UNCROC

Do you know what UNCROC stands for and should you care?

In August 2006 the editor for Kids Friendly New Zealand, Gaye Miller, attended the forum on UNCROC (United Nations Convention for the Rights of Child) which was hosted in Wellington, New Zealand, by the Department of Youth Development.

This was the first time that the Department of Youth Development had brought together Government Departments and non-government organisations in a forum situation and allowed those organisations to voice their concerns to the Department. It was a very brave move on the part of the Department and the lack of media made it possible for both sides, government and non-government to have their say.

But what is UNCROC and how as New Zealanders does it affect our lives?

UNCROC stands for United Nations Convention for the Rights of Child. New Zealand became a signatory to UNCROC in 1993, and the Ministry of Youth Development coordinates Government's five-yearly report back to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. The forum held in August this year was part of the process used by the Ministry in its role to look at the issues that were raised by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

So how does UNCROC affect you and me, that is the ordinary mums and dads out there?

Governments and organisations around the world use UNCROC as a way of looking after the human rights of children and UNCROC does this by setting standards on the way our children should be treated. In 1993 the New Zealand government became a signatory to UNCROC and now is working towards meeting standards set out in the convention.

Although New Zealand is doing well by international standard, the United Nation Committee has identified areas where they believe the New Zealand Government needs to make improvements. As parents of children we need to be aware of issues raised by UNCROC, it is important that we understand what some of those issues are and how they may affect our children and ourselves.

Ten years old with a criminal conviction

Did you know that the minimum age that your child can be prosecuted for a criminal act is ten years of age? The UN Committee wants this age lifted. Do you think a child should be prosecuted for a criminal act at ten?

How old is a child?

This is a very interest question and one that seems to have a moving line. In the UNCROC forum in August a group of college students were present, they asked at what age do we become an adult, 16, 18 or 25 years of age?

Let see what they mean:

You can get married at 16, die for your country at 17, vote at 18 and your parents can still be income tested until you are 25 years old. Their question was based on those ages, when do they stop being a child and become an adult?

The UN Committee has recommended New Zealand extends the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989 to all persons under the age of eighteen years, this would bring it in line with UNCROC. Do you think 18 years of age is an age where our children should be treated as adults?

Child Labour

Did you know that we do not have a minimum age for children to start paid work? Do you think that we need a minimum age or do you feel that there is enough existing laws in New Zealand to adequately protect the rights of the child in the work force? The UN Committee would like to see the New Zealand Government pass a law relating to the minimum age a child can start work.

Going to war

Our current age for recruitment is 17 years of age, the UN Committee would like to see this age raised to 18 years of age. The Government is still reviewing this. When do you think your child should be allowed to join our defence force?

The Smacking Debate

You all have opinions on this one, some of you think that it is fine to snack - others won't have a bar of it. We won't go into that debate her, but how does the Smacking Debate involve UNCROC?

Section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961 allows parents or caregivers to use force as a means of punishing a child, providing the force is reasonable in the circumstances. The UN Committee regards this legislation to be inconsistent with UNCROC.

So do you think Section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961 should be amended? And if it is what affect could it have on you as a parent and our children when they become parents?

These are just some of the many issues raised by UNCROC, but we hope that you have got something to think about. These are issues they can affect you or your child, think about them.

If you would like to find out more about UNCROC you can contact the Ministry of Youth Development and the Commissioner for Children:

Ministry of Youth Development, PO Box 10 300, Wellington or email: mydinfo@myd.govt.nz or visit their website www.myd.govt.nz.

This report is independent of any New Zealand government department and was written by Gaye Miller, editor for Kids Friendly NZ

Kids Friendly New Zealand Limited                PO Box 93, Matakana 0948 , New Zealand           Copyright 2002-2009