UN rights for children face vote in Wales

The 'Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure' would mean the Assembly has to consider the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child when delivering programmes and devising policies.

Education minister Leighton Andrews, who launched a consultation on the proposal, said, 'The Measure would take forward into Welsh law the Assembly government's commitment to ensuring that children's and young people's rights are given the high importance they deserve in the Assembly government's work.

'It once again proves that Wales is leading the way, finding new ways to strengthen the rights of children and young people.'

The proposal was welcomed by Keith Towler, children's commissioner for Wales. He said, 'Ever since the Welsh government proposed to introduce a groundbreaking piece of legislation which would enshrine the principles of the UNCRC in Welsh law, I have offered my continuing support to the First Minister. My office will now be scrutinising the content to ensure what is proposed is as far-reaching as possible.'

Sean O'Neill, policy director at the umbrella organisation Children in Wales, said, 'This measure will give further credence to the Government's commitment to safeguarding the rights of children.

'However, the devil is often in the detail and we will be giving due consideration to the detail to ensure that the rights of children across all devolved policy areas of Government are included in the scope of the Measure.'

Further information: The consultation ends on 7 May.