The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People has this week applied for a Judicial Review on proposed new legislation about the physical punishment of children (Article 2 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.)
The Commissioner believes that the introduction of the new legislation is a breach of children’s right to protection, and the Government is failing in its duties to promote and protect the rights and best interests of children, particularly those of young children and babies.
This effectively means that children can continue to be assaulted by their parents.
The Commissioner will bring these proceedings under Article 14 of the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.
The principal aim of the Commissioner is to safeguard and promote the rights and best interests of children and young people.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The Office of the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People lodged papers with the High Court on Monday afternoon, seeking leave for a judicial review into the Government’s introduction of legislation on the physical punishment of children
- The leave hearing, that is the hearing at which a High Court judge will decide if we have permission to have the judicial review heard, will take place at the High Court, Belfast at 9.30am on Tuesday, the 12thSeptember.