European Network of Ombudspersons for Children Statement: Children’s rights in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak

As a member of ENOC we are calling upon our governments, the European Commission and the Council of Europe to undertake all appropriate actions to ensure that the rights of all children, as guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and the General Comments of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, are respected during the COVID-19 healthcare crisis.

We are particularly calling on governments, the European Commission and the Council of Europe to ensure the rights of all children in the areas of:

Information and participation

A child with a speech bubble which adults are smiling and listening to.

UNCRC Article 12

I have the right to be listened to and taken seriously

A face with a speech bubble, some children's drawings, a letter "i" symbolising information and a computer.

UNCRC Article 13

I have the right to find out and share information

Protection from violence and abuse 

A person points to themselves within a circle of black dots.

UNCRC Article 19

I have the right to be protected from being hurt or badly treated

A frowning person thinking of someone standing over another in a threatening way. The image in the thought bubble has a red line struck through it.

UNCRC Article 34

Nobody should touch me in ways that make me feel uncomfortable, unsafe or sad

Rights to health and development, to benefit from social security, and an adequate standard of living 

A carrot, a fish, a glass of water and a first aid symbol.

UNCRC Article 24

I have the right to good quality health care, to clean water and good food

A circle containing banknotes and coins, with an arrow going from outside the circle to in it.

UNCRC Article 26

My family should get the money they need to help bring me up

Clothes, a plate of food and a house.

UNCRC Article 27

I have the right to have a proper house, food and clothing

Education

A person beside a whiteboard with sums and letters on it, which a group of people are all looking at.

UNCRC Article 28

I have the right to an education

A person smiles beside a poster showing someone turning from themselves to a sparkly, confident version of themselves. A list of steps for how this can happen is laid out below.

UNCRC Article 29

I have the right to an education which develops my personality, respect for others’ rights and the environment

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