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1. The identification of progress, gaps, areas requiring urgent attention, risks and challenges in achieving the SDGs; and, or in relation to the theme within the area under the purview of your intergovernmental body:
The Committee on the Rights of the Child (henceforth “the Committee”) oversees the implementation of the legal obligations of the 196 States parties that ratified or acceded to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (henceforth “the Convention”). It also oversees the implementation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC) ratified or acceded to by 168 State parties, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (OPSC) ratified or acceded to by 175 States parties and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on a communications procedure (OPIC) ratified or acceded to by 43 States parties.
The Committee acknowledges the inextricable linkage between inclusive, equitable and sustainable development and the realisation of children’s rights. Development can constitute an enabler for children’s enjoyment of their rights by providing them with a safe and healthy environment. Integrating a child rights perspective and ensuring the participation of children as active agents of change in decisions relating to development is crucial for achieving inclusive, equitable and sustainable development.
The Convention requires all States parties to respect and ensure the rights set forth therein to each child within their jurisdiction and without discrimination. The Convention applies to all children, defined as anyone under 18 years of age. States parties have a legal obligation to undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative, and other measures for the implementation of the rights under the Convention, regardless of the children’s or their parents’, legal guardians’ or family members’ race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status. Nevertheless, significant gaps remain in the protection and promotion of the rights of the child at the global, regional and national levels, which prevent children from fully enjoying their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development.
The Committee provides its observations below, based on its jurisprudence, on some of the progress, gaps, areas requiring urgent attention, risks and challenges in achieving the SDGs that are under focus in the July 2019 High Level Political Forum (HLPF).
