Abstract : The preamble and articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are presented. The convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly on November 20, 1989. The preamble of the convention reaffirms that children need special care and protection, placing special emphasis upon the primary caring and protective responsibility of the family. It also reaffirms the need for legal and other protection of the child before and after birth, the importance of respect for the cultural values of the child's community, and the vital role of international cooperation in securing children's rights. Articles of the convention define the child and consider non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, the implementation of rights, parental guidance and the child's evolving capacities, survival and development, name and nationality, preservation of identity, separation from parents, family reunification, illicit transfer and non-return, the child's opinion, freedom of expression, freedom of thought/conscience/religion, freedom of association, protection of privacy, access to appropriate information, parental responsibilities, protection from abuse and neglect, protection of a child without family, adoption, refugee children, disabled children, health and human services, periodic review of placement, social security, standard of living, education, aims of education, children of minorities or indigenous populations, leisure, recreation, cultural activities, child labor, drug abuse, sexual exploitation, sale/trafficking/abduction, other forms of exploitation, torture and deprivation of liberty, armed conflicts, rehabilitative care, administration of juvenile justice, respect for higher standards, and implementation and entry into force. Part three of the convention discusses administrative concerns.
Notes : French; English
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