Children's Rights & the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

UNICEF is guided in its work by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

(C)UNICEF/HQ06-0333/Pirozzi

Children are born with fundamental freedoms and the inherent rights of all human beings. This is the basic premise of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international human rights treaty that is transforming the lives of children and their families around the globe.

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. Since it was first adopted in 1989, it has become the most widely accepted human rights accord in history. Its principles guide all that UNICEF does in the world. Full text of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (PDF).

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.

Although there have been other international treaties and agreements concerned with children's rights, the Convention is unique in that it is comprehensive, universal, unconditional and holistic.

Why is the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child needed?

In most societies, there are no legal or social structures specifically dedicated to children, and views persist that children are their parents' property, or are adults in the making, or are not yet ready to contribute to society. Other reasons include:

Because children are vulnerable:
Children are more vulnerable than adults to the conditions under which they live and are particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Plus, they are more affected than any other age group by the actions and inaction of government.

Because children often have no voice:
Children have no votes or political influence and little economic power. Too often their voices are not heard.

Because children are our future:
The healthy development of children is crucial to the future of any society.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Action

States, having endorsed the Convention, are accountable for ensuring that the human rights of children are realised. Their progress is monitored by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, an internationally elected body of 10 independent experts with experience and expertise in children's rights.

By placing children centre stage, the Convention on the Rights of the Child is alive in every region and country of the world:

Communities have mobilised around issues of girls' education, sexual exploitation, juvenile justice, child labour and the rights of children with disabilities; NGOs have run workshops to train teachers, police, judges, health and social workers in the principles and articles of the Convention; and children themselves have been heard from in conferences, newsletters, on radio and television.