Convention on the Rights of the Child

Convention on the Rights of the Child
Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly
resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989
entry into force 2 September 1990, in accordance with article 49
Preamble
The States Parties to the present Convention,
Considering that, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations,
recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human
family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Bearing in mind that the peoples of the United Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in
fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have determined to
promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Recognizing that the United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the
International Covenants on Human Rights, proclaimed and agreed that everyone is entitled to all the
rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex,
language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status,
Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations has proclaimed that
childhood is entitled to special care and assistance,
Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the
growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary
protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community,
Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should
grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,
Considering that the child should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society, and brought up
in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in the spirit
of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity,
Bearing in mind that the need to extend particular care to the child has been stated in the Geneva
Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924 and in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child adopted
by the General Assembly on 20 November 1959 and recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (in particular in articles 23 and 24), in
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (in particular in article 10) and in
the statutes and relevant instruments of specialized agencies and international organizations
concerned with the welfare of children,
Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, "the child, by reason of
his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal
protection, before as well as after birth",
Recalling the provisions of the Declaration on Social and Legal Principles relating to the Protection and
Welfare of Children, with Special Reference to Foster Placement and Adoption Nationally and
Internationally; the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice
(The Beijing Rules) ; and the Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and
Armed Conflict, Recognizing that, in all countries in the world, there are children living in exceptionally
difficult conditions, and that such children need special consideration, 2
Taking due account of the importance of the traditions and cultural values of each people for the
protection and harmonious development of the child, Recognizing the importance of international cooperation for improving the living conditions of children in every country, in particular in the
developing countries,
Have agreed as follows:
PART I
Article 1
For the purposes of the present Convention, a child means every human being below the age of
eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.
Article 2
1. States Parties shall respect and ensure the rights set forth in the present Convention to each child
within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or his or her
parent's or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national,
ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all
forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or
beliefs of the child's parents, legal guardians, or family members.
Article 3
1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare
institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child
shall be a primary consideration.
2. States Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her
well-being, taking into account the rights and duties of his or her parents, legal guardians, or other
individuals legally responsible for him or her, and, to this end, shall take all appropriate legislative and
administrative measures.
3. States Parties shall ensure that the institutions, services and facilities responsible for the care or
protection of children shall conform with the standards established by competent authorities,
particularly in the areas of safety, health, in the number and suitability of their staff, as well as
competent supervision.
Article 4
States Parties shall undertake all appropriate legislative, administrative, and other measures for the
implementation of the rights recognized in the present Convention. With regard to economic, social
and cultural rights, States Parties shall undertake such measures to the maximum extent of their
available resources and, where needed, within the framework of international co-operation.
Article 5
States Parties shall respect the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents or, where applicable, the
members of the extended family or community as provided for by local custom, legal guardians or
other persons legally responsible for the child, to provide, in a manner consistent with the evolving
capacities of the child, appropriate direction and guidance in the exercise by the child of the rights
recognized in the present Convention.
Article 6 

List of Children's Rights

List of Children's Rights

Summary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The complete text of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, including the Preamble, exceeds 7,400 words. Many online summaries are more than two thousand words long. This brief summary is less than 700 words.It provides a short outline of the 54 Articles.

Despite being the most widely adopted human rights treaty in history, it has encountered opposition from Christian conservatives in the USA. They frequently misrepresent what the Convention says, so it's essential to double check any supposed 'quote' from the CRC by consulting the official document (PDF):
http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/pdfid/3ae6b38f0.pdf
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has a
web page version.

List of Children's Rights:

Jump to: PART II (Committee) or PART III (Procedures)

• Preamble - An overview of the treaty.
  

  PART I.

• Article 1: Definition of a child.
• Article 2: Children must be protected from discrimination.
• Article 3: The best interests of the child
  (taking into account the rights and duties of parents).
• Article 4: Legislative measures to implement the treaty.
• Article 5: The rights of parents.
• Article 6: The right to life.
• Article 7: The child's right to birth registration.
• Article 8: The child's right to a name, nationality and family relations.
• Article 9: The child's right not be separated from his or her parents against the child's will.
• Article 10: The child's right to maintain contact with both parents if they separate.
• Article 11: Measures against the illicit transfer of children abroad.
• Article 12: The child's right to be heard in any judicial and administrative proceedings.
• Article 13: The child's right to freedom of expression.
• Article 14: The child's right to freedom of thought.
• Article 15: The child's right to freedom of association.
• Article 16: The child's right to privacy.
• Article 17: The child's right to information from national and international mass media.
• Article 18: Parents or legal guardians have the primary responsibility for the child's upbringing.
• Article 19: State obligations to protect children against maltreatment and abuse.
• Article 20: State obligations to children temporarily or permanently deprived of their family environment.
• Article 21: State obligations to children with regard to adoption.
• Article 22: State obligations to children who are classed as refugees.
• Article 23: State obligations to children who are mentally or physically disabled.
• Article 24: State obligations to provide child health care services.
• Article 25: Children placed in physical or mental health care settings have the right to a periodic review of their circumstances and treatment.
• Article 26: The child's right to social security insurance and benefits.
• Article 27: The child's right to a standard of living adequate for the child's physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.
• Article 28: The child's right to education.
• Article 29: The goals to which a child's education should be directed, and the right of individual adults to establish and direct educational institutions.
• Article 30: The rights of children belonging to ethnic, religious or linguistic minority groups.
• Article 31: The child's right to rest, leisure and recreational activities.
• Article 32: The child's right to be protected from economic exploitation.
• Article 33: State obligations to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic and psychotropic drugs.
• Article 34: State obligations to protect children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.
• Article 35: State obligations to prevent the abduction or trafficing of children.
• Article 36: State obligations to protect children from all other forms of exploitation prejudicial to the child's welfare.
• Article 37: State obligations to ensure that children are not subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishments, including capital punishment or life imprisonment without the possibility of release.
• Article 38: State obligations to ensure that children under fifteen years do not take a direct part in wars or other hostilites, and to protect and care for children affected by armed conflict.
• Article 39: State obligations to promote physical and psychological recovery of child victims of torture, degrading treatment or armed conflict.
• Article 40: State obligations concerning children who infringe penal laws.
• Article 41: No part of the Convention shall override provisions contained in State laws which are more conducive to children's rights.
  

  PART II - Committee on the Rights of the Child

• Article 42: State obligations to make the provisions of the Convention widely known.
• Article 43: Description of the role of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.
• Article 44: Reports to the Committee.
• Article 45: The process by which the Committee evaluates reports.
  

  PART III - Procedures for ratification, amendments, etc.

• Article 46: The Convention shall be open for signature by all States.
• Article 47: The Convention is subject to ratification.
• Article 48: The Convention can be adopted by accession (same as ratification but not preceded by signature).
• Article 49: The Convention enters into force on the 30th day after the 20th ratification/accession.
• Article 50: A State Party may propose an amendment.
• Article 51: A State Party may file reservations.
• Article 52: A State Party may denounce the Convention
  (i.e. announce termination of the State's participation).
• Article 53: The Secretary-General of the United Nations is designated as the depositary of the Convention.
• Article 54: The original of the present Convention resides with the Secretary-General of the UN.

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DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

		DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD  Adopted by UN General Assembly Resolution 1386 (XIV) of 10 December 1959
		WHEREAS the peoples of the United Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
		WHEREAS the United Nations has, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status,
		WHEREAS the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth,
		WHEREAS the need for such special safeguards has been stated in the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924, and recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the statutes of specialized agencies and international organizations concerned with the welfare of children,
		WHEREAS mankind owes to the child the best it has to give,
		Now, therefore,  Proclaims    THIS DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD to the end that he may have a happy childhood and enjoy for his own good and for the good of society the rights and freedoms herein set forth, and calls upon parents, upon men and women as individuals, and upon voluntary organizations, local authorities and national Governments to recognize these rights and strive for their observance by legislative and other measures progressively taken in accordance with the following principles:
1		The child shall enjoy all the rights set forth in this Declaration. Every child, without any exception whatsoever, shall be entitled to these rights, without distinction or discrimination on account of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, whether of himself or of his family.
2		The child shall enjoy special protection, and shall be given opportunities and facilities, by law and by other means, to enable him to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity. In the enactment of laws for this purpose, the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration.
3		The child shall be entitled from his birth to a name and a nationality.
4		The child shall enjoy the benefits of social security. He shall be entitled to grow and develop in health; to this end, special care and protection shall be provided both to him and to his mother, including adequate pre-natal and post-natal care. The child shall have the right to adequate nutrition, housing, recreation and medical services.
5		The child who is physically, mentally or socially handicapped shall be given the special treatment, education and care required by his particular condition.
6		The child, for the full and harmonious development of his personality, needs love and understanding. He shall, wherever possible, grow up in the care and under the responsibility of his parents, and, in any case, in an atmosphere of affection and of moral and material security; a child of tender years shall not, save in exceptional circumstances, be separated from his mother. Society and the public authorities shall have the duty to extend particular care to children without a family and to those without adequate means of support. Payment of State and other assistance towards the maintenance of children of large families is desirable.
7		The child is entitled to receive education, which shall be free and compulsory, at least in the elementary stages. He shall be given an education which will promote his general culture and enable him, on a basis of equal opportunity, to develop his abilities, his individual judgement, and his sense of moral and social responsibility, and to become a useful member of society.   The best interests of the child shall be the guiding principle of those responsible for his education and guidance; that responsibility lies in the first place with his parents.   The child shall have full opportunity for play and recreation, which should be directed to the same purposes as education; society and the public authorities shall endeavour to promote the enjoyment of this right.
8		The child shall in all circumstances be among the first to receive protection and relief.
9		The child shall be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation. He shall not be the subject of traffic, in any form.   The child shall not be admitted to employment before an appropriate minimum age; he shall in no case be caused or permitted to engage in any occupation or employment which would prejudice his health or education, or interfere with his physical, mental or moral development.
10		The child shall be protected from practices which may foster racial, religious and any other form of discrimination. He shall be brought up in a spirit of understanding, tolerance, friendship among peoples, peace and universal brotherhood, and in full consciousness that his energy and talents should be devoted to the service of his fellow men.

What are children’s rights?

What are international children’s rights?

Human rights are the basic standards that people need to live in dignity.  All human beings are entitled to enjoy human rights.  Human rights exist to make sure that we are treated properly and fairly, and given the freedom to develop to our full potential, and to promote our well being. 
In addition to the rights that are available to all people, there are rights that apply only to children.  Children need special rights because of their unique needs – they need additional protection that adults don’t.  The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international document that sets out all of the rights that children have – a child is defined in the Convention as any person under the age of 18. 
Governments can decide whether they will ratify the Convention, which means that the government agrees to make sure that all of these rights are available to children.  The Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by every country in the world, except for the United States and Somalia.
The UK Government ratified the Convention on 16 December 1991.  This means that the Government must make sure that every child in the UK has the rights that are listed in the Convention.  The Government can do this by passing laws or by taking other action, including making sure that the rights in the Convention are widely known in the UK.

What rights do children have?

The Convention on the Rights of the Child has 54 articles (sections), and most of these articles list a different right that children have, and different responsibilities that the Government, and others, have to make sure that children have these rights.  This includes:
• Making sure that children are equal:  The Government must make sure that all children have the rights in the Convention, regardless of their or their parent’s race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status (article 2).
• Children’s best interests: The Government must make sure that your best interests are taken into account when any decision is made which affects you.  All organisations working with children should work in a way that is best for children (article 3).
• Parent’s rights and right to family life:  The Government must respect the rights of your parents / family / carers to raise you, where they are raising you in a way that respects your rights (article 5).  You also have the right to know and be cared for by your parents (article 5), and the government must make sure that you are not taken away from your parents against your will, unless this is in your best interests (it will be in a child’s best interests to be taken away from their family, for example, where they are being abused at home and are not safe living there) (articles 8 and 9). 
Where you are separated from one or both of your parents (for example, where your parents have separated), the Government must make sure that you have contact with the parent you are separated from, unless this is not in your best interests (for example, where it might cause you harm to see your parent) (article 9). 
For children who have parents living in different countries, the Government must make sure that you can stay in regular contact with both parents (article 10).
Parents or guardians have the responsibility to bring you up, and they should do this in a way that is in your best interests.  The Government must give help to your parents where this is necessary to help them care for you properly (article 18).
• Right to have an identity:  The Government must make sure you are registered at birth (i.e. that you have a birth certificate), and that you have a name and a nationality and that you know who your parents are (articles 7 and 8).  Having your birth registered is important because it helps you to exercise your other rights (e.g. to get access to education, housing and other support if you need it, and will allow you to register to vote).
• Going abroad:  The Government must make sure that children are not taken out of the UK illegally (article 11).
• Having your opinions heard:  You must be given the chance to give your opinion when decisions are made that affect you, and the Government must make sure that these opinions are taken into account by the people making the decision (article 12).
• Freedom of expression and getting information:  You must be able to get and share information with others, as long as this does not damage others (article 13).  The Government must make sure that you can get information from many sources, like different papers and television and radio programmes, and must make sure that the media includes programmes and information that are relevant to children and do not harm you (article 17).
• Freedom of thought and religion:  The Government must make sure that no one interferes with your opinions and your ability to do things that you want to do because of your religion, as long as this doesn’t cause you or anyone else any damage, or interferes with anyone else’s rights.  Your parents are allowed to give you guidance on practicing your religion (article 14).
• Freedom to gather together and join organisations:  You must be able to gather together with other people and to join organisations, as long a this does not cause anyone harm, or interfere with other people’s rights (article 15).
• Privacy:  The Government must make sure that no one is able to interfere with your privacy or attack your honour or reputation (article 16).
• Protection from violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect and maltreatment: The Government must make sure you are protected from any type of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse or exploitation, while you are living with your parents or in the care of anyone else (article 19).  Special procedures must be set up to help you if you have been the victim of abuse.
• Health:  The Government must make sure you are able to be as healthy as you can be, and that you are able to get health care when you need it.  You must also be able to get clean water, nutritious food and live in a healthy environment.  The Government must also make sure you can get information about staying healthy (article 24).
• Benefits:  The Government must make sure that you and your parents or carers can get financial help when you need it (article 26).
• Standard of living:  You have the right to a standard of living that is necessary for your physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.  It is your parents’ responsibility to make sure you have these needs met, but the Government must help your parents by giving them support if they can’t afford to do this (article 27).
• Education:  The Government must make sure you get a good quality education.  This includes making sure that primary and high school is free and available to you, that you can attend school regularly and that schools don’t discipline you in a way that causes you harm and only in a way that respects your dignity (article 28).  Your education should make sure you develop to your full potential and learn to respect human rights, your parents and the values, language and culture of the UK and other countries (article 29).
• Rest and leisure:  The Government must make sure you have rest and leisure time, and can be involved in cultural activities (article 31).
• Work:  The Government must make sure that you do not do any work that is harmful to you, or that interrupts your education (article 32). 
• Drugs:  The Government must protect you from using illegal drugs (article 33).
• Sexual abuse:  The Government must protect you from any form of sexual abuse (article 34).
• Abduction:  The Government must make sure you are not abducted, or sold (article 35).
• Harm to you:  The Government must protect you from coming to any other type of harm or any actions that are bad for your welfare (article 36).
• Torture:  The Government must make sure that you are never tortured or never treated in a way that is cruel, inhuman or degrading (article 37).
• Detention:  The Government must not put you in detention except where this is a last resort and this must only be for the shortest amount of time.  If you are put in detention after you break the law or for another reason (if you need mental health treatment, for example), you must be treated with respect and dignity and should never be locked up with adults.  You must be able to contact your family and get a lawyer to help you (article 37).
• Joining the army:  The Government must not let you join the army before you turn 15.  You should get special protection in war zones (article 38).
• Recovery from abuse:  If you have been the victim of abuse, the Government must make sure you are given help to recover (article 39).
There are also some additional rights for particular groups of children or for children in special circumstances.
• Children not living with their parents:  If you are not living with your parents, or have had to be removed from your parents, the Government must make sure that you are cared for, and that you are given special assistance and protection (article 20).  This can include, for example, making sure there are foster carers available.
If you are looked after by local authorities (e.g. in foster care) or put in a special facility to provide you special care or treatment for a physical or mental health problem, you must have someone review your situation regularly (article 25).
• Adoption:  If you are going to be adopted, the Government must make sure that your best interests are the most important thing taken into account (article 21).
• Refugee children:  If you have come from abroad and are a refugee, or are trying to be recognised as a refugee, the Government must give you protection and support in making sure you have the rights in the Convention, whether you have come to the UK with a family member or alone.  If you have come to the UK alone, the Government must treat you the same as if you were any other child in the UK who cannot live with their parents (article 22).  This means that the Government must make sure that you are cared for, and that you are given special assistance and protection (article 20).  This can include, for example, making sure there are foster carers available.
• Children with disabilities:  If you have a mental or physical disability, the Government must make sure that you are able to live a full and decent life and they must help you to do be able to do things independently, and be involved in the community.  People who care for you must be given support if they need it (article 23). 
• Children from minority groups:  If you are from an ethnic, religious or linguistic minority group, the Government must make sure you are able to use the language and culture of your group (article 30).
• Children who have broken the law:  If you have been accused of breaking the law, the Government must treat you with respect and dignity.  You must be treated as innocent until you have been proved to be guilty, be told about why you have been arrested straight away, and be able to get help from your family and a lawyer (article 40).