Children’s Rights in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak
The Flemish Office of the Children’s Rights Commissioner constantly monitors the situation of children and young people, who are increasingly affected by COVID-19 measures in connection with aid organisations, and advises policymakers on a wide variety of themes related to children’s rights. A constantly updated document “Coronacrisis: stay connected with vunerable young people” (in Dutch) was published on the Commissioner’s website and widely distributed. They also published an advisory document (in Dutch) to call for a child-rights perspective in all corona measures. The Flemish Office of the Children’s Rights Commissioner launched an online questionnaire for children and young people to learn more about their experiences of the coronavirus crisis. The Commissioner Caroline Vrijens launched the questionnaire and the campaign (#jongerenovercorona – young people and corona) by wearing a mask covering her entire face in solidary with all children and young people who are not being heard during the crisis.
The Cypriot Commissioner for Children’s Rights has prepared and posted a special section on her website, with useful information for children regarding COVID -19. Children and young people can find the Commissioner’s message addressed to them during the pandemic, answers to frequently asked questions on how to help children during times of crisis as well as leaflets and videos with recommendations for protecting themselves from the virus, together with useful telephone numbers to ask for help. Two projects are currently run by the Commissioner’s office, namely a creative “demonstration” by the Commissioner’s Young Advisors Team under the guidance of the Theatrical Organisation of Cyprus as well as a challenge run the in Social Media, named “#therightchallenge”, asking the public to post a photograph or video of themselves doing their favorite activity at home. More information of the two projects can be found on the website.
- World Health Organization – Helping children cope with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak
- World Health Organization – Healthy parenting
- World Health Organization – Children’s story book developed by and for children and young people to help them cope with COVID-19 “My hero is you” (produced by a collaboration of more than 50 organizations working in the humanitarian sector, including the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Save the Children.) Also available in French, Russian, Ukrainian, Bahasa Malay, Arabic, Spanish, German and Turkish here.
- UNICEF – Dedicated website on Coronavirus 2019
- UNICEF – How to talk to your child about coronavirus disease 2019
- UNICEF – How to protect your family’s mental health in the face of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
- UNICEF – Parenting and Family friendly policies, 7 ways employers can support working parents during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak
- UNICEF – Resources for practitioners
- UNICEF – Blog: Children on the move in East Africa: Research insights to mitigate COVID-19
- UNESCO – Distance learning resources
- Council of Europe – Protecting and empowering children during the Covid-19 pandemic
- Council of Europe – Lanzarote Committee – Statement by the Lanzarote Committee Chair and Vice-Chairperson on stepping up protection of children against sexual exploitation and abuse in times of the COVID-19 pandemic
- End Violence Against Children – Resources to reduce violence and abuse
- Inclusion Europe – Easy to read information for people with intellectual disabilities
- Leading for Kids – News and resources from across the world for kids and families
- Voices of Youth – Take action and help fight COVID-19 (inspired by young people)
- Manuela Molina’s Book for children under 7 – “My name is Coronavirus” (available in different languages)
- Committee on the rights of the child – Statement on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on children
- Committee on the rights of the child – Statement on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on children
- Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights – Statement on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and economic, social and cultural rights
- UN Secretary General calls for greater protection for children
- UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture – Statement on Measures needed to protect people deprived of liberty
- Henrietta Fore, UNICEF Executive Director, and Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees – Joint Statement on COVID-19 and the rights of forcibly displaced children
- Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) – Statement of principles relating to the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty
- CRIN – Stay-at-home imagination kits
The Protector of citizens has published a report (in English) which presents the work of its office throughout the COVID-19 crisis. This work has included inspection visits to different places like reception centres, roma settlements, etc, citizens’ complaints and recommendations on various issues such as visitation rights of divorced parents, the right to education, children with disabilities, etc. You can find the report here.
On 26 March 2020, the Commissioner and his Deputies emphasized in a joint statement that in these extraordinary times, we must not abandon the most vulnerable individuals and communities.
ENOC and UNICEF conducted in May 2020 a short online survey on Ombudspersons and Commissioners for Children’s responses to the new challenges generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty three ENOC members responded to the survey (Armenia, Basque country/Spain, Bulgaria, Catalonia/Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Northern Ireland/UK, Republika Srpska/ Bosnia & Herzegovina, Scotland/UK, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Wales). Following this survey, nearly 60 representatives of Ombudspersons for Children’s offices and UNICEF participated in an online session on June 2nd 2020, to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on their work and on children’s rights in their respective countries, and share innovative practices. The main issues raised in the survey and during the joint online session are summarised in the Report « Ombudspersons and Commissioners for Children’s Challenges and Responses to COVID-19 » published today. You can find the report here.