The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) for signature, ratification, and accession in 1989. Jordan ratified the CRC in 1991. The CRC is a code of binding obligations for governments and a minimum standard of responsible conduct for communities and families with respect to children.

As per its mandated responsibilities to follow-up on national efforts relating to Jordan’s international commitments and conventions, the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) is contributing to the development of Jordan’s third CRC report, that will be submitted to the CRC International Committee in Geneva.

Jordan has reservations on articles 14, 20 and 21 in relation to freedom of thought with respect to religion, foster care for children and adoption procedures for children. These reservations are not directed to any of CRC’s general basic principles like those relating to the definition of the child, equality, non-discrimination or giving primary importance to the best interests of the child.