The International Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international human rights treaty which sets out the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children. The Convention defines a child as any human being below the age of eighteen, unless the age of majority is attained earlier under national law.
Life, survival and development
The International Convention on the Rights of the Child is a human rights treaty which sets out the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children. The Convention defines a child as any human being below the age of eighteen, unless the age of majority is attained earlier under national law.
The Convention establishes that all children have certain inherent rights which must be protected, regardless of their nationality, gender, religion or any other status. The Convention requires that States Parties take all appropriate measures to ensure that children enjoy all the rights set out in the Convention. In particular, States Parties are required to ensure that children are protected from all forms of violence, exploitation and abuse.
The Convention also establishes that every child has the right to survive and thrive, and to develop to their fullest potential. States Parties are required to take all appropriate measures to ensure that children have the right to a standard of living adequate for their physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.
In addition, the Convention requires States Parties to take all appropriate measures to ensure that children have the right to education, and to access health care services. States Parties are also required to take measures to protect children from all forms of exploitation, including child labour and sexual exploitation.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely-ratified human rights treaty in history, and has been ratified by all but two States. The Convention has been ratified by every member of the United Nations, making it one of the most universally-applicable human rights treaties.
Protection from violence, abuse or neglect
The International Convention on the Rights of the Child protects children from violence, abuse or neglect. Article 19 of the Convention states that governments must take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect children from all forms of physical or mental violence, abuse or neglect. This includes ensuring that, where appropriate, law enforcement and social services personnel are trained to deal with cases of child abuse and neglect.
An education that enables children to fulfil their potential
The International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) sets out the basic human rights that all children are entitled to. These include the right to life, to survive and thrive, to be protected from violence and abuse, to have their voices heard, and to receive an education that enables them to fulfil their potential.
The CRC is the most widely-ratified human rights treaty in history, and provides a strong legal foundation for the protection and promotion of children’s rights. It has helped to transform the way children are seen and treated in many countries around the world.
In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of ensuring that all children have access to quality education. Article 28 of the CRC requires States Parties to make primary education compulsory and available free to all. Secondary education should be available and accessible to all children, and higher education should be equally accessible to all on the basis of capacity.
In order to realise the right to education, States Parties must ensure that school facilities are available and accessible to all children, and that teachers are properly trained and have the resources they need to provide quality education. In addition, States Parties must take measures to prevent discrimination in education, and to ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have the opportunity to attend school and to succeed.
The CRC also recognises the importance of providing children with access to information and materials that will help them to understand and exercise their rights. Article 17 requires States Parties to make information about the CRC available to children, and to ensure that children have the opportunity to learn about their rights and how to claim them.
The CRC is a powerful tool for the promotion and protection of children’s rights. By ratifying the CRC, States Parties have committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure that children enjoy all of the rights set out in the Convention.
Express their opinions and be listened to
The International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is a human rights treaty which sets out the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children. The Convention defines a child as any human being below the age of 18, unless the age of majority is attained earlier under national legislation.
The CRC is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history and has served as the foundation for numerous pieces of national and international legislation on children’s rights. The CRC also provides for the establishment of national committees to monitor implementation of the Convention and its Optional Protocols.
The CRC is the basis for numerous international and national laws and policies on children’s rights. It has been used as a model for other human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
One of the most important aspects of the CRC is that it gives children the right to express their opinions and to be heard in all matters affecting them. This includes the right to participate in decisions about their own lives, whether those decisions are made by adults or by other children.
The CRC also protects children’s right to privacy. This means that children have the right to keep their thoughts and feelings private, and to be protected from having their personal information shared without their consent.
The CRC is an important tool for promoting and protecting children’s rights. It provides a comprehensive framework for action by governments, civil society, and individuals to ensure that all children enjoy their human rights.