UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: the articles
Articles 1-41 of the convention set out the rights of children and the corresponding obligations of governments to safeguard these rights. Article 42 requires states to publicise the principles and provisions of the convention - to children, young people, parents and carers, and everyone working with children and young people.
The convention covers the following subjects:
- Definition of children as all persons less than 18 years of age, unless the
legal age of majority in a country is lower.
- General principles, including the right to life, survival and development,
the right to non-discrimination, respect for the views of children and to give
consideration to a child's best interests, and the requirement to give
primary consideration to the child's best interests in all matters
affecting them.
- Civil rights and freedoms, including the right to a name and nationality,
freedom of expression, thought and association, access to information and the
right not to be subjected to torture.
- Family environment and alternative care, including the right to live with
and have contact with both parents, to be reunited with parents if separated
from them and to the provision of appropriate alternative care where
necessary.
- Basic heath and welfare, including the rights of disabled children, the
right to health and health care, social security, child care services and an
adequate standard of living.
- Education, leisure and cultural activities, including the right to
education and the rights to play, leisure and participation in cultural life
and the arts.
- Special protection measures covering the rights of refugee children, those affected by armed conflicts, children in the juvenile justice system, children deprived of their liberty and children suffering economic, sexual or other forms of exploitation.
You can find out more about the articles in the UNICEF summary or by downloading the full text of the convention, both of which are available below.
Documents
United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - UNICEF summary
United
Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - full text
This page was last updated on 10 August 2006
