Protection Of Children's Human Rights In India: An Overview

Children and childhood across the world have broadly been construed in terms of a ‘golden age’ that is synonymous with innocence, freedom, joy, play and the like. It is the time when, spared the rigours of adult life, one hardly shoulders any kind of responsibility or obligations. But, then, it is also true that children are vulnerable, especially when they are very young. In the history of human rights, the rights of children are the most ratified. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) defines Child Rights as the minimum entitlements and freedoms that should be afforded to every citizen below the age of 18 regardless of race, national origin, colour, gender, language, religion, opinions, origin, wealth, birth status, disability, or other characteristics. These rights encompass: Freedom of children and their civil rights Family environment, Necessary healthcare and welfare  Education Leisure and cultural activities, Special protection measures. The UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child which is the first international treaty that defines the basic rights of the children. A Safe Childhood is a human right. They are recruited into armed forces. They are subjected to the death penalty, are disappeared, are punished by cruel and inhuman methods and suffer many other forms of violence. The aim of this study is to critically evaluate how effectively the violation of child right can be prevented and the needed directions can be provided to the parents and Government about their responsibilities to guarantee the rights of the child and also to reduce the vulnerability of children in harmful situations.