Children's Rights in the State of Exception

Muwatin Institute for Democracy and Human Rights conducts research on children’s rights in the state of exception. It operates on the premise that various complex factors impact children's ability to enjoy their rights in colonial contexts, particularly focusing on the right to play and its connections to colonial-political violence, social and economic conditions, and children’s imagination. This interdisciplinary research offers a comprehensive perspective on children’s rights in colonial settings. The study delves into childhood issues through theoretical exploration of rights concept in colonial contexts, legal analyses, and considerations of collective responsibility toward children. In addition to theoretical work, field research was conducted to gather children's perspectives on these issues. Interviews were carried out in diverse regions, including a refugee camp, a village, and a city in the West Bank, selected based on specific criteria. This research is part of a collaborative project involving the Muwatin Institute and Maastricht University. The initiative arose from Maastricht University researchers' interest in children’s rights in areas lacking sovereignty, and the Muwatin Institute’s commitment to advancing children’s rights within its research programs and preparing its students for research in this field.