CLIMATE CHANGES IN THE PRACTICE OF THE UN COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF A CHILD

Abstract

Environmental degradation and climate changes have been the focus of the international community for decades. The impossibility of full and effective enjoyment of human rights caused by climate changes has been a constant reminder of the fact that an urgent reaction is required. However, what about the rights of those who depend on us and whose voices we have avoided hearing? What about the youngest among us, about whose future we selfishly and without any right decide? The latest research shows that children suffer more than adults from the consequences of climate changes. In the paper, the author highlights the lack of the child’s rights protection by the UNCRC, violated by side effects of climate changes, and the dedication of the CRC to provide the protection of these rights through the General comment no. 26. Analyzing the process of creating the General comment no. 26 and its content, it was shown how the joint participation of both children and adults can lead to results giving hope for the future. Nonetheless, in concluding remarks the author expresses her doubt regarding the abidance of stipulated obligations for the States, because of the non-committal nature of the CRC’s General comments, calling into question the significance of the General comment no. 26 itself.

Keywords

• climate changes
• child’s rights
• the UNCRC
• the CRC
• General comment no. 26