DUBAI // Princess Haya of Jordan on Thursday called on the global community to focus on a child’s right to life, while pointing to conflicts across the region where children have perished.
The wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, told more than 400 government officials, business leaders and non-government heads at the Global Child Forum: “It is the most basic right of the child — the right to life — that has been infringed blatantly this year in the Middle East, in Syria, Iraq and Gaza.
“All these conflicts have taken the lives of children but the worst violation of their rights took place this summer when 490 Palestinian children were killed, 560 orphaned and 3,000 injured in the Israeli bombardment. One child died in Israel as well. Even if the truce holds we can be sure that the carnage is not over for Gaza’s children.”
This was the first time the forum, a non-profit initiative launched in 2009 by Sweden’s King and Queen, was held outside Stockholm. It aims to build partnerships and share best practices when it comes to children’s rights.
Citing Unicef figures, Princess Haya said more than 450,000 children live in areas with unexploded ordnances.
Rejecting western media reports that Palestinian children were being used as human shields, she said: “Youngsters were even blown apart while playing on the beach. How were these children human shields?
“Gaza is a tiny enclave so small now that 40 per cent is a buffer zone. If you bombard it and prevent women and children from fleeing you make their deaths inevitable.”
Linking recurring conflict to unabated suffering, she quoted World Health Organisation statistics that half the children under two years in the West Bank and Gaza were anaemic and that there was a high incidence of it in pregnant women.
“In May 2012, WHO stated that incidents of malnutrition and stunting among children is not improving. In fact, half the infants in Palestine are now malnourished,” Princess Haya said.
“I ask you would this be acceptable in Stockholm, Brussels, New York or London?”
Thanking the Swedish government for peace efforts in Gaza, she urged nations to come forward. “We need more countries to show your (Swedish) courage and compassion. We must defend the rights of children even when the most powerful military and political forces are aligned against us.”
Ahmed Benhelli, deputy secretary general of the League of Arab States, voiced concern about the long-term impact of violence, war and terrorism.
“Children have become the first victims,” he said. “This will impact a generation who will be emotionally and psychologically impaired.”
Queen Silvia of Sweden said the forum aimed to find ways to help children.
“The Global Child Forum wants to inspire and engage more countries, more parts of the civil society and private sector to take action and support the future of children,” she said.
Children’s rights are detailed in a UN convention aiming to give every child a better life, freedom from slavery, prostitution and recruitment as child soldiers.
A study on 353 companies in the Middle East and Africa by the Boston Consulting Group showed that while 64 per cent addressed social responsibility and philanthropy, only 11 per cent addressed child rights issues.
A document on children’s rights and business principles was launched on Thursday with recommendations on child labour, safety, exploitation and health issues.
The vital need to address problems of child labour, trafficking and education were also addressed at the forum.
Princess Haya spoke of the need for regular campaigns to promote physical activity and better nutrition.
“Poor diet and insufficient exercise have contributed to an explosion in diabetes and other non-communicable diseases throughout the Gulf,” she said.
“These problems begin in childhood and we need innovative approaches to engage our children on diet and exercise.”
rtalwar@thenational.ae
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