Convention on the Rights of the Child

Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 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 under the age of eighteen, unless the age of majority is attained earlier under national legislation.

History

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention and opened it for signature on 20 November 1989 (resolution 44/25). It came into force on 2 September 1990, after it was ratified by the required number of nations. Currently, 196 countries are party to it, including every member of the United Nations except the United States.

Provisions

The Convention deals with the child-specific needs and rights. It requires that states act in the best interests of the child. This approach is different from the common law approach found in many countries that had previously treated children as possessions or chattels, ownership of which was sometimes argued over in family disputes.

In many jurisdictions, properly implementing the Convention requires an overhaul of child custody and guardianship laws, or at least a creative approach within the existing laws.

Criticism

Despite its widespread adoption, the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been subject to criticism. Some argue that children are not capable of participating in decision-making processes that affect them, and that such provisions do not acknowledge the responsibilities and rights of parents.

See also

• United Nations General Assembly
• Human rights
• Child custody