It was 20 years ago today.
On 20 November 1989, the international Convention on the Rights of the Child (CROC) was formally adopted. According to Human Rights Watch, the Convention became “the most widely and rapidly ratified human rights treaty in history. Twenty years on, only two countries have failed to ratify the Convention – Somalia and the USA.
Somalia currently has no recognised government, which makes it impossible for it to ratify the CROC. In the USA, Presidential action to ratify an international treaty requires the approval of the Senate. I think this is a good mechanism and one Australia should adopt, even though it would undoubtedly be frustrating from time to time. But regardless of the distractions of health care reform and climate change legislation, this is one action the USA’s President and Senate should get moving on.
4 Comments, Comment or Ping
TerjeP (say tay-a)
What aspect of the convention do you think is vital for the USA?
Nov 29th, 2009
paul walter
Taya, that is the fascistic thing I’ve ever seen written at a blog site!
Nov 29th, 2009
Naomi Cartledge
I recently heard a question asked of someone close to the Obama Presidency re signing this Convention, and the response was, ‘yes, they’ll sign that after they’ve signed the Convention on the rights and treatment of women????????So much for the ‘world’s biggest democracy’? Funny how they haven’t castigated Karzai for his oppressive and revolting legislation, giving men the right to demand sex, and withold food etc if it’s not forthcoming. The US is only interested in human rights that don’t get in the road of their ‘needs’? Such as the use or torture, the PATRIOT Act, the murder of citizens by the CIA in any or all countries it desires to, and the recent support for the overthrow of the democratically elected President of Honduras – the one preceeding the recent ‘elections’ I mean! Sick bastards, the lot of them!
Dec 5th, 2009
Lorikeet
I don’t think it matters too much who ratifies what, if the people end up taking the bull by the tail, instead of by the horns. I find this happens a lot when there is money involved.
Naomi:
I’m fairly appalled by the way in which Australians do not come to the defence of anyone. They have yellow stripes running up their backs, and are purely self-interested.
Dec 6th, 2009
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