Which international treaty focuses on the rights of children?

Key Points

• The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is an international treaty that focuses on the rights of children.
• Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 1989, the CRC is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history.
• The CRC defines a child as any human being under the age of 18, unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.
• It establishes civil, political, economic, social, health, and cultural rights of children.
• The treaty has 54 articles that cover all aspects of a child's life and set out the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights that all children everywhere are entitled to.

Additional Information

• The CRC has been ratified by 196 countries, highlighting its global acceptance and importance.
• The treaty is monitored by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, which is composed of independent experts that review the implementation of the CRC by its State parties.
• The CRC emphasizes the best interests of the child as a primary consideration and recognizes the role of the family in the upbringing and development of children.
• It also includes specific protections for children in vulnerable situations, such as refugee children, children with disabilities, and those in conflict with the law.
• Countries that have ratified the CRC are required to submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented.