PREAMBLE
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 should 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,