Workshop 6: Applying Human Rights Methodology in Real Life

Case Study 1

Read the file “Case Study” and proceed to the following actions:

John’s parents submit to the Ministry of Education a complaint about their son’s attendance status at school. According to their complaint, the Ministry of Education recommended that John would continue his studies at high school not as a ‘regular student’, but keep the status of a ‘listener’ (as he did in the previous three years of middle school), until he becomes ready to retake all the necessary school exams.

John and his family do not agree with the solution provided by the Ministry. So, they submit a complaint to the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, describing the events that took place during the recent examination period. The Commissioner has to investigate this case and report to what extent there may be any violations of children’s rights, based on the CRC.

You undertake the role of the Commissioner for Children’s Rights.  As a Commissioner you need to:

○Write down the educational needs of the child

○Identify the conditions/characteristics which could describe the child’s situation as ‘vulnerable/disadvantaged’.

○Make a list of the aspects that the Commissioner would investigate further, in order to receive adequate information to examine the case in more detail.

○Name the rights of the child that may be violated or not adequately respected by the application of the solution proposed by the Ministry.

Case Study 2

The Ministry of Education proposed the following course of action:

The Ministry of Education, after examining the complaint submitted by the child’s parents, including an investigation of the way that John was treated during the exam, decided for John to continue his education in high school as a listener (in a similar way that he attended classes during the 3 previous years of middle school), up to the moment he would become able to retake all the exams.

John submitted a complaint to the Commissioner for Children’s Rights about the violations of his rights during the exam date, but also related to the solution provided by the Ministry.

Evaluate the solution proposed by the Ministry, based on the four Principles of the CRC. Be certain that your evaluation is based on the role of the State, as it is defined by the CRC.
Non-Discrimination
Best Interest
Participation
Development

Once you take into consideration (a) The educational needs of the child, (b) The conditions which make him vulnerable, (c) The rights violated in the process, and (d) The 4 principles of the Convention, write a Position Paper on behalf of the Commissioner. Please bear in mind to include how specific violations have an impact on children’s quality of life and how the recommendations provided by the Commissioner will advance children’s quality of life.

Time for Reflection

What is it that you experienced or learnt from this unit?

Which keywords, quotes or exercises do you remember?