Annual general meeting of the consortium for street children

Video statement by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet

3 November 2020

I am pleased to join you today, at this time of multiple and complex global challenges.

COVID-19 has taken us by storm.

The disruption been acute for children.

The right to education of more than 1.5 billion children around the world has been affected, as countrywide school closures have been imposed in 188 countries.

Millions of children face poverty as family members become ill or are unable to work.

UNICEF has reported that without urgent action to protect families from the economic impacts of the pandemic, the number of children living below national poverty lines in low- and middle-income countries could increase by 15 per cent this year, reaching 672 million.

And the World Food Programme estimates that the number of young children suffering acute malnutrition could increase by 10 million this year, a 20 per cent increase in global rates.

As it has been the case in this pandemic, those already in vulnerable situations are the most affected by both the health crisis and its social and economic impacts.

Children living on the streets are particularly at risk. It is often impossible for them to follow the basic guidance to “stay at home” and “wash your hands”. it is also difficult for them to access food, water, and medical services if they fall ill. In addition, they are at risk of being detained for being out during time of lockdowns or curfews.

My Office has been working to protect the rights of children living or working on the streets since in 2011.  We have worked with many others, developing recommendations for Governments to support children this situation, including through the work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

In particular, General Comment 21 on the Convention on the Rights of the Child provides authoritative guidance to States on developing comprehensive, long-term national strategies for children in street situations, addressing both prevention and response.  

We do not know how many children are in living or working on the streets, but we do know that the number probably fluctuates according to socio-economic, political and cultural conditions, including growing inequalities and patterns of urbanization.

COVID-19 further exacerbates this situation as the rise in poverty will most likely lead to an increase in the number of children on the streets.

The perceptions around them and the treatment they are consequently afforded are a cause of grave concern. They are usually seen as delinquents or just as victims instead of as rights holders.

We must not forget that children in this situation have often experienced multiple deprivations and violations of their rights before they reached the streets.

The international legal framework establishing the obligations of States in relation to children is comprehensive.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the main, legally binding international instrument with a holistic approach to the rights of children.

It applies to all children in all circumstances, including those in street situations. 

The case for rebuilding much more resilient societies could not be clearer than it is. We must take concrete and urgent steps to better protect children now, and in the coming months and years.

All segments of society must be part of the recovery efforts.

This is particularly important for children in street situations – we cannot and must not leave them behind.

The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to set back the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, which go to the heart of children’s rights, their well-being and their development.

We must act urgently to avoid this.

I look forward to continuing to work with you for the promotion and protection of the rights of children in street situations.

Thank you.