UNICEF UK Ambassador, Jemima Khan, has launched UNICEF UK’s Manifesto for Children at the House of Parliament. Jemima is urging politicians to keep their promises when signing up to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The Manifesto calls on all political parties to implement UN Committee recommendations and to promote policies that support the rights of children.
UNICEF UK Youth Champion Imogen Schon highlighted the advances made and some that had yet to be made of the UNCRC, and reminded the House that every child and young person has the right to express his or her views. Alongside her was the team of young people who represented the UK at the UNICEF Junior 8 summit from Haling Manor High School in Croydon answered questions about their recent trip, giving an insight into some of the issues that were discussed at the summit.
Jemima Khan then called for assurances to ensure that all children’s rights are fulfilled, paricularly in conflict areas. Speaking about recent experiences visiting the refugee camp in the Swat valley, north-west Pakistan, she told of the children’s experiences during the recent conflict and the horrific violence many of them had witnessed.
Jemima said –
The manifesto outlines what politicians could do to help realise children’s rights both in the UK and internationally, I urge you to take away a copy of the manifesto, read it and take action for children.
