I AM writing to express my deep concern about the article “Do as I Say, Not as I Do”. I was shocked by the way in which the author denigrated the notion of children's rights and their assertion that the role of the NCC could be regarded as one of the primary sources of 'social ills' facing the country. I feel compelled to remind the author what is meant by 'children's rights' and to highlight the critical role that the NCC has played in this country.
Firstly, I believe that the author have missed the point of advocacy for children's rights. It is absurd to suggest that the behavior and ethics of an entire generation can be placed squarely on the shoulders of the NCC because of its advocacy of children's rights. The focus on children's rights is not just advocated by the NCC, it is a worldwide movement responding to the belief that all children deserve to live in dignity and be treated according to their best interests. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) was based on this fundamental belief and, as the most ratified human rights document in the world, is also endorsed by the government of Seychelles.
Secondly, children's rights are certainly not about undermining the role of parents and teachers and giving too much power and control to children. Rather, a rights based approach considers both parents and children respectfully; where children, as citizens in their own rights, are entitled to the same degree of respect as adult human beings. In fact, the NCC has upheld the primary importance of the parents' role by recognizing and respecting their responsibility to guide their children. Parents are also specifically recognized by the UN Convention which states that parents have the most important role in .bringing up their children. More importantly, when children and parents acknowledge and discuss children's rights appropriately, children are encouraged to learn about the rights and freedoms of others, and taking responsibility for one's actions rather than display anti-social behavior as cited by the author in this article.
Lastly, the NCC has been at the forefront in the fight against child abuse. As a result of their advocacy, a large number of Seychellois children live a much safer life. Parents have a primary role in the guidance of their child, but if a child's best interests are not being supported through appropriate parental direction and guidance, children need to know their rights to avoid potentially harmful situations and intervention is required on behalf of the child. Saying 'no' to children's rights would mean saying 'yes' to the physical and sexual abuse of children, child labour, and a myriad of other offences that most people in the Seychelles would consider a gross violation of human child rights. Do the author of the article want us to return to the laissez-fair attitude towards child abuse and neglect and return to the traditional idea that what went on in the family was nobody's business?
A country's value system might suffer from inappropriate role models in government; it might suffer from understaffed and under resourced schools with inadequately trained teachers; it also can suffer because parents do not have the appropriate support services required to raise their children, but it does NOT suffer from the existence or advocacy of children's rights. Rather, it prospers from the fact that it can hear the voices of the children and gain from the participation of children, who are not only capable and competent citizens of this country, but the heart of our nation's future.
The NCC has committed itself to ensuring social justice and equity in all issues relating to children's wellbeing. They have agreed to hold themselves accountable for this commitment before the international community and this important step should be celebrated. Let us go forward as a nation and join with the NCC in advocating for all children's rights.
By I. Lablache