Children from Lebanon, through an initiative of the non-governmental organisation World Vision, came together in order to write and submit a submission to the Human Rights Council as part of the review of Lebanon, held on 10 November 2010.
This was the first time that children have directly participated in the UPR process.
The report discussed violence against children, child labour, children without documentation, and unexploded bombs left over from war. Fear of these weapons is widespread and children feel great solidarity with victims.
Hassan, one of the children, came to Geneva to attend the review, to share his experience with NGOs and to meet with Kyung-wha Kang, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations.
An interview in which he describes his experience of involvement in the process can be seen on the UPR.info.org website. In a media release relating to this event Hassan is quoted as saying ‘I’d like this report to be an example for other children to follow’.
Perhaps children from our own Edmund Rice Network could be encouraged to do likewise?