Editorial by Mr. Jean Zermatten, Director of The International Institute for the Rights of the Child

1989 seems to be a landmark: so symbol-burdened are the events occurring that year … Let us mention with no regard to chronology : the end of the Paraguay dictatorship,  the breaking-free of Rumania, putting  an end to tyranny, and the emblematic  event : the fall of the Berlin Wall. Those cracks in a cold war world were marking the emergence of a  new relationship between peoples, putting an end to 30 years of terror balance, and bringing about a regenerated world, where human rights, pacific coexistence and mutual respect were supposed to reign, based on recognition of differences.

There was also the Tian An Men slaughter, still a bitter remembrance…

What is more, on November  20th, 1989, the international community promulgated a text destined to meet unprecedented enthusiasm, since States rushed in to ratify it, in a way unheard of in the history of international treaties: the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. So far, 193 States out of 195 are party to the treaty, giving it universal scope (the US are in the process of in-depth reflection to adopt it, with a massive support campaign from American NGOs).

The revolution embodied in this treaty lies in child’s new status : in spite of their dependency and vulnerability, the Convention acknowledges children as a real persons, owner of rights owing to mere birth : inalienable rights, they can exert themselves or (according to age and maturity) by representation. The child, subject of rights is proclaimed: besides being in a position to be protected, fed, taken care of and educated, the child has the right to influence his/her destiny. This is enshrined primarily in article 12, which grants the child the right to express views in any decision regarding him/her. This view must not be an alibi, but must be taken into account by the persons liable to take decisions towards the child.

The challenge : This new position of child is the Convention’s challenge : shifting from the child object of our benevolence and attention, or of our protection against unexpected events or exploitation from adults, to the child endowed with proper personality, individual needs, and competences amounting to a level allowing participation in family, community, and larger social life.
 
On November 20th and 21st, we are going to celebrate the 20th birthday of the Convention : numerous events will be organized worldwide. IDE, in partnership with five other child rights organizations, will trumpet forth children’s rights in Martigny, Switzerland. Welcome to all of you and Happy Birthday to the Convention!

Jean Zermatten

P.S. Our friend and partner, Association François-Xavier Bagnoud, also saw its inception in 1989, a strong symbol as well!

Any comment you may have would be welcome webmaster@childsrights.org.