Protection of children's rights is now a formal objective of the EU

The new Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Community signed by Member States on Thursday includes the protection of children's rights in the objectives of the European Union.

Article 2, the Union's objectives, of the Treaty on European Union has now been amended to state:
3. [...] It shall combat social exclusion and discrimination, and shall promote social justice and protection, equality between women and men, solidarity between generations and protection of the rights of the child.

5. In its relations with the wider world, the Union should uphold and promote its values and interests and contribute to the protection of its citizens. It shall contribute to [...] the protection of human rights, in particular the rights of the child, as well as to the strict observance and the development of international law, including respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter.

Hungary became the first EU country to ratify the treaty yesterday with an overwhelming majority of MPs voting in favour of adopting the treaty. The new Treaty comes after the European constitution was rejected by the Netherlands and France two years ago.