The rights of a child

Whenever I think of Akbar, Ishaan and now Ariana, Danya, Zayd and Suha (when they were much younger), I pause to remember how blessed they are to have been born into such a large family, with so much love to share - Alhamdullilah. Not that we aren't blessed to have them, because we certainly are - they're all amazing kids, ma'shaAllah, that bring light and joy into our lives everyday. My point is - there are so many children in the world that are not as lucky. I'm getting started on some groundwork for the write-on, and although my topic is not related to children - I will be using the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to some extent. Reading this convention is mind boggling ...

Article 6: “… every child has the inherent right to life … survival and development ….”

Articles 7 & 8: “[Every] child shall be registered immediately after birth and … have the right … to a name … a nationality … [and] to preserve his or her identity ….”

Articles 9 & 10: “… a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will …"

Article 16: “No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy … nor to unlawful attacks on his or her honour and reputation.”

Article 19: Children must be protected from “… injury or abuse … including sexual abuse, while in the care of parents … or any other person….”

Articles 20 & 21: The State shall “ensure alternative care … [for] a child … deprived of his or her family environment … [according to] the best interests of the child ….”

Article 22: “… a child who is seeking refugee status or who is … a refugee … [shall] receive appropriate protection and humanitarian assistance ….”

Article 23: The State recognizes “… the right of the disabled child to special care” and the right to “… enjoy a full and decent life in conditions which ensure dignity ….”

Article 24: All children have the right to “the highest attainable standard of health … [including access to] primary health care … nutritious foods and clean drinking-water.”

Yes, its amazing that there is actually an instrument that seeks to protect children, but how extraordinarily pathetic is it that nations need to sign a piece of paper to recognize the rights of children. Children are incapable of being independent and protecting themselves - its a phenomenon even in the animal kingdom - the young are protected by their mother - same thing applies. It makes me extremely sad that we live in a world where nations spends billions of dollars developing military power so that we can kill each other, but we can't spare the money to protect future generations.

Photo essay
Save the Children - protecting children from landmines