The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, UN General Assembly Resolution 44/25, Nov. 1989.

[excerpts]

Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world...

* When...authorities deal with children, the child's best interests shall be a primary consideration. The child's opinions shall be given careful consideration.

*States shall ensure that each child enjoys full rights without discrimination or distinctions of any kind.

*States shall protect children from physical or mental harm and neglect, including sexual abuse and exploitation.

*Children..must not be tortured or suffer cruel and degrading treatment.

*States should make the rights in the Convention widely known to both adults and children.

*State Parties shall respect the right of the child to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

*State Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse..including sexual abuse while in the care of parents(s) or any other person who has care of the child.

*State Parties shall take all effective and appropriate measures with a view to abolishing traditional practices prejudicial to the health of children.

*...the right of the child to be protected from economic exploitation.

*...to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse.

*...protect the child against all...forms of exploitation prejudicial to any aspects of the child's welfare.

*No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

*[State Parties] shall take all appropriate measures to promote physical and psychological recovery...of a child victim of: abuse; torture or any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

*No child shall be deprived of his or her liberty..arbitrarily.

*Every child deprived of liberty shall be treated with humanity and respect for the inherent dignity of the human person, and in a manner which takes into account the needs of persons of his or her age.