UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

The CRC was the first legally binding international instrument which set standards for the civic, economic, social and political rights of children under the age of 18. It consists of 54 articles and two optional protocols.

The four core principles of the Convention are non-discrimination; devotion to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child. Every right spelled out in the Convention is inherent to the human dignity and harmonious development of every child. The Convention protects children's rights by setting standards in health care; education; and legal, civil and social services.

The optional protocols deal with rights of children involved in armed conflict, sale of children, prostitution and child pornography.

It is the most widely signed of all UN treaties. To date, 195 countries have ratified it; South Sudan and Somalia ratified the CRC in May 2015. Only the United States remains as a non-signatory to the treaty.

FAWCO endorses CRC and has joined other NGOs in urging the US Senate to ratify the treaty as soon as possible. In late 2015, in honor of International Children's Day and in collaoration withFAWCO's UN NGO Reps Team, FAWCO's US Liaison promoted an advocacy campaign to FAWCO members, with letters to President Obama and key US Senators encouraging them to ratify CRC as soon as possible. 

        

Key Links


UNICEF- Rights of the Child www.un.org/rights/dpi1765e.htm

Campaign for US Ratification of CRC www.childrightscampaign.org

Amnesty  International – Rights of the Child www.amnesty.org/en/children

Child Right International Network (CRIN) www.crin.org

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