The European Union and UNICEF launch the video “I Have Rights!” to celebrate Universal Children's Day and the 30th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
I Have Rights! filmed in Timor-Leste, has an emotive and personal style and conveys the message that children’s rights are universal and cannot be taken for granted.
“I have rights!” is the title of the video produced in Timor-Leste and launched by the European Union and UNICEF to promote children’s rights. It is launched today as the world marks Universal Children’s Day and the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
The video is being launched on television, at a UNICEF Café discussion by young people in Dili, as well as at an event at the National University of Timor-Leste. The video focuses on a number of child rights, and provides a platform for children to specify and raise awareness of those rights that they are entitled to under the CRC.
Timor-Leste ratified the Convention in 2003. Since then, child and maternal mortality have dropped, immunisation of children has improved, children's nutrition has increased, and better support services are available for children in need. However, despite this progress, almost half of all children under five in Timor-Leste continue to suffer from stunting, are subject to violence in homes and schools, and lack adequate access to quality education, health, protection and other critical services for their survival and development.
“We celebrate together today Universal Children's Day and the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and I'm proud to launch today the short film 'I have rights', beautifully shot in Timor-Leste, that highlights so well the rights children expect, and must have. Rights of children are universal, indivisible and inalienable, and every single child has the right to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. The European Union is guided by the principles of the Convention: devotion to the best interests of the child, non-discrimination, respect for the views of the child, and their right to life, survival and development," said Andrew Jacobs, Ambassador of the European Union to Timor-Leste, at the launch of the 'I have rights' video.
The Ambassador noted that "In Timor-Leste the European Union and UNICEF have a five-year partnership agreement worth US$ five million to support the Ministry of Health in implementing maternal and child nutrition programmes. An additional US$ 10 million is provided to the Ministry of Health through direct budget support. I'm pleased that this support is making a real difference in children's lives and helping them to enjoy their rights”.
Valérie Taton, UNICEF Representative in Timor-Leste, said: "Thirty years since the CRC was signed, children continue to not have adequate access to healthcare, proper nutrition, quality education, clean water, and protection. All of us, whether we are parents, communities, government or development partners, have to do more, quickly and with renewed vigour, if we are to ensure the present and future generations of children enjoy all the rights enshrined in this historic document.”
The CRC was first signed on 20 November 1989, thirty years ago, and has been the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world: 196 states are parties to this Convention.
This CRC has provided a broad framework which has helped to advance key rights, and promote the Convention’s general principles: non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, national identity, survival and development and the right to be heard and participate in decision making.
Watch the video!
