The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: Background and Policy Issues

Blanchfield, Luisa

Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service.

关键词: Children;    Children';    s rights;    Civil rights;    Human rights;   

RP-ID  :  R40484
RP-ID  :  R40484_2010May10

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is an international treaty that addresses the rights of children worldwide. It calls on States Parties to take all appropriate measures to ensure that children receive special rights, including the right to a name and nationality; access to healthcare, education, and parental care; and protection from exploitation, abuse, and neglect. This report provides a brief history of the Convention and outlines its objectives and structure, including the role and responsibilities of the treaty's monitoring body, the Committee on the Rights of the Child. It examines U.S. policy toward CRC, including the positions of past and current Administrations and congressional perspectives. The report also addresses selected policy issues that the 111th Congress may wish to take into account if considering ratification of CRC-- including the treaty's possible impact on U.S. sovereignty, federal and state laws, and parental rights. Other issues for possible consideration include the effectiveness of the Convention in protecting children's rights, and its role as a U.S. foreign policy instrument.