The United Nations has urged South Sudan to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Child stressing that this is vital to protect children from abuse and mistreatment.

Two other countries have not signed the convention; – the United States and Somalia.

In urging the three countries to sign up for children’s rights the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence against Children said that millions of children around the globe suffer daily from violence, exploitation and abuse.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is a set of standards and obligations, providing protection and support for the rights of children.

South Sudan will have the opportunity to ratify the Convention and its Optional Protocols at the 2013 Treaty Event, which will be held from the 24^th of September at UN Headquarters in New York.