflecting their vision and top priorities for rights and protections. CNDH and UNICEF will sign a partnership during the closing session to reinforce their joint commitment to 'Listen. Act. Participate.' CNDH President Amina Bouayach Tags: childrenCNDHconsultation
Scoop
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Systemic Change Crucial So That All Mokopuna Māori Thrive
Press Release – Mana Mokopuna The new report published today by my colleagues Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Childrens Monitor shows the urgent need for systemic change at a collective level, so that all mokopuna Mori can thrive. In light of a new report published today about outcomes for mokopuna Māori and whānau in the oranga tamariki system, the Chief Children's Commissioner is emphasising that all mokopuna Māori have the right to grow up safe and well with their whānau. 'The new report published today by my colleagues Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children's Monitor shows the urgent need for systemic change at a collective level, so that all mokopuna Māori can thrive. 'I want to see all agencies across the oranga tamariki system working better together to address the inequities highlighted in this report so that all mokopuna Māori are flourishing in their lives, in the care of their whānau. The State has duties to uphold the rights of mokopuna Māori as tangata whenua under Te Tiriti o Waitangi and under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This new report shows that the system as a whole is still falling short of this, and that there are intergenerational impacts playing out right now. 'I meet frequently with whānau Māori and their mokopuna, iwi and hapū across the motu. They tell me it is whānau-led, iwi, hapū and kaupapa Māori approaches that are helping to strengthen whānau, keep mokopuna safe, and growing continued pathways to mana motuhake – self determination. The findings of this report back this up,' says Dr Achmad. The Chief Children's Commissioner notes that the report shows that good progress can be made where there is genuine partnership between Māori and State agencies that keeps mokopuna and whānau central, along with the sharing of data and resources. 'I want to see these approaches strengthened and expanded so they deliver enduring wraparound services and supports for all mokopuna and whānau who need them. A stronger focus on by Māori for Māori prevention and early intervention is essential. These approaches will improve outcomes so that all mokopuna Māori grow up safe and well in the care of their whānau, connected to their whakapapa.' She says safety concerns about mokopuna must be responded to appropriately and quickly, but that with almost half of Reports of Concern leading to no further action, the report shows this isn't happening. 'I want to see mokopuna Māori needs being met early, through Māori-led approaches working closely with whānau. These ways of working need to be better supported by the oranga tamariki system – the report highlights that this leads to the best outcomes for whānau and mokopuna. 'I am deeply concerned the report shows mokopuna Māori aged 10-17 are more likely to be prosecuted than non-Māori, and less likely to be referred by Police to alternative action or given warnings. The system must urgently stop criminalising the unmet care and protection needs of mokopuna Māori. 'Nearly 40 years have passed since the publication of Pūao-te-āta-tū. This new report shows that the system is still not working as it should be for whānau Māori and their mokopuna. The crucial change that is required must collectively meet the aspirations of whānau and mokopuna Māori,' says Dr Achmad.
