The Child Rights System in Romanian Legislation

Child rights are a set of international conventions which define the conditions for the normal development of a child. In Romania, child rights are now the subject of a specific law, law nr. 272/2004 on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of the Child, which is in accordance with the international conventions. All children have their own rights - whether at home with their natural parents, in foster families, child care institutions or at school. Parents and families, the professional groups who work with children, as well as any responsible citizen, should know about these rights. The law on children's rights makes it clear, for the first time, that the main responsibility for raising a child lies with his/her parents. The law also states that the local community has an obligation to support the child and his/her family if they are facing difficulties. The State is only a guarantor of child rights. This is contrary to what many people believe - that the State can be a substitute for parents and families, since it can supply food and shelter. The law promotes the new idea of alternative family based services as opposed to the old residential type state institutions. If their rights are violated, children face serious risks: abnormal physical and emotional development, bad health, poor or no education, lack of shelter, insecurity, vulnerability, unhappiness