European University of Lefke (EUL) Faculty of Law Lecturer Asst. Prof. Dr. Uluğ İlve Yücesoy made statements on the occasion of “20 November 2023 World Children’s Rights Day”. On November 20, 1989, the “Convention on the Rights of the Child” was signed by the United Nations General Assembly in order to guarantee the rights of the child. Yücesoy stated that the “Convention on the Rights of the Child” dated 1989 has the feature of an international convention signed in the shortest time.

“The articles in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child have been the reference of many international agreements and domestic law provisions”, Yücesoy continued her words as follows; The first article of the Convention, “Every human being is a child until the age of 18”, has caused the legal definition of the concept of “child” to be redefined in national laws. In addition, non-discrimination (Article 2), the best interests of the child (Article 3), the right to life and development (Article 6), and the right to participation (Article 12) are four fundamental principles that are important for the strengthening and consolidation of children’s rights. The Convention recognises that just as there are rights to life, liberty, and security, non-discrimination, equality, participation, freedom of expression, the right to education, and the right to respect for private life for adults, there are also these rights for children.

Protection of children’s rights must be sustainable

Yücesoy expressed that “the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus made this convention, which gave birth to the World Children’s Rights Day, a part of the TRNC law in 1996, by being published in the Official Gazette by the President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in accordance with Article 94 (1) of the Constitution of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.”. “In our country, children’s rights are strongly protected by the Constitution, laws, and international legislation that are part of our domestic law. Since the strong and effective protection of children’s rights is an indicator of development, the protection of children’s rights should be sustainable. In this case, the question of what more can be done about children’s rights in our country may come to the agenda.” Yücesoy remarked: “It should not be forgotten that children who can express themselves, who do not face any discrimination, and who have access to the right to education and the right to health in gender equality are the building blocks of strong families and strong societies. In this case, it is time to prepare a road map in which democracy meets children, children’s right to participation and development is strengthened, the best interest of the child is ensured in every field, child-friendly policies are stronger, and public institutions, the private sector, and civil society will walk together, where children also have a say.