Table of Contents

Prelude; Part I. 1. Are children human?; 2. Interlude – taking a deep breath; Part II. Even Lawyers Were Children Once: 3. The Convention on the Rights of the Child and its principles; 4. The Convention – norms and themes; 5. Enforcing children's rights; 6. Criticisms of the Convention; 7. Beyond the Convention; 8. Interlude – what we can learn from the sociology of childhood; 9. Childhoods and rights; 10. Regional children's rights; 11. Child friendly justice; 12. The world 25 years on: new issues and responses; Part III. A Magna Carta for Children: 13. Rethinking children's rights; 14. Alternatives to rights – or are they?; 15. A Magna Carta for children?; 16. Rethinking principles and concepts; 17. Conclusion; 18. Coda – a child of our time.

Promotional Information

This book highlights the importance of law, policy and rights in improving children's lives, combining historical analysis and human rights law.

About the Author

Michael Freeman is Professor Emeritus of English Law at University College London Faculty of Laws. He is the Founding Editor of the International Journal of Children's Rights, Editor of the International Journal of Law in Context, General Editor of International Library of Medicine, Ethics and Law and of the International Library of Family, Society and Law and former Editor of the Annual Survey of Family Law. He has published in the areas of Family Law; Child Law and Policy; Children's Rights; Medicine; Ethics and the Law and Medical Law; Jurisprudence and Legal Theory; and other areas of law and policy.

Reviews

'In this book, which is based on his 2015 Hamlyn Lectures, Michael Freeman embarks on an account of children's rights which is astonishing in its breadth and depth. No aspect is neglected, from the historical origins of the idea to the most contemporary issues in which children's rights are implicated. These are many, including globalisation, social inequality, migration, even climate change. The coverage is also global, with special attention given to South America and Africa. Freeman draws not only on law and legal theory, but also on other disciplines, such as sociology and neuroscience. But references to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are interwoven throughout the text. Ultimately, however, it is an uncompromisingly political statement about children and the realities of the political and social world in which they live, and what still needs to be done to treat them properly.' John Eekelar, University of Oxford

'I was delighted to hear that the 2015 Hamlyn lectures were to be given by the world's leading international children's rights scholar, Professor Michael Freeman. The three lectures, collated and expanded in this book, provide a fascinating and engaging overview of the theory and practice of children's rights. They are presented in Professor Freeman's inimitable style and draw on his encyclopaedic knowledge of the field. It is a must read for any scholar or student of children's rights.' Laura Lundy, Queen's University, Belfast

'As a staunch and passionate advocate for children and their human rights, Michael Freeman's inspirational writings motivate enlightened legal and attitudinal change. His Hamlyn lectures raise important, thought-provoking questions to which he provides eloquent, witty and progressive responses. Through his profound wisdom and empathy, he lays the foundations for a more just and nurturing world for children.' Bernadette Saunders, Monash University, Australia

'… the book is one of the best-informed publications on children's rights in the last 30 years.' Manfred Liebel, The International Journal of Children's Rights

'What makes this book fascinating for long-established scholars of children's rights and newcomers alike is that it is written by one of the leading thinkers of children's rights who is deeply involved in the development of the field.' Dr Henry Kha, International Journal for Law, Policy and the Family