What is The Convention on The Rights of The Child?
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is a very important document. In the history of international agreements relating to the protection of human rights, it is the first to incorporate civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights in the one agreement. Its aim is to protect children from abuse, neglect and discrimination.
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It is an internationally binding agreement and was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. Childhood was noted as a time when people were at their most vulnerable and when they needed protection the most. It was also hoped that such an agreement would help reinforce the fact that children have human rights too. This Convention has become the most ratified human rights treaty in the world.
It is made up of a preamble and 54 articles.
Articles 1-41, comprise the substantive articles, which set out the rights of all children.
Articles 42-45 contain the implementation provisions.
Articles 46-54 outline the conditions under which the convention comes into force.
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child monitors compliance with the Convention. Article 43 established this Committee. States are also obliged to submit reports to this committee. Non-governmental organisations also assist in implementation by submitting their own reports.
The Convention requires all countries who have signed the document to act in the best interest of children. It recognises that all children have certain basic rights, such as the right to life, a right to a name and identity and the right to be raised by ones own parents. The Convention also says that children have the right to express their own opinion, to be heard and also to be protected from abuse.
The United States of America and Somalia are the only two members of the United Nations who have not yet ratified this Convention.
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Post Commentpapaleng
On August 31, 2009 at 9:35 am
interesting and educational post.