Clause 5 - Further functions of the commissioner
Children's Commissioner for Wales Bill
11:45 am
Mr Elfyn Llwyd (Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, Plaid Cymru)
I fully support the amendment. Research into children's human rights is important. Children in should be educated and encouraged to look outwards. The current excesses in the violation of children's rights worldwide is frightening—torture, child abuse, sale of children, prostitution, child soldiers, children made refugees because of armed conflict, and the many thousands—millions even—of children dying of disease and hunger, poverty, lack of education and homelessness. All those matters are catered for in the UN charter, but are still going on, and in some places increasing. In the new millennium, we should reflect on that. In spite of the UN convention, child labour, prostitution, hunger, disease, inadequate schooling, drugs, homelessness and the curse of AIDS are increasing. We see refugee camps and children disabled by war; we need to put our house in order. The Bill is not a panacea for all ills, but a commissioner in Wales may at least contribute towards educating children in Wales about the problems of children in other countries. Hopefully, we can look towards a better prospect for children generally in terms of the environment, disease and illiteracy. We owe it to the future of humankind to show that children know exactly what is going on in the big, wide world. The amendment helps to define further the role of the commissioner to assist children in Wales and beyond.