Mayor Lutfur Rahman signs the Child Rights Charter. Pic: Tower Hamlets Council

The Charter of Child Rights was signed by Mayor Luftur Rahman yesterday at the town hall making Tower Hamlets Council the first local authority to officially pledge to defend children’s rights.

It was drawn up after young people and children from the borough decided which 10 points from the United Nations Convention were especially important to them.

The organisations signing the charter will pledge to uphold all articles of the United Nations Convention, paying particular attention to the 10 points that the children in the borough decided were most important.

Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “We want Tower Hamlets to be widely known as a child-friendly borough. There is a lot of work to do but, thanks to the young people involved, this charter is a great step forward.”

Young people and representatives from UNICEF, who is collaborating with Tower Hamlets on the project, attended the launch.

Speaking at the launch today UNICEF UK Director of Programmes Teresa Bergin said: “We believe that placing children’s rights at the heart of local government will transform services for the better and ensure all children have the same opportunity to flourish.”

Mayor Lutfur Rahman, said: “Tower Hamlets Council is delighted to be working with UNICEF UK on this vital project.

Organisations that have signed the petition included Metropolitan Police, East London Foundation Trust and some local head teachers. The council is encouraging further organisations that work with children in the borough, to sign up.

Prior to the launch of the Charter, eight consultations have taken place with over 150 young people attending.

Tower Hamlets is one of only six boroughs in the UK, and the only borough in London, to be partnered with UNICEF UK for the child rights programme.