The retention of DNA by the PSNI will be criticised in a report on children’s rights that will be presented to the United Nations today.
Northern Ireland Children’s Commissioner Patricia Lewsley has teamed up with her UK counterparts to detail the failings of central government and the three devolved administrations in the area of children's rights.
The commissioners travel to Geneva to deliver their hard-hitting assessment, which outlines how children’s rights across the United Kingdom have worsened in some aspects, and in others that there has been no change since the last time the UN Committee reported on the Government’s children’s rights record in 2002.
The report identifies 18 areas of common concern, including the retention of innocent children’s DNA by the PSNI, methods of tackling child poverty, and persistent inequalities experienced by children.
Ms Lewsley said: “We know that there are many issues that need to be addressed . . . not least the fact that they need to listen to children and young people.”
PA