50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AND 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

Motif: a toy-plush teddy bear The UN General Assembly adopted the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1989 and it came into force on September 2, 1990. It is one of the most thorough conventions on human rights and legal instruments for promotion and protection of the rights of the child. However, there are other international documents on human rights mentioning also rights of the child; Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first document spelling out all human rights to which children are entitled – starting from economic, social, cultural, civil up to political rights. Furthermore, the Convention is the first international document explicitly recognising the status of a child in a society as an active bearer of rights. On the basis of the provisions of the Convention, governments signatories are legally bound to fulfil the rights of each and every child. The Convention consists of 54 articles and is based on the four key principles: all rights apply to all children without discrimination of any kind, the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration, ensure as much as possible every child’s survival and development and children’s views must be taken into account in all matters affecting them. Although it was adopted by the UN twenty years ago, it has since been ratified by 193 governments, except Somalia and the United States of America. This year we celebrate 50th Anniversary of the Adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child. Declaration opened a way to the recognition of the rights of the child as a separate category of human rights with special consideration on psycho-social welfare of the child and in time of crises children are first to be taken care of. The Convention is legally binding document, and the Declaration only sets out the direction for the world to take when children are concerned. The effect of the Convention and its Protocols has been recognised worldwide – on all the continents, in all the regions, countries and communities. The Convention actually elaborates on the rights of the child not mentioned in any other document, as for example: children’s right to express their own opinion in decision making, and particularly the principle „in the best interest of the child“, as the leading principle in decision making when child’s interest is concerned. It also very clearly sets obligations in fulfilling the right of the child of governments who have signed up to the Convention, to families and foster families entrusted to fulfil the rights of the child. The full meaning of the Convention spills over a pure legal framework since its application introduced a new meaning to the concept of the childhood. The Convention gives a definition of a childhood, and sets minimal standards to an appropriate care, living conditions, development, protection and participation in life of persons under 18 years of age. The provisions of the articles of the Convention point out mutual understanding among different societies on the principles of fulfilment of the child’s right, and also that it is necessary to protect a childhood, period of life of the child which differs from the adolescent period, particularly important period for physical, mental and social development. The role of the Convention as a catalyst for change has been most evident in the treatment of a child – former perception of a child as an“object” left at a mercy of others was abandoned and children became true bearers of their rights. Fulfilment of child’s rights is not left as a choice to the signatory states, but the obligation their governments promised to fulfil. The Convention is saturated with optimism for the future of the world in which children shall enjoy their childhood, all their rights shall be observed and all their basic needs satisfied – the world in which children shall be protected of violence, abuse, neglect, discrimination, encouraged to participate in making all decisions important for and influencing their own lives. In the Preamble and articles of the Convention is pointed out that fundamental role of the family in making a world a better place for wellbeing of children, recognising a warm, harmonious, creative, healthy family environment as the best place for integral development of the child. The States signatories to the present Convention are obligated to support families in their efforts to fulfil their obligations and responsibilities toward children. Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is a major event this year, in a world plagued with crises and recession, at the time when a major decrease of investment activities can even more deteriorate the situation and openly threaten already achieved results in the field of the child’s rights. UNICEF is making efforts throughout the world to remind governments and citizens on the pledges written in the Convention, but still not realised. To mark this anniversary Croatia issued a commemorative stamp celebrating 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. There is still a lot to be done. Let’s get together and make the world a better place! UNICEF