The most defenseless category of the population are children. That is why they need special care. Today, there are two international documents that enshrine the rights of children. First of all, this is the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child.
It was developed by Eglantin Jebb. Adopted on 11/26/1924 in Geneva by the 5th Assembly of the League of Nations. 5 basic principles were fixed in it. They, in particular, stated that:
- The child must be provided with the necessary means for normal spiritual and physical development.
- Children need to be provided with medical care, homeless and orphans - to provide support in difficult times. Those who are mistaken must be corrected, and those who are hungry must be fed.
- In difficult times, the child should first of all receive help.
- It is necessary that he be protected from any form of exploitation and grow in an atmosphere of love.
- A child should be brought up in the consciousness that his best qualities should be used for the benefit of other people.
The second document enshrining the rights of children is the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, adopted by the UN General Assembly on November 20, 1959. The preamble stated that it was proclaimed in order to ensure a happy childhood and urges parents, authorities, voluntary organizations, ordinary citizens to try to respect the rights of children.
The Declaration on the Rights of the Child has enshrined 10 principles aimed at special protection and care for children. Namely:
- They must have all the rights specified in this legal document without any exceptions or differences (regardless of gender and language, political opinion and other circumstances).
- When issuing laws, care must be taken to ensure the interests of the child. To organize special protection and favorable conditions for his mental, moral and physical development.
- From birth, the child has the right to citizenship and name.
- The child should be provided with the benefits of social security, special care and protection should be provided not only to him, but also to his mother (including prenatal and postnatal care). The Declaration of the Rights of the Child enshrined the provision that a child has the right to housing, adequate nutrition, medical care and entertainment.
- Defective children (psychologically, socially or physically), in connection with their special condition, should be provided with a special treatment and care.
- Education must be compulsory and free. 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 that public authorities and society are obligated to make efforts to provide the younger generation with games and entertainment.
- In any circumstances, the child should 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 cannot be traded.
- A child should be brought up in the spirit of tolerance, mutual understanding, universal brotherhood and friendship of peoples, in the knowledge that his abilities and energy should be directed to the benefit of other people.