CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AS A TOOL FOR LGBTIQ ADVOCACY Suvianna Hakalehto Professor of Law University of Eastern Finland CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AS A TOOL FOR LGBTIQ ADVOCACY

THE IDEA OF THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD 1) minors as equals to adults as rights holders 2) minors as a special group of rights holders in need of special protection established participation 3) in all decisions / actions concerning children the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration Esityksen nimi / Tekijä 3.7.2019

THE IDEA OF THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD 4) strong obligations concerning non-discrimination no discrimination allowed based on child’s or his or her parent’s status (CRC 2.1) all appropriate measures must be taken to ensure that the child is protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child's parents, legal guardians, or family members (CRC 2.2) gathering experience on discrimination preventing discrimination recognizing discrimination reacting violations follow-up Esityksen nimi / Tekijä 3.7.2019

THE IDEA OF THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD 5) children belonging to vulnerable groups are entitled to special protection articles on children in foster care, disabled children, refugee children etc. vulnerability is mentioned in General Comment Nro 14 ”checklist” when assessing the best interests of the child Esityksen nimi / Tekijä 3.7.2019

CHILDREN IN RAINBOW FAMILIES AND CRC Esityksen nimi / Tekijä 3.7.2019

CHILDREN IN RAINBOW FAMILIES AND CRC children in rainbow families not mentioned as a special group, as a vulnerable group LGBTQI –children are considered as a vulnerable group in need of special protection in General Comments and Concluding Observations all groups of children in risk of discrimination are entitled to special protection children in rainbow families can be considered as a vulnerable group when it comes to equality Esityksen nimi / Tekijä 3.7.2019

CHILDREN IN RAINBOW FAMILIES AND CRC do children in rainbow families have special needs concerning their rights? do children in rainbow families face particular challenges concerning realization of their rights? what are the views of children in rainbow families on how their rights are realized? (CRC 12) do parents in rainbow families get enough support for parenting? (CRC 18.2) Esityksen nimi / Tekijä 3.7.2019

SOME RIGHTS IN RISK OF BEING VIOLATED FOR CHILDREN IN RAINBOW FAMILIES​ non- discrimination (CRC 2) freedom from violence and maltreatment (CRC 19)  participation​ (CRC 12)  right to family life​ (CRC 16)  right to privacy​ (CRC 16)  contents of education (CRC 29)​ Esityksen nimi / Tekijä 3.7.2019

STRENGTHENING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN IN RAINBOW FAMILIES​ focusing to children and their needs / rights​  recognizing environments / occasions where there is a risk for discrimination / other violation of rights  ​views of children must be given due weight Esityksen nimi / Tekijä 3.7.2019

Thank You! Esityksen nimi / Tekijä 3.7.2019