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Urge U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Urge your senators to support U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child!

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights -- civil, cultural, economic, political, and social. It sets forth basic standards which individual nations agree to pursue on behalf of children. With 193 nations having ratified it, the Convention is the most widely adopted human rights treaty in history. The United States is the only nation that has not ratified the Convention, other than the failed state of Somalia.

U.S. ratification of the Convention would promote a more supportive social and legislative environment for children, and would represent an important step forward in making children a high national priority for the United States. Ratification would also improve the plight of children overseas by giving the United States the opportunity to participate in the international body that monitors the Convention, thereby enabling our voice to be heard on this important issue.

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Dear (recipient name),

We are writing to express our strong support for U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  We urge you to give the treaty your full support when it comes before the Senate.
 
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights -- civil, cultural, economic, political, and social. It sets forth basic standards which individual nations agree to pursue on behalf of children, including freedom from violence, abuse, hazardous employment, slavery, abduction, sale or any other form of exploitation; equal treatment regardless of gender, race, or cultural background; adequate nutrition; free and compulsory primary education; adequate health care; the right to express opinions and freedom of thought in matters affecting themselves and other children; and safe exposure and access to leisure, play, culture, and art. 
 
With 193 nations having ratified it, the Convention is the most widely adopted human rights treaty in history. The United States is the only nation that has not ratified the Convention, other than the failed state of Somalia.  The Convention's provisions are consistent with the principles contained in the U.S. Bill of Rights. U.S. delegates participated in drafting the Convention and played a pivotal role to incorporate provisions regarding a child's right to freedom of thought, speech, association, religion and privacy.  
 
U.S. ratification of the Convention would promote a more supportive social and legislative environment for children, and would represent an important step forward in making children a high national priority for the United States. Ratification would also improve the plight of children overseas by giving the United States the opportunity to participate in the international body that monitors the Convention, thereby enabling our voice to be heard on this important issue.  
 
We hope that you agree that the United States should be a leader in advancing human rights and child protection.  Accordingly, we urge you to support U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

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