LETTERS: The recent child abuse incident involving a 13-year-old girl with Down syndrome has triggered reactions from people of all walks of life, over the harm that has been inflicted upon the child.
In reality, children, being the most vulnerable group of society, need protection not only from harms associated with physical, emotional or sexual abuse but also against risks of climate change and environmental pollution impacts.
Compared with adults, children are more likely to be affected by the environment due to their unique period of physical and mental development during childhood. And certain groups, such as indigenous children, children with disabilities and children living in poverty, endure greater risks than others.
Children face potential environmental hazards daily such as toxic waste, pesticides, water contamination and air pollution, which can find their way into the homes, schools and playgrounds.
These exposures can cause harmful effects leading to health risks and illnesses. According to the World Health Organisation, about seven million children die annually due to environmental causes.
In cities, children's inability to access green spaces and nature can undermine their right to social, psychological, emotional and physical development.
Malaysia is a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which aims to protect children through legitimate rights and is supported by guiding principles emphasising aspects of children's vulnerabilities and special needs, including the principle of child's best interests.
Upholding the said principle means that children have the right to be protected from the consequences of climate change and pollution, and should be given access to remedies due to climate change harms.
Similar to the legal protection given against abuse and neglect, enforcement action should also be provided to children through criminal and civil law for any breach of their rights to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
Despite the scale of environmental threats, insufficient awareness among the public and policymakers persists about the necessity to create a safer and more friendly environment for children. The recent child abuse incident should be an eye-opener of the importance of upholding the principle of child's best interests in all aspects, including harms associated with ecological degradation.
Immediate measures should be taken to address the issue that is threatening children's wellbeing, with grave consequences on their livelihood and survival.
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR MAIZATUN MUSTAFA
Coordinator, Climate Change Policy and Law Centre, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times