The States Parties to the present Convention,
Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all
members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the
world,
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,
Recognizing that the United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenants on Human Rights, proclaimed and agreed that everyone
is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction
of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion,
national or social origin, property, birth or other status,
Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special care and
assistance,
Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment
for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should
be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its
responsibilities within the community,
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,
Considering that the child be fully prepared to live an individual life in society,
and brought up in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality
and solidarity,
Bearing in mind that the need to extend particular care to the child has been stated
in the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924 and in the Declaration
of the Rights of the Child adopted by the General Assembly on 20 November 1959 and
recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (in particular in articles 23 and 24), in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (in particular in article 10) and in the statutes and relevant instruments of specialized agencies and international
organizations concerned with the welfare of children,
Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child,
"the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards
and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth",
Recalling the provisions of the Declaration on Social and Legal Principles relating
to the Protection and Welfare of Children, with Special Reference to Foster Placement
and Adoption Nationally and Internationally; the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules
for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (The Beijing Rules); and the Declaration
on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict,
Recognizing that, in all countries in the world, there are children living in exceptionally
difficult conditions, and that such children need special consideration,
Taking due account of the importance of the traditions and cultural values of each
people for the protection and harmonious development of the child,
Recognizing the importance of international co-operation for improving the living
conditions of children in every country, in particular in the developing countries,
Have agreed as follows: