Difference between revisions of "United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child"

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'''Convention on the Rights of the Child'''
 
'''Convention on the Rights of the Child'''
  
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{{Languages|United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child}}
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Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by the UN General Assembly resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989. Entered into force on September 2, 1990.
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=Relevant Provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child=
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====Article 2====
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Right of the child to be protected from discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child’s or his or her parent’s or legal guardian’s race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status; and also from discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child’s parents, legal guardians, or family members.
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====Article 3====
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In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities of legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.
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====Article 12====
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1. States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
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2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.
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====Article 13====
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Freedom of expression.
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====Article 14====
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Freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
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====Article 15====
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Freedom of association and of peaceful assembly.
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====Article 16====
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1. No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his honour and reputation.
  
Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly
 
resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989
 
entry into force 2 September 1990, in accordance with article 49
 
Preamble
 
The States Parties to the present Convention,
 
Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations,
 
recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human
 
family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
 
Bearing in mind that the peoples of the United Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in
 
fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have determined to
 
promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
 
Recognizing that the United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the
 
International Covenants on Human Rights, proclaimed and agreed that everyone is entitled to all the
 
rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex,
 
language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status,
 
Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations has proclaimed that
 
childhood is entitled to special care and assistance,
 
Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the
 
growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary
 
protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community,
 
Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should
 
grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,
 
Considering that the child should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society, and brought up
 
in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in the spirit
 
of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity,
 
Bearing in mind that the need to extend particular care to the child has been stated in the Geneva
 
Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924 and in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child adopted
 
by the General Assembly on 20 November 1959 and recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human
 
Rights, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (in particular in articles 23 and 24), in
 
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (in particular in article 10) and in
 
the statutes and relevant instruments of specialized agencies and international organizations
 
concerned with the welfare of children,
 
Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, "the child, by reason of
 
his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal
 
protection, before as well as after birth",
 
Recalling the provisions of the Declaration on Social and Legal Principles relating to the Protection and
 
Welfare of Children, with Special Reference to Foster Placement and Adoption Nationally and
 
Internationally; the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice
 
(The Beijing Rules) ; and the Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and
 
Armed Conflict, Recognizing that, in all countries in the world, there are children living in exceptionally
 
difficult conditions, and that such children need special consideration,
 
2
 
Taking due account of the importance of the traditions and cultural values of each people for the
 
protection and harmonious development of the child, Recognizing the importance of international cooperation
 
for improving the living conditions of children in every country, in particular in the
 
developing countries,
 
Have agreed as follows:
 
PART I
 
Article 1
 
For the purposes of the present Convention, a child means every human being below the age of
 
eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.
 
Article 2
 
1. States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present Convention to each child
 
within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or his or her
 
parent's or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national,
 
ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
 
2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all
 
forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or
 
beliefs of the child's parents, legal guardians, or family members.
 
Article 3
 
1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare
 
institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child
 
shall be a primary consideration.
 
2. States Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her
 
well-being, taking into account the rights and duties of his or her parents, legal guardians, or other
 
individuals legally responsible for him or her, and, to this end, shall take all appropriate legislative and
 
administrative measures.
 
3. States Parties shall ensure that the institutions, services and facilities responsible for the care or
 
protection of children shall conform with the standards established by competent authorities,
 
particularly in the areas of safety, health, in the number and suitability of their staff, as well as
 
competent supervision.
 
Article 4
 
States Parties shall undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative, and other measures for the
 
implementation of the rights recognized in the present Convention. With regard to economic, social
 
and cultural rights, States Parties shall undertake such measures to the maximum extent of their
 
available resources and, where needed, within the framework of international co-operation.
 
Article 5
 
States Parties shall respect the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents or, where applicable, the
 
members of the extended family or community as provided for by local custom, legal guardians or
 
other persons legally responsible for the child, to provide, in a manner consistent with the evolving
 
capacities of the child, appropriate direction and guidance in the exercise by the child of the rights
 
recognized in the present Convention.
 
Article 6
 
3
 
1. States Parties recognize that every child has the inherent right to life. 2. States Parties shall ensure
 
to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child.
 
Article 7
 
1. The child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a name,
 
the right to acquire a nationality and. as far as possible, the right to know and be cared for by his or
 
her parents.
 
2. States Parties shall ensure the implementation of these rights in accordance with their national law
 
and their obligations under the relevant international instruments in this field, in particular where the
 
child would otherwise be stateless.
 
Article 8
 
1. States Parties undertake to respect the right of the child to preserve his or her identity, including
 
nationality, name and family relations as recognized by law without unlawful interference.
 
2. Where a child is illegally deprived of some or all of the elements of his or her identity, States Parties
 
shall provide appropriate assistance and protection, with a view to re-establishing speedily his or her
 
identity.
 
Article 9
 
1. States Parties shall ensure that a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their
 
will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine, in accordance with
 
applicable law and procedures, that such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child.
 
Such determination may be necessary in a particular case such as one involving abuse or neglect of
 
the child by the parents, or one where the parents are living separately and a decision must be made
 
as to the child's place of residence.
 
2. In any proceedings pursuant to paragraph 1 of the present article, all interested parties shall be
 
given an opportunity to participate in the proceedings and make their views known.
 
3. States Parties shall respect the right of the child who is separated from one or both parents to
 
maintain personal relations and direct contact with both parents on a regular basis, except if it is
 
contrary to the child's best interests.
 
4. Where such separation results from any action initiated by a State Party, such as the detention,
 
imprisonment, exile, deportation or death (including death arising from any cause while the person is
 
in the custody of the State) of one or both parents or of the child, that State Party shall, upon request,
 
provide the parents, the child or, if appropriate, another member of the family with the essential
 
information concerning the whereabouts of the absent member(s) of the family unless the provision of
 
the information would be detrimental to the well-being of the child. States Parties shall further ensure
 
that the submission of such a request shall of itself entail no adverse consequences for the person(s)
 
concerned.
 
Article 10
 
1. In accordance with the obligation of States Parties under article 9, paragraph 1, applications by a
 
child or his or her parents to enter or leave a State Party for the purpose of family reunification shall
 
be dealt with by States Parties in a positive, humane and expeditious manner. States Parties shall
 
further ensure that the submission of such a request shall entail no adverse consequences for the
 
applicants and for the members of their family.
 
2. A child whose parents reside in different States shall have the right to maintain on a regular basis,
 
save in exceptional circumstances personal relations and direct contacts with both parents. Towards
 
that end and in accordance with the obligation of States Parties under article 9, paragraph 1, States
 
Parties shall respect the right of the child and his or her parents to leave any country, including their
 
4
 
own, and to enter their own country. The right to leave any country shall be subject only to such
 
restrictions as are prescribed by law and which are necessary to protect the national security, public
 
order (ordre public), public health or morals or the rights and freedoms of others and are consistent
 
with the other rights recognized in the present Convention.
 
Article 11
 
1. States Parties shall take measures to combat the illicit transfer and non-return of children abroad.
 
2. To this end, States Parties shall promote the conclusion of bilateral or multilateral agreements or
 
accession to existing agreements.
 
Article 12
 
1. States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to
 
express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due
 
weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
 
2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial
 
and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an
 
appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.
 
Article 13
 
1. The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek,
 
receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or
 
in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child's choice.
 
2. The exercise of this right may be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are
 
provided by law and are necessary:
 
(a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; or
 
(b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or
 
morals.
 
Article 14
 
1. States Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
 
2. States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal
 
guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent
 
with the evolving capacities of the child.
 
3. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are
 
prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the
 
fundamental rights and freedoms of others.
 
Article 15
 
1. States Parties recognize the rights of the child to freedom of association and to freedom of peaceful
 
assembly.
 
2. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of these rights other than those imposed in
 
conformity with the law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national
 
security or public safety, public order (ordre public), the protection of public health or morals or the
 
protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
 
Article 16
 
5
 
1. No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, home
 
or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his or her honour and reputation.
 
 
2. The child has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
 
2. The child has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 17
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States Parties recognize the important function performed by the mass media and shall ensure that the
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====Article 37====
child has access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources,
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a) No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without possibility of release shall be imposed for offenses committed by persons below eighteen years of age;
especially those aimed at the promotion of his or her social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical
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and mental health.
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b) No child shall be deprived of his liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily. The arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child shall be in conformity with the law and shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time;  
To this end, States Parties shall:
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(a) Encourage the mass media to disseminate information and material of social and cultural benefit to
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c) Every child deprived of liberty shall be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, and in a manner which takes into account the needs of persons of his or her age.
the child and in accordance with the spirit of article 29;
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Every child deprived of liberty shall be separated from adults unless it is considered in the child’s best interest not to do so and shall have the right to maintain contact with his or her family through correspondence and visits, save in exceptional circumstances;
(b) Encourage international co-operation in the production, exchange and dissemination of such
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information and material from a diversity of cultural, national and international sources;
+
d) Every child deprived of his liberty shall have the right to prompt access to legal and other appropriate assistance, as well as the right to challenge the legality of the deprivation of his liberty before a court of other competent, independent and impartial authority, and to a prompt decision on any such action.
(c) Encourage the production and dissemination of children's books;
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(d) Encourage the mass media to have particular regard to the linguistic needs of the child who
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====Article 40====
belongs to a minority group or who is indigenous;
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1. Right of the child alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law to be treated in manner consistent with the promotion of the child’s sense of dignity and worth, which reinforces the child’s respect for human rights and freedoms of others which takes into account child’s age and desirability of promoting the child’s reintegration and the child’s assuming a constructive role in society.  
(e) Encourage the development of appropriate guidelines for the protection of the child from
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information and material injurious to his or her well-being, bearing in mind the provisions of articles 13
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2. a) No child shall be alleged as, be accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law by reason of acts or omissions that were not prohibited by national or international law at the time they were committed,
and 18.
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Article 18
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b) Every child alleged as or accused of having infringed the penal law has at least the following guarantees:
1. States Parties shall use their best efforts to ensure recognition of the principle that both parents
+
 
have common responsibilities for the upbringing and development of the child. Parents or, as the case
+
(i)  to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law;
may be, legal guardians, have the primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of the
+
 
child. The best interests of the child will be their basic concern.
+
(ii) to be informed promptly and directly of the charges against him, and, if appropriate, through his parents or legal guardians, and to have legal or other appropriate assistance in the preparation and presentation of his or her defense;
2. For the purpose of guaranteeing and promoting the rights set forth in the present Convention,
+
 
States Parties shall render appropriate assistance to parents and legal guardians in the performance of
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(iii) to have  the matter determined without delay by a competent, independent and impartial authority or judicial body in a fair hearing according to law, in the presence of legal or other appropriate assistance and, unless it is considered not to be in the best interest of the child, in particular, taking into account his age or situation, his parents of legal guardians;
their child-rearing responsibilities and shall ensure the development of institutions, facilities and
+
 
services for the care of children.
+
(iv) not to be compelled to give testimony or to confess guilt; to examine or have examined adverse witness and to obtain the participation and examination of witnesses on his or her behalf under conditions of equality;
3. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that children of working parents have
+
 
the right to benefit from child-care services and facilities for which they are eligible.
+
(v) if considered to have infringed the penal law, to have this decision and any measures imposed in consequence thereof reviewed by a higher competent, independent and impartial authority or judicial body according to law;  
Article 19
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1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures
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(vi) to have the free assistance of an interpreter if the child cannot understand or speak the language used;  
to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent
+
 
treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal
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(vii) to have his privacy fully respected at all stages of the proceedings.
guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child.
+
 
2. Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for the establishment
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3. State Parties shall seek to promote the establishment of laws, procedures, authorities and institutions specifically applicable to children alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law, and, in particular:
of social programmes to provide necessary support for the child and for those who have the care of the
+
 
child, as well as for other forms of prevention and for identification, reporting, referral, investigation,
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a)The establishment of a minimum age below which children shall be presumed not to have the capacity to infringe the penal law;
treatment and follow-up of instances of child maltreatment described heretofore, and, as appropriate,
+
 
for judicial involvement.
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b)Whenever appropriate and desirable, measures for dealing with such children without resorting to judicial proceedings, providing that human rights and legal safeguards are fully respected.
Article 20
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6
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4. A variety of dispositions, such as care, guidance and supervision orders; counseling; probation; foster care; education and vocational training programmes and other alternatives to institutional care shall be available to ensure that children are dealt with in a manner appropriate to their well-being and proportionate both to their circumstances and the offence.
1. A child temporarily or permanently deprived of his or her family environment, or in whose own best
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interests cannot be allowed to remain in that environment, shall be entitled to special protection and
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=Status of Signature, Ratification, and Accession to the Convention on the Rights of the Child=
assistance provided by the State.
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{| class="wikitable" border="1"
2. States Parties shall in accordance with their national laws ensure alternative care for such a child.
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|-
3. Such care could include, inter alia, foster placement, kafalah of Islamic law, adoption or if necessary
+
! Country
placement in suitable institutions for the care of children. When considering solutions, due regard shall
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! Signature
be paid to the desirability of continuity in a child's upbringing and to the child's ethnic, religious,
+
! Ratification/Accession
cultural and linguistic background.
+
|-
Article 21
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| Afghanistan
States Parties that recognize and/or permit the system of adoption shall ensure that the best interests
+
| 27 September 1990
of the child shall be the paramount consideration and they shall:
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| 28 March 1994
(a) Ensure that the adoption of a child is authorized only by competent authorities who determine, in
+
|-
accordance with applicable law and procedures and on the basis of all pertinent and reliable
+
| Albania
information, that the adoption is permissible in view of the child's status concerning parents, relatives
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| 26 January 1990
and legal guardians and that, if required, the persons concerned have given their informed consent to
+
| 27 February 1992
the adoption on the basis of such counselling as may be necessary;
+
|-
(b) Recognize that inter-country adoption may be considered as an alternative means of child's care, if
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| Algeria
the child cannot be placed in a foster or an adoptive family or cannot in any suitable manner be cared
+
| 26 January 1990
for in the child's country of origin;
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| 16 April 1993
(c) Ensure that the child concerned by inter-country adoption enjoys safeguards and standards
+
|-
equivalent to those existing in the case of national adoption;
+
| Andorra
(d) Take all appropriate measures to ensure that, in inter-country adoption, the placement does not
+
| 2 October 1995
result in improper financial gain for those involved in it;
+
| 2 January 1996
(e) Promote, where appropriate, the objectives of the present article by concluding bilateral or
+
|-
multilateral arrangements or agreements, and endeavour, within this framework, to ensure that the
+
| Angola
placement of the child in another country is carried out by competent authorities or organs.
+
| 14 February 1990
Article 22
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| 5 December 1990
1. States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that a child who is seeking refugee status
+
|-
or who is considered a refugee in accordance with applicable international or domestic law and
+
| Antigua and Barbuda
procedures shall, whether unaccompanied or accompanied by his or her parents or by any other
+
| 12 March 1991
person, receive appropriate protection and humanitarian assistance in the enjoyment of applicable
+
| 5 October 1993
rights set forth in the present Convention and in other international human rights or humanitarian
+
|-
instruments to which the said States are Parties.
+
| Argentina
2. For this purpose, States Parties shall provide, as they consider appropriate, co-operation in any
+
| 29 June 1990
efforts by the United Nations and other competent intergovernmental organizations or nongovernmental
+
| 4 December 1990
organizations co-operating with the United Nations to protect and assist such a child and
+
|-
to trace the parents or other members of the family of any refugee child in order to obtain information
+
| Armenia
necessary for reunification with his or her family. In cases where no parents or other members of the
+
| -
family can be found, the child shall be accorded the same protection as any other child permanently or
+
| 23 June 1993
temporarily deprived of his or her family environment for any reason , as set forth in the present
+
|-
Convention.
+
| Australia
Article 23
+
| 22 August 1990
7
+
| 17 December 1990
1. States Parties recognize that a mentally or physically disabled child should enjoy a full and decent
+
|-
life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child's active
+
| Austria
participation in the community.
+
| 26 August 1990
2. States Parties recognize the right of the disabled child to special care and shall encourage and
+
| 6 August 1992
ensure the extension, subject to available resources, to the eligible child and those responsible for his
+
|-
or her care, of assistance for which application is made and which is appropriate to the child's condition
+
| Azerbaijan
and to the circumstances of the parents or others caring for the child.
+
| -
3. Recognizing the special needs of a disabled child, assistance extended in accordance with paragraph
+
| 13 August 1992
2 of the present article shall be provided free of charge, whenever possible, taking into account the
+
|-
financial resources of the parents or others caring for the child, and shall be designed to ensure that
+
| Bahamas
the disabled child has effective access to and receives education, training, health care services,
+
| 30 October 1990
rehabilitation services, preparation for employment and recreation opportunities in a manner conducive
+
| 20 February 1991
to the child's achieving the fullest possible social integration and individual development, including his
+
|-
or her cultural and spiritual development
+
| Bahrain
4. States Parties shall promote, in the spirit of international cooperation, the exchange of appropriate
+
| -
information in the field of preventive health care and of medical, psychological and functional
+
| 13 February 1992
treatment of disabled children, including dissemination of and access to information concerning
+
|-
methods of rehabilitation, education and vocational services, with the aim of enabling States Parties to
+
| Bangladesh
improve their capabilities and skills and to widen their experience in these areas. In this regard,
+
| 26 January 1990
particular account shall be taken of the needs of developing countries.
+
| 3 August 1990
Article 24
+
|-
1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of
+
| Barbardos
health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health. States Parties shall
+
| 19 April 1990
strive to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services.
+
| 9 October 1990
2. States Parties shall pursue full implementation of this right and, in particular, shall take appropriate
+
|-
measures:
+
| Belarus
(a) To diminish infant and child mortality;
+
| 26 January 1990
(b) To ensure the provision of necessary medical assistance and health care to all children with
+
| 1 October 1990
emphasis on the development of primary health care;
+
|-
(c) To combat disease and malnutrition, including within the framework of primary health care,
+
| Belgium
through, inter alia, the application of readily available technology and through the provision of
+
| 26 January 1990
adequate nutritious foods and clean drinking-water, taking into consideration the dangers and risks of
+
| 16 December 1991
environmental pollution;
+
|-
(d) To ensure appropriate pre-natal and post-natal health care for mothers;
+
| Belize
(e) To ensure that all segments of society, in particular parents and children, are informed, have
+
| 2 March 1990
access to education and are supported in the use of basic knowledge of child health and nutrition, the
+
| 2 May 1990
advantages of breastfeeding, hygiene and environmental sanitation and the prevention of accidents;
+
|-
(f) To develop preventive health care, guidance for parents and family planning education and
+
| Benin
services.
+
| 25 April 1990
3. States Parties shall take all effective and appropriate measures with a view to abolishing traditional
+
| 3 August 1990
practices prejudicial to the health of children.
+
|-
4. States Parties undertake to promote and encourage international co-operation with a view to
+
| Bhutan
achieving progressively the full realization of the right recognized in the present article. In this regard,
+
| 4 June 1990
particular account shall be taken of the needs of developing countries.
+
| 1 August 1990
8
+
|-
Article 25
+
| Bolivia
States Parties recognize the right of a child who has been placed by the competent authorities for the
+
| 8 March 1990
purposes of care, protection or treatment of his or her physical or mental health, to a periodic review
+
| 26 June 1990
of the treatment provided to the child and all other circumstances relevant to his or her placement.
+
|-
Article 26
+
|Bosnia and Herzegovina
1. States Parties shall recognize for every child the right to benefit from social security, including social
+
| -  
insurance, and shall take the necessary measures to achieve the full realization of this right in
+
| 1 September 1993
accordance with their national law.
+
|-
2. The benefits should, where appropriate, be granted, taking into account the resources and the
+
| Botswana
circumstances of the child and persons having responsibility for the maintenance of the child, as well
+
| -
as any other consideration relevant to an application for benefits made by or on behalf of the child.
+
| 14 March 1995
Article 27
+
|-
1. States Parties recognize the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child's
+
| Brazil
physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.
+
| 26 January 1990
2. The parent(s) or others responsible for the child have the primary responsibility to secure, within
+
| 24 September 1990
their abilities and financial capacities, the conditions of living necessary for the child's development.
+
|-
3. States Parties, in accordance with national conditions and within their means, shall take appropriate
+
| Brunei Darussalam
measures to assist parents and others responsible for the child to implement this right and shall in
+
| -
case of need provide material assistance and support programmes, particularly with regard to
+
| 27 December 1995
nutrition, clothing and housing.
+
|-
4. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to secure the recovery of maintenance for the
+
| Bulgaria
child from the parents or other persons having financial responsibility for the child, both within the
+
| 31 May 1990
State Party and from abroad. In particular, where the person having financial responsibility for the
+
| 3 June 1991
child lives in a State different from that of the child, States Parties shall promote the accession to
+
|-
international agreements or the conclusion of such agreements, as well as the making of other
+
| Burkina Faso
appropriate arrangements.
+
| 26 January 1990
Article 28
+
| 31 August 1990
1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right
+
|-
progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity, they shall, in particular:
+
| Burundi
(a) Make primary education compulsory and available free to all;
+
| 8 May 1990
(b) Encourage the development of different forms of secondary education, including general and
+
| 19 October 1990
vocational education, make them available and accessible to every child, and take appropriate
+
|-
measures such as the introduction of free education and offering financial assistance in case of need;
+
| Cambodia
(c) Make higher education accessible to all on the basis of capacity by every appropriate means;
+
| -
(d) Make educational and vocational information and guidance available and accessible to all children;
+
| 15 October 1992
(e) Take measures to encourage regular attendance at schools and the reduction of drop-out rates.
+
|-
2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that school discipline is administered in
+
| Cameroon
a manner consistent with the child's human dignity and in conformity with the present Convention.
+
| 25 September 1990
3. States Parties shall promote and encourage international cooperation in matters relating to
+
| 11 January 1993
education, in particular with a view to contributing to the elimination of ignorance and illiteracy
+
|-
9
+
| Canada
throughout the world and facilitating access to scientific and technical knowledge and modern teaching
+
| 28 May 1990
methods. In this regard, particular account shall be taken of the needs of developing countries.
+
| 31 December 1991
Article 29
+
|-
1. States Parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to:
+
| Cape Verde
(a) The development of the child's personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest
+
| -
potential;
+
| 4 June 1992
(b) The development of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and for the principles
+
|-
enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations;
+
| Central African Republic
(c) The development of respect for the child's parents, his or her own cultural identity, language and
+
| 30 July 1990
values, for the national values of the country in which the child is living, the country from which he or
+
| 23 April 1992
she may originate, and for civilizations different from his or her own;
+
|-
(d) The preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding,
+
| Chad
peace, tolerance, equality of sexes, and friendship among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious
+
| 30 September 1990
groups and persons of indigenous origin;
+
| 2 October 1990
(e) The development of respect for the natural environment.
+
|-
2. No part of the present article or article 28 shall be construed so as to interfere with the liberty of
+
| Chile
individuals and bodies to establish and direct educational institutions, subject always to the observance
+
| 26 January 1990
of the principle set forth in paragraph 1 of the present article and to the requirements that the
+
| 13 August 1990
education given in such institutions shall conform to such minimum standards as may be laid down by
+
|-
the State.
+
| China
Article 30
+
| 29 August 1990
In those States in which ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities or persons of indigenous origin exist, a
+
| 2 March 1992
child belonging to such a minority or who is indigenous shall not be denied the right, in community
+
|-
with other members of his or her group, to enjoy his or her own culture, to profess and practise his or
+
| Colombia
her own religion, or to use his or her own language.
+
| 26 January 1990
Article 31
+
| 28 January 1991
1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational
+
|-
activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.
+
| Comoros
2. States Parties shall respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in cultural and
+
| 30 September 1990
artistic life and shall encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural,
+
| 22 June 1993
artistic, recreational and leisure activity.
+
|-
Article 32
+
| Congo
1. States Parties recognize the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation and from
+
| -
performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education, or to be
+
| 14 October 1993
harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.
+
|-
2. States Parties shall take legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to ensure the
+
| Cook Islands
implementation of the present article. To this end, and having regard to the relevant provisions of
+
| -
other international instruments, States Parties shall in particular:
+
| 6 June 1997
(a) Provide for a minimum age or minimum ages for admission to employment;
+
|-
(b) Provide for appropriate regulation of the hours and conditions of employment;
+
| Costa Rica
10
+
| 26 January 1990
(c) Provide for appropriate penalties or other sanctions to ensure the effective enforcement of the
+
| 21 August 1990
present article.
+
|-
Article 33
+
| Ivory Coast
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures, including legislative, administrative, social and
+
| 26 January 1990
educational measures, to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic
+
| 4 February 1991
substances as defined in the relevant international treaties, and to prevent the use of children in the
+
|-
illicit production and trafficking of such substances.
+
| Croatia
Article 34
+
| -
States Parties undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.
+
| 12 October 1992
For these purposes, States Parties shall in particular take all appropriate national, bilateral and
+
|-
multilateral measures to prevent:
+
| Cuba
(a) The inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity;
+
| 26 January 1990
(b) The exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices;
+
| 21 August 1991
(c) The exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials.
+
|-
Article 35
+
| Cyprus
States Parties shall take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent the
+
| 5 October 1990
abduction of, the sale of or traffic in children for any purpose or in any form.
+
| 7 February 1991
Article 36
+
|-
States Parties shall protect the child against all other forms of exploitation prejudicial to any aspects of
+
| Czech Republic
the child's welfare.
+
| -
Article 37
+
| 22 February 1993
States Parties shall ensure that:
+
|-
(a) No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
+
| Democratic Peaople's Republic of Korea
punishment. Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without possibility of release shall be
+
| 23 August 1990
imposed for offences committed by persons below eighteen years of age;
+
| 21 September 1990
(b) No child shall be deprived of his or her liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily. The arrest, detention or
+
|-
imprisonment of a child shall be in conformity with the law and shall be used only as a measure of last
+
| Democratic Republic of the Congo
resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time;
+
| 20 March 1990
(c) Every child deprived of liberty shall be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of
+
| 27 September 1990
the human person, and in a manner which takes into account the needs of persons of his or her age.
+
|-
In particular, every child deprived of liberty shall be separated from adults unless it is considered in
+
| Denmark
the child's best interest not to do so and shall have the right to maintain contact with his or her family
+
| 26 January 1990
through correspondence and visits, save in exceptional circumstances;
+
| 19 July 1991
(d) Every child deprived of his or her liberty shall have the right to prompt access to legal and other
+
|-
appropriate assistance, as well as the right to challenge the legality of the deprivation of his or her
+
| Djibouti
liberty before a court or other competent, independent and impartial authority, and to a prompt
+
| 30 September 1990
decision on any such action.
+
| 6 December 1990
Article 38
+
|-
1. States Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for rules of international humanitarian law
+
| Dominica
applicable to them in armed conflicts which are relevant to the child.
+
| 26 January 1990
11
+
| 13 March 1991
2. States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure that persons who have not attained the age
+
|-
of fifteen years do not take a direct part in hostilities.
+
| Dominican Republic
3. States Parties shall refrain from recruiting any person who has not attained the age of fifteen years
+
| 8 August 1990
into their armed forces. In recruiting among those persons who have attained the age of fifteen years
+
| 11 June 1991
but who have not attained the age of eighteen years, States Parties shall endeavour to give priority to
+
|-
those who are oldest.
+
| Ecuador
4. In accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect the civilian
+
| 26 January 1990
population in armed conflicts, States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure protection and
+
| 23 March 1990
care of children who are affected by an armed conflict.
+
|-
Article 39
+
| Egypt
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to promote physical and psychological recovery and
+
| 5 February 1990
social reintegration of a child victim of: any form of neglect, exploitation, or abuse; torture or any
+
| 6 July 1990
other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or armed conflicts. Such recovery
+
|-
and reintegration shall take place in an environment which fosters the health, self-respect and dignity
+
| El Salvador
of the child.
+
| 26 January 1990
Article 40
+
| 10 July 1990
1. States Parties recognize the right of every child alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having
+
|-
infringed the penal law to be treated in a manner consistent with the promotion of the child's sense of
+
| Equatorial Guinea
dignity and worth, which reinforces the child's respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms
+
| -
of others and which takes into account the child's age and the desirability of promoting the child's
+
| 15 June 1992
reintegration and the child's assuming a constructive role in society.
+
|-
2. To this end, and having regard to the relevant provisions of international instruments, States Parties
+
| Eritrea
shall, in particular, ensure that:
+
| 20 December 1993
(a) No child shall be alleged as, be accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law by
+
| 3 August 1994
reason of acts or omissions that were not prohibited by national or international law at the time they
+
|-
were committed;
+
| Estonia
(b) Every child alleged as or accused of having infringed the penal law has at least the following
+
| -
guarantees:
+
| 21 October 1991
(i) To be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law;
+
|-
(ii) To be informed promptly and directly of the charges against him or her, and, if appropriate,
+
| Ethiopia
through his or her parents or legal guardians, and to have legal or other appropriate assistance in the
+
| -
preparation and presentation of his or her defence;
+
| 14 May 1991
(iii) To have the matter determined without delay by a competent, independent and impartial authority
+
|-
or judicial body in a fair hearing according to law, in the presence of legal or other appropriate
+
| Fiji
assistance and, unless it is considered not to be in the best interest of the child, in particular, taking
+
| 2 July 1993
into account his or her age or situation, his or her parents or legal guardians;
+
| 13 August 1993
(iv) Not to be compelled to give testimony or to confess guilt; to examine or have examined adverse
+
|-
witnesses and to obtain the participation and examination of witnesses on his or her behalf under
+
| Finland
conditions of equality;
+
| 26 January 1990
(v) If considered to have infringed the penal law, to have this decision and any measures imposed in
+
| 20 June 1991
consequence thereof reviewed by a higher competent, independent and impartial authority or judicial
+
|-
body according to law;
+
| France
12
+
| 26 January 1990
(vi) To have the free assistance of an interpreter if the child cannot understand or speak the language
+
| 7 August 1990
used;
+
|-
(vii) To have his or her privacy fully respected at all stages of the proceedings.
+
| Gabon
3. States Parties shall seek to promote the establishment of laws, procedures, authorities and
+
| 26 January 1990
institutions specifically applicable to children alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed
+
| 9 February 1994
the penal law, and, in particular:
+
|-
(a) The establishment of a minimum age below which children shall be presumed not to have the
+
| Gambia
capacity to infringe the penal law;
+
| 5 February 1990
(b) Whenever appropriate and desirable, measures for dealing with such children without resorting to
+
| 8 August 1990
judicial proceedings, providing that human rights and legal safeguards are fully respected. 4. A variety
+
|-
of dispositions, such as care, guidance and supervision orders; counselling; probation; foster care;
+
| Georgia
education and vocational training programmes and other alternatives to institutional care shall be
+
| -
available to ensure that children are dealt with in a manner appropriate to their well-being and
+
| 2 June 1994
proportionate both to their circumstances and the offence.
+
|-
Article 41
+
| Germany
Nothing in the present Convention shall affect any provisions which are more conducive to the
+
| 26 January 1990
realization of the rights of the child and which may be contained in:
+
| 6 March 1992
(a) The law of a State party; or
+
|-
(b) International law in force for that State.
+
| Ghana
PART II
+
| 29 January 1990
Article 42
+
| 5 February 1990
States Parties undertake to make the principles and provisions of the Convention widely known, by
+
|-
appropriate and active means, to adults and children alike.
+
| Greece
Article 43
+
| 26 January 1990
1. For the purpose of examining the progress made by States Parties in achieving the realization of the
+
| 11 May 1993
obligations undertaken in the present Convention, there shall be established a Committee on the
+
|-
Rights of the Child, which shall carry out the functions hereinafter provided.
+
| Grenade
2. The Committee shall consist of ten experts of high moral standing and recognized competence in
+
| 21 February 1990
the field covered by this Convention. The members of the Committee shall be elected by States Parties
+
| 5 November 1990
from among their nationals and shall serve in their personal capacity, consideration being given to
+
|-
equitable geographical distribution, as well as to the principal legal systems.
+
| Guatemala
3. The members of the Committee shall be elected by secret ballot from a list of persons nominated by
+
| 26 January 1990
States Parties. Each State Party may nominate one person from among its own nationals.
+
| 6 June 1990
4. The initial election to the Committee shall be held no later than six months after the date of the
+
|-
entry into force of the present Convention and thereafter every second year. At least four months
+
| Guinea
before the date of each election, the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall address a letter to
+
| -
States Parties inviting them to submit their nominations within two months. The Secretary-General
+
| 13 July 1990
shall subsequently prepare a list in alphabetical order of all persons thus nominated, indicating States
+
|-
Parties which have nominated them, and shall submit it to the States Parties to the present
+
| Guinea Bissau
Convention.
+
| 26 January 1990
5. The elections shall be held at meetings of States Parties convened by the Secretary-General at
+
| 20 August 1990
United Nations Headquarters. At those meetings, for which two thirds of States Parties shall constitute
+
|-
13
+
| Guyana
a quorum, the persons elected to the Committee shall be those who obtain the largest number of votes
+
| 30 September 1990
and an absolute majority of the votes of the representatives of States Parties present and voting.
+
| 14 January 1991
6. The members of the Committee shall be elected for a term of four years. They shall be eligible for
+
|-
re-election if renominated. The term of five of the members elected at the first election shall expire at
+
| Holy See
the end of two years; immediately after the first election, the names of these five members shall be
+
| 20 April 1990
chosen by lot by the Chairman of the meeting.
+
| 20 April 1990
7. If a member of the Committee dies or resigns or declares that for any other cause he or she can no
+
|-
longer perform the duties of the Committee, the State Party which nominated the member shall
+
| Honduras
appoint another expert from among its nationals to serve for the remainder of the term, subject to the
+
| 31 May 1990
approval of the Committee.
+
| 10 August 1990
8. The Committee shall establish its own rules of procedure.
+
|-
9. The Committee shall elect its officers for a period of two years.
+
| Hungary
10. The meetings of the Committee shall normally be held at United Nations Headquarters or at any
+
| 14 March 1990
other convenient place as determined by the Committee. The Committee shall normally meet annually.
+
| 7 October 1991
The duration of the meetings of the Committee shall be determined, and reviewed, if necessary, by a
+
|-
meeting of the States Parties to the present Convention, subject to the approval of the General
+
| Iceland
Assembly.
+
| 26 January 1990
11. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall provide the necessary staff and facilities for the
+
| 28 October 1992
effective performance of the functions of the Committee under the present Convention.
+
|-
12. With the approval of the General Assembly, the members of the Committee established under the
+
| India
present Convention shall receive emoluments from United Nations resources on such terms and
+
| -
conditions as the Assembly may decide.
+
| 11 December 1992
Article 44
+
|-
1. States Parties undertake to submit to the Committee, through the Secretary-General of the United
+
| Indonesia
Nations, reports on the measures they have adopted which give effect to the rights recognized herein
+
| 26 January 1990
and on the progress made on the enjoyment of those rights
+
| 5 September 1990
(a) Within two years of the entry into force of the Convention for the State Party concerned;
+
|-
(b) Thereafter every five years.
+
| Iran (Islamic Republic of)
2. Reports made under the present article shall indicate factors and difficulties, if any, affecting the
+
| 5 September 1991
degree of fulfilment of the obligations under the present Convention. Reports shall also contain
+
| 13 July 1994
sufficient information to provide the Committee with a comprehensive understanding of the
+
|-
implementation of the Convention in the country concerned.
+
| Iraq
3. A State Party which has submitted a comprehensive initial report to the Committee need not, in its
+
| -
subsequent reports submitted in accordance with paragraph 1 (b) of the present article, repeat basic
+
| 15 June 1994
information previously provided.
+
|-
4. The Committee may request from States Parties further information relevant to the implementation
+
| Ireland
of the Convention.
+
| 30 September 1990
5. The Committee shall submit to the General Assembly, through the Economic and Social Council,
+
| 28 September 1992
every two years, reports on its activities.
+
|-
6. States Parties shall make their reports widely available to the public in their own countries.
+
| Israel
Article 45
+
| 3 July 1990
14
+
| 3 October 1991
In order to foster the effective implementation of the Convention and to encourage international cooperation
+
|-
in the field covered by the Convention:
+
| Italy
(a) The specialized agencies, the United Nations Children's Fund, and other United Nations organs shall
+
| 26 January 1990
be entitled to be represented at the consideration of the implementation of such provisions of the
+
| 5 September 1991
present Convention as fall within the scope of their mandate. The Committee may invite the
+
|-
specialized agencies, the United Nations Children's Fund and other competent bodies as it may
+
| Jamaica
consider appropriate to provide expert advice on the implementation of the Convention in areas falling
+
| 26 January 1990
within the scope of their respective mandates. The Committee may invite the specialized agencies, the
+
| 14 May 1991
United Nations Children's Fund, and other United Nations organs to submit reports on the
+
 
implementation of the Convention in areas falling within the scope of their activities;
+
|-
(b) The Committee shall transmit, as it may consider appropriate, to the specialized agencies, the
+
| Japan
United Nations Children's Fund and other competent bodies, any reports from States Parties that
+
| 21 September 1990
contain a request, or indicate a need, for technical advice or assistance, along with the Committee's
+
| 22 April 1994
observations and suggestions, if any, on these requests or indications;
+
|-
(c) The Committee may recommend to the General Assembly to request the Secretary-General to
+
| Jordan
undertake on its behalf studies on specific issues relating to the rights of the child;
+
| 29 August 1990
(d) The Committee may make suggestions and general recommendations based on information
+
| 24 May 1991
received pursuant to articles 44 and 45 of the present Convention. Such suggestions and general
+
|-
recommendations shall be transmitted to any State Party concerned and reported to the General
+
| Kazakhstan
Assembly, together with comments, if any, from States Parties.
+
| 16 February 1994
PART III
+
| 12 August 1994
Article 46
+
|-
The present Convention shall be open for signature by all States.
+
| Kenya
Article 47
+
| 26 January 1990
The present Convention is subject to ratification. Instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the
+
| 30 July 1990
Secretary-General of the United Nations.
+
|-
Article 48
+
| Kiribati
The present Convention shall remain open for accession by any State. The instruments of accession
+
| -
shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
+
| 11 December 1995
Article 49
+
|-
1. The present Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the date of deposit with
+
| Kuwait
the Secretary-General of the United Nations of the twentieth instrument of ratification or accession.
+
| 7 June 1990
2. For each State ratifying or acceding to the Convention after the deposit of the twentieth instrument
+
| 21 October 1991
of ratification or accession, the Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the deposit
+
|-
by such State of its instrument of ratification or accession.
+
| Kyrgyzstan
Article 50
+
| -
1. Any State Party may propose an amendment and file it with the Secretary-General of the United
+
| 7 October 1994
Nations. The Secretary-General shall thereupon communicate the proposed amendment to States
+
|-
Parties, with a request that they indicate whether they favour a conference of States Parties for the
+
| Lao People's Democratic Republic
purpose of considering and voting upon the proposals. In the event that, within four months from the
+
| -
date of such communication, at least one third of the States Parties favour such a conference, the
+
| 8 May 1991
Secretary-General shall convene the conference under the auspices of the United Nations. Any
+
|-
15
+
| Latvia
amendment adopted by a majority of States Parties present and voting at the conference shall be
+
| -
submitted to the General Assembly for approval.
+
| 14 April 1992
2. An amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 1 of the present article shall enter into force
+
|-
when it has been approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations and accepted by a twothirds
+
| Lebanon
majority of States Parties.
+
| 26 January 1990
3. When an amendment enters into force, it shall be binding on those States Parties which have
+
| 14 May 1991
accepted it, other States Parties still being bound by the provisions of the present Convention and any
+
|-
earlier amendments which they have accepted.
+
| Lesotho
Article 51
+
| 21 August 1990
1. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall receive and circulate to all States the text of
+
| 10 March 1992
reservations made by States at the time of ratification or accession.
+
|-
2. A reservation incompatible with the object and purpose of the present Convention shall not be
+
| Liberia
permitted.
+
| 26 April 1990
3. Reservations may be withdrawn at any time by notification to that effect addressed to the
+
| 4 June 1993
Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall then inform all States. Such notification shall take
+
|-
effect on the date on which it is received by the Secretary-General
+
| Libyan Ara Jamahiriya
Article 52
+
| -
A State Party may denounce the present Convention by written notification to the Secretary-General of
+
| 15 April 1993
the United Nations. Denunciation becomes effective one year after the date of receipt of the
+
|-
notification by the Secretary-General.
+
| Liechtenstien
Article 53
+
| 30 September 1990
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is designated as the depositary of the present
+
| 22 December 1995
Convention.
+
|-
Article 54
+
| Lithuania
The original of the present Convention, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and
+
| -
Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United
+
| 31 January 1992
Nations. IN WITNESS THEREOF the undersigned plenipotentiaries, being duly authorized thereto by
+
|-
their respective governments, have signed the present Convention.
+
| Luxembourg
 +
| 21 March 1990
 +
| 7 March 1994
 +
|-
 +
| Magadascar
 +
| 19 April 1990
 +
| 19 March 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Malawi
 +
| -
 +
| 2 January 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Malaysia
 +
| -
 +
| 17 February 1995
 +
|-
 +
| Maldives
 +
| 21 August 1990
 +
| 11 February 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Mali
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 20 September 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Malta
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 30 September 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Marshall Islands
 +
| 14 April 1993
 +
| 4 October 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Mauritania
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 16 May 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Mauritius
 +
| -
 +
| 26 July 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Mexico
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 21 September 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Micronesia (Federal States of)
 +
| -
 +
| 5 May 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Monaco
 +
| -
 +
| 21 June 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Mongolia
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 5 July 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Montenegro
 +
| -
 +
| 23 October 2006
 +
|-
 +
| Morocco
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 21 June 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Mozambique
 +
| 30 September 1990
 +
| 26 April 1994
 +
|-
 +
| Myanmar
 +
| -
 +
| 15 July 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Namibia
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 30 September 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Nauru
 +
| -
 +
| 27 July 1994
 +
|-
 +
| Nepal
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 14 September 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Netherlands
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 6 February 1995
 +
|-
 +
| New Zealand
 +
| 1 October 1990
 +
| 6 April 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Nicaragua
 +
| 6 February 1990
 +
| 5 October 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Niger
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 30 September 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Nigeria
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 19 April 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Niue
 +
| -
 +
| 20 December 1995
 +
|-
 +
| Norway
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 8 January 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Oman
 +
| -
 +
| 9 December 1996
 +
|-
 +
| Pakistan
 +
| 20 September 1990
 +
| 12 November 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Palau
 +
| -
 +
| 4 August 1995
 +
|-
 +
| Panama
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 12 December 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Papua New Guinea
 +
| 30 September 1990
 +
| 2 March 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Paraguay
 +
| 4 April 1990
 +
| 25 September 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Peru
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 4 September 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Philippines
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 21 August 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Poland
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 7 June 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Portugal
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 21 September 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Qatar
 +
| 8 December 1992
 +
| 3 April 1995
 +
|-
 +
| Republic of Korea
 +
| 25 September 1990
 +
| 20 November 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Republic of Moldova
 +
| -
 +
| 26 January 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Romania
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 28 September 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Russian Federation
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 16 August 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Rwanda
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 24 January 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Samoa
 +
| 30 September 1990
 +
| 29 November 1994
 +
|-
 +
| San Marino
 +
| -
 +
| 25 November 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Sao Tome and Principe
 +
| -
 +
| 14 May 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Saudi Arabia
 +
| -
 +
| 26 January 1996
 +
|-
 +
| Senegal
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 31 July 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Serbia
 +
| -
 +
| 12 March 2001
 +
|-
 +
| Seychelles
 +
| -
 +
| 7 September 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Sierra Leone
 +
| 13 February 1990
 +
| 18 June 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Singapore
 +
| -
 +
| 5 October 1995
 +
|-
 +
| Slovakia
 +
| -
 +
| 28 May 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Slovenia
 +
| -
 +
| 6 July 1992
 +
|-
 +
| Solomon Islands
 +
| -
 +
| 10 April 1995
 +
|-
 +
| Somalia
 +
| 9 May 2002
 +
| -
 +
|-
 +
| South Africa
 +
| 29 January 1993
 +
| 16 June 1995
 +
|-
 +
| Spain
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 6 December 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Sri Lanka
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 12 July 1991
 +
|-
 +
| St Kitts and Nevis
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 24 July 1990
 +
|-
 +
| St Lucia
 +
| 30 September 1990
 +
| 16 June 1993
 +
|-
 +
 
 +
| St Vincent and the Grenadines
 +
| 20 September 1993
 +
| 26 October 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Sudan
 +
| 24 July 1990
 +
| 3 August 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Suriname
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 1 March 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Swaziland
 +
| 22 August 1990
 +
| 7 September 1995
 +
|-
 +
| Sweden
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 29 June 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Switzerland
 +
| 1 May 1991
 +
| 24 February 1997
 +
|-
 +
| Syrian Arab Republic
 +
| 18 September 1990
 +
| 15 July 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Tajikistan
 +
| -
 +
| 26 October 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Thailand
 +
| -
 +
| 27 March 1992
 +
|-
 +
| The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
 +
| -
 +
| 2 December 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Timor Leste
 +
| -
 +
| 16 April 2003
 +
|-
 +
| Togo
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 1 August 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Tonga
 +
| -
 +
| 6 November 1995
 +
|-
 +
| Trinidad and Tobago
 +
| 30 September 1990
 +
| 5 December 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Tunisia
 +
| 26 February 1990
 +
| 30 January 1992
 +
|-
 +
| Turkey
 +
| 14 September 1990
 +
| 4 April 1995
 +
|-
 +
| Turkmenistan
 +
| -
 +
| 20 September 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Tuvalu
 +
| -
 +
| 22 September 1995
 +
|-
 +
| Uganda
 +
| 17 August 1990
 +
| 17 August 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Ukraine
 +
| 21 February 1990
 +
| 28 August 1991
 +
|-
 +
| United Arab Emirates
 +
| -
 +
| 3 January 1997
 +
|-
 +
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
 +
| 19 April 1990
 +
| 16 December 1991
 +
|-
 +
| United Republic of Tanzania
 +
| 1 June 1990
 +
| 10 June 1991
 +
|-
 +
| United State of America
 +
| 16 February 1995
 +
| -
 +
|-
 +
| Uruguay
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 20 November 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Uzbekistan
 +
| -
 +
| 29 June 1994
 +
|-
 +
| Vanuatu
 +
| 30 September 1990
 +
| 7 July 1993
 +
|-
 +
| Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 13 September 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Viet Nam
 +
| 26 January 1990
 +
| 28 February 1990
 +
|-
 +
| Yemen
 +
| 13 February 1990
 +
| 1 May 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Zambia
 +
| 30 September 1990
 +
| 6 December 1991
 +
|-
 +
| Zimbabwe
 +
| 8 March 1990
 +
| 11 September 1990
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
 
 +
See [[International Law]]

Latest revision as of 10:37, 25 July 2012

Convention on the Rights of the Child

Globe3.png English  • français

Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by the UN General Assembly resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989. Entered into force on September 2, 1990.

Relevant Provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Article 2

Right of the child to be protected from discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child’s or his or her parent’s or legal guardian’s race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status; and also from discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child’s parents, legal guardians, or family members.

Article 3

In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities of legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

Article 12

1. States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.

2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.

Article 13

Freedom of expression.

Article 14

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Article 15

Freedom of association and of peaceful assembly.

Article 16

1. No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his honour and reputation.

2. The child has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 37

a) No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without possibility of release shall be imposed for offenses committed by persons below eighteen years of age;

b) No child shall be deprived of his liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily. The arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child shall be in conformity with the law and shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time;

c) Every child deprived of liberty shall be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, and in a manner which takes into account the needs of persons of his or her age. Every child deprived of liberty shall be separated from adults unless it is considered in the child’s best interest not to do so and shall have the right to maintain contact with his or her family through correspondence and visits, save in exceptional circumstances;

d) Every child deprived of his liberty shall have the right to prompt access to legal and other appropriate assistance, as well as the right to challenge the legality of the deprivation of his liberty before a court of other competent, independent and impartial authority, and to a prompt decision on any such action.

Article 40

1. Right of the child alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law to be treated in manner consistent with the promotion of the child’s sense of dignity and worth, which reinforces the child’s respect for human rights and freedoms of others which takes into account child’s age and desirability of promoting the child’s reintegration and the child’s assuming a constructive role in society.

2. a) No child shall be alleged as, be accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law by reason of acts or omissions that were not prohibited by national or international law at the time they were committed,

b) Every child alleged as or accused of having infringed the penal law has at least the following guarantees:

(i) to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law;

(ii) to be informed promptly and directly of the charges against him, and, if appropriate, through his parents or legal guardians, and to have legal or other appropriate assistance in the preparation and presentation of his or her defense;

(iii) to have the matter determined without delay by a competent, independent and impartial authority or judicial body in a fair hearing according to law, in the presence of legal or other appropriate assistance and, unless it is considered not to be in the best interest of the child, in particular, taking into account his age or situation, his parents of legal guardians;

(iv) not to be compelled to give testimony or to confess guilt; to examine or have examined adverse witness and to obtain the participation and examination of witnesses on his or her behalf under conditions of equality;

(v) if considered to have infringed the penal law, to have this decision and any measures imposed in consequence thereof reviewed by a higher competent, independent and impartial authority or judicial body according to law;

(vi) to have the free assistance of an interpreter if the child cannot understand or speak the language used;

(vii) to have his privacy fully respected at all stages of the proceedings.

3. State Parties shall seek to promote the establishment of laws, procedures, authorities and institutions specifically applicable to children alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law, and, in particular:

a)The establishment of a minimum age below which children shall be presumed not to have the capacity to infringe the penal law;

b)Whenever appropriate and desirable, measures for dealing with such children without resorting to judicial proceedings, providing that human rights and legal safeguards are fully respected.

4. A variety of dispositions, such as care, guidance and supervision orders; counseling; probation; foster care; education and vocational training programmes and other alternatives to institutional care shall be available to ensure that children are dealt with in a manner appropriate to their well-being and proportionate both to their circumstances and the offence.

Status of Signature, Ratification, and Accession to the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Country Signature Ratification/Accession
Afghanistan 27 September 1990 28 March 1994
Albania 26 January 1990 27 February 1992
Algeria 26 January 1990 16 April 1993
Andorra 2 October 1995 2 January 1996
Angola 14 February 1990 5 December 1990
Antigua and Barbuda 12 March 1991 5 October 1993
Argentina 29 June 1990 4 December 1990
Armenia - 23 June 1993
Australia 22 August 1990 17 December 1990
Austria 26 August 1990 6 August 1992
Azerbaijan - 13 August 1992
Bahamas 30 October 1990 20 February 1991
Bahrain - 13 February 1992
Bangladesh 26 January 1990 3 August 1990
Barbardos 19 April 1990 9 October 1990
Belarus 26 January 1990 1 October 1990
Belgium 26 January 1990 16 December 1991
Belize 2 March 1990 2 May 1990
Benin 25 April 1990 3 August 1990
Bhutan 4 June 1990 1 August 1990
Bolivia 8 March 1990 26 June 1990
Bosnia and Herzegovina - 1 September 1993
Botswana - 14 March 1995
Brazil 26 January 1990 24 September 1990
Brunei Darussalam - 27 December 1995
Bulgaria 31 May 1990 3 June 1991
Burkina Faso 26 January 1990 31 August 1990
Burundi 8 May 1990 19 October 1990
Cambodia - 15 October 1992
Cameroon 25 September 1990 11 January 1993
Canada 28 May 1990 31 December 1991
Cape Verde - 4 June 1992
Central African Republic 30 July 1990 23 April 1992
Chad 30 September 1990 2 October 1990
Chile 26 January 1990 13 August 1990
China 29 August 1990 2 March 1992
Colombia 26 January 1990 28 January 1991
Comoros 30 September 1990 22 June 1993
Congo - 14 October 1993
Cook Islands - 6 June 1997
Costa Rica 26 January 1990 21 August 1990
Ivory Coast 26 January 1990 4 February 1991
Croatia - 12 October 1992
Cuba 26 January 1990 21 August 1991
Cyprus 5 October 1990 7 February 1991
Czech Republic - 22 February 1993
Democratic Peaople's Republic of Korea 23 August 1990 21 September 1990
Democratic Republic of the Congo 20 March 1990 27 September 1990
Denmark 26 January 1990 19 July 1991
Djibouti 30 September 1990 6 December 1990
Dominica 26 January 1990 13 March 1991
Dominican Republic 8 August 1990 11 June 1991
Ecuador 26 January 1990 23 March 1990
Egypt 5 February 1990 6 July 1990
El Salvador 26 January 1990 10 July 1990
Equatorial Guinea - 15 June 1992
Eritrea 20 December 1993 3 August 1994
Estonia - 21 October 1991
Ethiopia - 14 May 1991
Fiji 2 July 1993 13 August 1993
Finland 26 January 1990 20 June 1991
France 26 January 1990 7 August 1990
Gabon 26 January 1990 9 February 1994
Gambia 5 February 1990 8 August 1990
Georgia - 2 June 1994
Germany 26 January 1990 6 March 1992
Ghana 29 January 1990 5 February 1990
Greece 26 January 1990 11 May 1993
Grenade 21 February 1990 5 November 1990
Guatemala 26 January 1990 6 June 1990
Guinea - 13 July 1990
Guinea Bissau 26 January 1990 20 August 1990
Guyana 30 September 1990 14 January 1991
Holy See 20 April 1990 20 April 1990
Honduras 31 May 1990 10 August 1990
Hungary 14 March 1990 7 October 1991
Iceland 26 January 1990 28 October 1992
India - 11 December 1992
Indonesia 26 January 1990 5 September 1990
Iran (Islamic Republic of) 5 September 1991 13 July 1994
Iraq - 15 June 1994
Ireland 30 September 1990 28 September 1992
Israel 3 July 1990 3 October 1991
Italy 26 January 1990 5 September 1991
Jamaica 26 January 1990 14 May 1991
Japan 21 September 1990 22 April 1994
Jordan 29 August 1990 24 May 1991
Kazakhstan 16 February 1994 12 August 1994
Kenya 26 January 1990 30 July 1990
Kiribati - 11 December 1995
Kuwait 7 June 1990 21 October 1991
Kyrgyzstan - 7 October 1994
Lao People's Democratic Republic - 8 May 1991
Latvia - 14 April 1992
Lebanon 26 January 1990 14 May 1991
Lesotho 21 August 1990 10 March 1992
Liberia 26 April 1990 4 June 1993
Libyan Ara Jamahiriya - 15 April 1993
Liechtenstien 30 September 1990 22 December 1995
Lithuania - 31 January 1992
Luxembourg 21 March 1990 7 March 1994
Magadascar 19 April 1990 19 March 1991
Malawi - 2 January 1991
Malaysia - 17 February 1995
Maldives 21 August 1990 11 February 1991
Mali 26 January 1990 20 September 1990
Malta 26 January 1990 30 September 1990
Marshall Islands 14 April 1993 4 October 1993
Mauritania 26 January 1990 16 May 1991
Mauritius - 26 July 1990
Mexico 26 January 1990 21 September 1990
Micronesia (Federal States of) - 5 May 1993
Monaco - 21 June 1993
Mongolia 26 January 1990 5 July 1990
Montenegro - 23 October 2006
Morocco 26 January 1990 21 June 1993
Mozambique 30 September 1990 26 April 1994
Myanmar - 15 July 1991
Namibia 26 January 1990 30 September 1990
Nauru - 27 July 1994
Nepal 26 January 1990 14 September 1990
Netherlands 26 January 1990 6 February 1995
New Zealand 1 October 1990 6 April 1993
Nicaragua 6 February 1990 5 October 1990
Niger 26 January 1990 30 September 1990
Nigeria 26 January 1990 19 April 1991
Niue - 20 December 1995
Norway 26 January 1990 8 January 1991
Oman - 9 December 1996
Pakistan 20 September 1990 12 November 1990
Palau - 4 August 1995
Panama 26 January 1990 12 December 1990
Papua New Guinea 30 September 1990 2 March 1993
Paraguay 4 April 1990 25 September 1990
Peru 26 January 1990 4 September 1990
Philippines 26 January 1990 21 August 1990
Poland 26 January 1990 7 June 1991
Portugal 26 January 1990 21 September 1990
Qatar 8 December 1992 3 April 1995
Republic of Korea 25 September 1990 20 November 1991
Republic of Moldova - 26 January 1993
Romania 26 January 1990 28 September 1990
Russian Federation 26 January 1990 16 August 1990
Rwanda 26 January 1990 24 January 1991
Samoa 30 September 1990 29 November 1994
San Marino - 25 November 1991
Sao Tome and Principe - 14 May 1991
Saudi Arabia - 26 January 1996
Senegal 26 January 1990 31 July 1990
Serbia - 12 March 2001
Seychelles - 7 September 1990
Sierra Leone 13 February 1990 18 June 1990
Singapore - 5 October 1995
Slovakia - 28 May 1993
Slovenia - 6 July 1992
Solomon Islands - 10 April 1995
Somalia 9 May 2002 -
South Africa 29 January 1993 16 June 1995
Spain 26 January 1990 6 December 1990
Sri Lanka 26 January 1990 12 July 1991
St Kitts and Nevis 26 January 1990 24 July 1990
St Lucia 30 September 1990 16 June 1993
St Vincent and the Grenadines 20 September 1993 26 October 1993
Sudan 24 July 1990 3 August 1990
Suriname 26 January 1990 1 March 1993
Swaziland 22 August 1990 7 September 1995
Sweden 26 January 1990 29 June 1990
Switzerland 1 May 1991 24 February 1997
Syrian Arab Republic 18 September 1990 15 July 1993
Tajikistan - 26 October 1993
Thailand - 27 March 1992
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia - 2 December 1993
Timor Leste - 16 April 2003
Togo 26 January 1990 1 August 1990
Tonga - 6 November 1995
Trinidad and Tobago 30 September 1990 5 December 1991
Tunisia 26 February 1990 30 January 1992
Turkey 14 September 1990 4 April 1995
Turkmenistan - 20 September 1993
Tuvalu - 22 September 1995
Uganda 17 August 1990 17 August 1990
Ukraine 21 February 1990 28 August 1991
United Arab Emirates - 3 January 1997
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 19 April 1990 16 December 1991
United Republic of Tanzania 1 June 1990 10 June 1991
United State of America 16 February 1995 -
Uruguay 26 January 1990 20 November 1990
Uzbekistan - 29 June 1994
Vanuatu 30 September 1990 7 July 1993
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) 26 January 1990 13 September 1990
Viet Nam 26 January 1990 28 February 1990
Yemen 13 February 1990 1 May 1991
Zambia 30 September 1990 6 December 1991
Zimbabwe 8 March 1990 11 September 1990


See International Law