A summary of the

United Nations Convention

on the Rights of the Child
Article 1 (definition of the child) Article 17 (access to information from mass media) Article 31 (leisure, play and culture)
Everyone under the age of 18 has all the rights in the Convention. Every child has the right to reliable information from the mass Every child has the right to relax, play and join in a wide range of
media. Television, radio, newspapers and other media should cultural and artistic activities.
Article 2 (without discrimination) provide information that children can understand. Governments
The Convention applies to every child whatever their ethnicity, must help protect children from materials that could harm them. Article 32 (child labour)
gender, religion, abilities, whatever they think or say, no matter Governments must protect children from work that is dangerous
what type of family they come from. Article 18 (parental responsibilities; state assistance) or might harm their health or education.
Both parents share responsibility for bringing up their child and
Article 3 (best interests of the child) should always consider what is best for the child. Governments Article 33 (drug abuse)
The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all actions must help parents by providing services to support them, Governments must protect children from the use of illegal drugs.
concerning children. especially if the child’s parents work.
Article 34 (sexual exploitation)
Article 4 (protection of rights) Article 19 (protection from all forms of violence) Governments must protect children from sexual abuse and
Governments must do all they can to fulfil the rights of every child. Governments must do all they can to ensure that children exploitation.
are protected from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and
Article 5 (parental guidance) mistreatment by their parents or anyone else who looks after them. Article 35 (abduction)
Governments must respect the rights and responsibilities of Governments must ensure that children are not abducted or sold.
parents to guide and advise their child so that, as they grow, they Article 20 (children deprived of a family)
learn to apply their rights properly. If a child cannot be looked after by their family, governments Article 36 (other forms of exploitation)
must make sure that they are looked after properly by people who Governments must protect children from all other forms of
Article 6 (survival and development) respect the child’s religion, culture and language. exploitation that might harm them.
Every child has the right to life. Governments must do all they can
to ensure that children survive and grow up healthy. Article 21 (adoption) Article 37 (detention)
If a child is adopted, the first concern must be what is best for the No child shall be tortured or suffer other cruel treatment or
Article 7 (registration, name, nationality, care) child. The same protection and standards should apply whether punishment. A child shall only ever be arrested or put in prison as
Every child has the right to a legally registered name and the child is adopted in the country where they were born or in a last resort and for the shortest possible time. Children must not
nationality, as well as the right to know and, as far as possible, to another country. be put in a prison with adults and they must be able to keep in
be cared for by their parents. contact with their family.
Article 22 (refugee children)
Article 8 (preservation of identity) If a child is a refugee or seeking refuge, governments must ensure Article 38 (war and armed conflicts – see ‘Optional protocols’)
Governments must respect and protect a child’s identity and that they have the same rights as any other child. Governments Governments must do everything they can to protect and care for
prevent their name, nationality or family relationships from being must help in trying to reunite child refugees with their parents. children affected by war. Governments must not allow children
changed unlawfully. If a child has been illegally denied part of Where this is not possible, the child should be given protection. under the age of 15 to take part in war or join the armed forces.
their identity, governments must act quickly to protect and assist
the child to re-establish their identity. Article 23 (children with disability) Article 39 (rehabilitation of child victims)
A child with a disability has the right to live a full and decent life Children neglected, abused, exploited, tortured or who are victims
Article 9 (separation from parents) in conditions that promote dignity, independence and an active of war must receive special help to help them recover their health,
Children must not be separated from their parents unless it is in role in the community. Governments must do all they can to dignity and self-respect.
the best interests of the child (for example, in cases of abuse or provide free care and assistance to children with disability.
neglect). A child must be given the chance to express their views Article 40 (juvenile justice)
when decisions about parental responsibilities are being made. Article 24 (health and health services) A child accused or guilty of breaking the law must be treated with
Every child has the right to stay in contact with both parents, Every child has the right to the best possible health. Governments dignity and respect. They have the right to help from a lawyer and
unless this might harm them. must provide good quality health care, clean water, nutritious food a fair trial that takes account of their age or situation. The child’s
and a clean environment so that children can stay healthy. Richer privacy must be respected at all times.
Article 10 (family reunification) countries must help poorer countries achieve this.
Governments must respond quickly and sympathetically if a child Article 41 (respect for better national standards)
or their parents apply to live together in the same country. If a Article 25 (review of treatment in care) If the laws of a particular country protect children better than the
child’s parents live apart in different countries, the child has the If a child has been placed away from home (in care, hospital or articles of the Convention, then those laws must stay.
right to visit both of them. custody, for example), they have the right to a regular check of
their treatment and conditions of care. Article 42 (knowledge of rights)
Article 11 (kidnapping and trafficking) Governments must make the Convention known to children
Governments must take steps to prevent children being taken out Article 26 (social security) and adults.
of their own country illegally or being prevented from returning. Governments must provide extra money for the children of
families in need. The Convention has 54 articles in total. Articles 43–54 are
Article 12 (respect for the views of the child) about how adults and governments must work together to
Every child has the right to say what they think in all matters Article 27 (adequate standard of living) make sure all children get all their rights, including:
affecting them, and to have their views taken seriously. Every child has the right to a standard of living that is good
enough to meet their physical, social and mental needs. Article 45
Article 13 (freedom of expression) Governments must help families who cannot afford to provide this. UNICEF can provide expert advice and assistance on
Every child must be free to say what they think and to seek and children’s rights.
receive information of any kind as long as it is within the law. Article 28 (right to education)
Every child has the right to an education. Primary education must
Article 14 (freedom of thought, belief and religion) be free. Secondary education must be available to every child. Optional protocols
Every child has the right to think and believe what they want and Discipline in schools must respect children’s human dignity. In 2000, the UN General Assembly adopted two optional additions
also to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping Wealthy countries must help poorer countries achieve this. to strengthen the Convention. One protocol required governments
other people from enjoying their rights. Governments must to increase the minimum age for recruitment into the armed forces
respect the rights of parents to give their children guidance about Article 29 (goals of education) from 15 years and to ensure that members of their armed forces
this right. Education must develop every child’s personality, talents and under the age of 18 do not take a direct part in armed conflict.
abilities to the full. It must encourage the child’s respect for
Article 15 (freedom of association) human rights, as well as respect for their parents, their own and The other protocol provides detailed requirements for
Every child has the right to meet with other children and young other cultures, and the environment. governments to end the sexual exploitation and
people and to join groups and organisations, as long as this does abuse of children. It also protects children from
not stop other people from enjoying their rights. Article 30 (children of minorities) being sold for non-sexual purposes –
Every child has the right to learn and use the language, such as other forms of forced labour,
Article 16 (right to privacy) customs and religion of their family whether or not these illegal adoption and organ donation.
Every child has the right to privacy. The law should protect the are shared by the majority of the people in the country
child’s private, family and home life. where they live.
 A better life
UNICEF is the world’s leading
organisation working for children and
their rights. We work to protect and
Check out UNICEF UK’s website for
children and young people:
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promote children’s rights.
Find out more about UNICEF UK’s
Our practical programmes help meet Rights Respecting Award:
every child’s right to be healthy, to be unicef.org.uk/rrsa
educated, to be treated fairly, to be A summary of the
heard, and to have a childhood protected This is a summary version of the UN
from violence, abuse and exploitation.
We work with governments and
Convention on the Rights of the Child.
For the full text, please visit
United Nations Convention
communities to help them keep their
promise to fulfil children’s rights.
unicef.org.uk/crc on the Rights of the Child
For further free copies of this leaflet,
We need your help to protect please call the UNICEF Education Order
children’s rights and fulfil the Line: 0844 801 2413
promises made for children in the Quote code 32129
Convention. The world’s greatest The UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on
promise is a better life for every child. the Rights of the Child in 1989. It is the most widely ratified
Help us make it happen now. human rights treaty in history.

UNICEF is the only children’s organisation that is recognised

in the Convention. The Convention underpins all of our work.

UNICEF UK
Registered Charity No. 1072612
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The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international statement of the civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights of children. The UN General Assembly adopted the Convention and opened
it for signature on 20 November 1989 (the 30th anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child).

We have made significant progress in the 20 years since the world made this set of promises to children.
But the rights of many millions of children are still being denied. Children still die of easily preventable causes,
UNICEF is the world’s leading Check out UNICEF UK’s website for
still working
organisation lack protection, education,
for children and food,
children shelter
and young and clean water, and still face poverty and discrimination.
people:
their rights. We work to protect and
Much remains to be done.tagd.org.uk
promote children’s rights.
Find out more about UNICEF UK’s
Our practical programmes help meet Rights Respecting Award:
every child’s right to be healthy, to be
educated, to be treated fairly, to be
A better life for every child
unicef.org.uk/rrsa

heard, and to have a childhood protected This is a summary version of the UN

Help keep the promise

from violence, abuse and exploitation. Convention on the Rights of the Child.
We work with governments and For the full text, please visit
R
communities to help them keep their
promise to fulfil children’s rights.
unicef.org.uk/crc
RR R
For further free copies of this leaflet,
UNICEF protects
We need your help to protect
and promotes children’s rights. Our practical programmes help meet every child’s right to be healthy,
please call the UNICEF Education Order
to rights
children’s be educated,
and fulfil theto be treated
Line: fairly,
0844 801 to2413
be listened to, and to have a childhood protected from violence, abuse and
promises made for children in the Quote code 32129
exploitation.
Convention. The world’sWe work with governments and communities to help them keep their promise to fulfil children’s rights.
greatest
promise is a better life for every child.
Help us make it happen now.
unicef.org.uk/promise