United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
Two Nepalese HIV affected children hold candles during a prayer meeting at Gaushal near Kathmandu on the eve of the International AIDS Day, 30 November 2005. DEVENDRA M SINGH/AFP/Getty Images
The CRC has been ratified by every United Nations member state except the USA and Somalia. It covers the full spectrum of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, stressing their indivisible and interdependent relationship. The rights fall into four broad categories:
- subsistence rights: including the rights to food, shelter and health care
- development rights: which allow children to reach their fullest potential
- protection rights: such as the right to life and protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation
- participation rights: which allow children to play an active role in community and political life
The rights of the Convention apply regardless of ''race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status''. The main message is equality of opportunity. Girls should be given the same opportunities as boys. Poor children, disabled children, refugee children, children of indigenous or minority groups - all should have the same rights as others, the same opportunities to learn and enjoy an adequate standard of living.
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, which came into force in February 2002, prohibits the use of children aged under 18 in hostilities. Unlike most international treaties, it applies to both states and non-state actors such as armed opposition groups.
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, which came into force in January 2002, gives special emphasis to the criminalization of serious violations of children's rights - namely sale of children, illegal adoption, child prostitution and pornography – and international cooperation as a means of combating these transnational activities.
Updated: 6 February 2006