U.S. SUPPORT FOR THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

WHEREAS, in 1989, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to address the need for special care and protection for children under the age of 18; and

WHEREAS, the CRC is a universally agreed upon set of non-negotiable standards and obligations—human rights—that should be respected by all governments; and

WHEREAS, the CRC is the first legally binding international instrument that declares the universal right of children everywhere 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; and

WHEREAS, these values are intrinsic American values; and

WHEREAS, while it has been 17 years since then-President Bill Clinton signed the convention, it has yet to be sent to the U.S. Senate for ratification; and

WHEREAS, the United States and Somalia are the only two member states of the United Nations that have failed to ratify the CRC:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will continue to affirm its commitment to basic rights for children, including the right to universal public education, to proper nutrition and access to healthcare, to supportive and safe environments at home and at school, and to participate fully in cultural and social life; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will urge the Obama administration to take the first step in a long road toward ratification by sending the CRC to the U.S. Senate by the next Universal Children's Day, Nov. 20, 2012, thereby reaffirming the United States' commitment to the values enshrined in the CRC; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will undertake an educational campaign on this issue among its local affiliates, will establish a link to the CRC petition on its website, and will encourage its locals and members to sign the online petition.