The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC) is the first legal binding document recognizing the individual rights of children all over the world. In its 54 articles, it sets the fundamental requisites for the protection and welfare of children. It was unanimously adopted by the UN General assembly on the 20th November 1989 and put into effect in 1990.

The United States  has signed the Convention but remains the only country to fail to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

In simple terms, what are the UNCROC rights?

UNCROC gives children and young people up to the age of 18 the right to:

• life, survival and development
• the Government making sure that the best interests of the child are taken into    account when making decisions about the child
• access to education and health care
• grow up in an environment of happiness, love and understanding
• protection from discrimination of any sort
• develop their personalities, abilities and talents
• protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and economic exploitation
• special measures to protect those that are in conflict with the law
• an opinion and for that opinion to be heard
• be informed about and participate in achieving their rights
• special measures to protect those belonging to minority groups

U.S. ratification would strengthen the United States’ credibility when advocating children’s rights abroad. The President has not transmitted CRC to the Senate for its advice and consent to ratification.

Please sign this petition to urge President Biden and members of the Senate to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child showing the commitment of the United States to the protection and welfare of all children. 

Dear Mr. President,

I strongly urge you to send the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to the U.S. Senate this year.

Since its adoption in 1989, the CRC has become the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. The CRC has proven a powerful tool to improve laws and policies for children and families around the world. 

Unfortunately, the United States stands alone as the only UN member that has not ratified the CRC. Although the Clinton Administration signed the CRC in 1995, the treaty has never been submitted to the Senate for consideration. 

Americans care deeply about the well-being of all children, and believe in the power of family. Our Nation's failure to join every other nation in the world as a party to the CRC tarnishes our global reputation as a defender of children and family. Here at home, as you know, our own children face unprecedented exposure to adversity, poverty, violence, abuse, and exclusion. As it has all over the world, the CRC would provide us with a comprehensive framework to analyze, document, and report on conditions for children, including how government agencies consider the views of parents and youth. 

Mr. President, you can take the world one step closer to universal ratification of the CRC. Please send the CRC to the Senate this year.