UNCROC

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely accepted human rights convention in history - its articles guide all that UNICEF does.

Download full text of the Convention.

Children are born with fundamental freedoms and the inherent rights of all human beings.

The UN Convention says that children have a right to life, good health, education, a safe home, participation in decision-making and protection from abuse and exploitation.

Although the UN Convention has 54 articles in all, it is guided by 4 fundamental principles:

Non-discrimination (2):

You should neither benefit nor suffer because of your race, colour, gender, language, religion, national, social or ethnic origin, or because of any political or other opinion; because of your caste, property or birth status; or because you are disabled.

The best interests of the child (3):

Laws and actions affecting children should put your best interests first and benefit you in the best possible way.

Survival, development and protection (6):

The authorities in your country must protect you and help ensure your full development - physical, spiritual, moral and social.

Participation (12):

You have a right to have your say in decisions that affect you, and to have you opinions taken into account.

Find out more.