United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
In 1989, the Convention (agreement) on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the UN General Assembly. The UNCRC guarantees and sets minimum standards for protecting the rights of children. It is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. There are 41 articles that include: ● Article 7: You have the right to a name and a nationality. ● Article 19: You have the right to be protected from violence. ● Article 31: You have the right to rest, play and to take part in activities.
The UN has also adopted a series of other conventions such as the elimination of discrimination against women (1979) and the rights of persons with disabilities (2006).
Other ways the UN promotes human rights
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
The Human Rights Council
General Assembly Security Council
Peacekeepers ILO
Promotes gender equality and the advancement of women
Helps people forced to flee their homes and has staff in over 130 countries
Leads UN activity on human rights issues
Former Irish President Mary Robinson was UN Higher Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997–2002
Promotes and protects human rights
Every four years it reviews the human rights records of the 193 UN Member States
Condemns human rights abuses
The Security Council has created several resolutions (official opinions) on human rights issues
Many peacekeeping missions have a human rights team Works to improve the rights of workers Assessing Your Learning
3. How does UNICEF work to reduce child mortality? 4. Why was the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees set up? 5. What is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history? 6. Name one former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
A refugee is someone forced to leave their country because of war, persecution or natural disaster.
1. What are human rights? 2. What role did (i) Eleanor Roosevelt and (ii) Hansa Mehta have in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
A treaty is a formal, legally binding written agreement between countries.