Article 1: Definition of a Child

Abstract While all international human rights treaties apply to children, only the Convention explicitly elaborates who is defined as a child. Article 1 defines child being below age of 18 years. Majority set at unless, under domestic law, it attained earlier. During negotiations text Convention, there was significant debate regarding definitions both commencement and ending childhood. The initial text, proposed by Polish Government, drawing on Principle UN Declaration Rights Child, 1959, provided no definition childhood (Office United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rädda barnen (Society: Sweden), 2007, p. 301). However, government delegates Working Group immediately highlighted need clarification. first revision therefore that from birth years unless majority with regard beginning childhood, were unable come consensus. An unresolvable division persisted whether in respect commenced point conception, or pp. 301–313). conflict ultimately resolved removing any reference start