The General Importance of the UNCRC to Singapore
The General Importance of the UNCRC to Singapore
Children have additional needs because of their vulnerability
Children face a confusing array of minimum ages at which they are deemed capable of making decisions for themselves – some of them potentially life-changing.
The UNCRC is sometimes spoken of as the most complete of the international human rights instruments as it includes civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights as well as incorporating aspects of humanitarian law.
The UNCRC makes children the holders of over 40 fundamental rights while respecting individual traditions and cultures in child care.
The UNCRC has been ratified more quickly and by more governments than any other human rights instrument.
It addresses these dilemmas by introducing the idea that children should be able to exercise their rights as they acquire the capacity to do so, rather than when they reach a certain age.
The Specific Importance
Definition of the child
The Committee is concerned that the Children and Young Persons Act is only applicable to persons under the age of 16 and that the minimum age of criminal responsibility (7 years) and the minimum age of employment (12 years) are too low.
The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Extend the Children and Young Persons Act to cover all persons under the age of 18; (b) Raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to an internationally acceptable level; (c) Raise the minimum age of employment to 15 years, the age for the end of compulsory schooling
General principles - Non Discrimination
The Committee is concerned that the principle of non-discrimination is restricted to citizens, that the Constitution does not expressly prohibit discrimination against women or persons with disabilities, and that societal discrimination against girls, children with disabilities and non-residents persists.
The Committee recommends that the State party amend its legislation to
Children have additional needs because of their vulnerability
Children face a confusing array of minimum ages at which they are deemed capable of making decisions for themselves – some of them potentially life-changing.
The UNCRC is sometimes spoken of as the most complete of the international human rights instruments as it includes civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights as well as incorporating aspects of humanitarian law.
The UNCRC makes children the holders of over 40 fundamental rights while respecting individual traditions and cultures in child care.
The UNCRC has been ratified more quickly and by more governments than any other human rights instrument.
It addresses these dilemmas by introducing the idea that children should be able to exercise their rights as they acquire the capacity to do so, rather than when they reach a certain age.
The Specific Importance
Definition of the child
The Committee is concerned that the Children and Young Persons Act is only applicable to persons under the age of 16 and that the minimum age of criminal responsibility (7 years) and the minimum age of employment (12 years) are too low.
The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Extend the Children and Young Persons Act to cover all persons under the age of 18; (b) Raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to an internationally acceptable level; (c) Raise the minimum age of employment to 15 years, the age for the end of compulsory schooling
General principles - Non Discrimination
The Committee is concerned that the principle of non-discrimination is restricted to citizens, that the Constitution does not expressly prohibit discrimination against women or persons with disabilities, and that societal discrimination against girls, children with disabilities and non-residents persists.
The Committee recommends that the State party amend its legislation to