NCJ Number
123843
Journal
Children's Legal Rights Journal Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1990) Pages: 8-12
Date Published
1990
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This analysis of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted in 1989 concludes that United States support for the convention would be valuable, although certain Federal and State laws might need modification to bring the nation into full compliance with the spirit of the Convention.
Abstract
The convention must be ratified by at least 20 nations for it to operate like other binding treaties. However, the United States has not ratified several other major social and civil rights conventions. The Departments of State and Justice will examine the convention to determine whether any reservations or understandings should be placed on the proposed ratification legislation when it is submitted by the President to the Senate. Congressional Committees will also study the convention. Provisions that will receive close attention relate to nondiscrimination, setting high standards for facilities and personnel providing care or protection to children, the child's right to life and survival, the use of judicial procedures to separate a child from one or both parents, and regular parental contact for children affected by divorce or marital separation. Other provisions that will be the focus of discussions relate to freedom of expression and association for children, child care for the children of working parents, adoption, foster care, disapproval of corporal punishment in schools, child prostitution, penalties for juvenile offenders, and the administration of juvenile justice.