The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) on the occasion of Human Rights Day organised a special lecture entitled "Convention on the Rights of the Child - Challenges Ahead." The special lecture, held on 13 December, was delivered by Professor Jaap E. Doek, Chairman, United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year, the theme is "Fighting Poverty: A Matter of Obligation, Not Charity."

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989, and sets out the civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights of children. It is monitored by the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Among other provisions, the convention states that "every child has the inherent right to life" and that state parties must "ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child." Nearly 200 countries are party to the convention. Please click here for the full text of the CRC.

During the lecture, Professor Jaap E. Doek, who has worked tirelessly throughout his career to champion the promotion and protection of human rights, in particular the rights of all children, said that Malaysia was doing a commendable job in preserving the rights of the child in terms of health and education.

United Nations Resident Coordinator Dr Richard Leete said in his welcome address that "Unfortunately people whose rights are denied are more likely to be poor."

"The poor, especially children and women, cannot enjoy their rights to education, health and housing, simply because they cannot afford them. And poverty affects all human rights. For example, if the poor cannot enjoy their right to basic education, this limits their opportunities throughout life, and restricts their public participation, thereby curtailing their ability to influence policies affecting themselves," he noted.

A total of 80 diplomats, government officials and members of civil society attended the evening lecture. News of the event was highlighted in Bernama and Malaysiakini.