The «Declaration of Children’s Rights» (1959)

In 1959, the United Nations General Assembly passed the «Declaration of Children’s Rights» which is the second reference point for the positivisation of children and adolescents’ rights. Based on the «Geneva Declaration» (1924), it is an important step when it comes to recognising the same importance for appropriate childhood development of biological, emotive, psychological, and emotional needs. And also for extending the duties of caring for children and adolescents not just to individuals but also to institutions, authorities and governments. The text is short and is not legally binding. It consists of a Prologue and ten principles which specify, for children, the general principles contained in the «Universal Declaration of Human Rights» (1948). As with the Geneva Declaration, its contents are clearly protectionist and the rights which are listed are established as duties which are required both from individuals and institutions. Among the ten principles included the second is particularly relevant, as it establishes the doctrine of the child’s best interest, on which, 30 years later, most of the articles of the «Convention on Children’s Rights» (1989) are based. This principle becomes a highly useful legal tool when it comes to making decisions to benefit children, particularly in such cases where a conflict of interests arises.