The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989, has made it possible for November 20th to be celebrated as World Children's Rights Day every year. This important day aims to protect children worldwide from neglect and abuse, to ensure that they are not subjected to mistreatment, and to guarantee their fundamental rights.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by 193 countries, securing children's basic rights, such as the right to education, health, housing, and play. The Republic of Turkey signed this convention in 1990, acknowledging the international binding nature of children's rights.
The destructive effects of World War II accelerated the formation and institutionalization of universal norms for the protection of children's rights. Children's rights encompass universal concepts, such as the right to life, health, education, and protection from mistreatment, which every child is inherently entitled to. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s statement, "Children must be protected from all forms of neglect and abuse, and they should be treated as more special than adults in every condition," reflects the essence of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Any decision made with the best interests of children in mind is crucial for their safety, health, and development. Stronger mechanisms should be established to protect children who are forced to work or are denied their rights due to reasons such as war, migration, and poverty. Every individual must take responsibility to ensure that children have access to their rights and that they enjoy equal rights.
As Istanbul Rumeli University, on the occasion of World Children's Rights Day, we advocate for every child's right to life, development, and protection; and we continue to work with determination to ensure they have a fairer, more equal, and hopeful future.
