Switzerland among best countries for children’s rights
A new ranking of states’ compliance with the international Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) puts Switzerland in second place, in a year in which children around the world were hard hit by Covid-19 restrictions.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/gw
Español
es
Suiza, entre los países más respetuosos del derecho infantil
Iceland topped the annual survey published on Thursday by the Amsterdam-based NGO KidsRightsExternal link. Finland came in third place. At the bottom of the list were Chad, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone.
Switzerland scored first place in one of five categories – right to protection – and placed fifth for right to life. But it fared less well in right to education (16th) and health (20th-21st).
The effects of the pandemic over the past year have been dire for young people, who risked a “generational catastrophe” if governments do not act, KidsRights said. More than 168 million of them have been denied access to education due to health restrictions. One in three children do not have access to distance learning.
Another 142 million children have been left in material deprivation following the negative consequences of the pandemic on the economy. Millions more have also missed routine immunisations because of pressure on health services. In addition, there has been an “unprecedented increase” in domestic violence, of which children are often victims, the NGO added.
KidsRights publishes the yearly index – the only one of its kind that measures respect for children’s rights by signatories of the CRC – together with the Erasmus University Rotterdam. The 2021 survey includes a total of 182 countries.
Switzerland ratified the convention in 1997, eight years after its adoption by the United Nations general assembly.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Unpaid, disempowered and overworked
This content was published on
The UN Secretariat must lead by example and offer young people fair, quality paid internships, writes the Fair Internship Initiative (FII).
UN body nominee decries child abuse in Switzerland
This content was published on
swissinfo.ch meets the psychologist Switzerland is proposing for the monitoring body of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
NGO blasts Swiss policy on detaining migrant children
This content was published on
The Swiss non-governmental organisation Terre des hommes has criticised Switzerland’s ‘illegal’ and opaque policy of detaining unaccompanied minor refugees.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.