The elimination of child labour: applying a rights-based approach

Abstract

Child labour is a major obstacle to the development of many countries today. It is only recently that development is being conceptualised in terms of the progression of human rights. It is even more recent that dialogue and policies for the elimination of child labour are using a rights-based approach. In this thesis, the application of a right-based approach to child labour is explored. Child labour is inextricably linked to the realisation of education for all and to poverty reduction. Both of these are fundamental aims of EU development policy. Thus, this study is focused on analysing the role of the EU in eliminating child labour and how a rights-based approach to development cooperation should be applied to this problem. The example of Kenya is used to demonstrate how the elimination of child labour is being conducted in a Sub-Saharan African state which is part of the Cotonou Agreement with the EU. The use of the enhanced role of political dialogue in the revised version of the Cotonou Agreement is presented as one way for the EU to accelerate its efforts in this area. The adoption of a comprehensive policy for the elimination of child labour with an embedded rights-based approach is recommended for both the EU in its development cooperation and for Kenya.