Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

Signed, Not RatifiedConventionchildren-rightshuman-rightsjuvenile-justiceeducation

Date Adopted

1989-11-20

U.S. Ratification

Not ratified

Summary

The CRC is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, with every UN member state except the United States having ratified it. The Convention establishes comprehensive rights for children including the right to life, health, education, family life, protection from violence and exploitation, and the right to be heard in matters affecting them. The United States signed the Convention in 1995 but has not ratified it, citing concerns about federalism, parental rights, and potential conflicts with U.S. law on juvenile justice.

Parties

196 States Parties (all UN members except the United States)

Key Cases

Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005) — Supreme Court cited the CRC in holding juvenile death penalty unconstitutional, though the treaty does not bind the U.S.

Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48 (2010) — International standards cited in prohibiting JLWOP for non-homicide offenses

Related Treaties

Charter of the United Nations

1945-06-26 · Ratified

Multilateral Treaty

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

1966-12-16 · Ratified

Multilateral Treaty

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

1966-12-16 · Signed, Not Ratified

Multilateral Treaty

Convention Against Torture (CAT)

1984-12-10 · Ratified

Convention

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide

1948-12-09 · Ratified

Convention