Important progress for children's rights: government sets new accents

Important progress for children's rights: government sets new accents

The Federal Youth Representation (BJV) welcomed the new government program as a decisive step to improve the living conditions of children and adolescents in Austria. In a current statement, the BJV emphasizes that the planned introduction of basic child protection and the strengthening of child rights and the financial security of the Federal Youth Promotion are essential measures in order to consolidate the working bases for child and youth organizations. "The continuation and strengthening of the youth strategy helps to focus on child and youth-friendly politics in all ministries," said BJV chairman Julian Christian Bilement, while the chairwoman Sabrina Prochaska emphasizes the upcoming ratification of the 3rd additional protocol for the UN Convention on the Laws as a milestone for the rights of the children in Austria, as this would enable children directly to to turn the UN Children's Rights Committee, which is currently not yet possible, such as "https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_2025027_ots0215/bundesjugendtung-zum-zum-Fuer-kinder-und-jugendliche-aber-finanzierung-Sicher"> ots.at reported.

effects on education and asylum

Another central point of the BJV refers to the introduction of a legal claim to an 11th and 12th school year for young people with disabilities. BJV chairman Sabir Ansari described this step as overdue and necessary for a more inclusive education system. In addition, important measures are promised to combat child poverty, in particular by the planned basic childcare, which is considered the key to equal opportunities. Rihab Toumi, BJV chairman, pointed out that almost every fourth child is threatened with poverty and that the rapid implementation of this measure is urgently needed.

In the asylum area, the need for immediate care for unaccompanied minors is discussed, since numerous asylum applications are discontinued annually due to incomprehensible children. "The protection of refugee children must be ensured right from the start," said Toumi. Despite positive approaches in the field of education, the BJV also sees deficits in mental health care for young people, where only limited progress is sought with budget reservation. According to Prochaska, no savings must not be made in view of the stricter situations so that the need for support, such as bjv.at