The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) brings together children and young people’s human rights, up to the age of 18, into one international Convention. The UNCRC has 54 articles that cover many aspects of a child’s life and sets out the rights children are entitled to. These rights have come to be known as falling into three themes - of Protection, Provision and Participation rights.
Every child has rights whatever their ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or language abilities, regardless of who you are, where they live or any other status.
Articles 1 to 42 of the UNCRC set out rights about how children and young people should be treated so they are safe, educated, healthy and happy. The other 12 articles are all about how governments and adults should work together to make sure children and young people can access and enjoy these rights.
These rights are the things that are important to make sure children and young people:
- are safe;
- are not discriminated against;
- have their best interests protected;
- have the things they need to survive and develop; and
- have a say in decisions that affect their lives.
UNCRC Articles Archive - The Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland
