An appropriate human rights approach to street children in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This paper addresses the current situation of street children in Sub-Saharan Africa to come to some conclusions as to how their human rights would best be served through international, regional and non governmental action. To reach this end, I will first observe the evolution of the children's rights movement and the living conditions and human rights abuses that street children face. I will then examine the loopholes in the international, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and regional, the African Union's Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, mechanisms that are meant to protect and promote the human rights of street children. This will lead to an analysis of the conflicting best interest and participation principles enshrined in the modern conception or children's rights. I will demonstrate that while street children need the welfare aid provided by the "best interest principle," their semi or fully autonomous lifestyles require an increased emphasis on participation to fully adhere to their human rights needs.