Baghdad / Erbil, 25 June 2019-This week, UNICEF Iraq launched its #Pledge4Children petition to kick off its celebration of the 30thanniversaryof the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, or CRC.

The CRC is the most ratified human rights treaty in history and the most comprehensive set of rights for children. When world leaders came together, in a rare moment of international unity, to adopt the CRC, they committed themselves to fulfilling their obligations by ensuring that every child and adolescent is able to exercise his or her full rights.

The Government of Iraq signed up to the convention in June 1994.

“By ratifying the convention, Iraq committed itself to making sure every child is protected, educated, and able to lead a healthy and fulfilling life,” explained UNICEF Iraq Representative Hamida Lasseko.

Tremendous progress has been made since then, despite years of conflict and instability in the country.More, however, still needs to be done to ensure that children in Iraq are protected and have their full rights as enshrined in the CRC, including their right to education, play, freedom, and safety.

In order to do so, UNICEF Iraq is asking the Iraqi public to endorse its #Pledge4Children online asking decision-makers to reaffirm their commitment to children’s rights.

“We are calling on all of you to show your support for children and adolescents in Iraq. Every voice counts. We want you to add yours to our campaign by signing our petition and pledge for children today,” added Ms Lasseko.

The pledge calls for decision-makers to:

• Increase public investments in quality health care, quality education, and safe water, so that every child and adolescent has a fair chance to reach his or her full potential
• Listen to children and adolescents impacted by our policies and services and take their voices into consideration when formulating policies that impact their lives
• Ensure that children are protected from all forms of violence and abuse

Pledge4Children is part of UNICEF’s year-long run of activities, workshops and partnerships to celebrate the 30thanniversary of the CRC and raise awareness about children’s rights in Iraq.

Listen to Ms. Lasseko’s full message in this video & Sign the petition and #Pledge4Children to call on Iraqi leaders to commit to fulfilling the rights of every child in Iraq and invest more in children.

Media Contacts

Laila Ali

Communication Specialist

UNICEF

Tel: +964 780 9258 542

Email:

laali@unicef.org

Innocent Kafembe

Digital Communication Specialist

Tel: +9647510150949

Email:

ikafembe@gmail.com