[child-rights] USA soon only state not to have ratified Convention on the Rights of the Child

* News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty
International *

14 May 2002
IOR 41/017/2002


(New York) What should have been a momentous occasion for the
protection of child rights turned out to be a set back, said
Yvonne Terlingen, Amnesty International's representative at the
UN, referring to the UN General Assembly Special Session on
Children (UNGASS).

        In a disappointing turn of events, the Outcome Document
of UNGASS missed a crucial opportunity to make the Convention on
the Rights of the Child, ratified by virtually every country in
the world, into the framework for all future work of the UN on
children. Instead the document does no more than acknowledge the
Convention's existence.

        "It is highly ironic that the Outcome Document which sets
the promotion of healthy lives of children as one of its key
priorities, does not call for a halt to the execution of child
offenders," stated Ms Terlingen.

        In particular, Amnesty International is concerned that
the Outcome Document does not rule out the death penalty for
children because of obstruction by the USA -- a government that
described itself during the Special Session as "the global leader
in child protection". It is sad that the EU did not achieve a
stronger text to reflect its strong opposition to the execution
of juvenile offenders.

        "When it comes to protecting children's right to life,
there should be no trade-off," declared Ms Terlingen.

        Somalia's decision to sign the Convention on the Rights
of the Child is a welcome commitment to the protection of
children's rights. The Somali government also stated its
intention to ratify such instrument in the near future. The USA
will then be the only country to have failed to ratify the
Convention on the Rights of the Child.

        "The USA will be exposed as the only country in the world
not willing to fully commit to protecting children's rights,"
said Ms Terlingen.


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