Together update to Rights Of the Child UK (ROCK) coalition

Date: 16th February 2016
Category: General measures of implementation, Reporting to and monitoring the UNCRC

Together is a member of ROCK; a coalition of voluntary organisations and individuals from across the UK pushing for the full incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into UK law. In preparation for the forthcoming ROCK plenary meeting, Together has submitted a Scotland update.

The aims of the ROCK coalition are to:

  • To achieve the active recognition and realisation of children's rights in the UK through the incorporation of the UNCRC into UK law.
  • To identify and act upon opportunities for the incorporation of the UNCRC into UK law. To develop a detailed position as to how incorporation may be achieved and a strategy to achieve it, taking into account international developments.
  • To work together to maximise the opportunities to strengthen children's rights that are presented by proposals from the UK Government, the devolved administrations and opposition parties for a British (or UK) Bill of Rights and Responsibilities or similar instrument, and to guard against any threats to children's rights that are posed by the proposals.

To help achieve these aims, in February 2015 the coalition held an event in London 'Placing Children's Rights at the heart of UK Law.' The event reviewed the progress, set out challenges and shared developments and examples of practice from across the UK in incorporating the UNCRC into law. Together's Chair Fiona Jones presented at this event, providing an update on the state of children's rights in Scotland.

Coalition plenary meetings are held roughly three times per year and each nation is invited to submit an update report on developments regarding children's rights in law and policy.