Summary: The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights – civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights. Two Optional Protocols, on the involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, were adopted to strengthen the provisions of the Convention in these areas. They entered into force, respectively on 12 February and 18 January 2002.

Key Terms: The Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes that children have: the right to protection, the right to access education and health care, the right to develop their personalities, abilities and talents, the right to grow up in an environment of happiness, love and understanding, and the right to be informed about their rights. The CRC is the most widely and rapidly ratified human rights treaty in history, with 191 participating nations, it demands State recognition of the basic human rights that children everywhere – without discrimination – have: the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life. "To ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child." Article 6 of the UNCRC.

Status: The Convention was adopted on November 20, 1989 and entered into force on September 2, 1990. As of August 4, 2003, 140 nations had signed the convention and 192 countries are party to it.

Status of US Compliance: The US signed the convention on February 16, 1995, but has not ratified the convention. Of all the nations in the U.N., just two have not ratified the convention: Somalia, which has no stable government, and the United States of America. Additionally, the Optional Protocol on Children and Armed Conflict was written to protect children under the age of 18 from recruitment into armed forces. This important document has been ratified by only four nations so far and again, the United States is not one of these nations.

Official website - Contains text of treaty and status.

UNICEF Site on the Convention  the Rights of the Child -   This website is maintained by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). It breaks the treaty down into several different sections, including an introduction, the special case for the children, and UNICEF’s commitment.

Youth Ambassadors for Peace on CRC -  This website, operated by the Youth Ambassadors for Peace, has a basic question and answer page about the Convention on the Rights of the Child, along with a page of resources for more information.