UNICEF

Greetings UNICEF HQ New York  UNICEF Europe Geneva

 

As CEO of international NGO European Link Coalition whose Ambassador is Dr Rinchen Chophel, Member of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, I had wanted to share some important new information directly relevant to UNICEF.

 

Following a significant research program exploring the effects on children exposed to violence inflicted on animals, a number of facts were found.

 

Firstly a child has a natural empathetic connection with the sentience of another living being. This includes sentient animals. Exposure to such violence can cause ‘harmful effects’ to the psychopathology of the child. Such effects include empathy erosion & a normalisation of violence. In many cultures & societies such concepts are deemed unimportant as animals have been objectified. Children however have a direct empathetic connection with the sentience of the animal… and the obligation is to protect the children.

 

UN Committee has issued Concluding Observations challenging a number of States Parties to protect children from experiencing societal violence against animals.Such violent 'traditions & practices' include children spectating or participating in bullfighting, homeless animal management programs involving shooting or poisoning & children accompanying trophy hunting excusions.

 

Included in CRC/C/GC/26: General comment No. 26 (2023) on children’s rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change issued in September 2023 are the words ‘Children must be protected from all forms of physical and psychological violence and from exposure to violence, such as domestic violence or violence inflicted on animals’. This provides specific definition of Article 19 of the 'legally binding' UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

 

This also invites direct unification with Goals 15, 3, 4 & 16 of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

 

As has been resiliently evidenced, children experiencing violence inflicted on animals can ‘normalise’ violence which can then be enacted in the human domain eg domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse

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In many cultures & societies where UNICEF has engagement with governments & authorities the potential exists to significantly reduce violence in all its forms by endorsing & supporting UN Convention Article 19 defined by UN General Comment 26… globally !

 

 

Pleased to discuss further at your convenience.

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1. UNICEF, you declare that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child the basis of all your work and that  it provides a complete statement of child’s rights, the absolutes upon which a safe, healthy and happy childhood can blossom. Is your aim to realise those rights for every child, no matter where they live or who they are?

2. UNICEF, you are aware that the United Nations has adopted many legally binding international human rights treaties and agreements, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child & that these treaties are used as a framework for discussing and applying human rights. The principles and rights they outline become legal obligations on the States that choose to be bound by them. The framework also establishes legal and other mechanisms to hold governments accountable in the event they violate human rights.

3. UNICEF, Are you aware of UN Convention Article 19 protecting children from all forms of violence & UN General Comment 26 specifically referring to the protection on children from violence inflicted on animals.

4. UNICEF   are you aware that many children  are being exposed to extensive & harmful extreme societal  violence inflicted on animals throughout many countries?

5. UNICEF  will you fulfil your mandated obligations by challenging national and international authorities to comply with the ‘legally binding’ UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by ceasing societal violence against animals ?

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