***54 national and international member organizations affiliated to Bangladesh StDshu Adhikar Forum make an appeal to the national political leaders to uphold the rights of the children tn Bangladesh.

AS our country enters an important phase of national dialogue on the vital issues that will shape the Bangladesh of the twenty-first century, we find it our duty to call the attention of our people, and that of the various political parties and leaders, to th^ pressing issues of women and children, and’to formulate clear commitments to our national goals, in measurable and accountable terms

We recalf that our Constitution asks for taking special measures to address the needs of women and children (Part 3. Article 28.4). and that Bangladesh has been striving to accelerate the progress of women and children's development. through a National Plan of Action to achieve the f'oals set by the World Summit or Children for the year 2000.The recent National Immunization Day. of 16 April, has Venerated welcome support from most sections of out society. including political parties. Now further action is needed to build on this momentum towards anchoring in the nation's conscience the primacy of human development concerns, particularly those related to women and children.

Such action would address I he special needs of women and children, constituting the great majority of our people aeeklng to mobilize through them the potential for ad vancement and bringing ft to the centre of our existence as a viable nation This will also serve to release powerful for mative forces to shape the Bangladesh of tomorrow By taking this Initiative, we will be seizing a historical oppor Uinity to narrow the gap be tween the people of Bangladesh and other rapidly transforming nations These reasons compel us to speak up.

But. even more important. the question we raise today is a matter of rights; the right of our own children to receive the very best possible from us. not only as individuals or families. but also as a society; and the right of women *to con-, tribute and benefit, on an equal footing, to and from the process of development. Our obligation is all the more imperative when we consider that children do not have the means to defend, let alone promote, their rights. Thus our action is at the very heart of the democratic process and the essence of social Justice. It is also in line with our Constitution's emphasis on basic human rights and the respect of human dignity and values (Part 2. Article 11).

The international consensus on child rights is embodied in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Bangladesh is one of its first signatories. It is vital that our political parties commit themselves to the energetic fulfillment of the promise given to the children in this convention

Taking the above into consideration. we call upon our political parties and leaders:

(1) To pledge themselves to keeping child rights on a common national agenda, thus avoiding possible negative effects on children's interests caused by controversies or conflicts. Children must re main above party politics

(2) To rededicate bur pollt ical system to giving "First Call to Children" by providing the maximum possible alloca tions from national resources as well as cooperating with de velopment partners to opti mlze their support towards the same end

(3) To dedicate all neces sary efforts to the elimination of disparities and dlscrimlna Uon that affect the girl child and women (4) To specify their commitments to women and children, with reference to achieving the Goals for the year 2000. namely:

• Reducing infant and under-five child mortality to 50 and 70 per 1000 live births, respectively.

• Reducing the maternal mortality ratio to 300" per 100.000 live births.

•Reducing severe and moderate malnutrition among under-fives by half, compared to 1990 levels.

• Providing universal access to sanitation.

• Universal access to primary education and completion of primary education by at least 90% of primary schoolage children.

• Reducing adult illiteracy rate by at least half its 1990 level, with emphasis on female literacy.• Providing Improved protection for children in especially difficult circumstances, such as working, street and other disadvantaged children

(5) To include in the Code of Conduct for Elections a reference to ensuring that services for women and children are not disrupted by political action

While the children of Bangladesh, the voters of tomorrow have a legitimate right and hope that these minimal and achievable goals will be Incorporated into the national agenda, and expressed In party manifestoes and dec larations. It Is Important that the people remain vigilant as to their implementation Tills would tie In line with our Constitution a emphasis on ba sic human rights and the re apect of human dignity and values (Part 2. Article 111

All sectors of civil society. Including the media have a role to play In making thia ap peal come Into reality. '