HUMAN RIGHTS MODULE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD INTRODUCTION The Convention on the Rights of the Chile (CRC) was officially adopted by the United Nations during its 44th assembly on 20 November 1989. The Government of Malaysia acceded to it on 17 February 1995 and maintains its reservations to Articles 2, 7, 14, 28(1) (a) and 37. In general, the CRC encourages governments to be responsible towards children’s wellbeing. It also describes all needs of children, separate from those of adults. The CRC has 54 articles that are divided into 3 parts – Part I (articles 1 – 41), part II (articles 42 – 45) and Part III (articles 46 – 54). Preamble The states parties to the present convention, Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the charter of the United Nations, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, Bearing in mind that the peoples of the United Nations have, in the charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, Recognising that the United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenants on Human Rights, proclaimed and agreed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special care and assistance, Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community, Recognising that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding, 141