A SUMMARY OF THE UN CONVENTION

ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

ARTICLE 1 (definition of the child) ARTICLE 10 (family reunification) children can understand. Governments must help
Everyone under the age of 18 has all the rights in Governments must respond quickly and protect children from materials that could harm
the Convention. sympathetically if a child or their parents apply them.
to live together in the same country. If a child’s
ARTICLE 2 (non-discrimination) parents live apart in different countries, the child ARTICLE 18 (parental responsibilities and state
The Convention applies to every child without has the right to visit and keep in contact with both assistance)
discrimination, whatever their ethnicity, gender, of them. Both parents share responsibility for bringing up
religion, language, abilities or any other status, their child and should always consider what is best
whatever they think or say, whatever their family ARTICLE 11 (abduction and non-return of for the child. Governments must support parents
background. children) by creating support services for children and giving
Governments must do everything they can to stop parents the help they need to raise their children.
ARTICLE 3 (best interests of the child) children being taken out of their own country
The best interests of the child must be a top priority illegally by their parents or other relatives, or being ARTICLE 19 (protection from violence, abuse
in all decisions and actions that affect children. prevented from returning home. and neglect)
Governments must do all they can to ensure that
ARTICLE 4 (implementation of ARTICLE 12 (respect for the views children are protected from all forms of violence,
the Convention) of the child) abuse, neglect and bad treatment by their parents
Governments must do all they can to make sure Every child has the right to express their views, or anyone else who looks after them.
every child can enjoy their rights by creating feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them,
systems and passing laws that promote and protect and to have their views considered and taken ARTICLE 20 (children unable to live with their
children’s rights. seriously. This right applies at all times, for example family)
during immigration proceedings, housing decisions If a child cannot be looked after by their immediate
ARTICLE 5 (parental guidance and a child’s or the child’s day-to-day home life. family, the government must give them special
evolving capacities) protection and assistance. This includes making
Governments must respect the rights and ARTICLE 13 (freedom of expression) sure the child is provided with alternative care
responsibilities of parents and carers to provide Every child must be free to express their thoughts that is continuous and respects the child’s culture,
guidance and direction to their child as they and opinions and to access all kinds of information, language and religion.
grow up, so that they fully enjoy their rights. This as long as it is within the law.
must be done in a way that recognises the childs ARTICLE 21 (adoption)
increasing capacity to make their own choices. ARTICLE 14 (freedom of thought, belief and Governments must oversee the process of adoption
religion) to make sure it is safe, lawful and that it prioritises
ARTICLE 6 (life, survival and development) Every child has the right to think and believe what children’s best interests. Children should only be
Every child has the right to life. Governments must they choose and also to practise their religion, as adopted outside of their country if they cannot be
do all they can to ensure that children survive and long as they are not stopping other people from placed with a family in their own country.
develop to their full potential. enjoying their rights. Governments must respect
the rights and responsibilities of parents to guide ARTICLE 22 (refugee children)
ARTICLE 7 (birth registration, name, their child as they grow up. If a child is seeking refuge or has refugee status,
nationality, care)
governments must provide them with appropriate
Every child has the right to be registered at birth, ARTICLE 15 (freedom of association) protection and assistance to help them enjoy all
to have a name and nationality, and, as far as Every child has the right to meet with other the rights in the Convention. Governments must
possible, to know and be cared for by their parents. children and to join groups and organisations, help refugee children who are separated from their
as long as this does not stop other people from parents to be reunited with them.
ARTICLE 8 (protection and preservation of
enjoying their rights.
identity)
Every child has the right to an identity. ARTICLE 23 (children with a disability)
ARTICLE 16 (right to privacy) A child with a disability has the right to live a full
Governments must respect and protect that right,
Every child has the right to privacy. The law should and decent life with dignity and, as far as possible,
and prevent the child’s name, nationality or family
protect the child’s private, family and home life, independence and to play an active part in the
relationships from being changed unlawfully.
including protecting children from unlawful community. Governments must do all they can to
attacks that harm their reputation. support disabled children and their families.
ARTICLE 9 (separation from parents)
Children must not be separated from their parents
ARTICLE 17 (access to information from the ARTICLE 24 (health and health services)
against their will unless it is in their best interests
media) Every child has the right to the best possible
(for example, if a parent is hurting or neglecting
Every child has the right to reliable information health. Governments must provide good quality
a child). Children whose parents have separated
from a variety of sources, and governments should health care, clean water, nutritious food, and a
have the right to stay in contact with both parents,
encourage the media to provide information that clean environment and education on health and
unless this could cause them harm.
well-being so that children can stay healthy. ARTICLE 33 (drug abuse) ARTICLE 41 (respect for higher national
Richer countries must help poorer countries Governments must protect children from the standards)
achieve this. illegal use of drugs and from being involved in the If a country has laws and standards that go further
production or distribution of drugs. than the present Convention, then the country
ARTICLE 25 (review of treatment in care) must keep these laws.
If a child has been placed away from home for the ARTICLE 34 (sexual exploitation)
purpose of care or protection (for example, with a Governments must protect children from all forms ARTICLE 42 (knowledge of rights)
foster family or in hospital), they have the right to of sexual abuse and exploitation. Governments must actively work to make sure
a regular review of their treatment, children and adults know about the Convention.
the way they are cared for and their wider ARTICLE 35 (abduction, sale and trafficking)
circumstances. Governments must protect children from being The Convention has 54 articles in total. Articles
abducted, sold or moved illegally to a different 43–54 are about how adults and governments
ARTICLE 26 (social security) place in or outside their country for the purpose of must work together to make sure all children can
Every child has the right to benefit from social exploitation. enjoy all their rights, including:
security. Governments must provide social
security, including financial support and other ARTICLE 36 (other forms of exploitation) ARTICLE 45
benefits, to families in need of assistance. Governments must protect children from all other Unicef can provide expert advice and assistance on
forms of exploitation, for example the exploitation children’s rights.
ARTICLE 27 (adequate standard of living) of children for political activities, by the media or
Every child has the right to a standard of living for medical research.
that is good enough to meet their physical and
OPTIONAL PROTOCOLS
social needs and support their development. ARTICLE 37 (inhumane treatment and
Governments must help families who cannot detention)
There are three agreements, called Optional
afford to provide this. Children must not be tortured, sentenced to the
Protocols, that strengthen the Convention
death penalty or suffer other cruel or degrading
and add further unique rights for children.
ARTICLE 28 (right to education) treatment or punishment. Children should be
They are optional because governments
Every child has the right to an education. Primary arrested, detained or imprisoned only as a last
that ratify the Convention can decide
education must be free and different forms of resort and for the shortest time possible. They
whether or not to sign up to these Optional
secondary education must be available to every must be treated with respect and care, and be able
Protocols. They are: the Optional Protocol on
child. Discipline in schools must respect children’s to keep in contact with their family. Children must
the sale of children, child prostitution and
dignity and their rights. Richer countries must not be put in prison with adults.
child pornography, the Optional Protocol
help poorer countries achieve this. on the involvement of children in armed
ARTICLE 38 (war and armed conflicts)
conflict and the Optional Protocol on a
ARTICLE 29 (goals of education) Governments must not allow children under the
complaints mechanism for children (called
Education must develop every child’s personality, age of 15 to take part in war or join the armed
Communications Procedure).
talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage forces. Governments must do everything they can
the child’s respect for human rights, as well as to protect and care for children affected by war
respect for their parents, their own and other and armed conflicts. For more information:
cultures, and the environment. [Link]
ARTICLE 39 (recovery from trauma and
ARTICLE 30 (children from minority or reintegration)
indigenous groups) Children who have experienced neglect, abuse,
Every child has the right to learn and use the exploitation, torture or who are victims of war
language, customs and religion of their family, must receive special support to help them recover
whether or not these are shared by the majority of their health, dignity, self-respect and social life.
the people in the country where they live.
ARTICLE 40 (juvenile justice)
ARTICLE 31 (leisure, play and culture) A child accused or guilty of breaking
Every child has the right to relax, play and take the law must be treated with dignity
part in a wide range of cultural and artistic and respect. They have the right to legal
activities. assistance and a fair trial that takes account of
their age. Governments must set a minimum age
ARTICLE 32 (child labour) for children to be tried in a criminal court and
Governments must protect children from manage a justice system that enables children
economic exploitation and work that is dangerous who have been in conflict with the law to
or might harm their health, development or reintegrate into society.
education. Governments must set a minimum
age for children to work and ensure that work
conditions are safe and appropriate.