ABSTRACT
The Children’s Rights Project of Human Rights Watch came into being through the issue of the torture of children. Many children’s organizations that work primarily on child survival and development are eager to help in the fight to protect children’s rights. Children are in ‘generational bondage’: generations ago a family member was promised to an employer; the understanding is that each generation will provide a new worker to take the older one’s place. Publicizing findings on abuses against children is extremely important. The media play a crucial role in raising public awareness on human rights abuses. International law and standards dealing with children frequently refer to their special vulnerability, and state that children need special care because they are not as physically and mentally mature as adults. Professionals with experience and expertise in working with children can explain to governments, intergovernmental groups and private citizens why these abuses can be more damaging to children than to adults.
