U.S. Ratification of Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

Wednesday, November 21 2007 administrator
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In 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), a comprehensive international children's rights treaty that addresses children's civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. The CRC sets goals and standards that promote children's rights, thereby strengthening governmental initiatives to serve children and families while recognizing the role and authority of families and the importance of governmental policies that ensure children's optimal development in their families and communities.

The CRC is organized around several guiding principles: the best interests of the child, protection against discrimination, the child's right to survival and development, and the right to have a voice and freedom of expression. To date, 192 countries have ratified the CRC, making it one of the most widely ratified and celebrated international treaties. All the countries in the world have ratified the CRC except two-Somalia (due to the absence of a formal government) and the United States.

U.S. ratification of the CRC

Despite near-universal ratification of the CRC, in many places around the world, children still face discrimination, violence and abuse. U.S. ratification of the CRC would add a very powerful voice to help ensure that the world lives up to the standards stated in the Convention. Without U.S. ratification of the treaty, the U.S. Government is excluded from participation in evaluating, monitoring and advising other nations on how they treat their children.

Within the United States, the CRC would provide a set of principles and standards that can guide the work of federal, state and local governments to ensure that children's voices are heard, to fight exploitation and abuse, and to keep families strong.

Take action now

Individuals and organizations in the United States that support the treaty must make a considerable effort to educate their fellow citizens about the importance of U.S. ratification of the CRC.

For example, individuals can organize informational meetings and distribute materials about the CRC; work with local churches, schools and community groups to create grassroots support; and contact local newspapers with letters to the editor and op-eds in support of U.S. ratification of the CRC.

Organizations can help by educating their staff and members about the Convention; discussing the CRC in newsletters and membership magazines; sending informational mailings to members; including the CRC as an issue at annual meetings; getting field offices involved; and officially endorsing U.S. ratification of the Convention.

CAFETY's Care not Coercion' pamphlets coming soon!

 

 

More on the Summit for the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Mobilizing Communities for Ratification

 

Learn more about child rights

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