The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is built on varied legal systems and cultural traditions, and is a universally agreed set of non-negotiable standards and obligations. These basic standards—also called human rights—set minimum entitlements and freedoms that should be respected by governments. They are founded on respect for the dignity and worth of each individual, regardless of race, colour, gender, language, religion, opinions, origins, wealth, birth status or ability and therefore apply to every human being everywhere. With these rights comes the obligation on both governments and individuals not to infringe on the parallel rights of others. These standards are both interdependent and indivisible; we cannot ensure some rights without—or at the expense of—other rights.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. In 1989, world leaders decided that children needed a special convention just for them because people under 18 years old often need special care and protection that adults do not. The leaders also wanted to make sure that the world recognized that children have human rights too.

The Convention sets out these rights in 54 articles and two Optional Protocols. It spells out the basic human rights that children everywhere 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. The four core principles of the Convention are non-discrimination; devotion to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child. Every right spelled out in the Convention is inherent to the human dignity and harmonious development of every child. The Convention protects children's rights by setting standards in health care; education; and legal, civil and social services.

By agreeing to undertake the obligations of the Convention (by ratifying or acceding to it), national governments have committed themselves to protecting and ensuring children's rights and they have agreed to hold themselves accountable for this commitment before the international community. States parties to the Convention are obliged to develop and undertake all actions and policies in the light of the best interests of the child.

General Comment No. 7 (2005): Implementing child rights in early childhood (November 2005).  The purpose of this general comment is to recognize the rights of all young children as outlined in the Convention, as well as to emphasize early childhood as a vital period in acknowledging these rights.  The general comment provides a definition of the term "early childhood", and identifies characteristics and features specific to this developmental period.  In addition, this document examines research, general principles, and rights in early childhood.  The general comment also explores policies and programmes, capacity-building, as well as the responsibilities of parents and state parties for early childhood.

Also available in French Observation Générale No. 7 (2005): Mise en ouvre des droits de l'enfant dans la petite enfance (Septembre 2006).

A Guide to General Comment 7: Implementing Child Rights in Early Childhood
April 2006

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child applies to all children under 18 - but its implementation poses particular practical challenges when it comes to young children. This book is a guide to implementing child rights in early childhood. It is based around the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's General Comment no 7. It contains extracts from the papers submitted to the committee at the time of the Day of General Discussion which preceded the General Comment, and other relevant material. 

Now newly available in Spanish La Observación general No. 7 del Comité de los Derechos del Niño de las Naciones Unidas 

The Convention on the Rights of the Child and Young Children
Published by the Bernard van Leer Foundation, this issue of Early Childhood Matters (No. 98, 2001), provides arguments, examples of work at all levels, and analyses to contribute to the discussions that are needed to elevate the Convention on the Rights of the Child to its rightful place in early childhood programming as key strategy in realising the aspirations of the Convention. 

Promoting social inclusion and respect for diversity in the early years.  (Bernard van Leer Foundation, June 2007).  In keep with the CRC, this issue explores notions of respect for social inclusion and diversity within children's environments.  This issue includes an interview from American philosopher Martha Nussbaum.