to children: that we would do everything in our power to protect and promote their rights to survive and thrive, to learn and grow, to make their voices heard and to reach their full potential. This year, as we approach the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), there is much to celebrate: from declining infant mortality, to rising school enrolment, to better opportunities for girls. In spite of the overall gains, there are many children who have fallen even further behind. Old challenges have combined with new problems to deprive many children of their rights and the benefits of development. To meet these challenges, and to reach those children who are hardest to reach, we need new ways of thinking and new ways of doing. Recognizing this, UNICEF has declared 2014 as the Year of Innovation for Equity to focus the worlds attention on showcasing and developing innovative solutions for childrens well-being. Throughout 2014, UNICEF will convene a series of Activate Talks which will bring together change makers from all walks of life to rethink and rework how we can deliver results for the most vulnerable and marginalized children. The talks will take place throughout 2014, and will be live-streamed or broadcast on the Activate Talks web portal. To broaden the dialogue we invite all visitors to the site to get involved in the discussions and debates and to share their views and experiences of innovation for children.
Updated: 4 November 2014
1948. Although this Declaration is not part of
binding international law, its acceptance by all countries around the world gives great moral weight to the fundamental principle that all human beings, rich and poor, strong and weak, male and female, of all races and religions, are to be treated equally and with respect. The United Nations has since adopted many legally binding international human rights treaties and agreements. These treaties are used as a framework for discussing and applying human rights. Through these instruments, the principles and rights they outline become legal obligations on those States choosing to be bound by them. The framework also establishes legal and other mechanisms to hold governments accountable in the event they violate human rights. The instruments of the international human rights framework are the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the six core human rights treaties: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; the Convention on the Rights of the Child; the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination; and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Every country in the world has ratified at least one of these, and many have ratified most of them. These treaties are important tools for holding governments accountable for the respect for, protection of and realization of the rights of individuals in their country. As part of the framework of human rights law, all human rights are indivisible, interrelated and interdependent. Understanding this framework is important to promoting, protecting and realizing childrens rights because the CRCand the rights and duties contained in itare part of the framework.
Human rights approach
Human rights are those rights which are essential to live as human beings basic standards without which people cannot survive and develop in dignity. Human rights are inherent to the human person, inalienable and universal. The United Nations set a common standard on human rights with the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in
Updated: 19 May 2014
Path to the CRC The path to the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been long and slow. In 1945, the United Nations Charter laid the groundwork for the Convention by urging nations to
promote and encourage respect for human
rights and fundamental freedoms 'for all'. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights followed three years later, further stressing that "motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and protection" and referring to the family as "the natural and fundamental group unit of society." Several Declarations on the Rights of the Child were agreed during the twentieth century, the last in 1959 "recognizing that Mankind owes to the child the best that it has to give." Declarations are statements of moral and ethical intent but they are not legally binding instruments. The international human rights framework was therefore built to contain covenants (or conventions) that carry the weight of international law. In 1976, the first two covenantsthe International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rightsbecame binding on States parties. These two Covenants used the foundation of the rights and principles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and thus provided a legal as well as a moral obligation for countries to respect the human rights of each individual. Childrens rights then followed the same path. In 1978, on the eve of the United Nationssponsored International Year of the Child, a draft text was proposed for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Drawing heavily from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, a working group within the United Nations then collaborated and revised the draft, finally agreeing what became the articles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Final approval from United Nations Member States came when the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the text of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 20 November 1989. The Convention then became legally binding in September 1990, after 20 States had ratified it. Many countries ratified the Convention very soon after it was adopted and others continued to ratify or accede to it, making it the most widely ratified human rights treaty. Nearly all States are now parties. Somalia and the United States have not yet ratified the Convention but have signed it, indicating their support.
Updated: 19 May 2014
Protecting children's rights Human rights apply to all age groups; children have the same general human rights as adults. In 1989, however, world leaders decided that children needed a special convention just for them because people under 18 years old often need special care and protection that adults do not. The leaders also wanted to make sure that the world recognized that children have human rights too. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rightsincluding civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. Childrens rights in the human rights framework The Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out the rights that must be realized for children to develop their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse. It reflects a new vision of the child. Children are neither the property of their parents nor are they helpless objects of charity. They are human beings and are the subject of their own rights. The Convention offers a 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. By recognizing children's rights in this way, the Convention firmly sets the focus on the whole child. The Convention and its acceptance by so many countries has heightened recognition of the fundamental human dignity of all children and the urgency of ensuring their well-being and 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. From abstract rights to realities Despite the existence of rights, children suffer from poverty, homelessness, 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. The near-universal ratification of the Convention reflects a global commitment to the principles of children's rights. By ratifying the Convention, governments state their intention to put this commitment into practice. State parties are obligated to amend and create
laws and policies to fully implement the
Convention; they must consider all actions taken in light of the best interests of the child.
children's views go unheard on the many
important issues that affect them now or will affect them in the future.
The task, however, must engage not just
governments but all members of society. The standards and principles articulated in the Convention can only become a reality when they are respected by everyonewithin the family, in schools and other institutions that provide services for children, in communities and at all levels of administration.
Many changes in society are having a
disproportionate, and often negative, impact on children. Transformation of the family structure, globalization, shifting employment patterns and a shrinking social welfare net in many countries all have strong impacts on children. The impact of these changes can be particularly devastating in situations of armed conflict and other emergencies.
Updated: 19 May 2014
Addressing the needs of children Governments must respect the rights of all their citizensnot only those of childrenbut the global community gives priority to protecting childrens rights. There are many reasons for singling out children's rights in a separate human rights Convention: Children are individuals. Children are neither the possessions of parents nor of the state, nor are they mere people-in-the-making; they have equal status as members of the human family. Children start life as totally dependent beings. Children must rely on adults for the nurture and guidance they need to grow towards independence. Such nurture is ideally found in adults in children's families, but when primary caregivers cannot meet children's needs, it is up to society to fill the gap. The actions, or inactions, of government impact children more strongly than any other group in society. Practically every area of government policy (for example, education, public health and so on) affects children to some degree. Short-sighted policymaking that fails to take children into account has a negative impact on the future of all members of society by giving rise to policies that cannot work. Children's views are rarely heard and rarely considered in the political process. Children generally do not vote and do not otherwise take part in political processes. Without special attention to the opinions of childrenas expressed at home and in schools, in local communities and even in governments
The healthy development of children is
crucial to the future well-being of any society. Because they are still developing, children are especially vulnerablemore so than adultsto poor living conditions such as poverty, inadequate health care, nutrition, safe water, housing and environmental pollution. The affects of disease, malnutrition and poverty threaten the future of children and therefore the future of the societies in which they live. The costs to society of failing its children are huge. Social research findings show that children's earliest experiences significantly influence their future development. The course of their development determines their contribution, or cost, to society over the course of their lives.
Promoting and protecting rights for
children While the Convention on the Rights of the Child is addressed to governments as representatives of the people, it actually addresses the responsibilities of all members of society. Overall, its standards can be realized only when respected by everyoneparents and members of the family and the community; professionals and others working in schools, in other public and private institutions, in services for children, in the courts and at all levels of government administrationand when each of these individuals carries out his or her unique role and function with respect to these standards. The role of governments, families and children Governments are obliged to recognize the full spectrum of human rights for all children and consider children in legislative and policy decisions. While many States are beginning to listen seriously to children's views on many
important issues, the process of change is still
in its earliest stages. Children have a right to express their opinions and to have their views taken seriously and given due weight. But children also have a responsibility to respect the rights of others, especially those of their parents. The Convention specifically refers to the family as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of its members, particularly children. Under the Convention, States are obliged to respect parents' primary responsibility for providing care and guidance for their children and to support parents in this regard, providing material assistance and support programmes. States are also obliged to prevent children from being separated from their families unless the separation is necessary for the child's best interests. Fulfilling obligations: putting principles into practice Under the Convention, State Parties have an obligation to amend and create laws and policies to fully implement the Convention. As a result, the Convention has inspired a process of national legal implementation and social change in all regions of the world. Local and national governments have amended laws to take into consideration the best interests of the child and adopted social policies that promote realization of childrens rights. Individuals, including children, and communities have actively voiced their views and called for change. UNICEF has undertaken advocacy, cooperated with governments and organizations and provided technical assistance to further implementation of the Convention. Other United Nations agencies, such as the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR); the World Health Organization (WHO); and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) actively promote the rights embodied in the Convention. And many nongovernmental organizations work for better implementation of the Convention.
Understanding the CRC
Nearly 25 years ago, the world made a promise to children: that we would do everything in our power to protect and promote their rights to survive and thrive, to learn and grow, to make
their voices heard and to reach their full
potential. In spite of the overall gains, there are many children who have fallen even further behind. Old challenges have combined with new problems to deprive many children of their rights and the benefits of development. To meet these challenges, and to reach those children who are hardest to reach, we need new ways of thinking and new ways of doing for adults and children. The principles outlined in the international human rights framework apply both to children and adults. Children are mentioned explicitly in many of the human rights instruments; standards are specifically modified or adapted where the needs and concerns surrounding a right are distinct for children. The Convention on the Rights of the Child brings together the childrens human rights articulated in other international instruments. This Convention articulates the rights more completely and provides a set of guiding principles that fundamentally shapes the way in which we view children. This compilation and clarification of childrens human rights sets out the necessary environment and means to enable every human being to develop to their full potential. The articles of the Convention, in addition to laying the foundational principles from which all rights must be achieved, call for the provision of specific resources, skills and contributions necessary to ensure the survival and development of children to their maximum capability. The articles also require the creation of means to protect children from neglect, exploitation and abuse. All children have the same rights. 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 expressly 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). Parents, who are intuitively aware of their
child's level of development, will do this
naturally. 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.
Rights under the Convention on the Rights
of the Child The Convention on the Rights of the Child was the first instrument to incorporate the complete range of international human rights including civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights as well as aspects of humanitarian law. The articles of the Convention may be grouped into four categories of rights and a set of guiding principles. By clicking on any of the categories below, you can link to a plainlanguage explanation of the applicable articles in the Convention. Additional provisions of the Convention (articles 43 to 54) discuss implementation measures for the Convention, explaining how governments and international organizations like UNICEF will work to ensure children are protected in their rights. You can see the full text of the Convention by clicking on the link in the box on the right. Guiding principles (pdf): The guiding principles of the Convention include nondiscrimination; adherence to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and the right to participate. They represent the underlying requirements for any and all rights to be realized. Survival and development rights (pdf): These are rights to the resources, skills and contributions necessary for the survival and full development of the child. They include rights to adequate food, shelter, clean water, formal education, primary health care, leisure and recreation, cultural activities and information about their rights. These rights require not only the existence of the means to fulfil the rights but also access to them. Specific articles address the needs of child refugees, children with disabilities and children of minority or indigenous groups. Protection rights (pdf): These rights include protection from all forms of child abuse, neglect, exploitation and cruelty, including the right to special protection in times of war and protection from abuse in the criminal justice system.
Participation rights (pdf): Children are
entitled to the freedom to express opinions and to have a say in matters affecting their social, economic, religious, cultural and political life. Participation rights include the right to express opinions and be heard, the right to information and freedom of association. Engaging these rights as they mature helps children bring about the realization of all their rights and prepares them for an active role in society. The equality and interconnection of rights are stressed in the Convention. In addition to governments obligations, children and parents are responsible for respecting the rights of othersparticularly each other. Childrens understanding of rights will vary depending on age and parents in particular should tailor the issues they discuss, the way in which they answer questions and discipline methods to the age and maturity of the individual child. Human rights provisions http://www.unicef.org/crc/index.html http://www.unicef.org/crc/index.htmlhttp://ww w.unicef.org/crc/index.html http://www.unicef.org/crc/index.htmlhttp://ww w.unicef.org/crc/index.html Children and young people have the same basic general human rights as adults and also specific rights that recognise their special needs. Because the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) brings together rights articulated in other international treaties there are many parallels between the Convention and other treaties. The five other core human rights instruments are: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Torture Convention); the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Race Discrimination Convention); and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Womens Convention). Among other rights found in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and shared with one or more of these instruments are: Non-discrimination (Article 2): All human rights instruments prohibit any discrimination distinction, exclusion, restriction or preferencein the provision, protection and promotion of rights. In other words, everyone
has the human rights in these treaties,
irrespective of their race, sex, religion, national origin or any other trait. The Race Convention wholly prohibits discrimination based on race, national origin or ethnicity and outlines steps that governments must take to end it. The Womens Convention likewise calls for an end to discrimination, based on sex, and outlines specific areas of life in which women must be treated equally in order to eliminate discrimination;
concerns for the specific needs and
vulnerabilities of children. For the text of any of the human rights conventions, see the box at right.
Right to life (Article 6): also found in
Article 6 of the ICCPR;
Right to freedom from torture or
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment (Article 37): outlined for everyone in the Torture Convention and also included as Article 7 of the ICCPR;
Right of detained persons to be
treated with dignity (Article 37): Article 10 of the ICCPR broadly states this right and the Convention on the Rights of the Child specifies that children in this situation must be treated in a way that takes their age into account;
UNICEF has commissioned research to
contribute to the global debate on child rights education. This study explores child rights education in early childhood education, primary and secondary schools in 26 countries with a UNICEF National Committee presence. It includes a literature review, results from an on-line survey completed by national experts, seven country case studies and a series of benchmarking statements to guide implementation of child rights education.
Right to freedom of thought,
conscience and religion (Article 14): found in Article 18 of the ICCPR;
Right to freedom of opinion and of
expression (Article 13): found in Article 19 of the ICCPR;
Right to adequate standard of living
(Article 27): found in article 11 of the ICESCR;
Right to health and health services
(Article 24): found in Article 12 of the ICESCR; and
Right to education (Article 28): found
in Article 13 of the ICESCR.
Many Articles of both the ICCPR and the
ICESCR call attention to the special needs of families and children. These include Article 24 of the ICCPR (calling for the protection of children and registration at birth of their name and nationality) and Article 10 of the ICESCR (calling for specific attention, protection and assistance to children). These examples show that the Convention on the Rights of the Child is founded on rights inherent to everyone, but that it also builds on
Teaching and learning about child rights
Teaching and Learning about Child Rights: A study of implementation in 26 countries
The online survey explores child rights
education in the curriculum, teacher education and teacher qualifications, the existence of student councils, and monitoring mechanisms regarding the quality of child rights education. The benchmarking statements are divided into seven areas: official curriculum, teacher education, resources, pedagogy, policy alignment across the education system, participation as a right, and monitoring and accountability. The research was commissioned by the Advocacy and Child Rights Education Unit at the UNICEF Private Fundraising and Partnerships Division, Geneva and undertaken by the Centre for Children's Rights in Queen's University Belfast.
Child rights education and the child rights
approach Learning about child rights and the child rights approach empowers children and adults to bring about change in their immediate environment and the world at large to ensure that the rights of all children are fully realized. Child rights education is teaching and learning about the provisions and principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the child rights approach in order to empower both adults and children to take action to advocate for and apply these at the family, school, community, national and global levels. Child rights education promotes a vision,
articulated in the Convention, that the child
should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society, and be brought up in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity. By building capacity, child rights education aims to support rights-holders especially children to claim their rights and dutybearers to fulfil their obligations. It helps adults and children work together, providing space and encouragement for the meaningful participation and sustained civic engagement of children. Childrens rights are human rights. Consequently, child rights education is a specific component of human rights education. Child rights education seeks: o
to embed the provisions and
principles of the Convention and the child rights approach in formal and non-formal learning curricula and learning environments; as well as in the curricula and training of professionals working directly with children, or on issues affecting children
to raise awareness of the provisions
and principles and the child rights approach through mass media and other channels to reach caregivers, community members and other members of the public
to build the capacity of children (as
rights-holders) and adults (as dutybearers) to advocate for and implement these provisions, principles and the child rights approach in daily life and professional practice
UNICEF Child Rights Education Toolkit:
Rooting Child Rights in Early Childhood Education, Primary and Secondary Schools (First Edition) UNICEF has developed a child rights' education toolkit on Rooting Child Rights in Early Childhood Education, Primary and Secondary Schools.
The toolkit defines what is meant by child
rights education and the child rights approach. The toolkit explains the relevance of child rights education to UNICEFs mission and the ways in which education can take place in a range of contexts--including with professionals, caregivers, the corporate sector, the media, and childrens groups. The toolkit uses the metaphor of a tree to explore child rights education in the context of school-based initiatives that promote learning about rights, learning through rights (using rights as an organizing principle to transform the culture of learning) and learning for rights (taking action to realize rights), in an overall context of learning as a right. It contains a range of practical tools, checklists, mapping exercises, project examples and evidence of the benefits of high quality child rights education. Although the approaches in the toolkit are relevant for all countries, the first edition focuses on the work of National Committees in high-income countries. A second edition in the future will also cover the related work of UNICEF country offices.
Using the CRC and Protocols for children
International human rights treaties and agreements such as the CRC and its Optional Protocols are negotiated among United Nations Member States and are legally binding on the individual States that become parties to the agreement. There are two ways for a State to become a party: by signature and ratification or by accession. In ratifying the Convention or an Optional Protocol, a State accepts an obligation to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights as outlinedincluding adopting or changing laws and policies that are needed to implement the provisions of the agreement. The Convention places equal emphasis on all rights for children. There is no such thing as a 'small' right. There is no hierarchy of human rights. Childrens rights are indivisible and interrelated, with a focus on the child as a whole. Governmental decisions with regard to any one right must be made in the light of all the other rights in the Convention. Governments that ratify the Convention or one of its Optional Protocols must report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the
body of experts charged with monitoring
States' implementation of the Convention and Optional Protocols. These reports outline the situation of children in the country and explain the measures taken by the State to realize their rights. In its reviews of States reports, the Committee urges all levels of government to use the Convention as a guide in policymaking and implementation. And because the protection of human rights is by nature a permanent and ongoing process, there is always room for improvement.
Signature, ratification and accession
The process of creating binding obligations on governments International human rights treaties are developed by a process of negotiation among United Nations Member States to produce a commonly acceptable set of standards. Individual States then decide for themselves whether to be legally bound by the treaty. There are two ways for a State to become a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child: by signature and ratification or by accession. Both of these acts signify an agreement to be legally bound by the terms of the Convention. The Optional Protocols to the Convention are considered independently of the Convention and must be ratified or acceded to separately, but the process is the same. States do not need to be a party to the Convention in order to ratify or accede to one or both of the Optional Protocols. Signature Signature constitutes a preliminary endorsement of the Convention or Protocol. Signing the instrument does not create a binding legal obligation but does demonstrate the States intent to examine the treaty domestically and consider ratifying it. While signing does not commit a State to ratification, it does oblige the State to refrain from acts that would defeat or undermine the treatys objective and purpose. Ratification or Accession Ratification or accession signifies an agreement to be legally bound by the terms of the Convention. Though accession has the same legal effect as ratification, the procedures differ. In the case of ratification, the State first signs and then ratifies the treaty. The procedure for accession has only one stepit is not preceded by an act of signature. The formal procedures for ratification or accession vary according to the national
legislative requirements of the State. Prior to
ratification or accession, a country normally reviews the treaty to determine whether national laws are consistent with its provisions and to consider the most appropriate means of promoting compliance with the treaty. Most commonly, countries that are promoting the Convention sign shortly after it has been adopted. They then ratify the treaty when all of their domestically required legal procedures have been fulfilled. Other States may begin with the domestic approval process and accede to the treaty once their domestic procedures have been completed, without signing the treaty first. Both ratification and accession involve two steps. First, the appropriate national organ of the countryParliament, Senate, the Crown, Head of State or Government, or a combination of thesefollows domestic constitutional procedures and makes a formal decision to be a party to the treaty. Second, the instrument of ratification or accession, a formal sealed letter referring to the decision and signed by the States responsible authority, is prepared and deposited with the United Nations Secretary-General in New York. Implementation Fulfilling obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols Translating child rights principles into practice requires action and leadership by governments. By ratifying the Convention, States commit to undertaking "all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures" for the full realization of the rights it contains and to reporting on these measures to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the body of experts charged with monitoring States' implementation of the Convention. For more information on the Committee, see the Monitoring page in this section. There are no specific right or wrong implementation measures, however the Convention should be the main benchmark and inspiration for all government action. In its reviews of States reports, the Committee urges all levels of government to use the Convention as a guide in policy-making and legislation, to: Develop a comprehensive national agenda;
Develop permanent bodies or
mechanisms to promote coordination, monitoring and evaluation of activities throughout all sectors of government;
Ensure that all legislation is fully
compatible with the Convention and, if applicable the Optional Protocols, by incorporating the provisions into domestic law or ensuring that they take precedence in cases of conflict with national legislation;
Make children visible in policy
development processes throughout government by introducing child impact assessments;
Analyse government spending to
determine the portion of public funds spent on children and to ensure that these resources are being used effectively;
Ensure that sufficient data are
collected and used to improve the situation of all children in each jurisdiction;
Raise awareness and disseminate
information on the Convention and the Optional Protocols by providing training to all those involved in government policy-making and working with or for children;
Involve civil society b including
children themselves in the process of implementing and raising awareness of child rights; and
Set up independent national offices
ombudspersons, commissions, focal points within national human rights institutions, or other institutionsto promote and protect children's rights.
States parties to the Conventions Optional
Protocols have many of the same guidelines, and also requirements specific to the Protocols. For example, States parties to the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict must also undertake measures to ensure that individuals under the age of 18 do not take a direct part in armed conflicts. This obligation applies to measures involving 16-18 year old members of the armed forces. It also applies to legal measures to prohibit independent armed groups from recruiting and using children under the age of 18 in conflicts. The Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography requires States to provide legal and other support services to child victims and
specifically calls for international cooperation
to prevent and punish these abuses. Monitoring the fulfilment of States obligations The Committee on the Rights of the Child Governments that ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child or one of its Optional Protocols must report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Committee is made up of 18 experts in the field of children's rights from different countries and legal systems. They are nominated and elected by States parties but act in a personal capacity, not as representatives of their countries. Reports to the Committee on the situation of children's rights in their country are submitted by the State within two years of ratification and every five years thereafter. The Committee has adopted guidelines detailing which information States are expected to give in their implementation reports for the Convention and each of the Optional Protocols. In reviewing States' reports, the Committee looks at how well governments are setting and meeting the standards for the realization and protection of children's rights as outlined in the Convention or Optional Protocol. The Committee does not monitor the behaviour of individual parents and other caregivers and it is not empowered to receive complaints from citizens. Along with this regular reporting, the Commitee may request additional information or complementary reports. The involvement of non-governmental organizations Non-governmental organizations also play a major role in raising public awareness about the Convention and its goals. The Convention acknowledges these contributions by specifically inviting their participation in the reporting and monitoring process, a first among human rights treaties. Governments are urged to involve all sectors of society in the preparation of reports. While a few consult non-governmental organizations extensively in the reporting process and incorporate their contributions into reports to the Committee, individual non-governmental organizations or coalitions can and do prepare alternative reports for the Committee's consideration. For more information on the work nongovernmental organizations undertake, see the 'Organizations' page of What you can do on the left menu. UNICEF's role in the monitoring process The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first human rights treaty that grants a role
in its implementation to a specialized United
Nations agencyUNICEF. Under the Convention, UNICEF has a legal obligation to promote and protect child rights by supporting the work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. In addition to contributing advice and assistance to the Committee, UNICEF facilitates broad consultations within States to maximize the accuracy and impact of reports to the Committee. For more information on UNICEFs monitoring role, see UNICEF in Action in the left menu. Advancing the CRC Advancing the CRC Optional protocols complement and add to existing treaties. They are optional because the obligations may be more demanding than those in the original convention, so States must independently choose whether or not to be bound by them. Optional protocols are treaties in their own right, and are open to signature, accession, or ratification by States that are party to the main treaty. A protocol may be on any topic relevant to the original treaty and is used either to further address something in the original treaty, address a new or emerging concern or add a procedure for the operation and enforcement of the treaty. To help stem the growing abuse and exploitation of children worldwide, the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 adopted two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child to increase the protection of children from involvement in armed conflicts and from sexual exploitation. On 14 April 2014, a third Optional Protocol was adopted, allowing children to bring complaints directly to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Committee will then investigate the claims and can direct governments to take action. Protecting children in armed conflict The Optional Protocol is an effort to strengthen implementation of the Convention and increase the protection of children during armed conflicts. Under the Protocol, States are required to take all feasible measures to ensure that members of their armed forces under the age of 18 do not take a direct part in hostilities. States must also raise the minimum age for voluntary recruitment into the armed forces from 15
years but does not require a minimum age of
18. The Protocol does, however, remind States that children under 18 are entitled to special protection and so any voluntary recruitment under the age of 18 must include sufficient safeguards. It further bans compulsory recruitment below the age of 18. States parties must also take legal measures to prohibit independent armed groups from recruiting and using children under the age of 18 in conflicts. Protecting children from commercial sexual exploitation The Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography draws special attention to the criminalization of these serious violations of children's rights and emphasizes the importance of increased public awareness and international cooperation in efforts to combat them. It supplements the Convention by providing States with detailed requirements to end the sexual exploitation and abuse of children and also protects children from being sold for nonsexual purposessuch as other forms of forced labour, illegal adoption and organ donation. The Protocol provides definitions for the offences of sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. It also creates obligations on governments to criminalize and punish activities related to these offences. It requires punishment not only for those offering or delivering children for the purposes of sexual exploitation, transfer of organs or children for profit or forced labour, but also for anyone accepting the child for these activities. The Protocol also protects the rights and interests of child victims. Governments must provide legal and other support services to child victims. This obligation includes considering the best interests of the child in any interactions with the criminal justice system. Children must also be supported with necessary medical, psychological, logistical and financial support to aid their rehabilitation and reintegration. As a complement to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, interpretation of the Optional Protocols text must always be guided by the principles of non-discrimination, best interests of the child and child participation.
Allowing children to submit complaints,
appeals and petitions This Protocol allows the Committee on the Rights of the Child to hear complaints that a childs rights have been violated. Children from countries that ratify the Protocol can use the treaty to seek justice if the national legal system has not been able to provide a remedy for the violation. The Committee is able to hear complaints from children, groups of children or their representatives against any State that has ratified the Protocol. The Committee is also able to launch investigations into grave or systematic violations of childrens rights and States are able to bring complaints against each other, if they accepted this procedure.
All children have one thing in common
their rights. Twenty-five years ago, the world made a promise to all its children. When leaders adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child they committed to do everything in their power to promote and protect childrens rights. Great progress has been achieved since the Convention was adopted. However, looking back on 25 years of progress reminds us what is still left to do Far fewer children now die before their fifth birthdays than 25 years ago. But in 2012, some 6.6 million children under 5 years of age died, mostly from preventable causes, depriving them of their fundamental right to survive and develop. Every child has the right to an education, and more children are now realizing that right but 57 million girls and boys of primary age are still out of school. Even where progress is being made, too often the shape of childrens lives is determined by where they are born, how much money their family makes, or what social or ethnic group they belong to. The vision of the Convention can only be achieved if all childrens rights are realized, including the most disadvantaged. No child can be left behind. This demands innovative solutions, creative ideas and fresh thinking. New ideas and approaches including innovative services, products, processes and systems are critical to closing the gaps that prevent so many children from realizing their rights. Innovation means being willing to do things differently and try new ideas, keeping
the ones that work and learning from the ones
that dont. Innovation is part of UNICEFs history. For over six decades, UNICEF has been convening development agencies, academia, industry, children and their communities to create solutions that transform lives. Innovation can come in many forms, from finding inventive ways for girls to get to school, to developing ready-to-use therapeutic food to treat severe acute malnutrition, long lasting insecticidal bed nets to prevent the spread of malaria, and RapidSMS, a free, open-source framework for dynamic data collection, logistics coordination and communication using basic mobile phone technology. When children fail to thrive and fulfill their potential as they grow into adulthood, it is not only these children but all of us who suffer the consequences. Their well-being is a direct reflection of the well-being of society as a whole. To kick off a series of global events on innovation, UNICEF Uganda puts the spotlight on innovations that help children from prebirth to adulthood. Protect Children's Human Rights On November 20, 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a landmark for human rights. Here for the first time was a treaty that sought to address the particular needs of children and to set minimum standards for the protection of their rights. It is the first international treaty to guarantee civil and political rights as well as economic, social, and cultural rights. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely accepted human rights treaty of all the United Nations member states, only the United States and Somalia have not ratified it. One of the Convention's key strengths is that it recognizes that rights must be actively promoted if they are going to be enforced -awareness isn't enough. Children's rights activists have a powerful tool for campaigning for the protection of children's human rights in the almost worldwide acceptance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Philippines and the Convention on the
Rights of the Child This page provides information relating to the forthcoming consideration, in September 2009, by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva of the Philippines records on implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child since its last analysis in 2005. What is the Convention on the Rights of the Child? The Convention was adopted on 20 November 1989 by the UN General Assembly and consists of a preamble and 54 articles. It defines child as any human being below 18 years old, for the purposes of the convention. The Convention also establishes that [i]n all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration, pledging the rights be respected ...without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or his or her parent's or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status. What does the Convention mean for the Philippines? By accepting the Convention, the State committed itself to undertake all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child's parents, legal guardians, or family members. Moreover, with the ratification, the country was entrusted with the mission to undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative, and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognized in the [] Convention. With regard to economic, social and cultural rights, [the Philippines] shall undertake such measures to the maximum extent of their available resources and, where needed, within the framework of international co-operation. Committee on the Rights of the Child The Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by its State parties. It also monitors implementation of two optional protocols to the Convention, on involvement of children in armed conflict and on sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (and the Philippines ratified both). What is treaty reporting?
All States parties are obliged to submit regular
reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented. States must report initially two years after acceding to the Convention and then every five years. The Committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of concluding observations. The Committee reviews additional reports which must be submitted by States who have acceded to the two Optional Protocols to the Convention. The Committee cannot consider individual complaints, although child rights may be raised before other committees with competence to consider individual complaints. The Committee meets in Geneva and normally holds three sessions per year consisting of a three-week plenary and a one-week presessional working group. In 2006, the Committee considered reports in two parallel chambers of 9 members each, "as an exceptional and temporary measure", in order to clear the backlog of reports. The Committee also publishes its interpretation of the content of human rights provisions, known as general comments on thematic issues and organizes days of general discussion. For more information about the work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, click here. The Philippines reporting under the Convention Reporting to the Committee is an opportunity for the governments of the Philippines to present the steps it has taken to develop the country for the benefit of their citizens, particularly children, and to seek advice from the Committees experts on areas where more progress is required. PHILIPPINES The initial report from the Philippines was due on 19 September 1992, and the Committee received it on 21 September 1993. The last report was due on 19 September 2007, and it was submitted on 18 January 2008. The Committee on the Rights of the Child has decided that it will consider the situation in the Philippines at its fifty-second session in September-October 2009. It has requested the Philippines to submit the 3rd and 4th report by September 2007 in a combined report. See: Report
List of issues
Responses
Can NGOs and other civil society
representatives participate in the process? Under article 45(a) of the Convention, the Committee on the Rights of the Child may invite specialized agencies, UNICEF, and other competent bodies to provide expert advice on the implementation of the Convention. The term other competent bodies includes non-governmental organizations. This Convention expressly gives NGOs a role in monitoring its implementation. The Committee has systematically encouraged
NGOs to submit reports, documentation or
other information in order to provide it with a comprehensive picture of how the Convention is being implemented in a particular country. The Committee welcomes written information from international, regional, national and local organizations. Individual NGOs or national coalitions or networks of NGOs may submit information on the implementation of the Convention, as well as the Optional Protocols.