Wed, 1 Sep 2004

Give Kids A Fair Go

ACYA calls on the government to address the serious problems about the rights of children and young people identified in the report from the Human Rights Commission, Human Rights in New Zealand Today.

The report finds poverty and maltreatment of children and young people are the most important human rights issues facing New Zealand.

Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa (ACYA) chairperson, Dr Alison Blaiklock, says, "Kiwis value fairness and want this country to be a great place to bring up kids. But the reality is that many children and young people don't get a fair go. The lives of many are damaged by poverty, violence and discrimination - and that is wrong."

Dr Blaiklock says "Although the government made progress towards better support for many poor children in the last Budget, much more needs to be done to make a real difference to the lives of the poorest children. A human rights approach means paying special attention to those who are most vulnerable."

ACYA made a report from non-governmental organisations to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child and supported children and young people to develop a video to put their views and experience to the Committee. Last October the Committee made extensive recommendations about what New Zealand needed to do to meet its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

More information about ACYA is at www.acya.org.nz

ENDS

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