The Lancet
Nov 21, 2009  Volume 374  Number 9703  Pages 1723 – 1792
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

Editorials
20 years on: the clinical importance of children’s rights
The Lancet

Preview
During the past week, the Australian Government apologised for the mistreatment of UK children who were resettled in Australia between 1930 and 1970 as part of the child migrants programme; a similar apology from the UK Government is expected. This forced resettlement of 500 000 children is a reminder of their vulnerability. The 20th anniversary on Nov 20 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) gives an opportunity to reflect on children’s rights today—and the responsibility of health professionals to respect and defend those rights in all settings, including the clinic.