an ncylc e-bulletin

Issue #2: May 2004

 

CROC DISCUSSION PAPER

Australia signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child (the Convention) in December 1990. As a result, our Federal, State, Territory and local governments are legally bound to take steps to implement the Convention for the benefit of children, young people and our whole community.

Part of the Australian government’s obligations under CROC is to present a report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child every five years. The first report was presented in 1995 and the second in October 2003.

The National Children’s and Youth Law Centre has decided to team up with Defence for Children International, and give them a hand!

We have put together a discussion paper, with a background briefing paper, to seek submissions from organisations whose work deals with young people and the issues that affect them.

Non government organisations are a window to the lives of children and young people. Our report, based on the submissions we receive, will give the UN Committee a detailed and real picture of life for young people in our cities, towns and deserts.

The UN Committee has always welcomed NGO reports, particularly to alert it to any areas of serious non-compliance with the principle of the Convention. The Committee is concerned that Australia may not be complying with the Convention in relation to the position of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from non-English speaking backgrounds and children seeking asylum in Australia.

The NGO report will be considered with the Government report in 2005.

Penny Taylor