a martyr protocol and a world day for children’s rights

During the Committee on School Climates, a crucial step was taken towards acknowledging an often-overlooked issue: the quality of school climates.

On Wednesday, November 20, on the occasion of the International Day of the Rights of the Child, a decisive step was taken towards recognizing an often-overlooked issue: school climates. During the Committee on School Climates, a second reading of the martyr protocol on this topic was conducted and adopted.

A Necessary Mobilization for Safer Schools

Last year, emotion and determination were already at the forefront. Participants joined forces to draft unprecedented texts and call on UN member states to recognize the urgency of ensuring a healthy and positive school climates. The goal? To build a school where children’s fundamental rights are not just theoretical but a tangible reality.

Yet, a troubling fact remains: the word “school” does not appear in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. This omission is significant, given that schools are where children spend a large part of their lives—sometimes in unacceptable conditions. Bullying, psychological violence, and discrimination are among the many issues that undermine the very foundations of children’s right to education and well-being.

A Protocol to Bring Change

Faced with this legal void, the Committee on School Climates initiated a comprehensive effort to draft a martyr protocol on school climates. This document aims to regulate and promote educational environments that respect children’s rights. Its adoption in this second reading marks a major step forward in this fight.

However, the adoption of this protocol is not an end in itself. On the contrary, it serves as a call to action for the years to come. The project’s initiators are urging all stakeholders—governments, teachers, parents, and students—to commit to making this text a true instrument of change.

The next steps will be crucial: securing official recognition of this protocol as an optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child by countries and the United Nations.

Because ensuring a safe and supportive school climate for children is about much more than just providing a learning environment—it is about guaranteeing them a future built on respect, dignity, and justice.

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