Enshrining the rights of our young people
Young people’s rights have been officially acknowledged ‘ Right here, Right now’ by South Lanarkshire Council.
Provost Ian McAllan signed a pledge to ratify the council’s commitment after the full council meeting endorsed The Scottish Youth Parliament’s ‘Right Here, Right Now’ campaign.
Right Here, Right Now calls for the rights of young people to be respected and for Article 12 of the UN Convention on The Rights of the Child – which is not currently ratified in the UK – to be adhered to, in the hope it will be incorporated into Scots Law.
Councillor Julia Mar rs, spokeswoman for youth, tabled a motion at the recent full council meeting following an approach by Reece Harding, the member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Clydesdale.
The motion, which received cross-party support, stated: “South Lanarkshire Council recognises the importance of young people’s rights, our role in defending those rights, and endorses The Scottish Youth Parliament’s Right Here, Right Now campaign, which seeks to influence law, policy and practice to strengthen the protection of young people’s rights, and to improve links between the Scottish Youth Parliament and public bodies.
“We note the principal focus of the campaign to be Article 12 of the UNCRC, which states that children and young people should be given appropriate information to make decisions on matters that involve them, that their opinions should be listened to and taken into account when decisions are taken, and we commit to incorporate that ethos in all council workings.”
Councillor Marrs said: “I’m absolutely delighted that South Lanarkshire Council can support the excellent work of the Scottish Youth Parliament and be at the forefront of ensuring the voices of young people are heard loud and clear by decision makers, especially in this Year of Young People, 2018.
“Age should not be a barrier to meaningful consultation and negotiation with those affected by an issue.”