In a world where children continute to suffer from poverty and confict, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) dictates a universal framework for child rights.

The treaty, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989, has become one of the most widely adopted human rights pacts. The CRC sets legal standards for social services, education, health care, and laws pertaining to children. Nations that ratify the CRC are bound to it by international law.

The US is the only country in the world that has not ratified the CRC. To put this in perspective, even North Korea ratified the convention in 1990.

Ratifying the CRC is necessary for the US to uphold its commitment as a human rights leader to advocate for better conditions for children and families around the world. These photos show why the US should ratify the CRC to support the world's most vulnerable citizens.

Every child deserves a fair chance in life. That's the central message of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The CRC was ratified by #Somalia last year where this baby and her mom live. Only one country has yet to sign on. Can you guess which one? Photo by Unicef/Somalia/Holt #childrenfirst

A photo posted by UNICEF USA (@unicefusa) on Mar 12, 2016 at 12:38pm PST

It's show time at Child Restoration Outreach, an organization in #Uganda that supports street children. Exploited and abused , they are among the nation's most at-risk. But health, education and protection are denied children from settled homes too. @UNICEFUganda urges governments, families, communities & individuals to #standup for #‎ChildRights. ‪#‎InvestInUGchildren‬. © UNICEF/UN03231/Jiro Ose

A photo posted by UNICEF USA (@unicefusa) on Mar 9, 2016 at 1:19pm PST

"Sometimes I still hear children's laughter in the school yard," says community volunteer Umm Mojeeb of just one school the #YemenConflict destroyed. "Then I realize I'm just imagining. There are no more children in this school." The Convention on the Rights of the Child says nations should govern in children's best interests. But when war denies the right to #education, children can only suffer. #childrenfirst #childrensrights

A photo posted by UNICEF USA (@unicefusa) on Apr 5, 2016 at 1:26pm PDT

These two #ChildRefugees at a #ChildFriendly space on the #fYRMacedonia border look like they aren't doing much. Actually, they are exercising a fundamental child right: the right to play and relax. In the midst of #conflict, #UNICEF puts #childrenfirst by protecting that freedom and the other basic rights of #childhood. UNICEF/HQ15-2213/Georgiev

A photo posted by UNICEF USA (@unicefusa) on Mar 15, 2016 at 4:46pm PDT

Every child has a right to be treated as a human being, not a possesion.

Apart from the US, every UN member has ratified the CRC. While the US signed the CRC in 1995, it has yet to ratify the treaty, meaning the US is not legally bound by it. The first step is for the US President to send the treaty to the Senate, where they must approve it to be ratified.

Ratifying the CRC would allow the US to work more closely with UNICEF to protect children's rights and solidify global support for the best interests of children everywhere.