Yesterday, marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) with the day now being known as International Human Rights Day.
This year’s theme is Freedom, Equality and Justice for All. This is a reminder that we must continue to uphold and advocate for these rights for every person in our shared society, including in its scope all children and young people.
Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People Chris Quinn is spending today at Gaelscoil Eanna school in Glengormley where they are planning to mark the occasion with the introduction of their new school council.
“In what has been an incredibly difficult few years for children and young people in Northern Ireland with Covid, the cost of living and budget cuts, it is more important than ever that their rights be enshrined in law,” the Commissioner said.
“In the three months since I have taken up this role, I have spoken with hundreds of children and young people from across Northern Ireland.
“The resounding call that I hear is that children and young people want their rights to be respected and protected.
“They want to be heard and right now that is not happening as it should.”
He concluded: “This needs to be a wake-up call to those in power that when the rights of the child are sidelined then it leaves instability, suffering and exacerbates inequalities.”
