The Children’s Commissioner for Jersey has published a new report entitled ‘A Legislative Gap Analysis’, on how legislation in Jersey is complying with obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
The report was prepared by Professor Simon Hoffman and Sally Sellwood, of the Observatory on Human Rights of Children, which is based at the Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law. It is the culmination of a year’s worth of research, which commenced in July 2019.
The Observatory was asked by the Children’s Commissioner to carry out the analysis in order to highlight areas of legislation which are in need of attention, to ensure that Jersey Law is complaint with the UNCRC.
The Children’s Commissioner for Jersey has described the report as:
“A comprehensive, independent analysis of the extent to which Jersey legislation complies with the UNCRC. For the first time, we have a clear understanding of where our laws meet the expectations of the United Nations Committee, and where they continue to fall short of them.”
Read what the Commissioner says about the report.
The findings from the research set out in the report will inform a programme of legislative reform in Jersey to make Jersey law more compliant with the UNCRC. It is an example of high impact research which will benefit the Island’s children and young people.
The report’s principle author, Professor Simon Hoffman, said:
“Our research provides the Government of Jersey with the evidence it needs to make progress on giving effect to children’s rights through legislation.”
The Children’s Minister for Jersey, Senator Sam Mezec, has welcomed the report, saying it will help the Island “map out its journey to incorporating the UNCRC.”