When the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child came into force in 1990, the Canadian Louise Arbour, the U.N. High Commissioner, write in part, “Since its unanimous adopton in 1989 and entry into force in 1990, the Convention has become the most widely ratified of the human rights treaties, with 193 States parties, testifying to the willingness of States to embrace overarching norms that protect the rights of children, regardless of race, sex, religion, ethnic origin or other status.”

Our newspapers are currently filled with horrific stories of child labor in our factories, and in New Hampshire, our state legislators do not appear to be aware that children are persons with rights. The two-volume history of the U.N. legislation was published by the United Nations in 2007, and it ought to be a part of any discussion about any legislation regarding Granite State children. I am sure that the U.N. Bookstore still has copies of this publication.

Russell Bastedo

Peterborough 

]]>