Children's Rights (Essay Sample)

Running head: CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD.
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Abstract HYPERLINK "/stable/4499723?&Search=yes&searchText=%22the+rights+of+the+child%22&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3D%2B%2522the%2Brights%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bchild%2522%26gw%3Djtx%26acc%3Don%26prq%3D%2522convention%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bright%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bchild%2522%26Search%3DSearch%26hp%3D25%26wc%3Don&prevSearch=&item=1&ttl=2439&returnArticleService=showFullText" \l "ufo"  
Children are vulnerable to anything from the start of their life and may be, until when they are 18 years old for that is the time they are considered mature enough to know what is wrong, right and their human rights. This children’s vulnerability is a big concern shared by all countries and cultures all over the world. The ratification of the UN General Assembly's Convention on the Rights of the Child, was led by 192 out of 194 nations to make sure children’s conditions or rather in that case, children’s rights laws were laid down to protect children all over the world and cultures. The United States was among the leading countries to influence other nations on the drafting of this convention, believe it or not, only the United States and Somalia have not yet signed the Convention for some reasons here and there (Craig, 2010, p.23). The United States of America believe that anything thing to do with human rights treaty itself is not directly part of U.S law (UNICEF).
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Sometimes we ask ourselves what is, “Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)”? These are internationally recognized covenant between certain nations or states which builds a comprehensive set of goals for nations to achieve on behalf of their children. In other words, it is an international instrument that brings a range of human rights together in one pot. These rights may include; civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. We are going to see how CRC is based on 4 main principles, namely the principle of non discrimination, the right of life, interests of the child, survival and development, and the views of the child in decision making.
Enforcement of right
As mentioned above, Children's rights can be explained in numerous ways, this might including a huge spectrum of cultural, civil, economic, political and social rights. First, we are going to categorizes children's rights into four categories, that is; Provision, Protection, Participation and Freedom of speech. Every nation, as by the treaty, should provide their children with such things like; education, health care, recreation and to have adequate standard of living. When we talk of children having adequate standard of living, we are basically talking about basic needs like food, clothing and shelter. Many nations, especially that of Africa and South East Asia, have this obligation but due to their poor economic standards, they have not fulfilled what they are expected by the UN. If we choose India in particular, we see how the government has use many different ways to lure children to school by improving access to education but access to schools is another problem (Nesi, 2008, p.384). As Nesi mentioned above, I give credit to Indian government for doing a good job by making sure education is a right under Indian law.
India like many other countries is not immune to UN’s criticism and has been cited for child labor and abuse cases. India is much better than other countries like Sudan and Ghana. Many African countries in that matter are breeding grounds of slavery. Ghana in particular, forced labor of any kind, is the order of the day if you are a young boy or a girl. This happens with the knowledge of local leaders (Rodriguez, 2011, p.473).
When we come to the right of child to be protected, we mean children have that right to protection from abuse, neglect, discrimination and exploitation. Millions of children around the globe are exploited in various ways, I mean from being a forced worker in a factory to a sex slave. Many countries have dramatically improved in child protection rights. Let us take United Arab Emirates for example. UNICEF is satisfied that UAE took a big step forward in May 2005 when they signed a memorandum to rescue and repatriate millions of children who had been exploited for years in various ways (Hindman D. 2008 p.751). As suggested by Epstein, UAE lately has dramatically improved the lives of every child by providing health services and education. This are just the few basic needs for a child needed so as to experience childhood to the fullest (Epstein, p.324-325). Well, we know that no country is perfect, some organizations like “Anti-Slavery International” partners, believe that it is premature to conclude yet that, child abuse in UAE have diminished. In fact, UN and Human Rights Watch have lately cited UAE for more child abuse. For example the unlawful use of child jockeys in camel racing.
So what do we mean by, “Child’s right to participate?” This simply mean all children have that right to participate in community activities like going to libraries, community programs and even in judicial proceedings. In article 12, we see how all children have that right to participate in activities or matters that affect them. As you go through the readings, the article is very specific on how a child has that right to be heard in judicial proceedings with or without a representative. Although USA has not ratified on this convention yet, together with Canada they are the power houses of this child’s right to participate (Cipriani, 2009, p. 144).
Another important right that we need to talk about is that of speech. The right to freedom of speech and expression is closely related to other child rights, just like the adults. The right to freedom of expression has been a dream to many children in many third world countries, especially those in Africa and Asian countries. For example in Afg...