Extracts from the Convention on the Rights of the Child Preamble The States Parties to the present Convention, 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,
Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United
Nations has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special care and
assistance,
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,
Recognizing that, in all countries in the world, there are children living in
exceptionally difficult conditions and that such children need special
consideration,
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 2 1.
States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the
present Convention to each child within their jurisdiction without dis-
crimination 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