The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Children's rights are laid out and protected by a special agreement that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 and subsequently signed by almost every country in the world. This agreement is called the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). By signing this convention countries have agreed to uphold these rights.
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 respoect those rights and support them in doing so.
Scroll down to read the simplified version of the CRC.
To download a printable version of UNICEF Australia's CRC flyer and poster in 'child friendly' language (pdf), click here.
If you would like to order hard-copies of the flyer, please contact UNICEF Australia's Education Team on 02 9261 2811.
Theme CRC articles related to this theme
The convention and you 1, 2, 3, 4, 41
Basic health and welfare of children 6, 23, 24, 26, 27
Civil rights and freedom 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 37
Family environment and parental guidance 5, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 27, 39
Education, leisure and recreation 17, 28, 29, 31
Special protection 22, 30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40
Article 1- Definition of a child
Everyone under 18 years of age has all the rights in this Convention.
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Article 2 - Non-discrimination
The Convention applies to everyone whatever their race, religion, abilities, whatever they think or say, whatever type of family they come from.
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Article 3 - Best interests of the child
All organisations concerned with children should work towards what is best for each child.
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Article 4 - Implementation of rights
Governments should make these rights available to children.
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Article 5 - Parental guidance
Governments should respect the rights and responsibilities of families to direct and guide their children so that, as they grow up, they learn to use their rights properly.
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Article 6 - Survival and development
Children ahve the right to live a full life. Governments should ensure that children survive and develop healthily.
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Article 7 - Name and nationality
Children have the right to a legally registered name and nationality. Children also have the right to know their parents and, as far as possible, to be cared for by them.
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Article 8 - Preservation of identity
Governments should respect children's right to a name, a nationality and family ties.
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Article 9 - Separation from parents
Children should not be separated from their parents unless it is for their own good. For example, if a parent is mistreating or neglecting a child. Children whose parents have separated have the right to stay in contact with both parents, unless this might harm the child.
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Article 10 - Family reunification
Families who live in different countries should be allowed to move between those countries so that parents and children can stay in contact, or get back together as a family.
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Article 11- Illicit transfer and non-return
Governments should take steps to stop children being taken out of their own country illegally.
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Article 12 - The child's opinion
Children have the right to say what they think should happen when adults are making decisions that affect them and to have their opinions taken into account.
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Article13 - Freedom of expression
Children have the right to get and to share information, as long as the information is not damaging to them or to others.
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Article 14 - Freedom of thought, conscience and religion
Children have the right to think and believe what they want, and to practise their religion, as long as they are not stopping other people from enjoying their rights. Parents should guide their children on these matters.
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Article 15 - Freedom of association
Children have the right to meet with other children and young people and to joing groups and organisations, as long as this does not stop other people from enjoying their rights.
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Article 16 - Protection of privacy
Children have a right to privacy. The law should protect them from attacks against their way of life, their good name, their families and their homes
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Article 17 - Access to appropriate information
Children have the right to reliable information from the media. Mass media such as television, radio and newspapers should provide information that children can understand and should not promote materials that could harm children.
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Article 18 - Parental responsibilities
Both parents share responsibility for bringing up their children and should always consider what is best for each child. Governments should help parents by providing services to support them, especially if both parents work.
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Article 19 - Protection from abuse
Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after them.
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Article 20 - Children without family
Children who cannot be looked after by their own family must be looked after properly by people who respect their religion, culture and language.
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Article 21- Adoption
When children are adopted the first concern must be what is best for them. The same rules should apply whether the children are adopted in the country where they were born or if they are taken to live in another country.
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Article 22 - Refugee children
Children who come into a country as refugees should have the same rights as children born in that country.
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Article 23 - Disabled children
Children who have any kind of disability should have special care and support so that they can lead full and independent lives.
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Article 24 - Health and health services
Children have the right to good quality health care, clean water, nutritious food and a clean environment so that they will stay healthy. Rich countries should help poorer countries achieve this.
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Article 25 - Review of placement
Children who are looked after by their local authority rather than by their parents should have their situation reviewed regularly.
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Article 26 - Social security
The Government should provide extra money for the children of families in need.
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Article 27 - Standards of living
Children have a right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical and mental needs. The Government should help families who cannot afford to provide this.
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Article 28 - Education
Children have a right to an education. Discipline in schools should respect children's human dignity. Primary education should be free. Wealthier countries should help poorer countries achieve this.
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Article 29 - Aims of education
Education should develop each child's personality and talents to the full. It should encourage children to respect their parents, their cultures and other cultures.
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Article 30 - Children of minorities
Children have a right to learn and use the language and customs of their families, whether or not these are shared by the majority of people where they live, as long as this does not harm others.
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Article 31 - Leisure, recreation and cultural activities
Children have the right to relax, play and to join in a wide range of leisure activities.
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Article 32 - Child labour
Governments should protect children from work that is dangerous or that might harm their health or education.
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Article 33 - Drug abuse
Governments should provide ways of protecting children from dangerous drugs.
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Article 34 - Sexual exploitation
Governments should protect children from sexual abuse.
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Article 35 - Sale and abduction
Governments should make sure that children are not abducted or sold.
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Article 36 - Other forms of exploitation
Children should be protected from any activities that could harm their development.
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Article 37 - Torture and deprivation of liberty
Children who break the law should not be treated cruelly. They should not be put in prison with adults and should be able to keep in contact with their family.
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Article 38 - Armed conflicts
Governments should not allow children under 15 to join the army. Children in war zones should receive special protection.
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Article 39 - Rehabilitative care
Children who have been neglected or abused should receive special help to restore their self-respect.
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Article 40 - Juvenile justice
Children who are accused of breaking the law should receive legal help. Prison sentences for children should only be used for the most serious offences.
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Article 41 - Higher standards
If the laws of a particular country protect children better than the articles of the Convention, then those laws should override the Convention.
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Article 42 - Everyone should know
Governments should make the Convention known to all parents and children.
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Articles 43-54
The Convention has 54 articles in all. Articles 43-54 are about how adults and governments should work together to make sure that all children get all their rights.
To learn more about the CRC and to read all the articles go to www.unicef.org./crc.
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