The Convention on the Rights of the Child, one of the most important documents concerning children, was adopted in 1989, after the UN General Assembly approved making it into international law. It entered into force in 1990, having been ratified by most United Nations member states and is an international charter outlining children’s civil, political, economic and cultural rights.
In 1991, Jordan was one of the first Middle Eastern countries to ratify the CRC. Over time, Jordan has continued to be a pioneer in ratifying international and regional human rights instruments related to children. In 2006, Jordan issued law 50/2006, which ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child as after the legislature approved its adoption. However, no other law concerning the rights of children has been issued since then, despite many attempts throughout the years.
On January 14, 2020, Jordan published a draft bill for children’s rights, to be promulgated pending the approval of the legislature[1].
This paper is part of Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development’s (ARDD) efforts and programmes advocating for raising children in a safe environment and ensuring their protection and access to justice.
In this paper, ARDD aims to present its legal opinion on the draft bill for children’s rights 2020, and to shed light on the main legal text as it pertains to the importance of this bill at the local level. This paper also considers the role of this legislation in creating a solid and clear legal text, and expanding the legislative framework concerning children’s rights and protection. The bill is also important internationally as it strengthens the main principles and commitments of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by implementing the international conventions on human rights. Finally, the bill is a positive addition to strengthening human rights in general, and children’s right in Jordan, in particular.
[1] To read the full children’s rights draft bill, follow the link:
http://www.lob.jo/View_LawContent.aspx?ID=1226
