Legal capacity of the child from the perspective of the Human Rights

Authors

  • Kalline Eler Universidade federal de Juiz de Fora

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12957/rqi.2024.81468

Keywords:

Legal capacity, Evolving Capacities, Convention on the Rights of the Child, Human Rights, Children

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to analyze the legal capacity of the child from the human rights framework established by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) which, in its article 5 ensures the personal exercise of children's rights according to their evolving capacities. Method: This is a theoretical and documentary research, based, among others, on the CRC, the General Comments numbers 4,5,7,12 and 20 produced by the Committee on the Rights of the Child and Eler's research on child’s human rights. Results: It was found that the Brazilian legal capacity model is inadequate, because it disregards the child's human right to have their capacity considered in an evolutive way, according to their gradual physical, intellectual, social and emotional maturation. Contributions: In conclusion, it is argued that there is an urgent need to review the current capacity model, so that children are no longer treated as an absolutely incapable, as stipulated in Article 3 of the Brazilian Civil Code. In the end, a revision of this model is proposed, based on the chosen theoretical framework, which favors the child's decision-making capacity.

Author Biography

Kalline Eler, Universidade federal de Juiz de Fora

Professora Adjunta da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora. Mestra em Direito pela Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora. Doutora em Bioética e Direitos Humanos pela Universidade de Brasília. Diretora do Instituto Brasileiro de Direito do Paciente. Coordenadora do Observatório Direitos do Paciente. Autora do livro: Capacidade Jurídica da Criança e do Adolescente na Saúde. Possui linha de pesquisa em Direitos Humanos e Bioética, Direitos Humanos e Saúde, Direitos do Paciente, Direitos da Criança e do Adolescente.

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Published

2025-04-02

How to Cite

Eler, K. (2025). Legal capacity of the child from the perspective of the Human Rights. REVISTA QUAESTIO IURIS, 17(4), 210–232. https://doi.org/10.12957/rqi.2024.81468

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 4 (2024): REVISTA QUAESTIO IURIS - VOL. 17, N°04

Section

ARTIGOS/ARTICLES

License

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