What is the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?

This is an international treaty that applies to all children and young people under the age of 18 years. It gives children and young people a set of comprehensive rights, including the right to express and have their views taken into account on all matters that affect them; the right to play, rest and leisure and the right to be free from all forms of violence.

The Convention is separated into ‘Articles’: most of these are rights but some say how governments must publicise or implement the Convention.

All children and young people up to the age of 18 years have all the rights in the Convention. Some groups of children and young people – for example those living away from home, and young disabled people – have additional rights to make sure they are treated fairly and their needs are met.

Only two eligible countries in the world have not yet signed up to the Convention: Somalia and the USA. This makes it the most popular human rights treaty in the world.

Where can I find out about the Convention on the Rights of the Child? CRAE has information for young people and adults on the Convention but you can also obtain materials from Save the Children and UNICEF. If you want to know about young people’s right to participate in decisions, you can contact Article 12 young people’s organisation. You can also contact your local council to see if they have adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child – try the chief executives department, or ask for the person in social services who prepares your council’s ‘Children’s Services Plan’. If you are a student you could check whether copies of the Convention, and accompanying materials, are in your school or college library. The Department of Health has produced a booklet on the Convention, which is freely available to groups and organisations. Multiple copies can be ordered from BAPS, Health Publications Unit, Storage and Distribution Centre, Heywood Stores, Manchester Road, Heywood, Lancashire OL10 2PZ (quote reference CAG9). Why not order copies for your school, children’s home, local playgroup, health centre or library?

Who checks whether the Government is respecting the Convention?

When governments agree to put the Convention into practice, they must prepare a report for the Committee on the Rights of the Child after two years, and then every five years. The Committee is a group of ten adults from different countries who are experts on children’s rights. In September 2002, the Committee will examine the UK Government's record on implementing children's human rights. CRAE has submitted a report and will attend the pre-sessional meeting for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on June 10 2002.

What happens if children’s Convention rights are ignored?

CRAE knows that children’s and young people’s Convention rights are often breached.

Unfortunately, children and young people cannot use the courts to claim their Convention rights. However, the provisions of the Convention can be referred to in court and other proceedings such as when decisions are made about children and young people in care.

All professionals that work with children and young people are meant to know about the Convention, and take it seriously. The Government is also meant to make sure that all new laws fit with the Convention. Children’s rights groups and organisations have an important role to play in raising awareness about the Convention, and referring to it whenever decisions are made that affect children and young people. Make sure you quote the Convention whenever you contact your MP about a children’s rights issue!

Who is responsible for the Convention in the Government?

All Government departments have a responsibility to learn about, promote and implement the Convention. The Children and Young People's Unit co-ordinates the Government’s report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Minister for Children and Young People, John Denham MP, has special responsibility within the Government for ensuring the Convention is put into practice.

Summary of UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

The Convention on the Rights of the Child applies to all people under 18 years (article 1). There are 54 articles in the Convention; below is a summary of the main features of the articles which grant children direct rights. Full copies of the Convention can be obtained from UNICEF.

Key principles of Convention:

all rights in the Convention apply to all children without discrimination (article 2)

the best interests of children must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning them (article 3)

children have the right to life and to maximum survival and development (article 6)

children have the right to express and have their views given due weight according to their age and maturity in all matters that affect them (article 12)

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