{"id":17997,"date":"2022-09-21T21:58:06","date_gmt":"2022-09-21T21:58:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=17997"},"modified":"2022-09-24T17:41:09","modified_gmt":"2022-09-24T17:41:09","slug":"children-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Children [EU]"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#EU_strategy_on_the_rights_of_the_child\" title=\"EU strategy on the rights of the child\">EU strategy on the rights of the child<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Key_Points\" title=\"Key Points\">Key Points<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Child_participation\" title=\"Child participation\">Child participation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Violence\" title=\"Violence\">Violence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Sexual_exploitation\" title=\"Sexual exploitation\">Sexual exploitation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Children_at_risk\" title=\"Children at risk\">Children at risk<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Harmful_media_content\" title=\"Harmful media content\">Harmful media content<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Juvenile_delinquency\" title=\"Juvenile delinquency\">Juvenile delinquency<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Child_poverty_and_social_exclusion\" title=\"Child poverty and social exclusion\">Child poverty and social exclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Child_labour\" title=\"Child labour\">Child labour<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Adoption\" title=\"Adoption\">Adoption<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Migrant_children_and_children_in_armed_conflicts\" title=\"Migrant children and children in armed conflicts\">Migrant children and children in armed conflicts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Education_and_registration\" title=\"Education and registration\">Education and registration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#MAIN_DOCUMENT\" title=\"MAIN DOCUMENT\">MAIN DOCUMENT<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Communication_%E2%80%94_EU_strategy_on_the_rights_of_the_child\" title=\"Communication \u2014 EU strategy on the rights of the child\">Communication \u2014 EU strategy on the rights of the child<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#EU_strategy_on_the_rights_of_the_child-2\" title=\"EU strategy on the rights of the child\">EU strategy on the rights of the child<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#European_child_guarantee\" title=\"European child guarantee\">European child guarantee<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#MAIN_DOCUMENTS\" title=\"MAIN DOCUMENTS\">MAIN DOCUMENTS<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Children_as_a_focus_of_EU_external_action\" title=\"Children as a focus of EU external action\">Children as a focus of EU external action<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Key_Points-2\" title=\"Key Points\">Key Points<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Background\" title=\"Background\">Background<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#MAIN_DOCUMENT-2\" title=\"MAIN DOCUMENT\">MAIN DOCUMENT<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Childrens_rights_and_armed_conflict\" title=\"Children\u2019s rights and armed conflict\">Children\u2019s rights and armed conflict<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Key_Points-3\" title=\"Key Points\">Key Points<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Background-2\" title=\"Background\">Background<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#The_European_Union_and_Childrens_Rights\" title=\"The European Union and Children&#8217;s Rights\">The European Union and Children&#8217;s Rights<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Key_Points-4\" title=\"Key Points\">Key Points<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/children-2\/#Application_Background\" title=\"Application &amp; Background\">Application &amp; Background<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"EU_strategy_on_the_rights_of_the_child\"><\/span>EU strategy on the rights of the child<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>European Parliament resolution: Towards an EU strategy on the rights of the child (2007\/2093(INI))<\/p>\n<p>The resolution is a wide-ranging prospectus of actions and policies put forward by the European Parliament aimed at protecting children&#8217;s rights, building upon the communication \u2018Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child\u2019 prepared by the European Commission in 2006.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Points\"><\/span>Key Points<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The resolution welcomes the Commission\u2019s initiative recognising a political will that children must enjoy the rights set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.<\/p>\n<p>The resolution calls for the rights of children to be at the heart of all EU policies and external actions and all international agreements to include a legally binding clause respecting the rights of the child.<\/p>\n<p>The strategy should recognise the importance of the family as a basic institution of society for the survival, protection and development of the child, and calls for monitoring, financial resources and annual reports.<\/p>\n<p>Not all EU countries have appointed an ombudsman to uphold children&#8217;s rights.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Child_participation\"><\/span>Child participation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Children and young people have the right to express their views, with the equal participation of girls and boys.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Violence\"><\/span>Violence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Legislation and preventive action is urged to deal with violence, sexual abuse, humiliating punishment and harmful traditional practices, such as genital mutilation or forced marriages. It condemns all forms of physical, psychological and sexual violence, torture, exploitation, taking hostage, trafficking or sale of children or their organs.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sexual_exploitation\"><\/span>Sexual exploitation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The sexual exploitation of children should be considered \u2018rape\u2019 when applying legal sanctions, and payment for sex with a minor should be a crime. There should be a more effective legal child protection framework, through institutions such as Europol and Eurojust, to combat sex tourism, child trafficking and paedophilia. EU citizens committing sex tourism crimes outside the EU should be dealt with under a single set of EU criminal laws.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Children_at_risk\"><\/span>Children at risk<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The EU should define any child in a social situation endangering their mental or physical integrity as \u2018in danger\u2019. Any child witnessing domestic violence is considered a victim of a crime. Multiple initiatives (information campaigns, sharing of best practices, etc.) are proposed to cover such things as the sale of alcohol and drugs.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Harmful_media_content\"><\/span>Harmful media content<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In seeking to prohibit harmful media content, including cyber bullying and violent video games, the resolution acknowledges the growing phenomenon of sharing child pornography or sexual abuse images via mobile messaging. It also calls for the blocking of websites related to sexual abuse.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Juvenile_delinquency\"><\/span>Juvenile delinquency<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Parliament asks for a comprehensive response to \u2018juvenile delinquency\u2019 at national and EU level, through prevention programmes and the social integration of young offenders in addition to legal intervention. It also calls for a youth crime prevention plan to address bullying in schools and gangs, and promotes alternatives to prison.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Child_poverty_and_social_exclusion\"><\/span>Child poverty and social exclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As part of the strategy to fight family poverty, focusing on malnutrition and disease prevention and abuse linked to parents\u2019 social or legal situation, the EU should work to ensure that there are no homeless children or street children in the EU.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Child_labour\"><\/span>Child labour<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Children working legally must be paid equally for work of equal value. Slavery, debt bondage and work detrimental to health and safety are condemned.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Adoption\"><\/span>Adoption<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The quality of information, preparation for and processing of international adoptions, and post-adoption services must be improved. Adoption should be allowed in the child\u2019s country or internationally, with residential institutions only a temporary solution.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Migrant_children_and_children_in_armed_conflicts\"><\/span>Migrant children and children in armed conflicts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Special attention should be given to refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant children so that they can claim their rights regardless of the legal status of their parents. Unaccompanied minors are often victims of exploitation by organised crime. Measures are also called for to protect Roma children, as well as child soldiers and the victims of war.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Education_and_registration\"><\/span>Education and registration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Improvement in the training and education of children, especially girls, and better care for young children are called for. Every child should be registered, respecting the right to receive a nationality or an identity at birth.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MAIN_DOCUMENT\"><\/span>MAIN DOCUMENT<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>European Parliament resolution of 16 January 2008: Towards an EU strategy on the rights of the child (2007\/2093(INI)) (OJ C 41E, 19.2.2009, pp. 24-46)<\/p>\n<p>RELATED DOCUMENTS<\/p>\n<p>Communication from the Commission \u2014 Towards an EU strategy on the rights of the child (COM(2006) 367 final, 4.7.2006)<\/p>\n<p>EU strategy on the rights of the child and the European child guarantee<\/p>\n<p>SUMMARY OF:<br \/>\nRecommendation (EU) 2021\/1004 establishing a European Child Guarantee<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Communication_%E2%80%94_EU_strategy_on_the_rights_of_the_child\"><\/span>Communication \u2014 EU strategy on the rights of the child<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The European Union (EU) strategy on the rights of the child proposes new actions to better protect, promote and fulfil children\u2019s rights.<br \/>\nThe European child guarantee aims to prevent and combat social exclusion of children in need by guaranteeing access to a set of key services, by combating child poverty and fostering equal opportunities.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"EU_strategy_on_the_rights_of_the_child-2\"><\/span>EU strategy on the rights of the child<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The strategy brings together all new and existing EU legislative, policy and funding instruments on the rights of the child within 1 comprehensive framework.<br \/>\nThis strategy builds on previous European Commission communications and existing EU legislation and policy,such as the EU agenda for the rights of the child.<\/p>\n<p>It contributes to achieving the aims of the European Pillar of Social Rights.<br \/>\nThe strategy is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and contributes to achieving the United Nations sustainable development goals.<\/p>\n<p>It proposes a series of targeted actions across 6 thematic priority areas:<br \/>\nparticipation in political and democratic life;<br \/>\nsocio-economic inclusion, health and education;<br \/>\ncombating violence against children and ensuring child protection;<br \/>\nchild-friendly justice;<br \/>\ndigital and information society;<br \/>\nglobal dimension \u2014 supporting, protecting and empowering children globally, including during crisis and conflict.<\/p>\n<p>To support these actions, children\u2019s rights are mainstreamed across all relevant EU policies.<br \/>\nFunding for these actions is provided through a number of sources including the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) (see summary) and the European Regional Development Fund (see summary).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"European_child_guarantee\"><\/span>European child guarantee<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The European child guarantee complements the strategy on the rights of the child, and in particular the socio-economic, health and education theme.<\/p>\n<p>It puts into practice principle 11 of the European Pillar of Social Rights, on childcare and support for children.<br \/>\nIt applies to children under 18 at risk of poverty or social exclusion.<\/p>\n<p>It sets out a number of core recommendations for EU Member States including:<br \/>\nproviding effective and free access to high quality early childhood education and care, education and school-based activities, at least 1 healthy meal on each school day and healthcare;<br \/>\nproviding effective access to healthy nutrition and adequate housing;<br \/>\nbreaking intergenerational cycles of poverty and disadvantage, while making the best interest of the child a primary consideration;<br \/>\nbuilding a policy framework to identify and address financial and non-financial barriers to participation in early childhood education and care, education and school-based activities, especially for those groups of children experiencing specific disadvantages;<br \/>\nnominating a Child Guarantee Coordinator to monitor and coordinate implementation;<br \/>\nsubmitting national action plans for the period up to 2030 within 9 months of adopting the recommendation.<\/p>\n<p>Member States can draw on EU funding to support their actions, in particular from the ESF+ and NextGenerationEU.<\/p>\n<p>For more information, see:<\/p>\n<p>The EU strategy on the rights of the child and the European child guarantee (European Commission).<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MAIN_DOCUMENTS\"><\/span>MAIN DOCUMENTS<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Council Recommendation (EU) 2021\/1004 of 14 June 2021 establishing a European Child Guarantee (OJ L 223, 22.6.2021, pp. 14-23)<\/p>\n<p>Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions \u2014 EU strategy on the rights of the child (COM(2021) 142 final, 24.3.2021)<\/p>\n<p>RELATED DOCUMENTS<br \/>\nRegulation (EU) 2021\/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1296\/2013 (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, pp. 21-59)<\/p>\n<p>Regulation (EU) 2021\/1058 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, pp. 60-93)<\/p>\n<p>Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: An EU Agenda for the Rights of the Child (COM(2011) 60 final, 15.2.2011)<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Children_as_a_focus_of_EU_external_action\"><\/span>Children as a focus of EU external action<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Communication (COM(2008) 55 final) \u2014 A special place for children in EU external action<\/p>\n<p>It aims construct a comprehensive European Union (EU) approach towards the protection and promotion of children\u2019s rights in non-EU countries.<br \/>\nThe approach is based on a holistic and universally applicable view of children\u2019s rights and is part of the EU\u2019s broader development and poverty reduction strategies.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Points-2\"><\/span>Key Points<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The overall approach for promoting children\u2019s rights in non-EU countries consists of this communication along with the Action Plan on Children\u2019s Rights in External Action and the Staff Working Paper on Children in Emergency and Crisis Situations.<\/p>\n<p>Children\u2019s rights are a part of universal human rights that the EU is committed to respecting under international and EU treaties, such as:<br \/>\nthe UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC);<br \/>\nthe Millennium Development Goals, which in 2016 were replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals;<br \/>\nthe European Charter of Fundamental Rights;<br \/>\nand the EU Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict.<\/p>\n<p>The EU is to use the following tools to promote children\u2019s rights in non-EU countries:<br \/>\ndevelopment cooperation in order to eradicate poverty at the source;<br \/>\ntrade policy that is consistent with the protection and promotion of children\u2019s rights;<br \/>\npolitical dialogue between the EU and partner countries that places emphasis on the commitments under the CRC;<br \/>\nempowering children and adolescents to play a more active role in the matters that affect them;<br \/>\nhumanitarian aid to assist children affected by conflicts, complex emergencies and natural disasters.<\/p>\n<p>On the 25th anniversary (2014) of the UN CRC, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to \u2018prioritise children&#8217;s rights in all EU external action\u2019 and report annually to Parliament.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Background\"><\/span>Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Children and youth are the key for their societies\u2019 future progress and success. Investing in children is investing in the future. However, 47 % of all people living in extreme poverty are aged 18 years or under, and of those, many also suffer from social exclusion, violence and abuse, which restrict opportunities to live a fulfilling life and contribute to societal instability.<\/p>\n<p>This communication follows the 2006 communication called Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, which lays down the foundations for a long-term strategy for the EU in the field of children\u2019s rights. This is tied in with the 2007 EU Guidelines for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child, which is the basis for EU action in promoting children\u2019s rights in external policy.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MAIN_DOCUMENT-2\"><\/span>MAIN DOCUMENT<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions \u2014 A special place for children in EU external action (COM(2008) 55 final, 5.2.2008)<\/p>\n<p>RELATED DOCUMENTS<\/p>\n<p>Commission staff working document &#8211; Children in emergency and crisis situations (SEC(2008) 135 final, 5.2.2008)<\/p>\n<p>Commission staff working document \u2014 The European Union\u2019s Action Plan on Children\u2019s Rights in External Action (SEC(2008) 136 final, 5.2.2008)<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Childrens_rights_and_armed_conflict\"><\/span>Children\u2019s rights and armed conflict<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>EU guidelines on children and armed conflict<\/p>\n<p>They commit the EU to addressing the short, medium and long-term impacts of armed conflict on children.<\/p>\n<p>They aim to persuade governments and organisations around the world to apply humanitarian law and human rights that protect children from the effects of armed conflict.<\/p>\n<p>They also seek to stop the recruiting of children into armed forces and impunity for crimes against children.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Points-3\"><\/span>Key Points<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Council Working Group on Human Rights (COHOM), along with other relevant parties, determines where help is needed on the basis of reports from EU Heads of Missions, military commanders and EU Special Representatives; reports and recommendations from the United Nations (UN); and information from the European Commission on EU-funded projects aimed at children and armed conflict (and their aftermath).<\/p>\n<p>To promote and protect children affected by armed conflict, the EU uses tools in its relations with non-EU countries, such as diplomatic initiatives, political dialogue, multilateral cooperation, training in child protection and crisis management.<\/p>\n<p>The EU\u2019s Revised Implementation Strategy on these Guidelines puts them into practice.<br \/>\nThe EU has invested in strengthening its capacity on child protection, such as through the 2014 joint initiative with the United Nations Children\u2019s Fund (UNICEF), the Child Rights Toolkit: Integrating Child Rights in Development Cooperation. The EU also supports and contributes to the Children, Not Soldiers campaign, which was established in 2014 and aims to end the recruitment and use of children in conflict by 2016.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Background-2\"><\/span>Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>According to UNICEF, 1 in 10 children in the world lives in areas affected by armed conflict, which threatens their survival, development and life opportunities. There has been international legislation to address this problem, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), in which the Optional Protocol aims at countering situations where children are affected by armed conflict.<\/p>\n<p>The EU and its countries aim to take account of and to coordinate their actions with other bodies, such as the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, and the UN Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, in order to maximise their impact. Other relevant human rights standards and humanitarian law that guide EU action to protect children affected by armed conflicts are listed in the annex to these guidelines.<\/p>\n<p>ACT<\/p>\n<p>Update of the EU guidelines on children and armed conflict. General Affairs Council of 16 June 2008<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_European_Union_and_Childrens_Rights\"><\/span>The European Union and Children&#8217;s Rights<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>SUMMARY OF:<\/p>\n<p>EU Agenda for the Rights of the Child &#8211; COM(2011) 60 final<\/p>\n<p>It presents an agenda to strengthen and protect children&#8217;s rights as set out in the principles of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). All EU policies which impact on children should respect their rights.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Points-4\"><\/span>Key Points<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>\u2014\u00a0Children&#8217;s rights should be an integral part of EU policy making. This means that a \u2018fundamental rights check\u2019 is part of every piece of draft legislation.<br \/>\nThe EU&#8217;s different justice systems must become more child-friendly. This applies to<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0family law disputes,<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0registration of documents,<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0custody,<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0criminal and prison proceedings,<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0civil status and<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0treatment of children as vulnerable witnesses.<\/p>\n<p>Most vulnerable children need protection whether they are<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0disabled,<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0at risk of poverty,<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0victims of sexual exploitation or trafficking,<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0seeking asylum or<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0on their own.<\/p>\n<p>Advice should be given to experienced and well-trained professionals, who can help children handle the trauma they have experienced, to understand the rights and needs of the different age groups.<\/p>\n<p>Special attention should be available to Roma children in the EU since they are particularly vulnerable and exposed.<\/p>\n<p>The EU operates a hotline (No: 116 000) for missing children.<\/p>\n<p>The EU is committed to enforcing children&#8217;s rights worldwide to protect them from threats such as violence, child labour, armed conflict and sex tourism.<\/p>\n<p>The EU makes sure<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0children are aware of their rights,<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0can voice their opinions,<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0are consulted and listened to, and<br \/>\n\u2014\u00a0receive information about EU policies that could affect them.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Application_Background\"><\/span>Application &amp; Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Protecting the rights of the child are recognised in the Treaty on European Union (Article 3(3) and in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (Article 24).<\/p>\n<p>ACT<\/p>\n<p>Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: An EU Agenda for the Rights of the Child (COM(2011) 60 final of 15.2.2011)<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-17997\" data-postid=\"17997\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-17997 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EU strategy on the rights of the child European Parliament resolution: Towards an EU strategy on the rights of the child (2007\/2093(INI)) The resolution is a wide-ranging prospectus of actions and policies put forward by the European Parliament aimed at protecting children&#8217;s rights, building upon the communication \u2018Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[244,220],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17997"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17997"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17997\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18319,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17997\/revisions\/18319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17997"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}