Realizing ‌a ⁤Society that Respects Children’s Rights

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the ratification of the⁤ Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention‌ on the Rights of the Child calls for⁣ a change in the view of children, from those​ who were previously​ treated as objects of protection, to those who are​ now viewed as “persons with rights.” It also seeks to realize​ children’s rights, ⁤guided ‍by four general principles: ⁢the prohibition of discrimination, the best⁤ interests of the child, the right​ to live and develop, and the‍ right to be heard.

The Japanese government should have had the responsibility to enact a comprehensive basic law on children’s rights to⁣ promote⁢ the contents of the Convention and to spread children’s rights throughout society, including schools. ‍However, immediately after ratification, ‌the government⁣ issued a notice stating that “the entry into force of this Convention means that⁤ there is⁤ no need to ⁣amend laws and regulations relating to ‌education,”⁣ and did not⁢ enact a‍ comprehensive basic law ⁣on children’s rights​ thereafter, despite repeated recommendations ‍from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child to make improvements.

in April 2023, the Basic ‍Act on ⁤Children, which sets out the basic principles for child-related policies, came⁢ into⁣ force, and at the end of the same ​year,⁢ the Children’s Policy ‍Principles, which set out⁤ the basic policy for government policies, were decided. This marks a⁢ step towards realizing a society that⁣ is ⁤in line⁢ with the‍ spirit ⁢of the Convention.

However, even ⁤today, problems ‍such as child suicide, child abuse, bullying, and ⁣school absenteeism are‍ on the rise, and there are⁤ children ⁢who are in situations where they are ⁢deprived of their right ⁢to​ life, the‍ right to live in a safe environment, and ⁤the right ⁢to ⁤an⁤ education. It cannot be said that the social‌ situation guarantees children’s rights at‌ home or at school.

We adults must respect ⁣children not as immature beings, but ​as human beings with the ⁣same ‌equal value as adults. To that end, when dealing with children, we must be aware ⁤of children’s rights and think about children ‍based on children’s rights. The‍ Basic Act on Children also requires that ⁤children’s opinions‌ be heard in policies‍ for ​children, but in order for this to happen, it is necessary to‍ establish a culture‍ and system in society that guarantees children’s ‍right​ to‍ freely express their‌ opinions and have them heard.

In order to guarantee children’s rights, adults who bear⁣ the responsibility must ​learn and understand children’s rights. As pointed out in the general⁣ comment of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and recommended in the review of Japan’s report, a systematic and repeated training system is required for those who work​ with children, such as politicians, judges,​ civil servants, teachers, and childcare workers. It is important to be ⁢aware ⁣that a truly sustainable society can be built by making ⁤it a society based on children’s rights.

Our association will promote the contents of the Convention on the Rights of the Child through activities such as ‍raising awareness of children’s rights, providing human rights consultations for children, providing on-site classes on bullying prevention,⁣ acting as a ⁤procedural representative​ for children ​in domestic matters, and acting as ‌an attendant in juvenile cases, ‍and will work ⁤hard​ to⁣ realize a society in which children’s rights are guaranteed.

We strongly urge the government, ​local governments, and ⁤all adults who work with children to ⁢take all possible measures ‌to promote ⁣the contents of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and create a society where children’s⁣ rights ⁤are ⁣respected.

Our Commitment

We are committed to ​realizing a society where children’s rights are respected and guaranteed. We will​ continue to work towards this goal through our⁤ activities and advocacy.