Social workers along with colleagues from other professions are taking a stand for children’s identity rights through the Identity Rights Working Group based in Geneva, Switzerland. The group has submitted essential recommendations to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child as part of the ongoing consultative process for General Comment 27 on Access to Justice and Effective Remedies for children whose identity rights have been contravened (add link).
These recommendations are crucial from a social work perspective, as they address the foundational role of legal identity in securing children’s rights and well-being. Legal identity is not only a basic human right but also the gateway to accessing other fundamental rights, such as education, healthcare, and protection from exploitation. The absence of a legal identity renders children invisible, cutting them off from the very systems designed to protect and support them.
The submission calls for universal birth registration and the implementation of robust nationality procedures to prevent statelessness and ensure that every child can fully exercise their rights. It highlights the urgent need for social work interventions in emergency settings, where children are particularly vulnerable to losing their identity elements, such as family relations. These interventions are vital in re-establishing the child’s identity and ensuring access to justice in such critical situations.
This initiative aligns closely with the principles of the People’s Charter for a New Eco-Social World, which seeks to leave no one behind. The Charter emphasises the need for inclusive policies and practices that recognise and uphold the dignity and rights of every individual. By advocating for the recognition and protection of children’s identity rights, social workers are actively contributing to this global movement for a fair and just world.
Pascal Rudin, IFSW Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and a member of the working group, underscores the social work profession’s commitment: “Social workers are on the front lines, advocating for children who are often the most vulnerable and voiceless. Ensuring that every child has the right to an identity is essential for building a society that truly leaves no one behind.”
To further this mission, the working group is launching a four-part webinar series that will explore the challenges and solutions related to identity rights violations and access to justice. The series will bring together experts, social workers, policymakers, and those with lived experiences to discuss the profound implications of these issues and share best practices.
Priska Fleischlin, IFSW Global United Nations Commissioner, highlights the importance of this dialogue: “The webinar series provides a vital platform for social workers and other colleagues in the field to collaborate and innovate. By focusing on identity rights, we are addressing one of the most fundamental issues affecting children today. This work is directly in line with our commitment to the People’s Charter for a New Eco-Social World.”
The first webinar, titled “No Justice Without Identity: Birth Registration and Nationality,” will take place on November 14, 2024. This will be followed by sessions that address the re-establishment of identity in various challenging contexts, including emergency situations and family relations.
The working group’s submission and webinar series represent a significant effort by the social work and wider children’s rights community to protect children and ensure they have access to justice. These initiatives are crucial steps in ensuring that every child can grow up with dignity, security, and full recognition of their identity.