CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD _ SIMPLE VERSION

  • All the rights are equally important and they all link together in 5 themes:

    1. The right to be heard and taken seriously (Article 12, Article 13, Article 14, Article 15)

    2. The right to be treated fairly (Article 2)

    3. The right to an education (Article 28, Article 29)

    4. The right to live and develop healthily (Article 6, Article 24)

    5. The right to play (Article 31)

     

    Article 1_Definition of a child

    Everyone under 18 years of age has all the rights in this Convention

    Article 2_No discrimination

    All children have all these rights, no matter who they are, where they live, what their parents do, what language they speak, what their religion or culture is, whether they are a boy or girl, whether they have a disability, whether they are rich or poor. No child should be treated unfairly on any basis.

    Article 3_Best interest of the child

    All adults should do what is best for children. When adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children.

    Article 4_All rights for all children

    Governments must use all available resources to implement all the rights in this Convention.

    Article 5_Family, guidance as children develop

    Governments should respect the rights and responsibilities of families to guide their children so that, as they grow up, they learn to use their rights properly.

    Article 6_Life, survival and development

    Every child has the right to life, survival and development.

    Article 7_Name and nationality

    Children have the right to a name, and this should be officially recognized by the government. They have the right to a nationality (to belong to a country).

    Article 8_Identity

    Children have the right to an identity - an official record of who they are. No one should take this away from them.

    Article 9_Contact with parents

    Children should not be seprated from their parents unless it is for their own good. Children whose parents have separated should stay in contact with both parents unless this might harm the child.

    Article 10_Contact with parents across countries

    If a child lives in a different country than their parents do, the child has the right to be together with them in the same place.

    Article 11_Protection from kidnapping

    Governemnts should stop children being taken out of their own country illegally.

    Article 12_Respect for children's views

    Children have the right to give their opinion, and for adults to listen and take it seriously.

    Article 13_Freedom of expression

    Children have the right to find out things and share what they think with others, by talking, drawing, writing or in any other way unless it harms other people.

    Article 14_Freedom of thought and religion

    Children have the right to choose their own religion and beliefs. Their parents should guide them about what is right and wrong, and what is best for them.

    Article 15_Setting up or joining groups

    Children have the right to choose their own friends and join or set up groups, as long as it is no harmful to others.

    Article 16_Privacy

    Children have the right to privacy.

    Article 17_Access to information

    Children have the right to receive information that is important to their well-being, from radio, newspapers, books, computers and other sources. Adults should make sure the information they are getting is not harmful, and help them find and understand the information they need.

    Article 18_Role of parents

    Children have the right to be raised by their parent(s) if possible. Governments should help parents by providing services to support them, especially if both parents work.

    Article 19_Protection from violence

    Governments must take sure that children are properly cared for and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by anyone who looks after them.

    Article 20_Children without families

    Children have the right to special care and help if they cannot live with their parents.

    Article 21_Children who are adopted

    When children are adopted, the first concern must be what is best for them.

    Article 22_Refugee children

    Children have the right to special protection and help if they are refugees, as well as to all the rights in this Convention.

    Article 23_Children with disablities

    Children have the right to special education and care if they have a disability, as well as all the rights in this Convention, so that they can live a full life.

    Article 24_Health, water, food, environment

    Children have the right to the best health care possible, safe water to drink, nutritious food, a clean and safe environment, and information to help them stay well.

    Article 25_Review of a child's placement

    Children who live in care or in other situations away from home, have the right to have these living arrangements looked at regularly to see if they are the most appropriate.

    Article 26_Social and economic help

    Governments should provide extra money for the children of poor families.

    Article 27_Food, clothing and a safe home

    Children have the right to food, clothing, a safe place to live and to have their basic physical and mental needs met. The government should help families and children who cannot afford this.

    Article 28_Access to education

    Children have the right to an education. Discipline in schools should respect children's dignity.

    Article 29_Aims of education

    Children's education should help them use and develop their talents and abilities. It should also help them learn to respect other people's rights, live peacefully and protect the environment.

    Article 30_ Minority culture, language and religion

    Children have the right to practice their own culture, language and religion - even if these are not shared by the majority of people in the country where they live.

    Article 31_Rest, play, leisure, culture, arts

    Children have the right to play, rest and relax and to take part in cultural and artistic activities.

    Article 32_Protection from harmful work

    Children have the right to protection from work that harms them, and is bad for their health and education. If they work, they have the right to be safe and paid fairly.

    Article 33_Protection from harmful drugs

    Children have the right to protection from harmful drugs and from the drug trade.

    Article 34_Protection from sexual abuse

    Children have the right to be free from sexual avuse and sexual exploitation.

    Article 35_Prevention of sale and trafficking

    Government must make sure that children are not kodnapped, sold or trafficked

    Article 36_Protection from exploitation

    Children have the right to protection from any kind of exploitation (being taken advantage of)

    Article 37_Children in detention

    Children who break the law should not be killed, tortuned, treated cruelly, put in prison forever, or put in prison with adults. Prison should be the last choice and only for the shortest possible time. Children in prison should have legal help and be able to stay in contact with their family.

    Article 38_Protection from war

    Children have the right to protection and freedom from war. Children cannot be forced to go into the army or take part in war.

    Article 39_Recovery and reintegration

    Children have the right to help if they have been hurt, neglected or badly treated so they can get back their health and dignity.

    Article 40_Justice for children

    Children have the right to legal help and fair treatment in the justice system that respects their rights.

    Article 41_Best law for children applies

    If the law of a country provide better protection of children's rights than the articles in this Convention, those laws should apply.

    Article 42_Everyone must know children's rights

    Children have the right to know their rights. Adults should know about these rights and help children learn about them.

    Article 43 - 54_How the Convention works

    These articles explain how governments and international organizations like UNICEF will work to make sure all children get all their rights.