On 20 November 1989, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. This is a short version of the 54 articles of the Convention, which spell out the basic human rights that children have everywhere: the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life. All articles of the Convention are equally important and apply both in times of peace and of armed conflict.
