Rights of the child, How can they be promoted and protected?

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a legally-binding international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities.

The Convention consists of 54 articles that set out children’s rights and how governments should work together to make them available to all children.

Under the terms of the convention, governments are required to meet children’s basic needs and help them reach their full potential. Central to this is the acknowledgment that every child has basic fundamental rights. These include the right to:

Life, survival and development

Protection from violence, abuse or neglect

An education that enables children to fulfil their potential

Be raised by, or have a relationship with, their parents

Express their opinions and be listened to.

In 2000, two optional protocols were added to the UNCRC. One asks governments to ensure children under the age of 18 are not forcibly recruited into their armed forces. The second calls on states to prohibit child prostitution, child pornography and the sale of children into slavery. These have now been ratified by more than 120 states.

Here are the CPNN articles on this subject:

Fourth Paris Peace Forum ends with a series of initiatives

Iran: Educational program for parents was held by the First National Campaign to Prevent Child Abuse in IRAN

Bangladesh: Rohingya children get access to education

PAYNCoP Gabon Partners with the National Youth Council to Stop Violence against Youth

The Global Campaign for the Prevention of Child Marriage

Iran: 3000 signature campaign for child abuse prevention

The carnage against Gaza civilian protesters

Amnesty International: Israeli forces must end the use of excessive force in response to “Great March of Return” protests

Israel/OPT: Palestinian child activist Ahed Tamimi sentenced to 8 months in prison

Cuba a ‘Champion’ of Children’s Rights: UNICEF

Nobel Laureate leads historic march across India to keep children safe

Click here for earlier articles on this subject.