Together receives response from UK Joint Committee on Human Rights

Date: 25th February 2015
Category: Reporting to and monitoring the UNCRC

Together has received a response to the letter it sent to the Joint Committee on Human Rights which raised the importance of considering the impact of devolution and its complexities, as part of a UK Parliament Inquiry on UK compliance with the UNCRC.

The UK Joint Committee on Human Rights is running a short Inquiry into UK compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and has now held three evidence sessions. The Inquiry takes place against the backdrop of the forthcoming review of UK compliance with the UNCRC by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which is set to take place in 2016.

The letter Together sent to the Committee on 13th February 2015 welcomed the Inquiry and acknowledged the range and depth of expertise in children's rights of those who have been called to give evidence to the Joint Committee. Yet it highlighted that no representatives from the devolved nations have been called to give evidence and the importance of assessing how the UK Government's exercise of reserved powers impacts on the rights of children living in the devolved nations.

In response, Dr. Hywel Francis MP, Chair of the Joint Committee, wrote to Together on 25th February 2015 acknowledging the "important extra dimension that devolution has brought to the protection and promotion of children's rights across the UK." The letter welcomed a written submission from Together to set out particular concerns, for the Joint Committee to consider as part of their UNCRC Inquiry.

Together is currently producing a written submission to be sent to the Joint Committee.

• Download a copy of the letter received by Together from Dr. Hywel Francis here.
• Find out more and download Together's letter here
• Find out more about the UNCRC Inquiry and the Joint Committee on Human Rights here.