On 7 October 2021, the Council of the EU, comprised of representatives of EU Member States, failed to reach an agreement on adopting Council Conclusions in support of the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child. Hope and Homes for Children, along with 17 other civil society organisations advocating for children’s rights, are hugely disappointed in this apparent lack of commitment to the rights of children in and outside the EU.
The EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child is a pivotal, years-in-the-making, initiative aiming at upholding the rights of children in the EU and globally. The Strategy has been warmly welcomed by children rights’ advocates upon its launch, and we have eagerly awaited its implementation. For this reason, Hope and Homes, along with 17 other organisations, are taking action to share their disappointment and bewilderment at European Member States’ failing to reach an agreement on Council Conclusions supporting the Strategy last 7 October.
At a time when so many children and families are, more than ever, in need of tangible support from national authorities to recover from the health, social and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe that this Strategy is vital for enabling the most vulnerable families to thrive and to avoid social exclusion, poverty, and family separation.
We are therefore ready to take steps to alert decision makers of this worrying hurdle to a strong commitment to childrens’ rights.
To read our full statement, click here.
