The commission today unanimously approved a new draft convention guaranteeing the rights of children.

Negotiations are now proceeding on a draft convention which should be adopted by 2009 but would then only enter into force a few years later.

The present draft convention represents a considerable improvement on the 1994 proposal.

At present Council work is focusing on recognition and enforcement provisions of the draft convention.

This does not go beyond vague assurances, however, since the draft convention says absolutely nothing about the form these safeguards would take.

For these reasons, the draft convention will need to be amended.

We have also helped to produce a draft convention on legal aid.

We have also put forward a draft convention on rules for admission.

The latest information, however, is that a draft convention will be available by the end of February.

The draft convention also expressly gives children the right of free association for the first time.