Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Holy Father backs U.N. push to protect children

Vatican City, Jun 5, 2009 / 10:39 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI has sent a telegram to the International Catholic Child Bureau (BICE) to lend his support to a worldwide call for a "new mobilization on behalf of children" initiated by the United Nations in Geneva.

The telegram references the U.N.'s Convention on the Rights of the Child and says, "Twenty years after its ratification, there is an urgent need for it to be implemented to the full." This is especially important, "given the new challenges" of the modern world. The Convention, ratified two decades ago, sets out the basic human rights of children that must be respected, based on the four core principles of non-discrimination; devotion to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child.

National governments that have agreed to the obligations of the Convention have committed themselves to upholding its standards and to being held accountable before the international community.
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See also:

VIS Press release, "Pope Calls for Application of U.N. Convention on Children"

From Zenit, "Pope Unites to UN Appeal for Children"

posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 2:55 PM