The Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child provides a plan from 2016-2021 to improve upon and develop child rights legislation. Following the European Convention on Human Rights and the principles of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)—non-discrimination, best interests of the child, right to life, survival and development, the right to be heard—the Strategy outlines five priority areas to guarantee the rights of the child:
- Equal opportunities for all children
- Participation of all children
- A life free from violence for all children
- Child-friendly justice for all children
- Rights of the child in the digital environment
In this policy plan, children with imprisoned parents are considered as one of several groups of children particularly vulnerable to inequality, stigmatisation and exclusion. From a child and human rights perspective, increased awareness and resources are required to ensure that all children are seen and heard as full rights-holders. Chapter 2, Article 13 reads as follows:
A large number of children across Europe feel excluded and identify discrimination as a key rights issue to be dealt with. Not being able to enjoy education, play and share leisure time with others, or being bullied because of one’s ethnic origin, sexual orientation or other status, are all marking experiences for children that leave traces throughout their lives. From a human rights perspective, the quality of a society is measured by how it is treating its most vulnerable and marginalised groups. These include several groups of children, such as children with disabilities, children without parental care, children from minorities including Roma children, children on the move or otherwise affected by migration, children deprived of liberty, children living and/or working on the streets and children of imprisoned parents.