International Standards

Convention on Rights of a child:

Since its adoption in 1989 after more than 60 years of advocacy, the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been

Unicef

ratified more quickly and by more governments (all except Somalia and the US) than any other human rights instrument. Its basic premise is that children (all human beings below the age of 18) are born with fundamental freedoms and the inherent rights of all human beings.

African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

Declaration of the Rights of the Child

United Nations Declaration of Human Rights

Optional Protocol to the CRC on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography

International Labour Organisation Convention 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour

International Labour Organisation Convention 138 concerning the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment

Sources of Information:

OHCHR guide to child rights

Committee on the Rights of the Child