Clause 5 - Further functions of the commissioner
Children's Commissioner for Wales Bill
11:45 am
Mr Richard Livsey (Brecon and Radnorshire, Liberal Democrat)
My name appears on the amendment and, clearly, I support it 100 per cent. An understanding and awareness of the importance of children's human rights is vital, and we should push that further. The children's rights commissioner for the Flemish community in Belgium has specific powers in relation to the Flemish Parliament and Flemish legislation. He has a general duty to defend the rights and interests of the child.
We must remember that, as a result of the Good Friday agreement, there is a Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission that includes the rights of children. If that exists in one part of the United Kingdom there is no reason why it should not exist in another part. It is important to initiate research and educational activities in that respect so that we all understand commitment to children. Creating independent human rights institutions is a mark of a Government's commitment to creating a human rights culture and being accountable for human rights obligations. Setting limits on monitoring and reporting powers defeats the object and calls in question the commitment. The amendment will thus go some way to strengthening the Bill in an important respect.
Like the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy, the never-ending series of scandals involving gross violations of children's rights dictates that there must be no compromise whatever in creating a children's champion who can be fearless and unfettered in defending children's rights and welfare. Amendment No. 43 pushes that agenda considerably in the right direction and there is a strong case for the Government to accept it.