The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is an international human rights treaty that sets out the basic rights of children and the obligations of governments to fulfil them.

This groundbreaking treaty was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 and subsequently signed and ratified by almost every country in the world, making this the most widely accepted human rights treaty in history.  Australia ratified the CRC in 1990.

The CRC is the foundation of UNICEF’s work. UNICEF's mission is to make sure that the rights of children all over the world are protected and that people under the age of 18 are given special care and protection. We draw attention to the duties of governments, families, communities and individuals to respect those rights and support them in doing so.

Download full text of the Convention.
Download the child friendly version of the Convention.

KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE CRC

The CRC consists of 54 articles and is guided by four fundamental principles.

• Non-discrimination: Children should neither benefit nor suffer because of their race, colour, gender, language, religion, national, social or ethnic origin, or because of any political or other opinion; because of their caste, property or birth status; or because they are disabled.
• The best interests of the child: Laws and actions affecting children should put their best interests first and benefit them in the best possible way.
• Survival, development and protection: The authorities in each country must protect children and help ensure their full development — physically, spiritually, morally and socially.
• Participation: Children have a right to have their say in decisions that affect them and to have their opinions taken into account.

WHY DO CHILDREN NEED A SPECIAL CONVENTION?

A special convention for children was needed because people under the age of 18 need special care and protection that adults don’t necessarily need. Governments are responsible for making these rights available for everyone, and making sure that all parents and children know about and understand the convention.

WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY?

Everybody has rights. This means that everybody, including children, also has the responsibility to respect the rights of others.

The following are some suggestions by UNICEF Australia of the responsibilities that could accompany the rights of the CRC.

• If every child has rights, then they also have a responsibility to respect the rights of others, including other children and their parents.
• If all children have a right to be protected from conflict, cruelty, exploitation and neglect, then they also have the responsibility not to bully or harm other children.
• If all children have the right to a clean environment, then they also have a responsibility to help look after their environment. 
• If all children have a right to be educated, then they should learn as much as they are able to and, if possible, share their knowledge with others. 
• If all children have a right to a full life, then they should also help ensure that the needy, the disadvantaged and victims of discrimination also enjoy this right.
   

For more information on the CRC or to order hard-copies of UNICEF Australia's CRC flyer, please contact us on 02 9261 2811.