The Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 is an international treaty that has been ratified by 195 States (only the United States and Somalia abstained).

It is indeed the first text to truly recognize the under-18s as beings in their own right. Thanks to this treaty, the child has become a subject of law, a bearer of civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights. By approving this text, the signatory States have thus undertaken to respect the rights set out therein. 

Among these rights, 4 fundamental principles emerge, which are as follows:

1. Non-discrimination
2. The best interests of the child
3. The right to live, survive and develop
4. Respect for the views of the child

The Convention's text in PDF format