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Preamble
Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the
Charter of the United Nations, recognition of the inherent dignity and
of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family
is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Bearing in mind that the peoples of the United Nations have, in the
Charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the
dignity and worth of the human person, and have determined to promote
social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Recognizing that the United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and in the International Covenants on Human Rights,
proclaimed and agreed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and
freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as
race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion,
national or social origin, property, birth or other status,
Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United
Nations has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special care and
assistance,
Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the
natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and
particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and
assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the
community,
Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of
his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an
atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,
Considering that the child should be fully prepared to live an
individual life in society, and brought up in the spirit of the ideals
proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in
the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and
solidarity,
Bearing in mind that the need to extend particular care to the child has
been stated in the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924
and in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child adopted by the United
Nations on 20 November 1959 and recognized in the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights (in particular in articles 23 and 24), in the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (in particular in
article ten) and in the statutes and relevant instruments of specialized
agencies and international organizations concerned with the welfare of
children,
Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the Declaration of the Rights of
the Child, "the child, by reason of his physical and mental
immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate
legal protection, before as well as after birth,"
Recalling the provisions of the Declaration on Social and Legal
Principles relating to the Protection and Welfare of Children, with
Special Reference to Foster Placement and Adoption Nationally and
Internationally; the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the
Administration of Juvenile Justice ("The Beijing Rules"); and
the Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and
Armed Conflict,
Recognizing that, in all countries in the world, there are children
living in exceptionally difficult conditions, and that such children
need special consideration,
Taking due account of the importance of the traditions and cultural
values of each people for the protection and harmonious development of
the child,
Recognizing the importance of international cooperation for improving
the living conditions of children in every country, in particular in the
developing countries,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 6
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States Parties recognize that every child has the
inherent right to life.
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States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent
possible the survival and development of the child.
Article 19
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States Parties shall take all appropriate
legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to
protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence,
injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or
exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s),
legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.
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Such protective measures should, as appropriate,
include effective procedures for the establishment of social
programmes to provide necessary support for the child and for those
who have the care of the child, as well as for other forms of
prevention and for identification, reporting, referral,
investigation, treatment and follow-up of instances of child
maltreatment described heretofore, and, as appropriate, for judicial
involvement.
Article 24
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States parties recognize the right of the child to
the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to
facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of
health. States Parties shall strive to ensure that no child is
deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services.
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States Parties shall pursue full implementation of
this right and, in particular, shall take appropriate measures:
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To diminish infant and child mortality;
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To ensure the provision of necessary medical
assistance and health care to all children with emphasis on the
development of primary health care;
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To combat disease and malnutrition including
within the framework of primary health care, through inter alia
the application of readily available technology and through the
provision of adequate nutritious foods and clean drinking water,
taking into consideration the dangers and risks of environmental
pollution;
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To ensure appropriate pre-natal and post-natal
health care for mothers;
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To ensure that all segments of society, in
particular parents and children, are informed, have access to
education and are supported in the use of basic knowledge of child
health and nutrition, the advantages of breast-feeding, hygiene
and environmental sanitation and the prevention of accidents;
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To develop preventive health care, guidance for
parents and family planning education and services.
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States Parties shall take all effective and
appropriate measures with a view to abolishing traditional practises
prejudicial to the health of children.
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States Parties undertake to promote and encourage
international cooperation with a view to achieving progressively the
full realization of the right recognized in the present article. In
this regard, particular account shall be taken of the needs of
developing countries.
Article 25
States Parties recognize the right of a child who has
been placed by the competent authorities for the purposes of care,
protection or treatment of his or her physical or mental health, to a
periodic review of the treatment provided to the child and all other
circumstances relevant to his or her placement.
Article 26
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States Parties shall recognize for every child the
right to benefit from social security, including social insurance,
and shall take the necessary measures to achieve the full
realization of this right in accordance with their national law.
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The benefits should, where appropriate, be granted,
taking into account the resources and the circumstances of the child
and persons having responsibility for the maintenance of the child,
as well as any other consideration relevant to an application for
benefits made by or on behalf of the child.
Article 27
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States Parties,
in accordance with national conditions and within their means, shall
take appropriate measures to assist parents and others responsible
for the child to implement this right and shall in case of need
provide material assistance and support programmes, particularly
with regard to nutrition, clothing and housing.
Article 32
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States Parties recognize the right of the child to
be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work
that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's
education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical,
mental, spiritual, moral or social development.
Article 34
States Parties undertake to protect the child from all
forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. For these purposes,
States Parties shall in particular take all appropriate national,
bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent:
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The inducement or coercion of a child to engage in
any unlawful sexual activity;
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The exploitative use of children in prostitution or
other unlawful sexual practises;
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The exploitative use of children in pornographic
performances and materials.
Article 36
States Parties shall protect the child against all
other forms of exploitation prejudicial to any aspects of the child's
welfare.
Article 39
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to
promote physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of
a child victim of: any form of neglect, exploitation, or abuse; torture
or any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment; or armed conflicts. Such recovery and reintegration shall
take place in an environment which fosters the health, self-respect and
dignity of the child.
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