The Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international treaty that recognizes the human rights of children, defined as persons up to the age of 18 years. The Convention establishes in international law that States Parties must ensure that all children, without discrimination in any form, benefit from special protection measures and assistance; have access to services such as education and health care; can develop their personalities, abilities and talents to the fullest potential; grow up in an environment of happiness, love and understanding; and are informed about and participate in, achieving their rights in an accessible and active manner.
On 20 November 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a convention on the rights of the child (CRC) that singly enshrines the full range of rights of children necessary to their survival, development and protection in society.
From article 32 of the convention:
“States Parties recognize the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development…”
The convention offers a new vision of the child as an individual and as a member of a family and community, with rights and responsibilities appropriate to his or her age and stage of development. The convention makes clear the idea that a basic quality of life should be the right of all children, rather than a privilege enjoyed by a few.
Despite the existence of rights, children suffer from poverty, homeless, abuse, neglect, preventable diseases, unequal access to education and justice systems that do not recognize their special needs. These are problems that occur in both industrialized and developing countries. By ratifying the convention, governments state their intention to put this commitment into practice.
States parties are obligated to amend and create laws and policies to fully implement the convention; standards and principles can only become a reality when everyone respects them. All rights are interconnected and of equal importance. The convention stresses these principles and refers to the responsibility of children to respect the rights of others, especially their parents. By the same token, children’s understanding of the issues raised in the convention will vary depending on the age of the child. Helping children to understand their rights does not mean parents should push them to make choices with consequences they are too young to handle.
The convention recognizes that parents have the most important role in the bringing up children. The text encourages parents to deal with rights issues with their children “…in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child …” (article 5). The issues they discuss, the way in which they answer questions, or the discipline methods they use will differ depending on whether the child is 3, 9 or 16 years of age.
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