US Stands as Sole UN State Refusing to Ratify Child Rights Convention

[fanger]

After Somalia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) last week, the United States remains the only UN member country that has not ratified this treaty, which aims to protect the world’s most vulnerable.
“The main legal challenge for US ratification is that it remains the only country to sentence children to life in prison without the possibility of parole – a punishment the treaty specifically prohibits,”


Read more: US Stands as Sole UN State Refusing to Ratify Child Rights Convention
The Convention on the Rights of the Child defines children as persons up to the age of 18. All states that have ratified this international treaty are expected to “ensure that all children – without discrimination in any form – benefit from special protection measures and assistance; have access to services such as education and health care; can develop their personalities, abilities and talents to the fullest potential; grow up in an environment of happiness, love and understanding; and are informed about and participate in, achieving their rights in an accessible and active manner,” according to UNICEF.


WTF?

 

[easyt65]

"The Convention on the Rights of the Child defines children as persons up to the age of 18."

I can understand not agreeing to this. 18 is an adult in many areas of the world. 13 is considered 'adult' in Africa and according to Jewish tradition. 16 is Adulthood in Scotland:

The legal definition of entering adulthood usually varies between ages 16–21, depending on the region in question. Adulthood is also considered to be 13yo in some African nations. According to Jewish tradition, adulthood is reached at age 13. Adulthood is considered 16 in Scotland (United Kingdom). People can join the military, fight and die for their country, at age 18. Until a few years ago people were considered adult and could drink at age 18. In Afghanistan girls at the age of 15 are taken as brides. In the US now a 15yo girl is considered a consenting adult for having sex.

If a 16, 17, or 18yo who knows right from wrong, KNOWS taking a life is wrong/a crime (for example), we reserve the appropriate right to try them as adults...for good reason. Age is not the deciding factor alone. The UN can do whatever it wants to do, but the US is NOT the UN and does NOT have to adhere to U.N. Laws, despite what the Liberal and Internationalists (like Kerry) prefer.