Highlights of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

The rights of children have always been an important subject throughout history. In this regard, the Convention on the Rights of the Child regulates important points within these rights.

One of the most important subjects throughout human history, and still a matter of debate nowadays, is human rights. The most important aspect of these rights is acknowledging the rights of children and teenagers. The Convention on the Rights of the Child seeks to guarantee the children’s rights in each country.

There’s nothing more important to a country than recognizing the rights and guarantees of every person. Nowadays, there are many countries that don’t acknowledge the rights of all. This is an important matter and many developed countries take human rights seriously.

Human rights is a delicate subject and many people around the world don’t know what their rights are, and don’t know how to protect these rights. In this article, you’ll learn what the Convention is and stands for.

What is the Convention on the Rights of the Child?

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is one of the main treaties signed by the United Nations in 1989. This treaty establishes that children have the same rights as adults. However, and because they haven’t reached their complete mental and physical development, there are special ways to protect children.

The treaty ensures civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights. The nations that decide to be a part of it have to abide by it, no matter the circumstances. If this isn’t the case, that nation will have to face severe consequences. Nowadays, 196 nations have pledged to this treaty and to comply with the responsibilities it encompasses.

The treaty has four specific principles to comply with, such as:

• Prioritize the interests of the child.
• The right to non-discrimination.
• The right to life.
• Freedom of speech and the right to be heard.

Who controls compliance with the treaty?

The Committee of the Rights of the Child controls compliance with the treaty. This committee is one of the essential organs of the United Nations. Its main function and duty is to check on the progress on children’s rights of every nation in the treaty.

This committee is of great help for the nations who are part of the treaty because it keeps updated dispositions and acts on this. Besides, it also organizes debates to encourage conversations among nations.

To keep on with their duties, the nations present this committee with regular reports. These reports have data to create international statistics and all those measures the nations take to honor their duties to the treaty.

The nations need to deliver their first report two years after having joined the treaty. Afterward, and every five years, they’ll have to present their reports on children’s rights to the committee. These reports are made public so people know any progress made.

In conclusion

All international treaties are important globally. Some stand out from the rest, and usually, these are the ones related to human rights. Although, every treaty is important.

All treaties deal with delicate subjects and when a nation decides to be part of it, they have to understand the responsibilities that come with it and the consequences of not doing so.