On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the European Parliament debated ways to better protect and promote them, both within the European Union and beyond its borders. During their discussions, the MEPs discussed the many current challenges and called for concrete action to translate commitments into substantial results.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, is a major legal foundation for the protection of children’s rights worldwide.
These rights, recognised within the EU, are enshrined in its Charter of Fundamental Rights. The European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, said that defending these rights was a strategic investment for more resilient, strong and inclusive societies.
She also noted the Commission’s efforts, citing the EU Children’s Participation Platform, which enables children’s voices to be included in EU policies.
In addition, child poverty in Europe has emerged as a major concern. Gabriele Bischoff (S&D, German) called for increased financial resources, asking for €20 billion to fund the ‘Childhood Guarantee’ to lift 5 million children out of poverty. Saskia Bricmont (Greens/EFA, Belgian) denounced persistent inequalities, saying that nearly 25% of European children were at risk of poverty or social exclusion, a situation she described as unacceptable.
Improving living conditions and access to education were identified as priorities by MEPs. Anna-Maja Henriksson (Renew Europe, Finnish) insisted on the fact that every child has the right to an equal education, to enable each one to build a future for themselves.
MEPs also condemned the impact of climate change, migration and conflict on children. Rima Hassan (The Left, French) highlighted the alarming conditions in the Canary Islands, where reception centres are overcrowded and children sometimes remain in unfit conditions for years.
Saskia Bricmont also defended the idea of putting children’s rights at the heart of climate policies, questioning the fact that while fossil fuel lobbies can make their voices heard at the COP, children cannot.
Digital technology has been described as both beneficial and threatening for children.
Helena Dalli noted recent legislative advances, such as the Digital Services Act, which will come into force in 2022 (see EUROPE 13064/18), and the European strategy for a better Internet for kids (see EUROPE 13064/18).
Anna-Maja Henriksson added that many children faced dangers online and that greater protection was needed in this environment.
Ewa Kopacz (EPP, Polish) stressed that what children needed was not grand declarations, but concrete actions.
Similarly, Ms Dalli, who welcomed the contributions of Member States, civil society and children themselves on these issues at the end of the debate, reaffirmed that this 35th anniversary was an opportunity to strengthen existing frameworks and translate legislative reforms into concrete protections. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)