The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the most comprehensive treaty on children’s rights and was adopted on November 20, 1989. The CRC has been ratified by every country in the world except the United States and Somalia (which has been a failed state without an effective government over the past two decades).
Twenty years after the adoption of the CRC and nearly fifteen years after it was signed by President Clinton, the Obama administration has an opportunity to bring the CRC to the Senate for consent and approval. If ratified by the United States, the CRC would bolster existing protections and foster U.S. commitment to and promotion of children’s rights in the U.S and around the world. On the state and city level, communities can call on their local governments to pass resolutions that provide greater respect and protection of children’s rights, consistent with the CRC.
Download a sample Community Resolution (various cities and states have adopted a similar model), and tips for passing a resolution below. If you pass a resolution in your community, please share it with us at humanrights@aclu.org.