1989-2019: 30th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
30 years after its adoption, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the most ratified UN Treaty and has played a central role to improve the lives of children around the world.
The 30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is a unique opportunity to put children’s rights, the Convention (along with its Optional Protocols) and its relevance for global peaceful development and co-existence high on the international agenda, to assess the status of child rights and take measures to strengthen awareness, understanding and the actual realisation of children’s rights worldwide.
It is our chance to take stock of progress until now and set in motion the further strengthening of the child rights movement in our changing global context where human rights are increasingly under threat!
Also, 2019 is the 5th Anniversary of entry into force of OPIC. This third Optional Protocol to the CRC is the first international complaints procedure giving children the possibility to claim their rights at international level. It is an important complement to the CRC to strengthen the status of children as rights holders, to ensure that children can seek redress if their rights are violated and broadening their possibility to be heard at international level. Child Rights Connect hopes for States commitments to the right of the child also translate in a wider ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure.
OHCHR and the CRC Committee’s initiatives
The CRC Committee and OHCHR celebrated the 30th anniversary by organizing a series of activities throughout 2019 that aim to encourage States parties to renew their commitment to the Convention by putting children’s rights at the forefront of national agendas and supporting the various initiatives of its partners, as stipulated in the General Assembly Resolution on the Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Adoption of the CRC Convention:
- A one-hour High Level Commemorative Event during the General Assembly on 25 September 2019
- A one-day High Level Meeting of the General Assembly on 20 November 2019: Part I – Part II – Part III – Part IV
- The resolution calls for “the meaningful participation of children” at these events; and,
- Encourages Member States “to take action and to strengthen efforts for the advancement of the rights of the child.”
The CRC Committee, together with OHCHR, called upon States to take up serious child rights commitments and actions, to resolve urgent issues hampering the realisation of children’s rights and advance positive and concrete changes to children’s lives. The Committee will monitor and follow-up on the 30th anniversary commitments in the framework of State reporting.
The States pledges are available online and were displayed in an exhibition at the Palais des Nations in Geneva in September 2019.
Child Rights Connect and the Convention: a shared story!
Our landmarks for child rights includes key milestones in relation to the UN and CRC Committee’s work, child participation and Child Rights Connect.
- 2020
First in-country CRC session
First in-country CRC session
March 2, 2020In March 2020, the Committee on the Rights of the Child held an historic extraordinary in-country/region session for the first time in the Treaty Bodies system in Apia, Samoa.
- 2020
All initial State reports submitted under the CRC
All initial State reports submitted under the CRC
January 31, 2020The CRC becomes the first Human Rights Treaty Body with no initial reports overdue!
- 2019
Child-friendly CRC Convention
Child-friendly CRC Convention
June 1, 2019 - 2019
OPSC implementation guidelines
OPSC implementation guidelines
January 1, 2019OPSC implementation guidelines focusing on the implementation
- 2018
Children’s Advisory Team for organizing the DGD
Children’s Advisory Team for organizing the DGD
January 1, 2018First collaboration of the CRC Committee with a Children’s Advisory Team to organize its DGD, composed of 21 children from all around the world
- 2018
First Adopted Views on individual communication
First Adopted Views on individual communication
January 1, 2018First Adopted Views on individual communication against Denmark during the 77th Session
- 2018
Report on first Inquiry Procedure against Chile
Report on first Inquiry Procedure against Chile
January 1, 2018 - 2018
Day of General Discussion on Children Human Rights Defenders & adoption of working methods for child participation
Day of General Discussion on Children Human Rights Defenders & adoption of working methods for child participation
January 1, 2018Day of General Discussion on protecting and empowering children as human rights defenders with unprecedented child participation and the adoption of Working methods for the participation of children in the days of general discussion of the CRC Committee
- 2016
Implemention of the SRP
Implemention of the SRP
September 10, 2016Committee started implementing the Simplified Reporting Procedure (SRP)
- 2016
First session webcasts
First session webcasts
January 1, 2016First UN live webcast of a session, during the CRC 73rd session
- 2014
Working methods for the participation of children in the CRC reporting process
Working methods for the participation of children in the CRC reporting process
January 1, 2014 - 2014
First joint General Comment CRC-CEDAW
First joint General Comment CRC-CEDAW
January 1, 2014 - 2013
First examination of a State report via video
First examination of a State report via video
January 1, 2013CRC Committee was the first treaty body to conduct the examination of a State party report via video for Tuvalu, 64th session
- 2013
The NGO group became Child Rights Connect
The NGO group became Child Rights Connect
January 1, 2013The NGO group became Child Rights Connect at the occasion of its 30th anniversary
- 2011
Adoption of the OPIC
Adoption of the OPIC
January 1, 2011Optional Protocol to the convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure (OPIC) which allows children to submit complaints regarding violations of their rights and provides for an inquiry procedure for grave or systematic violation of child rights. Entered into force in 2014 first ratified by the States of Gabon and Thailand in 2012
- 2010
Establishment of a working group for an optional protocol on a communication procedure
Establishment of a working group for an optional protocol on a communication procedure
January 1, 2010Establishment of a working group for an optional protocol on a communication procedure by the Human Rights Council and following a proposal for a draft optional protocol from the government of Slovakia
- 2009
First annual day on the Rights of the Child at the Human Rights Council
First annual day on the Rights of the Child at the Human Rights Council
January 1, 2009First annual full-day meeting on the Rights of the Child at the Human Rights Council to discuss, negotiate and adopt a resolution about the specific theme or children’s rights in general (an Omnibus Resolution)
- 2009
Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children
Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children
January 1, 2009Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children intended to enhance the implementation of the CRC regarding the protection and wellbeing of children who are deprived of parental care or who are at risk of being so
- 2009
General Comment on the right of the child to be heard
General Comment on the right of the child to be heard
January 1, 2009 - 2008
Special Representative on Violence against Children
Special Representative on Violence against Children
January 1, 2008Special Representative on Violence against Children established to promote the elimination of all forms of violence against children in all regions, promote and support the implementation of the recommendations of the study on violence, and identify and share good practices to prevent and respond to violence against children
- 2008
UNHCR Guidelines on Determining the Best Interests of the Child
UNHCR Guidelines on Determining the Best Interests of the Child
January 1, 2008UNHCR Guidelines on Determining the Best Interests of the Child released after two years of field-testing. The Guidelines provided a formal mechanism to determine the best interests of the child as part of a comprehensive child protection system
- 2007
Machel Study 10-Year Strategic Review – the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children
Machel Study 10-Year Strategic Review – the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children
January 1, 2007Machel Study 10-Year Strategic Review – the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children reviewed the current situation faced by children in armed conflict including the impact of the changing nature of conflict, also highlighted priorities and the responses required for the next decade. A more in-depth publication, Children and Conflict in a Changing World was released in 2009
- 2006
UN Study on Violence against Children
UN Study on Violence against Children
January 1, 2006UN Study on Violence against Children by the appointment of the expert Mr. Paulo Pinheiro the first comprehensive global study conducted on all forms of violence against children, provided a global picture of violence against children and proposed recommendations to prevent and respond to this issue
- 2003
18 members in the CRC Committee
18 members in the CRC Committee
January 1, 2003First session with 18 members in the CRC Committee
- 2002
First children’s reports
First children’s reports
January 1, 2002First children’s reports submitted on Belgium and the United Kingdom
- 2002
UN General Assembly Special Session on Children
UN General Assembly Special Session on Children
January 1, 2002UN General Assembly Special Session on Children convened to review progress since the 1990 World Summit for Children. The General Assembly adopted of World Fit for Children which outlined four key priorities; promoting healthy lives, providing quality education for all, protecting children against abuse, exploitation and violence and combatting HIV/AIDS
- 2000
Millennium Summit and Declaration
Millennium Summit and Declaration
January 1, 2000Millennium Summit and Declaration which contained values, principles and objectives for the international agenda for the twenty-first century, and set out eight goals to be achieved by 2015 including eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education and reducing child mortality
- 2000
Adoption of the OPSC
Adoption of the OPSC
January 1, 2000Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OPSC) which sets out specific acts that must be criminalized within the areas of sale of children for purposes of sexual exploitation, transfer of organs, forced labor, or adoption, as well as child prostitution and child pornography. Entered into Force in 2002
- 2000
Adoption of the OPAC
Adoption of the OPAC
January 1, 2000Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC) which strengthens article 38 of the CRC by raising the minimum age of direct participation in hostilities from 15 to 18 and prohibiting anyone under 18 from being compulsorily recruited into the armed forces. Entered into Force in 2002
- 1999
First children’s meetings
First children’s meetings
January 1, 1999Child participation during pre-sessional working group meeting on India, one on Mali and the Netherlands
- 1999
Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour
Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour
January 1, 1999 - 1998
First presentation to the CRC Committee by children
First presentation to the CRC Committee by children
January 1, 1998First presentation to the CRC Committee by children delivered by a group of Japanese students during an open meeting (including the media) during the lunch break
- 1998
Convention on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor
Convention on the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor
January 1, 1998Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor (ILO 182) adopted by the General Conference for the International Labor Organisation, which defines which situations should be classified as the worst forms of child labor and specifies what governments must do to prohibit and eliminate them
- 1997
Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
January 1, 1997Creation of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and appointment of Mr. Olara Otunnu as the first Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, mandated to promote the protection, rights and welfare of children at every phase of conflict
- 1997
International Conference on Child Labor
International Conference on Child Labor
January 1, 1997International Conference on Child Labor in Oslo during which a global agenda for eliminating the worst forms of hazardous and exploitative employment of children was adopted and a global strategy for eliminating the most intolerable or extreme forms of child labor was proposed
- 1996
Guidelines on periodic reports
Guidelines on periodic reports
January 1, 1996 - 1996
Study on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children
Study on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children
January 1, 1996Study on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children by the appointed expert Ms. Graca Machel, which described the impact of armed conflict on children and included a number of concrete recommendations for the protection of children in armed conflict
- 1996
First World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
First World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children
January 1, 1996First World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children convened in Stockholm, with the participation of a broad range of stakeholders including governments, NGOs, and children. It adopted the Stockholm Declaration and Agenda for Action, tools for mobilizing and monitoring action to protect children from sexual exploitation
- 1994
First participation of children in a written submission
First participation of children in a written submission
January 1, 1994The first experience with children participating in a written submission
- 1994
The Committee established that NGOs may participate in the CRC pre-session
The Committee established that NGOs may participate in the CRC pre-session
January 1, 1994The Committee established that the working group may invite representatives from non-governmental organizations to attend the pre-sessional working group meeting to provide information at its 7th session
- 1994
First comprehensive alternative report
First comprehensive alternative report
January 1, 1994First comprehensive alternative report submitted to the CRC Committee by the national coalition the Child Rights Development Unit to inform the consideration of the initial report of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which took place in January 1995
- 1994
UNHCR Guidelines on Protection and Care on Refugee Children
UNHCR Guidelines on Protection and Care on Refugee Children
January 1, 1994UNHCR Guidelines on Protection and Care on Refugee Children for UNHCR’s staff and partners on refugee children that combined the concept of children’s rights with UNHCR’s efforts to protect and assist refugee children
- 1993
First examination of State party reports and first concluding observations
First examination of State party reports and first concluding observations
January 1, 1993First examination by the CRC Committee of the State party reports and first concluding observations for Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Egypt, Russian Federation, Sudan, Sweden, Viet Nam
- 1993
First participation of NGOs in pre-sessions
First participation of NGOs in pre-sessions
January 1, 1993First participation of NGOs in the pre-sessional working group meeting in order to present information on the situation of children in their country, to assist the CRC Committee to set priorities and identify key issues for discussion with the government
- 1993
Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption
Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption
January 1, 1993Convention on Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption by the Hague Conference on Private International Law, which protects children and their families against the risks of illegal, irregular, premature or ill-prepared adoptions abroad, and reinforces Article 21 of the CRC as it seeks to ensure that inter-country adoptions are made in the best of interests of the child
- 1993
World Conference on Human Rights
World Conference on Human Rights
January 1, 1993World Conference on Human Rights with unprecedented participation of governments and NGOs, and the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action for strengthening human rights work around the world. The declaration included a section on the rights of the child, which called for the universal ratification of the CRC Convention and supported the proposal that the Secretary General initiate a study on the protection of children in armed conflicts
- 1992
First Day of General Discussion
First Day of General Discussion
January 1, 1992First General Day of Discussion of the CRC Committee dedicated to children in armed conflict, followed-up by a preliminary draft of an optional protocol to the Convention which would raise the age of recruitment into the armed forces to 18
- 1992
Rio Conference
Rio Conference
January 1, 1992UN Conference on Environment and Development (Rio Conference) which adopted Agenda 21, a wide-ranging blueprint for action to achieve sustainable development, and required that children’s interests be taken into account
- 1992
First regional meeting of national child rights coalitions
First regional meeting of national child rights coalitions
January 1, 1992First regional meeting of national child rights coalitions held in Lima, Peru to strengthen the child rights movement and focused on monitoring the CRC at national level, followed by Western Europe
- 1992
First State Party reports and first written comments by NGOs
First State Party reports and first written comments by NGOs
January 1, 1992First State Party reports and the first written comments by NGOs submitted to the CRC Committee for Sweden and Bolivia
- 1991
Formation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
Formation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
January 1, 1991First election of 10 members of the CRC Committee by States Parties, who adopted guidelines regarding the form and content of initial reports at its first session
- 1991
Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
January 1, 1991Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography appointed by the Commission on Human Rights to consider matters relating to the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, including the problem of adoption of children for commercial purposes
- 1990
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
January 1, 1990African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child adopted by the Organisation of African Unity (now the African Union), entered into force in 1999
- 1990
World Summit for Children
World Summit for Children
January 1, 1990World Summit for Children with 27 measurable goals set in the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children
- 1990
UN Rules for Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty
UN Rules for Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty
January 1, 1990UN Rules for Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty reaffirming the Beijing Rules and emphasizing that imprisonment of juveniles should be a last resort and for the shortest possible amount of time
- 1990
Riyadh Guidelines
Riyadh Guidelines
January 1, 1990UN Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (Riyadh Guidelines) focused on the prevention of juvenile delinquency as well as protection measures for children who are at risk
- 1989
Adoption of the CRC Convention
Adoption of the CRC Convention
November 20, 1989The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most comprehensive document on the rights of children, was unanimously adopted by the General Assembly and opened for signature on 20 November, recognizing for the first time children as rights holders in an international treaty. The Convention entered into force in 1990.
- 1985
The Beijing Rules
The Beijing Rules
January 1, 1985UN Standard Minimum Rules of the Administration of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing Rules) which set the minimum conditions for the treatment of children who are in conflict with the law and emphasize that imprisonment should only be used as a measure of last resort and for the shortest time possible
- 1983
Formation of the Ad Hoc NGO Group for the drafting of the UNCRC
Formation of the Ad Hoc NGO Group for the drafting of the UNCRC
January 1, 1983Formation of the Ad Hoc NGO Group with over twenty NGOs to better influence the drafting of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Group would meet to analyze the articles of the Convention and submit changes or the inclusion of new articles to the Working Group. The Ad Hoc NGO Group became the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, and Child Rights Connect in 2013
- 1979
International Year of the Child
International Year of the Child
January 1, 1979International Year of the Child to provide a framework for advocacy on behalf of children and to promote recognition that programs for children should be a fundamental part of economic and social development plans
- 1979
Working Group on a draft CRC Convention
Working Group on a draft CRC Convention
January 1, 1979Working Group on a draft convention on the rights of the child established by the Commission on Human Rights, open to all members of the UN, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations with consultative status, following a proposal submitted by the government of Poland
- 1959
Declaration of the Rights of the Child
Check the Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) thematic infographics!
UNICEF has also produced the timeline “Milestones in Children’s Rights” and called for States to sign a joint global pledge.
The former NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child – now Child Rights Connect – has extensively influenced the drafting of the Convention, its Optional Protocols, General Comments and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child Working Methods, and since its adoption has successfully contributed and advocated for its proper implementation worldwide.
In 2013, the 30th anniversary of Child Rights Connect was an opportunity both to recognise the successes of the past and to propel the organisation forward to continued achievement.
Child Rights Connect steered a series of activities with the aim to:
- Make the CRC and its Optional Protocols more accessible to children so that they can better understand and claim their rights;
- Facilitate strategic and critical reflections about challenges and achievements of civil society child rights advocacy and engagement with the CRC Committee;
- Ensure that child participation is central to 30th anniversary celebrations to further strengthen commitments to and practice of child participation;
- Promote the universal ratification of the CRC and its Optional Protocols, in particular the Optional Protocol on a Communications Procedure (OPIC);
- Strengthen the historical identity of Child Rights Connect as the driver of the drafting of the CRC and the engagement of civil society in the reporting process.
30th anniversary celebrations around the world!
Child Rights Connect will leverage the multitude of activities that its members and partners will undertake at national, regional and international level, by increasing their visibility and by strengthening their impact through connections and advice.
Our members activities
Other activities & events
