Convention on Rights of Child
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The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is an international human rights treaty that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. It is a comprehensive document that sets out the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of children. The CRC defines a child as any person under the age of 18, and it recognises that children are entitled to special care and protection.
Non-discrimination: The CRC guarantees that all children have the right to enjoy their rights without discrimination of any kind, including on the basis of race, colour, sex, language, religion, disability, or social origin.
Best interests of the child: The CRC emphasises that the best interests of the child should be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities, or legislative bodies.
Right to life, survival, and development: The CRC recognises the inherent right to life of every child and obliges states to ensure children's survival and development to the fullest extent possible.
Protection from violence, abuse, and exploitation: The CRC mandates that children have the right to be protected from all forms of physical or mental violence, abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation. It specifically addresses issues such as child labor, child trafficking, sexual exploitation, and harmful traditional practices.
Right to education: The CRC recognises the right of every child to education. It calls for primary education to be compulsory and accessible to all, and it encourages the development of secondary and higher education opportunities.
Health and healthcare: The CRC highlights the right of children to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health and healthcare services. It emphasises the importance of prenatal and postnatal healthcare, nutritious food, clean drinking water, and access to healthcare facilities.
Participation: The CRC emphasises the right of children to express their views and have their opinions taken into account in matters that affect them, in accordance with their age and maturity. It recognises children's freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
The CRC has been widely ratified and is considered one of the most universally accepted human rights treaties, with almost every country being a party to it. States that ratify the convention are obliged to align their domestic laws and policies with its provisions and report regularly to the United Nations on their progress in implementing the rights of children.
The CRC has had a significant impact in shaping national legislation, policies, and programs to safeguard and promote the rights of children. It has contributed to improvements in education, healthcare, child protection, and juvenile justice systems worldwide. However, challenges persist in ensuring the full realisation of children's rights, such as poverty, discrimination, armed conflict, and other forms of adversity that children face in different parts of the world. Ongoing efforts are necessary to promote and protect the rights and well-being of all children.
Non-discrimination: The CRC guarantees that all children have the right to enjoy their rights without discrimination of any kind, including on the basis of race, colour, sex, language, religion, disability, or social origin.
Best interests of the child: The CRC emphasises that the best interests of the child should be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities, or legislative bodies.
Right to life, survival, and development: The CRC recognises the inherent right to life of every child and obliges states to ensure children's survival and development to the fullest extent possible.
Protection from violence, abuse, and exploitation: The CRC mandates that children have the right to be protected from all forms of physical or mental violence, abuse, neglect, maltreatment, and exploitation. It specifically addresses issues such as child labor, child trafficking, sexual exploitation, and harmful traditional practices.
Right to education: The CRC recognises the right of every child to education. It calls for primary education to be compulsory and accessible to all, and it encourages the development of secondary and higher education opportunities.
Health and healthcare: The CRC highlights the right of children to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health and healthcare services. It emphasises the importance of prenatal and postnatal healthcare, nutritious food, clean drinking water, and access to healthcare facilities.
Participation: The CRC emphasises the right of children to express their views and have their opinions taken into account in matters that affect them, in accordance with their age and maturity. It recognises children's freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.
The CRC has been widely ratified and is considered one of the most universally accepted human rights treaties, with almost every country being a party to it. States that ratify the convention are obliged to align their domestic laws and policies with its provisions and report regularly to the United Nations on their progress in implementing the rights of children.
The CRC has had a significant impact in shaping national legislation, policies, and programs to safeguard and promote the rights of children. It has contributed to improvements in education, healthcare, child protection, and juvenile justice systems worldwide. However, challenges persist in ensuring the full realisation of children's rights, such as poverty, discrimination, armed conflict, and other forms of adversity that children face in different parts of the world. Ongoing efforts are necessary to promote and protect the rights and well-being of all children.
