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UPR Submission
ACYA has made a submission to the UN Human Rights Council in respect of this new initiative. See ACYA Submissions.
UNCROC AG
ACYA with UNICEF NZ, Save the Children NZ, Children's Commissioners Office and the Human Rights Commissioner office met three times during 2008 with the Ministry of Youth Development as part of an advisory group.
The key topic is to monitor the Work Programme for UNCROC and the opportunity has been taken to duiscuss the draft government CRC report.
Submissions to draft government report to CRC
Between April and October 2008 ACYA, with others, was able to make a number of comments leading up to a submission on the draft Government 3rd & 4th periodic report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child . See ACYA Submissions.
Submission to draft Government report for ICESCR
In October 2008 ACYA made a submission for the draft Government report for the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights.
Submission to Committee Against Torture
In September ACYA made a submission to this Committee.
Why are we asking QUESTIONS?
It is important that the public become familiar with the Convention and what it means in practice to the lives of our children.
The Government draft report to UN is available, and it can be read with questions in mind, and, as appropriate, an informed response made.
We have set out under the headings used by the UN Committee the topics that affect the lives of children in a Working Paper. The contents page is as follows:
INTRODUCTION
QUESTIONS (1) GENERAL MEASURES
QUESTIONS (2) DEFINITION OF THE CHILD
QUESTIONS (3) GENERAL PRNCIPLES
QUESTIONS (4) CIVIL RIGHTS AND FREED
QUESTIONS (5) FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND
ALTERNATIVE CARE
QUESTIONS (6) BASIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
QUESTIONS (7) EDUCATION, LEISURE AND
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
QUESTIONS (8) SPECIAL PROTECTION
MEASURES
QUESTIONS (9) OPTIONAL PROTOCOLS
See: Report 2009 this website
ACYA Workshop
A successful workshop was held on Saturday 5th April 2008.
Our third annual workshop looked at aspects of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Education and Health were the key issues but we also looked at the Definition of the Child and General Measures .
Local child
On 29th February 2008 we wrote to Hon N Mahuta, Minister for Local Government. We noted the Government had ratified the Convention. We asked about the role of the Government ensuring all local entities were aware of their delegated responsibilities. The reply of the Minister dated 2nd April included the following text “As a result, while the Central government takes its UNCROC commitments very seriously, it does not issue directives to local bodies or develop specific procedures for their compliance with the Convention…”.
This answer and the implication for all International Instruments, not covered by legislation, needs to be challenged as it undermines the well being of children and others protected by Conventions.
Support for Children’s Commissioner
ACYA wrote to Hon Dr. Cullen and Hon Ruth Dyson seeking increased budget allocation for 2008/9. We had replies that noted the contribution of the Commissioner but was unspecific regarding increased funding. No increase was granted.We noted the Select Committee April 2008 review of the Commission’s 2006/7 financial report.
Care & Protection
Is the Blueprint working? Are children safer?
Arising from Mike Brown’s report in 2000 the Care and Protection Blueprint (CPB) was issued in 2003. In addition in 2002 Te Rito-New Zealand Family violence Prevention Strategy (TR) became available. Have things improved for children?
In response to an Official Information Act request we received under cover of a letter from Ministry of Social Development dated 1 November 2007 a three page schedule of Recent Developments dated October 2007. It provides no factual information on whether children are safer but sets out responses to the nine action points covered by CPB. We will do more homework but meanwhile would like interested parties to contact us on their experience of children needing care and protection.
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