CELTIC LEAGUE: YOUTH IN THE COMMONWEALTH

The Isle of Man government, an enthusiastic participant in Commonwealth affairs, is gearing up to host the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games. This week the seven sports for the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games were announced at an official launch in Douglas, Isle of Man The event will be a celebration of

The Isle of Man government, an enthusiastic participant in Commonwealth affairs, is gearing up to host the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games. This week the seven sports for the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games were announced at an official launch in Douglas, Isle of Man

The event will be a celebration of the Commonwealths commitment to young people. But how do individual Commonwealth countries treat their young people?

It is clear that the reality of life for young people in many Commonwealth countries will not match some of the rhetoric which will attend events such as the Youth Games.

It would also be interesting to learn how much money will be expended by Members of Governments and Officials in preparation, attendance and other involvement in the Games - money that in many instances could be better expended supporting social programmes in their home countries.

The Celtic League have carried out extensive research and produced this major report. It complements the earlier two part report we produced on \'Human Rights in the Commonwealth\'. Once again and we have used as a benchmark the US State Department 2006 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. We trust that most people will accept the veracity of this document.

We have set out a short indicator(s) from each Commonwealth Country report together with the link to the specific web page for that country.

It is vitally important to read the introduction quote we have used in conjunction with the full section in each countries report under \'children\'. Often a countries aspirations can seem positive but this is not matched by the reality. In many countries where there is an avowed commitment to children\'s rights abuse or child labour are recorded as problems.

Commonwealth Countries - Children - 2006 US State Department Human Rights Reports on Human Rights Practices.

(Full report at http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/)

(Please note the introductory quotes should be read in context with the full section on Children in each Country Report - this can be accessed on the URL below the quote)

Antigua and Barbuda

While the government repeatedly expressed its commitment to children\'s rights, its efforts to protect those rights in practice were limited. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78876.htm

Australia

The government demonstrated its strong commitment to children\'s rights and welfare through its publicly funded educational and medical care systems. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78766.htm

Bahamas

The government claimed child welfare and education were priorities but did not allocate sufficient funding to maintain and improve standards. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78878.htm

Bangladesh

The government was generally responsive to children\'s rights and welfare. Many of these efforts were supplemented by local and foreign NGOs, and these joint efforts allowed the country to make significant progress in improving health, nutrition, and education; however, slightly more than half of all children were chronically malnourished. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78869.htm

Barbados

The government was committed to children\'s human rights and welfare, although violence and abuse against children remained serious problems. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78879.htm

Belize

The government was committed to children\'s rights and welfare....Child labor was a problem (see section 6.d.). http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78880.htm

Botswana

The law provides for the rights and welfare of children, and the government continued to allocate the largest portion of its budget to the Ministry of Education and the second largest portion to the Ministry of Local Government, which distributed books, food, and materials for primary education. The country also has a court system and social service apparatus designed solely for juveniles....There were reports of child labor (see section 6.d.). http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78720.htm

Brunei

No statistics were published regarding the welfare of children. The strong commitment to family values within society, the high standard of living, and government funding for children\'s welfare provided most children a healthy and nurturing environment. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78767.htm

Cameroon

During the year the government made some efforts to protect children\'s rights and welfare, including participation in seminars on children\'s rights. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78723.htm

Canada

The government demonstrated its commitment to children\'s rights and welfare through well-funded systems of public education and medical care. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78883.htm

Cyprus

The government was strongly committed to children\'s rights and welfare. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78807.htm

Dominica

The government was committed to children\'s rights and welfare....Lack of staff and resources continued to hamper enforcement of children\'s rights laws.... http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78888.htm

Gambia

The government was committed to children\'s welfare.....On July 23, a government shelter for children, including victims of trafficking, began operating in the Greater Banjul Area. The Department of Social Welfare indicated they were able to admit only around 100 children to the shelter at a time, and that several children had to be turned away due to funding constraints....Child labor was a problem (see section 6.d.). http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78736.htm

Ghana

Within the limits of its resources, the government was committed to protecting the rights and welfare of children, although its efforts were constrained by its limited financial and logistical resources. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78737.htm

Grenada

The government was committed to children\'s rights and welfare. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78892.htm

Guyana

The government generally was committed to children\'s rights and welfare. The constitution provides for a commission on the rights of the child, but implementing legislation had not been passed. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78894.htm

India

The constitution provides for free, compulsory education for children between the ages of six and 14 years of age. However, the government did not enforce this provision. In practice, children in poor and rural areas often did not attend school....Child labor was a problem (see section 6.d.). http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78871.htm

Jamaica

The government was committed to improving children\'s welfare. The Ministry of Education, Youth, and Culture is responsible for implementation of the government\'s programs for children. In January the government established an Office of the Children\'s Advocate, mandated under the 2004 Child Care and Protection Act. The position has broad responsibilities for reviewing laws, policies, practices, and government services affecting children; providing legal services and investigating complaints against government; and publishing reports and issuing best practice guidelines regarding any matter concerning the rights or best interests of children.

At year\'s end, however, staffing shortages and lack of infrastructure limited the office\'s ability to address all the reports and calls it received. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78897.htm

Kenya

The government was generally committed to the rights and welfare of children, and there was legislation and developed policies to promote education and protect children\'s rights; however, the government did not implement its policies fully. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78740.htm

Kirbati

Within its limited financial resources, the government made adequate expenditures for child welfare. Primary education is compulsory, free, and universal for children between the ages of six and 14 years. In practice the government did not enforce primary school attendance. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78776.htm

Lesotho

The Child Protection Act (CPA) and the Sexual Offenses Act provide for the protection of children; however, limited resources hampered the government\'s ability to fully enforce these laws. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78741.htm

Malawi

The constitution protects children from any treatment that is harmful to their physical or mental development or may interfere with their education, and the government continued a high level of spending on children\'s health and welfare. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78744.htm

Malaysia

The government has demonstrated a commitment to children\'s rights and welfare and allocated approximately 25 percent of the national budget to education. The government provides free education for children through age 15. Although primary education is compulsory, there is no enforcement mechanism governing school attendance. Attendance at primary school was 96 percent, while secondary school attendance was 82 percent. There was no difference in the treatment of girls and boys at the primary and secondary levels. A variety of programs provided low cost health care for most children. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78780.htm

Maldives

Education is not compulsory, but there is universal access to free primary education. In 2004 the percentage of school-age children in school grades one to seven was 79 percent; in grades eight to 10 it was 62 percent; and in grades 11-12 it was 16 percent. Of the students enrolled, 49 percent were female and 51 percent male. In many instances, parents curtailed education for girls after the seventh grade by not allowing them to leave their home island for another island with a secondary school. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78872.htm

Malta

The government was strongly committed to children\'s rights and welfare. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78827.htm

Mauritius

The government placed strong emphasis on the health and welfare of children and displayed a commitment to expand educational opportunities for children. The ombudsman for children\'s issues ensured that the rights, needs, and interests of children were given full consideration by government, private authorities, individuals, and associations.

The Child Development Unit of the Ministry of Women\'s Rights was established in 1995 to enforce the Child Protection Act and implement policies and programs with regard to the welfare and development of children.

The National Children\'s Council served as a platform where government institutions and NGOs can work together. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78747.htm

Mozambique

The government\'s focus on children\'s rights and welfare increased during the year, but significant problems remained. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78748.htm

Namibia

The law enumerates children\'s rights, including those in the area of education and health, and the government dedicated approximately 21 percent of its budget for education and 9 percent for health care. However, resource constraints and untrained support staff resulted in inadequate attention to child welfare. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78749.htm

Naura

Government resources for education and health care for children were severely constrained by the country\'s economic crisis. Education is compulsory until age 16, but in practice not all school-age children attended school. The Asian Development Bank reported that in 2003, 83 percent of girls and 84 percent of boys of primary school age attended school. At the secondary school level, only 50 percent of eligible girls and 46 percent of boys attended school http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78784.htm

New Zealand

The law provides specific safeguards for children\'s rights and protection. The government demonstrated its commitment to children\'s rights and welfare through its well-funded systems of public education and medical care. The government provides 14 weeks of government-funded, paid parental leave to care for children born after December 2005 or adopted children under the age of six. The government extended the paid leave benefit to self-employed parents beginning July 1. The Office of the Commissioner for Children played a key role in monitoring violence and abuse against children. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78785.htm

Nigeria

The government seldom enforced even the inadequate laws designed to protect the rights of children. Public schools continued to be substandard, and limited facilities precluded access to education for many children.

The law calls for the government, \"when practical,\" to provide free, compulsory, and universal primary education; however, compulsory primary education rarely was provided. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78751.htm

Papua New Guinea

Independent observers generally agreed that the government did not dedicate significant resources to protecting the rights and welfare of children. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78787.htm

St Kitts and Nevis

The government was committed to children\'s rights and welfare. Education is compulsory, free, and universal, up to the age of 16. More than 98 percent of children completed secondary school. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78903.htm

Saint Lucia

The government gave high priority to improving educational opportunities and health care for children. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78904.htm

St Vincent and the Grenadines

The government was committed to children\'s rights and welfare. Primary and secondary education was compulsory, free, and universal through age 17, and the Ministry of Education estimated attendance rates of 98 percent for primary school-age children and 99 percent for secondary school-age children. However, of the secondary school-age children, 79 percent were in secondary school while 21 percent were still in primary school. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78905.htm

Samoa

The government made a strong commitment to the welfare of children through the implementation of various youth programs by the Ministry of Women, Community, and Social Development in collaboration with the ministries of Education and Health. Education is compulsory through age 14; however, the government did not enforce this law. Public education was not free, and students were required to pay some school fees.

Boys and girls were treated equally and attended school in approximately equal percentages. Most children attended school through junior high school. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78789.htm

Seychelles

The division of social affairs in the Ministry of Social Affairs and Manpower Development worked to protect children\'s rights, and in practice they were fairly effective. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78755.htm

Sierra Leone

The government was committed to improving children\'s education and welfare; however, it lacked the means to provide them with basic education and health services....Child labor, including forced child labor, occurred. According to the International Trade Union Confederation, an estimated 72 percent of children between the ages of five and 14 were engaged in some form of child labor (see section 6.d.)....The number and plight of street children were problems. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78756.htm

Singapore

The government demonstrated a strong commitment to children\'s rights and welfare through well-funded systems of public education and medical care, and access was equal for all children. Six years of public (or government-recognized private) education is compulsory for all children.

Virtually 100 percent of children were enrolled through grade 6, and the dropout rate for secondary school was low. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78790.htm

Solommon Islands

Within the limits of its resources, the government was committed to the welfare and protection of children. During the year major foreign assistance continued to bolster the educational system. Approximately 50 classrooms were added to existing primary schools, and 30 classrooms were added to existing high schools. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78791.htm

South Africa

The government was generally committed to children\'s welfare. The law provides for greater educational opportunities for disadvantaged children traditionally black children through a uniform system for the organization, governance, and funding of schools. It mandates compulsory education from ages seven to 15 and ensures that children cannot be refused admission to public schools due to a lack of funds. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78758.htm

Sri Lanka

The law requires children between the ages of five and 14 to attend school, and the government demonstrated its commitment to children through extensive systems of public education and medical care. Approximately 85 percent of children under the age of 16 attended school. Education was free through the university level. Health care, including immunization, was also free. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78875.htm

Swaziland

The government made efforts to protect children\'s rights and welfare, and these rights are provided for in the new constitution. However, the growing number of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC)--an estimated 120,000 according to the UN Children\'s Fund--challenged that commitment. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78760.htm

Tanzania

The law provides for seven years of compulsory education, through the age of 15. Primary education was compulsory, free, and universal on both the mainland and Zanzibar; however, there were inadequate numbers of schools, teachers, books, and other educational materials to meet the demand...Corporal punishment in schools was a problem...Child labor was a problem (see section 6.d.). http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78761.htm

Tonga The government was committed to children\'s rights and welfare, and it provided some funding for children\'s welfare. Education is compulsory from ages six to 14. Education was available for all children through high school, and almost all children attended school. Education was free at the primary level, but students were required to pay school fees at the secondary level. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78793.htm

Trinidad and Tobago

A lack of funds and expanding social needs challenged the government\'s ability to carry out its commitment to protect the rights and welfare of children. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78907.htm

Tuvula

Government funding for children\'s welfare was reasonable within the context of its total available resources. Education was free, compulsory, and universal for children through age 13. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78794.htm

Uganda

The government demonstrated a commitment to improving children\'s welfare and education received the largest percentage of the national budget.

However, the government did not enforce effectively the Children\'s Statute, which outlines broad protections for children, due to the large proportion of children in the population (56 percent of the population was under the age of 18), staffing and fiscal constraints on the judiciary, and cultural norms. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78763.htm

United Kingdom

The government was strongly committed to children\'s rights and welfare.

The government provided free, universal, and compulsory education until age 16 and further free education until age 18. The most recent UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization statistics from 2004 recorded 100 percent enrollment of children of primary school age and over 90 percent for those of secondary school age.

The government amply funded medical care for children.

Child abuse remained a problem. Several NGOs and charities, the most prominent of which was the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, campaigned against child abuse and neglect. According to the organization, 6 percent of children experience frequent and severe emotional maltreatment during childhood, 18 percent of children experience some absence of care, http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78847.htm

Vanuata

Access to education was limited, and school attendance was not compulsory....Child abuse was not believed to be extensive; however, the government did little to combat the problem. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78795.htm

Zambia

Although the government sought to improve the welfare of children through the Ministries of Labor and Social Security, Sport Youth and Child Development, as well as Education, scarce resources and ineffective implementation of social programs continued to adversely affect children. http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2006/78764.htm

END

(Note the US State Department Report does not include statistics for non independent dependencies such as the Channel Isles and Isle of Man which are also part of the Commonwealth)

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

02/02/08