UN Rights of the Child

August 7th, 2007 by mas | Filed under Participation & Citizenship, Society & Issues.

In a simple format All Info taken from UNICEF

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. In 1989, world leaders decided that children needed a special convention just for them because people under 18 years old often need special care and protection that adults do not. The leaders also wanted to make sure that the world recognized that children have human rights too.

The Convention sets out these rights in 54 articles and two Optional Protocols. The four core principles of the Convention are:

non-discrimination
devotion to the best interests of the child
the right to life, survival and development
and respect for the views of the child.

By agreeing to undertake the obligations of the Convention (by ratifying or acceding to it), national governments have committed themselves to protecting and ensuring children’s rights and they have agreed to hold themselves accountable for this commitment before the international community. States parties to the Convention are obliged to develop and undertake all actions and policies in the light of the best interests of the child.

Article 1: A child means every human being below the age of 18 years. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most endorsed human rights treaty in the world, ratified by all but two countries. Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 1989, it celebrates childhood and codifies in international law the rights due every child.

Article 2: Children must be treated without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of race, colour, sex, language, religion or other status.

Article 3: In all actions concerning children the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

Articles 5 & 18: State signatories must respect the rights and duties of parents [and recognize that] both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing of the child.

Article 6: every child has the inherent right to life survival and development.

Articles 7 & 8: The child shall be registered immediately after birth and have the right to a name a nationality [and] to preserve his or her identity

Articles 9 & 10: a child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will [and shall be permitted to cross national borders] for family reunification.

Articles 12-14: the child who is capable of forming his or her own views [has] the right to express those views [and] the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Article 16: No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy nor to unlawful attacks on his or her honour and reputation.

Article 19: Children must be protected from injury or abuse including sexual abuse, while in the care of parents or any other person.

Articles 20 & 21: The State shall ensure alternative care [for] a child deprived of his or her family environment [according to] the best interests of the child.

Article 22: a child who is seeking refugee status or who is a refugee [shall] receive appropriate protection and humanitarian assistance.

Article 23: The State recognizes the right of the disabled child to special care and the right to enjoy a full and decent life in conditions which ensure dignity.

Article 24: All children have the right to the highest attainable standard of health [including access to] primary health care nutritious foods and clean drinking-water.

Article 27: Every child has the right to a standard of living adequate for [her/his] physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.

Articles 28 & 29: State signatories must recognize the right of the child to education [that develops] the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities.

Article 30: Children of ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities shall not be denied the right to enjoy his or her own culture religion or language.

Article 31: States must recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child.

Articles 32 & 36: Children must be protected from economic exploitation … from [hazardous] work [and] all other forms of exploitation.

Article 33: States shall protect children from the illicit use of drugs and prevent the use of children in [their] production and trafficking.

Article 34: States shall protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.

Article 35: States shall prevent the abduction of, sale of or traffic in children for any purpose or in any form.

The Optional Protocol on the sale of children for sexual abuse protects the privacy and identity of child victims.

Article 37: No child should be subjected to torture or degrading treatment [nor be] deprived of his or her liberty unlawfully…

Article 40: Children accused of a crime shall be presumed innocent, have the right to a fair hearing and must be of a minimum age.

The Optional Protocol on children in armed conflicts enjoins all armed groups to ensure that those under the age of 18 do not take a direct part in hostilities.

Article 42: States shall make the principles and provisions of the Convention widely known to adults and children alike.