This little book contains a sum - UNICEF

1 This little book contains a sum mary ofthe United NationsConvention on the Rights ofthe Child. A conventionis an agreement betweencountries to obey the same law. TheUnited Kingdom of Great Britain andNorthern Ireland agreed to obey (ratified) the Convention on the Rightsof the Child on 16 December, 1991. Thatmeans our governmentnow has to make surethat every child has allthe rights in the conven tion, except the twothey have reservations about(Articles 10and 37). Article 1 Everyone under 18 years ofage has all the rights in 2 The Convention applies toeveryone, whatever their race,religion, abilities; whatever theythink or say, whatever type offamily they come 6 All children have the rightto life.

2 Governments shouldensure that children survive and develop 3 All organisations concernedwith children should worktowards what is best for 4 Governments should makethese rights available to 5 Governmentsshould respect the rights andresponsibilities offamilies to directand guide theirchildren so that,as they grow, theylearn to use theirrights 9 Children should not be separated from their parentsunless it is for their owngood. For example, if a parentis mistreating or neglecting achild. Children whose parentshave separated have theright to stay in contactwith both parents,unless this might hurt the 10 Families who live in different countries should be allowed to move betweenthose countries so that parents and children can stay in contact, or get back together as a 7 All children have the rightto a legally registered name,and nationality.

3 Also the rightto know and, as far as possible, to be cared for by their 8 Governments should respectchildren's right to a name, anationality and family 13 Children have the right toget and to share information,as long as the information isnot damaging to them or 14 Children have the right tothink and believe what theywant, and to practise theirreligion, as long as they arenot stopping other peoplefrom enjoying their should guide theirchildren on these 11 Governments should takesteps to stop children beingtaken out of their own country 12 Children have the right tosay what they think shouldhappen, when adults are makingdecisions that affect them, andto have their opinions takeninto 16 Children have a right to privacy.

4 The law should protect them from attacksagainst their way of life, theirgood name, their families andtheir 17 Children have the right toreliable information from themass media. Television, radio,and newspapers should provide informationthat children canunderstand, and should not promote materials thatcould 15 Children have the right tomeet together and to joingroups and organisations, aslong as this does not stopother people from enjoyingtheir 20 Children who cannot belooked after by their ownfamily must be looked afterproperly, by people whorespect their religion, cultureand 21 When children are adoptedthe first concern must bewhat is best for them.

5 Thesame rules should applywhether the children areadopted in the country wherethey were born, or if theyare taken to live in another 18 Both parents share responsibility for bringing up their children, and shouldalways consider what is bestfor each child. Governmentsshould help parents by providing services to support them, especially if both parents 19 Governments shouldensure that childrenare properly caredfor, and protect themfrom violence, abuseand neglect by theirparents, or anyone elsewho looksafter 23 Children who have any kindof disability should have special care and support, so that they can lead full and independent 24 Children have the right togood quality health care, toclean water, nutritious food,and a clean environment.

6 Sothat they will stay countries should helppoorer countries achieve 22 Children who come into acountry as refugees shouldhave the same rights as children born in that 28 Children have a right to aneducation. Discipline in schoolsshould respect children shuman dignity. Primary education should be countries should help poorer countries achieve 29 Education should developeach child's personality andtalents to the full. Itshould encourage children to respect their parents, and their own and other 30 Children have a right to learn and use the language and customs of their families,whether these are shared bythe majority of people in thecountry or 25 Children who are lookedafter by their local authority,rather than their parents.

7 Should have their situationreviewed 26 The Government should provide extra money for the children of families in 27 Children have a right to astandard of living that isgood enough to meet theirphysical and mental Government should helpfamilies who cannot afford toprovide 32 The Government should protect children from workthat is dangerous, or mightharm their health or 33 The Government should provide ways of protectingchildren from 34 The Government should protect children from 35 The Government should make sure that children are not abducted or 36 Children should be protected from any activities that could harm their 31 All children have a right torelax and play, and to join ina wide range of 38 Governments should notallow children under 16 tojoin the army.

8 Children in warzones should receive 39 Children who have been neglected or abused shouldreceive special help torestore their self 37 Children who break the lawshould not be treated should not be put inprison with adults and shouldbe able to keep in contactwith their 42 The Government shouldmake the Convention known toparents and 40 Children who are accusedof breaking the law shouldreceive legal help. Prison sentences for children shouldonly be used for the mostserious 41If the laws of a particularcountry protect children better than the articles ofthe Convention, then thoselaws should Convention on the Rights ofthe Child has 54 articlesin 43 54 are about howadults and governments shouldwork together to make sure allchildren get all their **IF every child, regardlessof their sex, ethnic origin,social status, language, age,nationality or religion hasthese rights, then they alsohave a responsibilityto respecteach other in a humane way.

9 ** IF children have a right tobe protected from conflict,cruelty, exploitation and neg lect, then they also have aresponsibilitynot to bully orharm each responsibility?Children s rights are a special casebecause many ofthe rights laid down in theConvention on the Rights ofthe Child have to be providedby adults or the state. However, the Convention alsorefers to the responsibilitiesof children, in particular torespect the rights of others,especially their parents (Article29).Here are some suggestions ofthe responsibilities that couldaccompany can probably thinkof many from a Universal Declaration of HumanResponsibilities, by an organisation called WorldGoodwill, composed of ex heads of state.

10 **If all children have a rightto a full life, then they shouldalso lend helpso the needy,the disadvantaged, and the victims of discrimination alsoenjoy this right.**IF children have a right tofreedom of thought, conscienceand religion, then they alsohave the obligationto respectother s thoughts or religiousprinciples.**If children have a right toa clean environment, then theyalso have a responsibilityto dowhat they can to look aftertheir environment.**If children have a right tobe educated, then they have theobligationto learn as much astheir capabilities allow and,where possible, share theirknowledge and experience out UNICEF UK s websitefor children & young people further free copies of this bookletcall the UNICEF Helpdesk: 0870 606 3377 Quote code: 32014 The UK Committee for UNICEF is a Company Limited by Guarantee,registered in England and Wales, No: 3663181.