Convention on the Rights of the Child

A United Nations human-rights treaty that sets out civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights for everyone under 18.

Best interests of the child: A principle requiring that children’s best interests be a primary consideration in decisions affecting them. Article 3 makes this a guiding standard for implementing the treaty.
Ratification: A state’s formal act of consenting to be bound by an international treaty. Ratification makes the convention legally binding on a state under international law.
Declaration of the Rights of the Child: A 1959 United Nations declaration setting out principles for children’s protection and welfare. It preceded the treaty and supplied an important foundation for its development.
Children’s rights: The human rights and legal protections held by children because they are children. The convention became the central global treaty articulating these rights.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: A 1948 United Nations declaration that sets out a common standard of fundamental human rights. It applies broadly to all people, while this convention specifies rights for children.
Child participation: Children’s involvement in decisions and public life that affect them. Article 12 protects children’s right to express views and have them considered.
Committee on the Rights of the Child: A United Nations treaty body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The committee reviews state reports and issues guidance on treaty obligations.
Eglantyne Jebb: A British humanitarian who founded Save the Children and helped promote an international declaration on children’s rights. Her advocacy helped establish the movement that preceded the treaty.
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child: A regional African treaty that protects children’s rights and addresses concerns specific to the continent. It complements the global convention with regional standards and institutions.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women: A United Nations treaty requiring states to eliminate discrimination against women and girls. Its protections for girls intersect with, but do not replace, the child-specific treaty.

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