Protecting the rights of children

How Jews can respond

By Dr. Steven Mandel

Dr. Steven Mandel

UN80 refers to the United Nations’ 80^th anniversary, and more specifically, to a major internal reform effort linked to that milestone, called the UN80 initiative.

The UN80 commits the United Nations to be effective among conflicts, climate shocks, inequality, rapid technological changes and tightening financial resources. Its goal is to function more cost-efficiently, respond better to countries’ needs, focus on sustainable development goals, be accountable to taxpayers and effective populations, and support its own staff.

Human rights and children’s rights need to be considered in all policies, programs and decisions. Children are full-fledged right’s holders, and “experts in their own rights,” and not passive recipients.

The United Nations Convention of the Rights of Children is a legally binding human rights treaty that sets the rights of every person under 18, and the obligation of governments towards them.

It guarantees that children from minority or indigenous groups have the right to enjoy their own culture, observe their own religion and use their own language, even if they differ from the majority of the country. And it maintains that children can maintain their heritage and humanity, helping them feel included and not ostracized.

In particular, it lays out four principles for children – to live, survive and develop; to not face discrimination; to be heard; and to ensure the best interest of the child. Children have a right to participate, voice their opinions, protect their religion and culture, have access to health care and protest peacefully. Children should be protected from armed conflict, child prostitution, child pornography and capital punishment, and should be allowed to voice complaints.

Yet there are 2.3 billion children in the world, and 400 million live in areas that are affected by violent conflict. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said children are abused and violated, recruited and misused, abducted, impoverished, denied access to other humans, hindered from attending school, unable to access health care, detained as immigrants and forced into childhood marriages.

More than 196 countries have signed on to the UNCRC, but not the United States, which feels it impinges on national sovereignty, parental rights and federalism.

When civil society fragments, Jews are reminded that belonging is precious, but endurance comes from memory, community and values – and not from assuming “it can’t happen here.”

Judaism states that every child is created in the image of G-d (B’tzelem Elohem), which demands a productive life, dignity and development. Children should not be violated or discarded. The Jewish concept of pikuach nefesh (saving life) prohibits violence and infanticide.

Parents are obligated to provide children with education and nutrition for full development, and to meet their physical, mental and spiritual needs. Parents should not stand idly by when those needs are not met, including through violence and exploitation. Jewish communities need to participate, not only as a ideological stretch, but an extension of halachic commitment to secure child survival, development and dignity in every society.

As a member of civil society with representation at the United Nations as a non-governmental organization (NGO), FJMC International can play a role in strengthening the U.N. in fragmented times. The preamble of the U.N. charter underlines “equal rights of men and women and nations large and small.”

The FJMC and its members can educate and mobilize synagogue communities to fight for child protection, by holding disability and inclusion programs, combating antisemitism and anti-Zionism toward children, and partnering with other NGOs, such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Jewish Committee(AJC). These NGOs can train leaders to monitor programs and support emerging humanitarian responses.

Dr. Steven Mandel is vice president of outreach and engagement for the New York Metro Region and FJMC’s NGO representative to the United Nations.