On the occasion of the notification of the withdrawal of the German reservation to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle today (15 July) issued the following statement:

”The withdrawal of the German reservation to the Convention on the Rights of the Child is an important step which issues a strong signal. It underlines Germany’s commitment to the international codification of the rights of the child and to the no less important enforcement of these rights.

Fair opportunities and guaranteed rights for children are crucial for our society’s future prospects. The Federal Government emphatically advocates these goals, not least at international level.“

On ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child of 20 November 1989, the Federal Republic of Germany declared a reservation in order to avoid incorrect or over-interpretation, from the standpoint of the time.

The withdrawal of this reservation was an element of the Coalition Agreement between the CDU, CSU and FDP and was approved by the Federal Government on 3 May this year. Today the Secretary-General of the United Nations was notified of the withdrawal.