It is ten years ago, since the convention on the rights of the child was adopted on the 20th November 1989 by the UN General Assembly. Declarations on the rights of the child were adopted by the League of Nations in 1924 and the United Nations by 1959. However, there was an outcry for a comprehensive statement on children’s rights, which would be binding under the international law.

This view was motivated by grave injustices suffered by children like high infant mortality, deficient health care, and limited opportunities for basic education. Many more were abused and exploited as prostitutes.

The unanimous adoption of the convention by the General Assembly paved the way for the ratification by member states and the establishment of the member committee. Within a period of less than a year, 20 states had legally endorsed the conventions, which then entered into force. Child laws review committee of states examined the laws relating to child welfare and review them to ensure their protection. The high lights of the convention are worth mentioning:

• Every child has the inherent right to life, and states shall ensure, to the maximum, child survival and development.
• Every child has the right to a name and nationality from birth.
• Children shall not be separated from their parents except by competent authorities for their well being.
• States shall facilitate re-unification of families by permitting travel into or out of their territories.
• Parents have the primary responsibility for a child’s up bringing, but states shall provide them with appropriate assistance and develop child-care institutions.
• States shall protect children from physical or mental harm and neglect, including sexual abuse or exploitation.
• States shall provide parentless children with suitable alternative care. The adoption process shall be carefully regulated and international agreement should be sought to provide safeguards and assure legal validity if and when adoptive parents intend to move a child from his or her country of birth.

Article 19: No body has a right to subject children to any form of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse and neglect.

Article 27: Every child has a right to a standard of living adequate to the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.

Article 23: Children with disabilities require care and support to enable them enjoy a full and a decent life. All measures should be taken to ensure that they play an active part in the community.

Article 32: Child labor is a threat to the child’s health, education and development. All measures should be taken to protect children from hazardous and exploitative forms of work.

Article 24: Malnutrition is dangerous to a child’s physical and mental development. All efforts should be made to combat the current high prevalence of malnutrition.

Article 22: Children who are refugees and those who seek to be granted refugee status should be given special protection.

Article 37: Children who are in conflict with the law are better dealt with in their families and communities. They should be judged fairly.

Article 34: It is our responsibility to ensure that children are protected from all forms of abuse.

This convention is an integral part of the international law, which elaborates and protects the basic rights for all children in the world.

These rights include all the basic needs of a child to enable him/her develop its full potentials. The convention is so comprehensive that it caters for children’s rights in one document and children are recognized as an integral part of the social, economic and cultural life of their countries. The convention is applicable to children every where in the world irrespective of who they are, where they live, and in what circumstances.

This convention consists of 54 articles which provides for the basic principles, the specific rights and the roles and responsibilities of governments and the UN in the implementation of the convention.

Four fundamental principles constitute the convention they are as mentioned; non-discrimination, the best interests survival and development, and respects for the views of the child. This convention is the world’s most ratified international human rights instrument, which most states are subject to.

As we approach the third millennium, armed conflicts still continue to unfold suffering to mankind. Millions around the world are continuously displaced and many are killed in crossfire. The aftermath of the war, like sicknesses etc have claimed the lives of so many. No wonder, the primary victims of violence inflicted during conflicts are children.

The 10th anniversary for the adoption of this convention as we enter the third nth should mark a beginning for every one to advocate and protect children from the atrocious aspects of conflict through, condemning warring parties involved in conflict and encouraging them to be more responsible to the convention on the rights of the child.

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Situation of Human Rights in Sudan Remains Seriously Wanting

Situation of Refugees in D.R. Congo

New Wave of Refugee Influx in Uganda

10 years of the Convention of the Rights of the Child

Refugees Testify Experiences

Overview of SHRA's work, 1999 / SHRA Calendar of Events 2000