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An international convention guarantees children’s rights
Bringing together 191 signatory states, the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CIDE) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989. November 20 has been, since 1996, the “National Day for the Defense and Promotion of the Rights of the Child” in France. This text of 54 articles on fundamental rights of children is the “first international treaty of legal obligation of protection of the child”, according to the site of the Association Enfance et Partage.
All the children of the world have rights
The stake of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child is universal: to defend and guarantee the rights of all children, without distinction. Recognized as full-fledged beings, thanks to the CIDE, those under 18 have social, economic, civil, cultural and political rights. Among those stated over the 54 articles; the right toto be healed, protected from diseases,have a diet sufficient and balanced,go to school, do not go to war, to play, to have a family, to be protected from violence, abuse and all forms of discrimination.
Associations in the service of children’s rights
This convention is at the heart of the work of UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, a United Nations humanitarian organization dedicated to improving and promoting the condition of children. Its goal ? Enforce the Convention around the world. How? ‘Or’ What ? By fighting to prevent the spread of HIV, by intervening to immunize children, by ensuring that their dignity is respected by concrete actions. The adoption of the treaty has already enabled many advances, such as the halving of the number of children who die each year or a 30% increase in schooling worldwide. COFRADE (French Council of Associations for the Rights of the Child) ensures compliance with the CIDE in France by federating the actions of the 50 associations for the defense of children’s rights which adhere to its charter.
France must advance children’s rights
France counts 1 million poor children, 19 children are mistreated and 000 girls and boys leave the school system each year with no future prospects (Source: National Day for the Defense and Promotion of the Rights of the Child). To change the situation of children in each member state of the CIDE, a committee on the rights of the child meets three times a year in Geneva to take stock and make recommendations. And France still has a lot of work to do!