Abstract

Human rights were formally acknowledged and declared in realization of the need to safeguard and promote the inherent dignity of all members of human society. Prior to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, human rights standards applicable to all members of the human family had been expressed in legal instruments such as covenants, conventions and declarations. By, 1989, the standards concerning children were brought together in a single legal instrument agreed to by the international community. It unambiguously spelt out the rights to which every child is entitled, regardless of place of birth, descent, sex, religion, or social origin. India has always been a land of many social problems and one amongst them is child labour. The Constitution of India guarantees fundamental rights and full freedom to enjoy childhood for the children of the country. Inspite of that millions of children are being put to arduous work for short and narrow gains. Legal protection to children from such exploitation and the human rights perspective is the crux of this article.

Key words: Child rights, human rights, United Nations, UNICEF, convention, Ilo, constitution, article, act, hazardous work.