Declaration of the rights of the child: what is worth knowing?

The most vulnerable category of the population are children. That's why they need special care. To date, there are two international instruments that consolidate the rights of children. First of all, it is the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It was designed by Eglantine Jebb. Adopted on 26.11.1924 in Geneva by the 5th Assembly of the League of Nations. 5 basic principles were fixed in it. In particular, they stated that:

1. The child must provide the necessary means for normal spiritual and physical development.
2. Children need to provide medical care, homeless people and orphans - to provide support at a difficult time. Errors must be corrected, and hungry - fed.
3. In difficult times, the child must receive first aid.
4. It is necessary that he be protected from any form of exploitation and grow up in an atmosphere of love.
5. The child should be brought up in the consciousness that the best qualities of him should be used for the benefit of other people.

The second document that enshrines the rights of children is the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20.11.1959. In the preamble it was stated that it was proclaimed in order to ensure a happy childhood and encouraged parents, authorities, voluntary organizations, ordinary citizens to try to respect the rights of children.

The Declaration on the Rights of the Child enshrined 10 principles aimed at the special protection and care of children. Namely:

• They must have all the rights indicated in this legal document without any exceptions or differences (regardless of gender and language, political beliefs and other circumstances).
• When issuing laws, care must be taken to ensure the interests of the child. Organize special protection and favorable conditions for his mental, moral and physical development.
• From birth, the child has the right to a citizenship and a name.
• The child should be provided with the benefits of social security, special care and protection not only for him, but also for his mother (including prenatal and postnatal care). The Declaration of the Rights of the Child enshrined the provision that the child has the right to housing, adequate food, medical care and entertainment.
• Inadequate children (psychologically, socially or physically), due to their special condition, should be provided with a special treatment and care.
• Education must be compulsory and free of charge. It is necessary for the development of abilities and ability to express personal judgments, awareness of social and moral responsibility. The Declaration of the Rights of the Child also contains a provision stating that public authorities and society are obliged to make efforts to provide the younger generation with games and entertainment.
• In all circumstances, the child must be the first to receive protection and assistance.
• It is forbidden to use children in jobs harmful to their health. They must be protected from cruelty, neglect and exploitation. The Declaration of the Rights of the Child also enshrined the provision that children can not be trafficked.
• The child should be educated in the spirit of tolerance, mutual understanding, universal brotherhood and friendship of peoples, in the consciousness that his abilities and energy should be directed to the benefit of other people.