What is the Convention on the Rights of the Child?

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international agreement that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. This agreement is a set of rules that all countries must follow to promote and protect the rights of children, who are defined by the document as all persons under the age of 18. The Convention outlines the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of children. These rights include the right to life, to freedom, to health care, to education, to rest and leisure, to be protected from abuse, exploitation, and neglect, and to participate in decisions that affect them. The Convention also states that parents or guardians have primary responsibility for children’s rights and that governments have an obligation to respect, protect, and fulfill those rights. California is one of 194 countries that have ratified the Convention, meaning that it is legally binding in the state. The Convention has been incorporated into California Human Rights law and the state has created plans and programs to ensure that the rights of all children are protected. The Convention is especially protected in California schools, where it is stated that all students should have the opportunity to develop their full potential.

Related FAQs

What is the role of the International Labour Organization in protecting human rights?
What is the right to just and favourable conditions of work?
What is the right to a fair trial?
What is the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination?
What is the International Criminal Court?
What are the rights of persons with disabilities?
What is the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights?
How does human rights law protect individuals?
What is the right to an adequate standard of living?
What is the right to education?

What is the Convention on the Rights of the Child?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts