National Intelligence Bureau Clone

The Plight & The Promise

They are abandoned. They do not get a chance to step in a school. They are left to fend for themselves on the streets. They suffer from many forms of violence. They do not have access to even primary healthcare. They are subjected to cruel and inhumane treatments every day. They are children – innocent, young and beautiful – who are deprived of their rights.

In the history of human rights, the rights of children are the most ratified. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) defines Child Rights as the minimum entitlements and freedoms that should be afforded to every citizen below the age of 18 regardless of race, national origin, colour, gender, language, religion, opinions, origin, wealth, birth status, disability, or other characteristics.

Fundamental Rights under UNCRC

The UNCRC outlines the fundamental human rights that should be afforded to children in four broad classifications that suitably cover all civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights of every child:

1. Right to Survival

Right to be born.
Right to minimum standards of food, shelter and clothing.
Right to live with dignity.
Right to health care, safe drinking water, nutritious food, and a clean environment.

2. Right to Protection

Right to be protected from all sorts of violence.
Right to be protected from neglect.
Right to be protected from physical and sexual abuse.
Right to be protected from dangerous drugs.

3. Right to Participation

Right to freedom of opinion and expression.
Right to freedom of association.
Right to information.
Right to participate in any decision making that involves him/her directly or indirectly.

4. Right to Development

Right to education.
Right to learn.
Right to relax and play.
Right to all forms of development – emotional, mental and physical.

Impact of the Convention

A milestone in international human rights legislation, the Convention has mobilized actions for the realization of rights worldwide. While global progress has been outstanding in access to services and child survival, developing countries like India still face challenges.

Though rules and policies are in place, there is a lack in enforcement initiatives. Due to relatively low success in achieving concrete child development outcomes in India, the condition of underprivileged kids and youth remains harsh and needs urgent attention.

Child Rights and the World

People from across the world striving for social justice have often directed their efforts toward the most vulnerable in society. 2014 Nobel Peace Prize awardees—Ms. Malala Yousafzai and Mr. Kailash Satyarthi—have reminded us all of the need to advance opportunities for children.

Kailash Satyarthi:

His struggle to liberate children from child labour has spanned 30 years. Armed with strong determination, he and his team have raided illegal factories and mines to rescue children sold into servitude.
“I strongly feel that this is a big honour to hundreds of millions of the children who have been deprived of their childhood and freedom and education.”

Malala Yousafzai:

Fighting for girls' education since age 11 under the Taliban regime, she became a global voice despite facing death threats.
“I speak not for myself but for those without voice... those who have fought for their rights... their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to equality of opportunity, their right to be educated.”

The Right to Education (RTE)

The parliament of India enacted the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE) in August 2009, enforced on April 1st, 2010.

Education is a fundamental right for every child between 6 and 14 years old.
No child shall be held back, expelled, or required to pass a board examination until completion of elementary education.
Provision for special training of school drop-outs to bring them up to par with peers.

Impact: Smile Foundation & Mission Education

As a charity for child rights, Smile Foundation has been providing education to marginalized children in poor rural and urban communities across 25 states.

Key Statistics:

200,000+ children brought to school since 2002.
51% of total beneficiaries in Mission Education centres are girls.
87% of eligible students are successfully mainstreamed in private and government schools.

Recent results show Smile Foundation primary school students outperforming their peers with a very high passing rate, helping to break the cycle of poverty that damages childhood physical and mental health.

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE BUREAU

Child Rights