Shamila to address UN (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Shamila to address UN

11:42pm Wednesday 23rd April 2008 in Search By Dan Webber

A Bradford teenager is to address a United Nations conference.

Shamila Arif will travel to the UN's European headquarters in Geneva in June with five other young people representing the UK at a special hearing.

In 2007, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child launched a three-year study of the measures the UK Government has taken to protect the human rights of children in this country. Committee members have heard from the Government and human rights bodies - and are now keen to hear from young people themselves.

Shamila, 15, a pupil at Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College (LBEC), was picked to become a member of the UK children's panel after winning a competition hosted by the Children's Rights Alliance for England, which saw her record her views on children's rights.

She said: "I am amazed I have been chosen but really thrilled! My mum and dad are really proud of me.

"Children's rights are very important - they have the same rights as adults. All children have a right to equality and happiness, just like adults do."

Next month Shamila and other members of the young panel will meet in Leicester to compile their views on the rights afforded to children throughout the UK and produce ideas for improving them.

Shamila, of Laisterdyke, said: "If children cannot speak for themselves then there must be decision makers out there who can do so instead.

"In Geneva we will highlight what we think is important and talk about how we think children's rights in the UK can be improved. I am very lucky but not all children in the UK are.

"The United Nations is a group of countries which comes together to check that all countries are operating fairly. It will be fantastic to be part of that."

Noreen Khan, LBEC's community enterprise manager, said: "She is leading the way for young people in Bradford and I am sure she will do a great job!"

The UK children's panel's views will form part of a report to be put together by the UN Committee after their research is complete in 2010.