Annual Discussion on Rights of the Child

28th Meeting – 55th Regular Meeting of Human Rights Council

The importance of social protection to enjoy human rights

By Tamir Boldbaatar / GICJ 

Executive summary
On the 14th of March 2024, the Human Rights Council convened to discuss the Rights of the Child. In her opening statement, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Nada Al Nashif highlighted that the contributions and perspectives of some six hundred children were considered when drafting the report on inclusive social protection last year. This report was accompanied by the first ever child friendly report to be mandated by the Human Rights Council. While social protection is essential in ensuring children’s rights, it also supports the 2030 agenda towards sustainable development by lifting children out of poverty in the compounding crises and widening inequalities.

According to a 2023 report of the International Labor Organisation, over 1.77 billion children worldwide have no access to social protection with significant regional disparities. The absence of social protection in childhood has a lifelong impact on children’s well-being, their development, their health and educational outcomes. It affects their enjoyment of human rights including the rights to life, education, health, adequate standards of living and the right to play. Social protection laws, policies and systems are not always well-designed, nor adequately implemented or financed. Furthermore, where parents and caregivers lack sufficient income, or decent work, job security or the knowledge, skills and resources to raise their children, children cannot fully enjoy their rights. Some children are of course affected more than others; for example, children with disabilities, those in child labour, children affected by armed conflict.

Moreover, children’s representatives from Peru and Togo participated in this session, emphasising the right to education of children, the need for universal health coverage, and the importance of knowledge for adolescents about reproductive health.

UNICEF 
The UNICEF representative underscored that one billion children are living in multidimensional poverty, which encompasses critical areas like education, health, nutrition, shelter, and water and sanitation. Child poverty is pervasive across countries of all income levels, with a majority of underprivileged children residing in middle to low-income countries. However, national financing for social protection, especially concerning children, remains insufficient, accounting for only 1.1% of GDPs globally. Upper middle-income countries allocate 0.5% of GDP to social protection, while lower-income nations allocate a mere 0.1%. Addressing the Council, the UNICEF representative urgently emphasised the importance of prioritising child rights and inclusive social protection. States must focus on expanding coverage and enhancing implementation to ensure the realisation of the rights of all children.

WHO

Universal health coverage is essential for ensuring everyone has access to necessary healthcare, which is a core aspect of social protection. Unfortunately, vulnerable groups like children affected by conflict or displacement often face the greatest challenges in accessing healthcare, which undermines their well-being and hampers progress towards sustainable development goals. Despite advancements, millions of young children still die annually from preventable or treatable illnesses due to limited access to healthcare services. This situation is unacceptable. Any initiative aimed at enhancing social protection for children must prioritise strategies to guarantee affordable and top-notch healthcare services for all children and their caregivers.

China
The Chinese representative, speaking on behalf of 80 countries, highlighted the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the future, particularly concerning children's mental health and rights. Recognizing AI as an emerging concern for international child welfare, China advocates for the high-quality development of AI to enhance children's mental well-being and safeguard their rights. Emphasising the community's responsibility to utilise AI for the benefit of children, he stressed leveraging AI's potential to improve mental health while implementing measures to mitigate risks and prevent addiction among children. Moreover, there should be support and exchange programs for developing countries, including technical assistance and sharing of best practices, to bridge the digital divide. Respecting each country's sovereignty, laws, cultural and religious backgrounds is essential while promoting children's rights internationally. Additionally, enhancing global cooperation is crucial to establish consensus on AI governance.

Poland 
Every child is entitled to proper care within a family setting and protection from violence and human rights abuses. Inclusive social protection is vital to support families in providing this care and ensuring that every child receives appropriate education. However, inclusive social protection measures must also extend to the digital sphere. Poland has recently implemented a national program for 2023-2026 aimed at combating all forms of violence. Poland is committed to implementing and supporting various measures, including domestic policies, to ensure the holistic development and safety of all young individuals.

Sierra Leone 

Children are increasingly exposed to harmful content in the digital realm. Offline tech platforms offer a solution by providing high-quality, adaptable learning experiences for children, aiming to narrow the learning poverty gap. Concerns about cyberbullying and cyberstalking have led to calls from parents for online child protection measures. In response, the government of Sierra Leone enacted the Cybercrime Act 2020, which prohibits the misuse of computer systems and specifically criminalizes online child abuse under section 38. This provision applies to individuals, companies, partnerships, or associations. Sierra Leone acknowledges the importance of safeguarding children's rights in the digital sphere and is committed to addressing challenges while maximising the opportunities offered by the digital world for the full exercise of children's rights.

European Union
The EU remains steadfast in its commitment to champion the rights of every child and to create an inclusive future for all, including ensuring inclusive social protection with a focus on gender equality. The EU continues to collaborate with the broader UN membership to ensure that no child is left behind, especially in the face of numerous challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate emergencies, and armed conflicts, all of which pose risks to children's well-being. It is crucial to provide targeted support to disadvantaged children, with particular attention to girls and those with disabilities. Investing in comprehensive social protection is a strategic move that benefits our collective future. We call for concerted efforts to build a world where every child's rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled, ensuring positive outcomes for generations to come.

Geneva International Centre for Justice position

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) calls upon states to establish high-quality healthcare services for children and implement preventive measures to ensure their well-being. Access to education and the enjoyment of other rights of the child should also be guaranteed through efficient social protection measures. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, GICJ emphasises the importance of increased social protection and systematic education for children worldwide. GICJ advocates for positive models of child rights compliance and social protection in response to COVID-19 and other crises like armed conflicts. Additionally, GICJ urges states to collaborate in protecting children from cyberbullying and addiction to e-gaming. Support for technical assistance among states is crucial to exchange best practices in child protection from digital misuse and harassment.