Children's rights in the coalition - what now?

It was a Conservative government that ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991, committing the UK to protecting and promoting children's human rights. It was the Liberal Democrats that this year made a manifesto pledge to incorporate the CRC into UK law. Responsibility for the CRC has been given to a senior Minister, an indication that children's rights may be given the priority they deserve. On the face of it, these are encouraging signs for children's rights under a Conservative-Liberal Democrat government.

One of the coalition's first announcements has been to end the immigration detention of children, a serious violation of children's rights that has attracted immense international and domestic criticism in recent years. The promise of an independent commission to explore the Human Rights Act and a British Bill of Rights may offer opportunities to build children's rights into UK law. A new review of child protection provides a chance to ask children about their experiences and consider how they are protected from harm in all settings, including custody. A reported review of how young children participate in the court system offers real potential for developing a genuinely child-centred approach to children in conflict with the law. The Freedom Bill gives us the opportunity as a society to champion children's civil liberties.

And here comes the "but". What do these commitments actually mean for children and young people? There are so many ifs and maybes in play that it is difficult to determine the real impact on children's rights. It's time for the Government to be candid. What role will children's rights play in the machinery of government? Will the Government publish an implementation plan for children's rights in England? Will they genuinely champion the importance of listening to children and taking their views into account in all matters affecting them? Will they promote legal rights for children?

Eventually, it comes down to two things - firstly, recognising children as rights-holders, and secondly, understanding that the CRC is not an afterthought to be superimposed onto government initiatives - it must be the first framework for developing all aspects of law, policy and practice relating to children. Is the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coliation government really ready to fulfil all of its human rights obligations to children, in both good times and bad? I await the detail of the coalition's plans with interest.