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Other countries' constitutions
What do constitutions in other countries say about children? Older constitutions probably do not mention children. But some more recent ones may include several provisions. The Constitution of South Africa for example says:
Section 28 Children
- Every child has the right
- to a name and a nationality from birth;
- to family care or parental care, or to appropriate alternative care when removed from the family environment;
- to basic nutrition, shelter, basic health care services and social services;
- to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation;
- to be protected from exploitative labour practices;
- not to be required or permitted to perform work or provide services that
- are inappropriate for a person of that child's age; or
- place at risk the child's well-being, education, physical or mental health or spiritual, moral or social development;
- not to be detained except as a measure of last resort, in which
case, in addition to the rights a child enjoys under sections 12 and 35, the child may be detained only for the shortest appropriate period of time, and has the right to be
- kept separately from detained persons over the age of 18 years; and
- treated in a manner, and kept in conditions, that take account of the child's age;
- to have a legal practitioner assigned to the child by the state, and at state expense, in civil proceedings affecting the child, if substantial injustice would otherwise result; and
- not to be used directly in armed conflict, and to be protected in times of armed conflict.
- A child's best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child.
- In this section "child" means a person under the age of 18 years.
The Constitution of Rwanda is shorter
Article 27
The family, which is the natural foundation of Rwandan society, is protected by the State.
Both parents have the right and duty to bring up their children.
The State shall put in place appropriate legislation and institutions for the protection of the family and the mother and child in particular in order to ensure that the family flourishes.
Article 28
Every child is entitled to special measures of protection by his or her family, society and the State that are necessary, depending on the status of the child, under national and international law.
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