What is the UN Convention?

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is the basis of all of our work. It is the most complete statement of children’s rights ever produced and is the most widely-ratified international human rights treaty in history.

What makes the UN Convention so special?

The Convention has 54 articles that cover all aspects of a child’s life and set out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights that all children everywhere are entitled to. It also explains how adults and governments must work together to make sure all children can enjoy all their rights.

Every child has rights “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” (Article 2).

The Convention must be seen as a whole: all the rights are linked and no right is more important than another. The right to relax and play (Article 31) and the right to freedom of expression (Article 13) have equal importance as the right to be safe from violence (Article 19) and the right to education (Article 28).

We are the only organisation working for children recognised by the Convention.

The Convention is also the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world. All UN member states except for the United States have ratified the Convention. The Convention came into force in the UK in 1992.

Children’s Rights In 1989, governments across the world promised all children the same rights by adopting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention says what countries must do so that all children grow as healthy as possible, can learn at school, are protected, have their views listened to, and are treated fairly. These are your rights.

1. Everyone under the age of 18 has all the rights in the Convention.

2. The Convention applies to everyone: whatever their race, religion or abilities, whatever they think or say, whatever type of family they come from.

3. The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all things that affect children.

4. Governments must do all they can to make sure every child can enjoy their rights.

5. Governments must respect the rights and responsibilities of parents and carers to direct and guide their children as they grow up, so that they can enjoy their rights properly.

6. Every child has the right to life. Governments must do all they can to make sure that children survive and develop to their full potential.

7. Every child has the right to a legal name and nationality, as well as the right to know and, as far as possible, to be cared for by their parents.

8. Governments must respect every child’s right to a name, a nationality and family ties.

9. Children must not be separated from their parents unless it is in their best interests (for example, if a parent is hurting a child). Children whose parents have separated have the right to stay in contact with both parents, unless this might hurt the child.

10. Governments must act quickly and sympathetically if a child or their parents want to live together in the same country. If a child’s parents live apart in different countries, the child has the right to visit both of them.

11. Governments must do everything they can to stop children being taken out of their own country illegally or being prevented from returning.

12. Every child has the right to have a say in all matters affecting them, and to have their views taken seriously.

13. Every child must be free to say what they think and to seek and receive all kinds of information, as long as it is within the law.

14. Every child has the right to think and believe what they want and to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Governments must respect the rights of parents to give their children information about this right.

15. Every child has the right to meet with other children and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people enjoying their rights.

16. Every child has the right to privacy. The law should protect the child’s private, family and home life.

17. Every child has the right to reliable information from the media. This should be information that children can understand. Governments must help protect children from materials that could harm them.

18. Both parents share responsibility for bringing up their child and should always consider what is best for the child. Governments must support parents by giving them the help they need, especially if the child’s parents work.

19. Governments must do all they can to ensure that children are protected from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and bad treatment by their parents or anyone else who looks after them.

20.If a child cannot be looked after by their family, governments must make sure that they are looked after properly by people who respect the child’s religion, culture and language. 21. If a child is adopted, the first concern must be what is best for the child. All children must be protected and kept safe, whether they are adopted in the country where they were born or in another country.

22. If a child is a refugee or is seeking refuge, governments must make sure that they have the same rights as any other child. Governments must help in trying to reunite child refugees with their parents.

23. A child with a disability has the right to live a full and decent life with dignity and independence, and to play an active part in the community. Governments must do all they can to provide support to disabled children.

24. Every child has the right to the best possible health. Governments must work to provide good quality health care, clean water, nutritious food and a clean environment so that children can stay healthy. Richer countries must help poorer countries achieve this.

25. If a child lives away from home (in care, hospital or in prison, for example), they have the right to a regular check of their treatment and the way they are cared for.

26. Governments must provide extra money for the children of families in need.

27. Every child has the right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical, social and mental needs. Governments must help families who cannot afford to provide this.

28. Every child has the right to an education. Primary education must be free. Secondary education must be available for every child. Discipline in schools must respect children’s dignity. Richer countries must help poorer countries achieve this.

29. Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and other cultures, and the environment.

30. Every child has the right to learn and use the language, customs and religion of their family, regardless of whether these are shared by the majority of the people in the country where they live.

31. Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.

32. Governments must protect children from work that is dangerous or might harm their health or education.

33. Governments must protect children from the use of illegal drugs.

34. Governments must protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

35. Governments must ensure that children are not abducted or sold.

36. Governments must protect children from all other forms of bad treatment.

37. No child shall be tortured or suffer other cruel treatment or punishment. A child should be arrested or put in prison only as a last resort and then for the shortest possible time. Children must not be in a prison with adults. Children who are locked up must be able to keep in contact with their family.

38. Governments must do everything they can to protect and care for children affected by war. Governments must not allow children under the age of 15 to take part in war or join the armed forces.

39. Children neglected, abused, exploited, tortured or who are victims of war must receive special help to help them recover their health, dignity and self-respect.

40.A child accused or guilty of breaking the law must be treated with dignity and respect. They have the right to help from a lawyer and a fair trial that takes account of their age or situation. The child’s privacy must be respected at all times. If the laws of a particular country protect children better than the articles of the Convention, then those laws must stay in place.

41. Governments should make the Convention known to children and adults.