Rights of a Child

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-- and extend them specifically to children.

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 need. 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. It spells out the basic human rights that children everywhere should have:
  • the right to survival;
  • to develop to the fullest;
  • to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and
  • to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.
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.
Every right spelled out in the Convention is inherent to the human dignity and harmonious development of every child. The Convention protects children's rights by setting standards in health care, education, social, and legal and civil services.

By ratifying or acceding to the Convention, national governments have committed themselves to protect and ensure children's rights and also agreed to hold themselves accountable for this commitment before the international community. Every country is obliged to develop and undertake all actions and policies in the light of the best interests of the child.