GENEVA – The United Nations Committee which monitors implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Friday welcomed children campaigning on climate change, and stressed they have a legal right “to have their views listened to and taken into account.”
“The children have told us that they see the future of the planet as one of the major issues facing them,” said the Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Luis Pedernera. “Children are already negatively impacted by pollution, droughts, other natural disasters, health risks, and degradation of ecosystems, and we welcome the passionate engagement of children in relation to these issues.”
Saying it was “inspired by the millions of children and adolescents who marched for climate change last week,” the Committee – which has regularly addressed the environment, climate change and the degradation of the planet – welcomed “the active and meaningful participation of children, as human rights defenders, in relation to issues of concern to them along with everyone else.”
Image: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights