NIHRC Condemns Paramilitary Attacks Against Children

The Human Rights Commission (NIHRC) has condemned the ongoing attacks by paramilitary organisations and is urging the UK Government and the NI Executive to take 'immediate and effective action' to address the issue of paramilitary attacks against children.

On International Youth Day, the Human Rights Commission has published its report to the United Nations Committee ahead of the upcoming examination by the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

NIHRC Chief Commissioner, Les Allamby, commented: "This report provides us with an invaluable opportunity to shine a spotlight on young people's rights.

"The Commission has highlighted a number of recommendations made by the United Nations in 2008 that have not yet been implemented and therefore require urgent action.

"These include raising the age of criminal responsibility, ending corporal punishment and reducing the use of remand for children in the criminal justice system."

The Commission has advised that the UN Committee should ask the UK Government, including the NI Executive, to:

• Take immediate action to increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility from 10 to at least 12 years of age

• Ban smacking of children without delay

• End Academic Selection – The UN Committee called for academic selection to be abolished in 2008 and despite the end of the 11+, the current system of testing has allowed a 'two-tier culture' to remain.

Mr Allamby continued: "The purpose of this report is to highlight what areas we believe the United Nations Committee should focus on as it prepares to examine the UK Governments human rights record.

"We want to make sure Northern Ireland's circumstances are at the forefront of this process. Human Rights belong to our children and young people. It is important that they are adequately protected."

(CD/JP)