Global children's rights violations persist despite UN protections

Children’s rights continue to face widespread risks despite global commitments. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) stands as the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. Yet violations persist in nearly all surveyed nations. A recent Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) Expert Survey found children at risk of rights violations in 38 out of 40 countries. Only one right—freedom from death penalty executions—was not flagged as at risk for children in some regions.

In Vietnam, 12% of respondents highlighted children’s right to education as under threat. The CRC’s Articles 24 and 28 explicitly protect children’s rights to nutritious food and schooling. However, access remains unequal.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) showed severe concerns, with 33% of respondents warning of inadequate food for children. Nutrition deficits are stark, as 40% of children there suffer from stunting. Malnutrition and schooling barriers remain global issues.

Gaps in data also hinder progress. Street children and homeless youth often go uncounted in official statistics. Better coverage and disaggregated data are needed to fully assess the scale of violations. The CRC guarantees protections, but systematic violations of children’s rights endure. Improved data collection and broader coverage could reveal the true extent of the problem. Without this, vulnerable groups like street children will remain overlooked.