Unveiling the Shadows:
Child rights violations in Iran and the urgent call for change.
On November 20, 1959, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and 30 years later, on November 20, 1989, they adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Since 1989, The Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by 195 countries, making it the world's most widely ratified human rights treaty.
Despite its existence, the Convention on the Rights of the Child has significant flaws, notably its conditional and regionally influenced perspective on children's rights, subject to the discretion of governments and rulers. Iran's conditional adoption in 1993, allowing non-compliance if conflicting with domestic laws or Islamic standards, raises concerns about the effectiveness of such conditions in improving children's conditions over the past 30 years. This conditional approach undermines the very rights the Convention aims to protect.
Violation of children's fundamental rights in Iran
In 1991, Iran committed to safeguarding children's rights by signing and ratifying the Convention; however, after three decades, the fundamental rights of Iranian children persistently endure violations. Despite the Convention's commitment, many Iranian children and families face poverty, lacking essentials like nutrition, healthcare, housing, and a conducive environment. Implementation gaps persist, hindered by socio-political obstacles, and governmental reluctance to engage with civil institutions exacerbates the challenges, shifting responsibility to societal, private, and charitable sectors. A notable violation concerns the right to free and quality education, emphasized in Iran's constitution. Regrettably, many children are denied access, while those within the formal education system encounter subpar conditions. This aspect requires a fundamental transformation to align with child-centric principles. In our perspective, the Convention signifies the baseline for children's rights, not the pinnacle. Unfortunately, these foundational rights face lapses in adherence within Iran. We ardently advocate for a paradigm shift, fostering a renewed perspective and approach to secure and cherish the rights of every child in the country.
Governmental and Adult-Centric Perspective, Two Major Flaws of the Convention.
The Convention's shortcomings are twofold. Firstly, it reflects the views of government representatives, not those of the people, particularly children's rights advocates, who would have crafted a more progressive document. Secondly, the prevailing perspective on the treaty stems from adults' understanding of children's rights, lacking the crucial viewpoint of children themselves. This oversight, coupled with legal constraints that tie the treaty to individual countries' laws, creates a significant flaw. Children's rights should be universal, not constrained by local laws and norms. The Convention sets the minimum standards for children's rights, yet even these basics go unfulfilled in Iran. The United Nations, while representing global nations, is constrained by the policies of individual countries, often influenced by global powers. This challenge is evident in conflicts like Palestine, where the UN struggles to play an effective and humane mediating role, leading to the suffering of people, especially children.
Society must act as a lever of pressure on the government.
Society should serve as a lever of pressure on the government to uphold universally recognized children's rights. In Iran's challenging political landscape, where civil society faces constant threats, advocacy efforts, including movements by teachers and workers, become crucial. The protection of these fundamental rights should be a global imperative.
As advocates for children's rights, we seek active participation in shaping the rights and aspirations of children. Children's rights extend beyond domestic laws and conventions; they embody their current interests and demands, free from compromise or expediency.
Join us in fostering a world where every child's rights are not just protected but actively championed. Echoing the sentiments of children at the Children’s World Congress On Child Labour in 2004 in Florence:
"We are as much the future as we are now."
November 20, 2023
