Chapter 10

Children’s Rights: A Multitude of Conventions and Declarations for a Miserable Situation

Abdesslam Boutayeb

Abstract

During the last century, several international human rights conventions and political declarations have been adopted on children’s rights alongside with regular reports released by organizations worldwide. The child rights were either stressed specifically or implicitly included as rights concerning all human beings. The spectre of children’s rights is very wide, comprising, but not limited to, early development, education, health, recreation, physical, mental and spiritual development as well as protection against all kinds of exploitation, discrimination, cruelty and neglect. It is also constantly stressed that children should be entitled to these rights, without distinction or discrimination on account of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or opinion. More attention is often devoted to children with specific needs like girls, orphans, disabled and those belonging to minorities or living in countries under war and conflicts. However, despite this arsenal of declarations and conventions, millions of children are still lacking the basic rights entitling them to a decent life with sufficient food, education, health facilities, dignity and other children’s needs.

Total Pages: 78-86 (9)

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