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CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Introduction
The promotion of separate rights for children is a comparatively modern development. It was not until the reform movement of the nineteenth century that nations accepted the responsibility for protecting children against the power of parents, economic exploitation or social neglect. In the pre-United Nations years, the rights of children were considered in the context of measures taken against slavery, child labor and the traffic and prostitution of minors. With those issues in mind, the League of Nations adopted the Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child in 1924.. It states that, “Mankind owes to the child the best it has to give.” The Declaration provided a solid moral framework for children’s rights.
In 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It implicitly included children’s rights. In 1959 the Declaration of the Rights of the Child was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. It specified ten rights for children, but was not legally binding, as declarations generally tend not to be.
The need to give the force of treaty law to children’s rights became evident during the preparations for the International Year of the Child (1979). In 1978 a draft convention on children’s rights was submitted to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights by the Government of Poland. From 1979 to 1989, the Commission on Human Rights gave increasing attention to the drafting of the Convention. The final text was submitted in early 1989 to the General Assembly. On November 20, 1989, the thirtieth anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, the Convention was unanimously adopted by the General Assembly by Resolution 44/25.
The first day the Convention was open for signature, January 26, 1990, a total of 61 countries (States Parties) signed. The Convention entered force with the receipt of over twenty ratifications in the Secretary-General’s office on September 2, 1990. The Convention is more effective than the earlier Declaration because it compels the countries which have accepted the Convention to be legally accountable for their actions towards children.
The 54 Article Convention is a “Bill of Rights” for children. The Convention defines a child as a person under the age 18, unless national laws fix an earlier age of majority. The Convention calls on States Parties to create conditions in which children may take an active and creative part in the social and political life of their countries. It establishes the right of a child to be an actor in his or her own development. The Convention covers four broad categories of rights:
Survival Rights including a child’s right to life, basic needs to exist, adequate living standards, shelter,
nutrition and access to medical services;
Developmental Rights including the things children need to reach their fullest potential such as the right to education, play and leisure, cultural activities, access to information and freedom of thought, conscience and religion;
Protection Rights including safeguards for children against all kinds of abuse, neglect and exploitation as well as protection for children in difficult circumstances; and
Participation Rights allowing children to prepare for responsible adulthood by taking part as active citizens,
expressing opinions, having a say in matters affecting their own lives and assembling
peacefully.
CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Overview
PREAMBLE
The Preamble recalls the basic principles of the United Nations,
reaffirms the fact that children are vulnerable and need special protection and
describes the basic ideas upon which the Convention is based.
PART I
41 Articles describing the rights of a child
Article 1 Definition of a child
Article 2 Non-discrimination
Article 3 Best interests of the child
Article 4 Implementation of rights
Article 5 Parental guidance and the
child’s evolving capacities
Article 6 Survival and development
Article 7 Name and nationality
Article 8 Preservation of identity
Article 9 Separation from parents
Article 10 Family reunification
Article 11 Illicit transfer and non-return
Article 12 The child’s opinion
Article 13 Freedom of expression
Article 14 Freedom of thought, conscience and
religion
Article 15 Freedom of association
Article 16 Protection of privacy
Article 17 Access to appropriate
information
Article 18 Parental responsibilities
Article 19 Protection from abuse and
neglect
Article 20 Protection of a child without
family
PART II
Articles 42-45 describe the structure and duties of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
PART III
Articles 46-54 describe the signing, ratification, amending and denunciation of the Convention.
Article 21 Adoption
Article 22 Refugee children
Article 23 Disabled children
Article 24 Health and health services
Article 25 Periodic review of placement
Article 26 Social security
Article 27 Standard of living
Article 28 Education
Article 29 Aims of education
Article 30 Children of minorities or indigenous populations
Article 31 Leisure, recreation and cultural activities
Article 32 Child Labor
Article 33 Drug abuse
Article 34 Sexual exploitation
Article 35 Sale, trafficking and abduction
Article 36 Other forms of exploitation
Article 37 Torture and deprivation of liberty
Article 38 Armed conflicts
Article 39 Rehabilitative care
Article 40 Administration of juvenile justice
Article 41 The Convention does not alter laws in existence with higher standards
CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
PREAMBLE
The States Parties to the present Convention,
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, color, 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 in 1924 and in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child adopted by the General Assembly 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 10) 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 co-operation for improving the living conditions of children in every country, in particular in the developing countries,
Have agreed as follows:
SUMMARY OF CONVENTION ARTICLES
(written by young people)
PART I
Article 1.
In this Convention a child is defined as “every human being below the age of 18 years” unless national laws recognize the age of majority earlier.
Article 2
2.1 The rights in this Convention will be ensured to each child without any prejudice.
2.2 The child is to be protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment because of any actions or opinions of parents, guardians or family members.
Article 3
3.1 The best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration in public or private welfare institutions, courts, administrative authorities and/or legislative bodies.
3.2 The child shall be ensured the care and protection necessary for his or her well-being taking into account the rights and duties of those responsible for him or her.
3.3 Agencies responsible for the care or protection of children will conform with established standards.
Article 4
States Parties shall undertake all appropriate measures for implementation of the rights in this Convention to the maximum extent of their available resources.
Article 5
The State must respect the rights and responsibilities of parents and the extended family to provide guidance for the child which is appropriate to his or her evolving capacities.
Article 6
6.1 Every child has the right to life.
6.2 The States Parties shall ensure the child’s survival and development.
Article 7
7.1 The child shall have the right to a name at birth, a nationality and, as far as possible, the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents.
7.2 States Parties shall implement these rights according to their national laws.
Article 8
8.1 The child has the right to preserve identity, nationality, name and family ties.
8.2 The identities in Article 8.1 shall be re-established if the child is deprived of any.
Article 9
9.1 A child shall not be separated from family unless it is in the child’s best interests.
9.2 In any legal situation all interested parties will make their views known during the proceedings.
9.3 A child separated from one or both parents has the right to maintain contact with both parents unless it is contrary to the child’s best interests.
9.4 If a child is in the custody of the state, the parents or guardians shall be provided with information about the child unless it is contrary to the child’s best interests.
Article 10
10.1 Children and parents have the right to leave any country and to enter their own for purposes of reunion or the maintenance of the parent/child relationship.
10.2 A child whose parents reside in different States has the right to maintain direct contact with both parents.
Article 11
11.1 States have the obligation to prevent and remedy kidnapping or retention of children abroad by a parent or anyone else.
11.2 States will make formal agreements to make these steps legal.
Article 12
12.1 “States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.”
12.2 “For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.”
Article 13
13.1 “The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice.”
13.2 “The exercise of this right may be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary:
(a) For respect of the rights and reputation of others; or
(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.”
Article 14
14.1 “States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.”
14.2 The rights and duties of parents and/or legal guardians shall be respected “to provide direction to the child in exercise of his or her rights in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.”
14.3 “Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs” is only limited by laws “to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.”
Article 15
15.1 The child has the right to freedom of association and to freedom of peaceful assembly.
15.2 No restrictions may be placed on these rights other than those necessary in a democratic society, restrictions of national security, public safety, public order, protection of public health and morals and protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
Article 16
16.1 & 16.2 The child has the right to protection from interference with privacy, family, home, correspondence and from libel or slander.
Article 17
States Parties “shall ensure that the child has access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of his or her social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health. To this end the States Parties shall:
(a) Encourage the mass media to disseminate information and material of social and cultural benefit to the child in accordance with Article 29 (describes the aims of education);
(b) Encourage international cooperation in the production, exchange and dissemination of such information and material from a diversity of cultural, national and international sources;
(c) Encourage the production and dissemination of children’s books;
(d) Encourage the mass media to have particular regards to the linguistic needs of the child who belongs to a minority group or who is indigenous; and
(e) Encourage the development of appropriate guidelines for the protection of the child from information and material injurious to his or her well-being, “bearing in mind the provisions of Article 13 (freedom of expression) and Article 18 (parental responsibilities).
Article 18
18.1 Both parents and/or legal guardians have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of the child “The best interests of the child will be the basic concern.”
18.2 To guarantee the rights of this Convention, States Parties shall “ensure the development of institutions, facilities and services for the care of children.”
18.3 Children of working parents have “the right to benefit from child-care services and facilities for which they are eligible.”
Article 19
19.1 All appropriate measures will be taken 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 care of the child.”
19.2 Effective procedures shall be established for the prevention, “identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment.”
Article 20
20.1 States Parties will provide protection and assistance to children temporarily or permanently deprived of their family environment.
20.2 States shall ensure alternative care for such a child in accordance with national laws.
20.3 Efforts to implement this Article shall pay due regard to the child’s cultural background.
Article 21
In cases of adoption the best interests of the child are most important. States shall ensure:
(a) The adoption is undertaken legally by competent authorities;
(b) Inter-country adoption is possible if adoption is not suitable in the child’s country of origin;
(c) Inter-country adoption will have the same standards and safeguards as national adoptions;
(d) Inter-country adoption shall not result in improper financial gain for those involved; and
(e) States Parties will make agreements for safe inter-country adoptions.
Article 22
22.1 Refugee children, whether or not accompanied by parents or other persons, shall receive “protection and humanitarian assistance” in accordance with agreements between States.
22.2 States will cooperate with the UN and other organizations to trace the families of refugee children.
Article 23
23.1 Mentally or physically disabled children should have “a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child’s active participation in the community.”
23.2 The disabled child has a right to special care “appropriate to the child’s condition and to the circumstances of the parents or others caring for the child.”
23.3 Whenever possible the disabled child will be provided with “education, training, health care services, rehabilitation services, preparation for employment and recreation opportunities in a manner conducive to achieving the fullest possible social integration and individual development, including his or her cultural and spiritual development.”
23.4 States shall share information about research, services and care of disabled children.
Article 24
24.1 The child has the right to the highest standards of health care.
24.2 States Parties shall implement this right fully by:
(a) Diminishing infant mortality;
(b) Ensuring necessary medical assistance and health care to all children;
(c) Combating disease and malnutrition and considering environmental pollution;
(d) Ensuring pre-natal and post-natal care for mothers;
(e) Educating the public about hygiene, nutrition and accident prevention; and
(f) Developing preventative health care and family planning education and services.
24.3 Effective measures will be taken to abolish traditional practices harmful to children’s health.
24.4 International cooperation will bring realization of the rights in this Article.
Article 25
A child who is placed by the State for reasons of care, protection or treatment is entitled to have this placement
evaluated regularly.
Article 26
26.1 “Every child has the right to benefit from social security, including social insurance” in accordance with national law.
26.2 Benefits should be given considering the resources of the child and the child’s care-takers.
Article 27
27.1 “States Parties recognize the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.”
27.2 The child’s care-takers shall secure within the best of their abilities conditions of living “necessary for the child’s development.”
27.3 States Parties within their means shall assist the child’s care-takers to provide the child with adequate nutrition, clothing and housing.
27.4 States Parties shall take appropriate measures to recover child support from those having financial responsibility for the child including making inter-country agreements and taking other appropriate measures.
Article 28
28.1 The child has the right to education on the basis of equal opportunity. The States shall:
(a) “Make primary education compulsory and available to all;”
(b) Offer general and vocational secondary education, making them available and accessible to every child and offering financial assistance in case of need;
(c) “Make higher education accessible to all on the basis of capacity by appropriate means;”
(d) “Make educational and vocational information and guidance available and accessible to all children;”
(e) “Take measures to encourage regular attendance at schools and the reduction of drop-out rates.”
28.2 School discipline shall be administered “in a manner consistent with the child’s human dignity and in conformity with the present Convention.”
28.3 States Parties shall share their educational research and technology to eliminate ignorance and illiteracy
throughout the world with particular regard to developing countries.
Article 29
29.1 The education of the child shall be directed to :
(a) “The development of the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential;”
(b) The development of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations;”
(c) “The development of respect for the child’s parents, his or her own cultural identity, language and values for the national values of the country in which the child is living, the country from which he or she may originate and for civilizations different from his or her own;”
(d) “The preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes and friendship among all people, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of indigenous origin;” and
(e) “The development of respect for the natural environment.”
29.2 No part of Articles 28 and 29 shall be construed in a way to interfere with individuals or bodies establishing and directing educational institutions according to the principles set forth in Article 29.1.
Article 30
A child belonging to an ethnic, religious or linguistic minority group or who is indigenous has the right to enjoy his or her own culture and to practice his or her own religion and language.
Article 31
31.1 The child has the right to leisure and recreation and to participate freely in cultural and artistic activities.
31.2 States Parties shall respect, encourage and promote child participation in such activities.
Article 32
32.1 A child has the right “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.”
32.2 States shall take all measures possible to implement Article 32. Considering the provisions of other international instruments States Parties shall:
(a) “Provide for a minimum age of admission to employment;”
(b) “Provide for appropriate regulation of the hours and conditions of employment;” and
(c) “Provide for appropriate penalties or sanctions to ensure effective enforcement of the present Article.”
Article 33
Children shall have the right to protection from the use of narcotics and psychotropic drugs and from being involved in their production and distribution.
Article 34
States Parties shall take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to protect children from all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation by preventing:
(a) “The inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity;”
(b) “The exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices;” and
(c) “The exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials.”
Article 35
The States Parties shall make every effort to prevent the sale, traffiking and abduction of children “for any purpose or in any form.”
Article 36
The child has the right to protection from all forms of exploitation not beneficial to any aspects of the child’s welfare not covered in Articles 32, 33, 34 and 35.
Article 37
States Parties shall ensure that:
(a) “No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without possibility of release shall be imposed for offences committed by persons below 18 years of age;”
(b) “No child shall be deprived of his or her liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily. The arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child shall be in conformity with the law and shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time;”
(c) “Every child deprived of liberty shall be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.” Such children will be separated from adults if it is in the child’s best interests and they will be allowed to maintain contact with their families; and
(d) Every child deprived of liberty shall have the right to prompt access to legal and other appropriate assistance, as well as the right to challenge the legality of the deprivation of his or her liberty before a court or other competent, independent and impartial authority, and to a prompt decision on any such action.”
Article 38
38.1 States Parties will honor international humanitarian laws relevant to children in armed conflict situations.
38.2 “States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure that persons who have not attained the age of 15 years do not take a direct part in hostilities.”
38.3 States shall not recruit any person under the age of 15 into the armed forces. In recruiting persons between the ages of 15 and 18, priority will be given to those who are oldest.
38.4 “States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure protection and care of children who are affected by an armed conflict.”
Article 39
The State shall ensure that child victims of armed conflicts, torture, neglect, maltreatment or exploitation receive appropriate treatment for their recovery and social integration.
Article 40
40.1 Every child accused of breaking the penal law shall be treated in a manner which promotes “the child’s sense of dignity and worth, which reinforces the child’s respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of others and which takes into account the child’s age and the desirability of promoting the child’s reintegration and the child’s assuming a constructive role in society.”
40.2 States Parties shall ensure that:
(a) No child shall be accused of acts or omissions that were not unlawful at the time they were committed.
(b) Every child alleged as or accused of having infringed on the penal law has the following guarantees:
(i) “To be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law;”
(ii) To be informed promptly of the charges and to have legal or other assistance in the preparation and presentation of his or her defense;
(iii) To have the matter determined without delay by a competent, impartial judicial authority taking into account the child’s age and the child’s parents or guardians;
(iv) “Not to be compelled to give testimony or to confess guilt; to examine or have examined adverse witnesses and to obtain the participation and examination of witnesses on his or her behalf under conditions of equality;”
(v) To have a decision of “guilty” and the ensuing punishment reviewed by a higher, competent, impartial judicial body;
(vi) To have the free assistance of an interpreter if the child cannot understand or speak the language used; and
(vii) “To have his or her privacy fully respected at all stages of the proceedings.”
40.3 States Parties shall establish laws, procedures, authorities and institutions specifically for dealing with children who have or allegedly have broken the law. States Parties shall:
(a) Establish a minimum age below which children shall be presumed not to have the capacity to infringe the penal law; and
(b) Provide appropriate measures to deal with such children “without resorting to judicial proceedings, providing that human and legal safeguards are fully respected.”
40.4 A wide variety of alternative care services (counseling, foster care, vocational training, etc.) to replace institutional care shall be made available.
Article 41
“Nothing in the present Convention shall affect any provisions which are more conducive to the realization of the rights of the child and which may be contained in:
(a) The law of the State Party; or
(b) International law in force for that State.”
Part II
Article 42
States Parties shall make the principles and provisions of the Convention widely known to adults and children alike.
Article 43
43.1 A Committee on the Rights of the Child shall be established to carry out the functions listed.
43.2 The Committee shall consist of “ten experts of high moral standing and recognized competence in the field covered by this Convention.” They shall be elected by the States Parties and shall serve in a “personal capacity.” Committee members will represent a wide distribution geographically and represent principal legal systems.
43.3 The members will be elected by secret ballot from a list of persons nominated by the States Parties. Each State Party may nominate one person from their country.
43.4 Committee elections will be held every second year. At least four months before the election, the Secretary General shall prepare an alphabetized list of those nominated and their States and send it to all State Parties of the Convention.
43.5 Meetings of States Parties will be convened by the Secretary General at the New York UN Headquarters.
A quorum is two-thirds of the States Parties. The elected Committee members will be those with the largest number of votes from an absolute majority of those present and voting.
43.6 Committee members shall have a term of four years and are eligible for re-election.
43.7 If a Committee member cannot continue serving, the member’s State will appoint a replacement subject to approval by the Committee.
43.8 The Committee shall establish its own rules of procedure.
43.9 The Committee shall elect its officers for a period of two years.
43.10 The Committee shall meet annually.
43.11 The UN Secretary General shall provide the necessary facilities and staff for the Committee to function.
43.12 The General Assembly will determine and approve the compensation for services to be received by Committee members.
Article 44
44.1 States Parties will submit reports on the implementation of the Convention to the Committee through the Secretary General:
(a) Within two years after the Convention’s entry into force; and
(b) Thereafter every five years.
44.2 Reports shall indicate difficulties, degree of fulfillment of obligations and sufficient information for the Committee to get an accurate picture of the State’s enforcement of the Convention.
44.3 Any State Party submitting a comprehensive initial report need not submit information already submitted.
44.4 The Committee may request further information from the States Parties.
44.5 The Committee shall report on its activities to the General Assembly through the Economic and Social Council.
44.6 States Parties shall make their reports widely available to the public.
Article 45
“In order to foster effective implementation of the Convention and to encourage international cooperation in the field covered by the Convention:
(a) UNICEF and other UN organs shall be entitled to attend Committee meetings to inform and advise the Committee;
(b) The Committee shall forward any States Parties reports to UNICEF and/or other relevant agencies pertaining to their scope of activities;
(c) The Committee may ask the General Assembly to request the Secretary General to have studies made about issues relevant to the rights of the child; and
(d) The Committee may make suggestions and recommendations to the States Parties. These may be reported to the General Assembly along with the States Parties replies.
Part III
Article 46
“The present Convention shall be open for signature by all States.”
Article 47
“The present Convention is subject to ratification. Instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary General of the United Nations.
Article 48
The present Convention is open for accession by any State and such instruments of accession may be deposited with the Secretary General.
Article 49
49.1 The present Convention shall enter force on the thirtieth day following the deposit of the twentieth instrument of ratification or accession with the Secretary General.
49.2 For each State ratifying or acceding to the Convention after it has entered into force (49.1), the Convention shall be entered into force in that State on the thirtieth day after deposit with the Secretary General.
Article 50
50.1 Any State Party may propose an amendment to the Convention by filing with the Secretary General, who will send it to all States Parties requesting them to indicate whether they would like a conference of States Parties to consider the amendment. Within four months if at least one third of the States Parties favor a conference, the Secretary General shall convene the meeting. Any amendment to the Convention adopted by a majority present and voting at such a conference will be submitted to the General Assembly for approval.
50.2 To enter into force, any amendment to the Convention after General Assembly approval must be accepted by a two-thirds majority of States Parties.
50.3 After an amendment enters into force it is binding in all States Parties to the Convention.
Article 51
51.1 The Secretary General shall circulate all texts of reservations made at the time of Convention ratification or accession.
51.2 “A reservation incompatible with the object and purpose of the present Convention shall not be permitted.”
51.3 Reservations may be withdrawn any time by notifying the Secretary General who will notify all the other States Parties.
Article 52
A State Party may denounce the Convention by written notification to the Secretary General. Denunciation becomes effective one year after the Secretary General receives it.
Article 53
The Secretary General is the designated depositary of the present Convention.
Article 54
The original of the present Convention is translated into Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. These translations, all equally authentic, are on deposit with the Secretary General.
In witness thereof the undersigned plenipotentiaries,
being duly authorized thereto by their respective Governments,
have signed the present Convention.
{ All United Nations Member States have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child except the United States and Somalia. This means the children of the United States and Somalia are not legally protected by this Convention .)
Readers are urged to get full copies of the Convention on the Rights of the Child from UNICEF or UN Information offices, study it, discuss it and inform other children about it. Remember rights carry responsibilities with them. As the young Sierra Leoneans at their national meeting in 1994 stated,
“Rights and responsibilities are connected. A right carries certain responsibilities which must be carried out in a serious and positive manner by an individual or group so they can continue to enjoy their rights.”
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