Parties to the Convention are required to "respect and ensure" that the rights in the UN Convention are extended to all children within their jurisdiction "without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or his parents" or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status." The preamble to the Convention asks us to "bear in mind" that "the child by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection" and recognise that "in all countries of the world there are children living in difficult conditions and such children need special consideration." It recognises also "the importance of international cooperation for improving the living conditions in every country, in particular in developing countries. What is interesting is that the Convention is presented to the world, not as a declaration of intent by the governments of the different countries or as a blueprint for action by United Nations agencies but as international law. Although the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms is not part of English domestic law, it is nevertheless beginning to have a significant influence on its development. The European Convention on human Rights was originally drafted with adults in mind. Now the central issue is the extent to which the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Convention have application to children and can be enforced by their behalf. The European Convention and Fundamental Freedoms with incorporation into English law through the Human Rights Act 1988, which makes "convention rights" directly enforceable against "public authorities"- defined so as to extend to courts and tribunals, and clearly encompassing local authorities, with their extensive powers and duties in relation to children in need - seems certain to have wide impact on the working of the family justice system.