The Convention on the Rights of the Child

Article 1
A child is any person under the age of 18.

Article 2
All children have the same rights and equal value; no one should be discriminated against.

Article 3
The best interests of the child must be taken into account in all decisions concerning children.

Article 4
States Parties shall make full use of their available resources to realise the economic, social and cultural rights of the child. When resources are insufficient, solutions should be sought through international co-operation.

Article 5
Parents have the ultimate responsibility for the child and must ensure, based on the development of the child's own capacities, that the child is made aware of and assisted in exercising his or her rights.

Article 6
Every child has the right to survive and thrive.

Articles 7-8
The child has the right to a name and a nationality. The child has the right to know, as far as possible, who the parents are. A state cannot take away a child's name or nationality.

Article 9
Children should not be separated from their parents against their will, except when it is in their best interests. Children who do not live with both parents shall have the right to see both of them regularly.

Article 10
Applications from families wishing to be reunited across borders should be dealt with in a positive, humane and timely manner.

Article 11
A child cannot be abducted or detained abroad without authorisation. The State must conclude agreements with other countries to combat this.

Articles 12-15
The child has the right to express his or her views on all matters affecting him or her. When courts and authorities deal with cases concerning the child, the child must be heard and the child's best interests must be a primary consideration. The child's right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion must be respected.

Article 16
Every child has the right to his or her private and family life, home and mail and shall be protected against interference with them. Every child shall also be protected against attacks on his or her honour and reputation.

Article 17
All children have the right to receive information from the mass media, which aims to promote their welfare and development. Mass media should therefore be encouraged to disseminate information specifically aimed at children, co-operate across borders, produce children's books, disseminate information in minority languages and protect children from harmful content.

Article 18
Both parents share primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of the child. They should be guided by what is considered to be in the best interests of the child.

Article 19
The child has the right to be protected from physical or psychological violence and from neglect or abuse by parents or other carers.

Articles 20-21
A child who has been deprived of his or her family environment shall have the right to alternative care. In the case of adoption, States shall ensure that the utmost importance is given to what is considered to be the best interests of the child.

Article 22
The refugee child has the right to protection and assistance if they arrive alone or accompanied by parents or other persons.

Article 23
A child with a physical or mental disability has the right to a full and decent life that enables them to participate actively in society.

Article 24
The child has the right to the best possible health care and rehabilitation. All countries should work to reduce infant and child mortality, combat disease and malnutrition and eliminate traditional practices harmful to children's health. Pregnant women and new mothers have the right to health care.

Article 25
A child who has been taken into care, protection or treatment has the right to have their treatment and care reviewed on a regular basis.

Articles 26 and 27
Every child has the right to a standard of living adequate for the child's development. Parents are primarily responsible for this, but if they are unable to do so, the state must ensure that support programmes are in place to guarantee this. The child's social security should also be ensured, for example through social insurance programmes that should be provided to families depending on their assets.

Articles 28-29
The child has the right to free primary education. Education should prepare the child for life, develop respect for human rights and foster a spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance and friendship between peoples.

Article 30
Children belonging to minority groups or indigenous peoples have the right to their language, culture and religion.

Article 31
Children have the right to play, rest and leisure.

Article 32
The child has the right to be protected from economic exploitation and from hard labour that harms or hinders the child's schooling and endangers the child's health.

Article 33
The child has the right to be protected from the illicit use of drugs.

Article 34
The child has the right to be protected from all forms of sexual abuse and from being exploited in prostitution and pornography.

Article 35
The abduction, sale or trafficking of children shall be prevented.

Article 37
No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. No child shall be deprived of his or her liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily. The child shall not be punished with life imprisonment or the death penalty. Every child deprived of liberty must be treated humanely and with respect. The child has the right to receive legal assistance as soon as possible. The child in prison has the right to contact and visits from his or her family.

Article 38
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that children under the age of 18 do not participate in armed conflict. Children must also not be used or recruited by guerrilla organisations, etc.

Article 39
The child victim of abuse, exploitation, neglect, torture, armed conflict or other inhumane treatment has the right to rehabilitation and social reintegration.

Article 40
The child accused of a criminal offence or convicted of a criminal offence has the right to treatment that promotes the child's sense of dignity and respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of others.

Article 41
The rights in the Convention do not apply if other national laws give the child greater opportunities to realise the rights.

Article 42
States Parties undertake to make the provisions and principles of the Convention widely known among adults and children.

Articles 43 to 45
Provisions on how all countries that have signed up to the Convention should work towards its realisation. A UN monitoring committee scrutinises the reports of States Parties. UN agencies and non-governmental organisations can also contribute information to the UN.

Articles 46 to 54
Rules on how States may accede to the Convention and when they become effective. A reservation contrary to the object and purpose of this Convention shall not be permitted.

This is an abridged version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, published with the permission of Save the Children. You can read the same text at Save the Children website.

The rights of the child

The idea of the rights of the child

At the beginning of the 20th century, there was a major war in Europe,
the First World War.
Children had a very hard time during the war.
But governments felt they had no responsibility
for the children of the countries they fought against.
Those children were the children of the enemy.

Some people thought this was wrong.
After the war they started the organisation Save the Children
in the UK and Sweden.
Save the Children said that we are all responsible for all children.
Save the Children wanted rules to protect the child
rights.

After the First World War, countries started to cooperate
so that there would not be another war.
The countries formed the League of Nations.
But war broke out again.
After the Second World War, the countries formed
United Nations, UN.
In the UN, countries work together for peace.

Both the League of Nations and the UN have written
declarations on the rights of the child.
In the declarations, the leaders of the countries of the world said
that they consider children's rights to be important.
But governments promised nothing.

Why Save the Children and other organisations worked
to get a convention on the rights of the child.
In a convention there are rules.
The government that signs a convention promises
to comply with the rules.

Almost all countries have signed

Work on the Convention on the Rights of the Child
began in 1979.
In 1989, the new Convention on the Rights of the Child was finalised.
Almost all countries have now signed the Convention.
The governments of the countries promise to follow the rules.

The UN has several conventions
on human rights.
But no other convention has received so much support
of the world's countries.
Why is this? It depends on several factors.
People have increasingly been reading and watching TV
how war, poverty and injustice affect children.
Many organisations have told politicians
how children are doing.
More and more politicians have realised that it is important
with the rights of the child.

All rights for all children

Convention rights must apply to all children
in all countries.
The Convention states that it is the government of each country
who will protect the child and take responsibility for
that the child receives his or her rights.

Many countries are poor.
They don't have the money to give children different rights.
But the rules say that they should do everything they can.
Governments can also ask other countries for help.
The rules state that countries should cooperate
for the rights of the child.

There are different types of human rights.
The UN has several conventions
on human rights.
One form of right is that all people
should be able to say what they think
and join associations.
Another form of entitlement is that people
should be able to eat their fill
and learn to read and write.
Leaders in different countries have not agreed on
what kind of rights are most important.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child contains
all kinds of rights too.
All kinds of rights are equally important.

Important rules

The different rules of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
are called articles.
There are 54 different articles.

All rules are equally important.
But there are still some articles that are good to read first
and to remember.
Articles 2, 3, 6 and 12 contain important rules.
When reading the other articles, keep in mind
what is written in these articles.

Article 2 is that the rules apply to all children.
All children are equal.
No child should be discriminated against,
that is, be treated less favourably.
It does not matter what colour the child is
and the child's parents have on their skin,
whether the child is a girl or a boy,
what language the child speaks,
which god the child believes in,
if the child has a disability
or whether the child is rich or poor.
Bullying at school can include
be discrimination.

Article 3 is in the best interests of the child.
Politicians, authorities and courts should always consider
what is best for children
when they decide on matters concerning children.
The article states that the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration
in the first place.
This means that sometimes there are things that are more important
than the best interests of the child.
But politicians must always be able to show that they also
have thought about the children.

Article 6 is that the child has the right
to life and development.
Right to life means that countries should ensure that children
are not killed.
It can be both that children are not killed in war
and that children receive care and medication when they are sick
so that they don't die from diseases.
Right to development means that countries should do
what they can to give children a good childhood.
Children need many things to develop well.
It can be security, love, food, healthcare,
a home, the opportunity to play and to go to school.

Article 12 is about the child having the right to say
how it wants it to be.
Adults should listen to children.
Authorities and courts shall
ask the child what they think and listen to them
when they decide on matters concerning the child.
This could be if the child's parents are getting divorced
and they do not agree on where the child should live.
Then the court should ask
both the mum, the dad and the child how they want it.
It may also be that teachers at school ask children
what they think before they decide things.
Politicians in a municipality should ask children what they think
before politicians decide how the municipality
should use their money.

The other articles of the Convention
on the rights of the child

Article 1 is about who is a child.
All people under 18 are children.

Article 4 is about how countries should do
to comply with the rules of the Convention.
Countries should change their laws so that the laws
will be good for children.
Countries should do everything they can to give children rights.
Rich countries should help poor countries.

Article 5 is that countries need to understand
that the parents are responsible for the child.
Parents should help their children to get their
rights.

Articles 7 and 8 is that all children have the right
to know who he or she is.
The child has the right to a name
and to be a citizen of a country.
The child also has the right to know
who the child's parents are.

Article 9 is about children always, whenever possible,
should be allowed to stay with their parents.
If the parents divorce, the child has the right to see
both mum and dad.
But sometimes it is best for the child
not living with their parents.
And sometimes it is best for the child
not seeing one of the parents.
It can be if the parents beat the child
or cannot take care of their child.

Articles 10 and 11 is that children and parents
have the right to see each other even if they live in different countries.
A parent may not move to another country with the children
without the other parent's consent.
Countries to agree on how to help
children and parents so that they can meet.

Articles 13, 14 and 15 is that the child
has the right to say what it thinks.
The child has the right to think freely,
to believe in any god it wants
and to join various associations.

Article 16 is about the child's right to privacy.
For example, parents should not
read their children's letters and diaries.
It may also be that the child should be able to close a door
and to be left alone when going to the toilet at school.

Article 17 is that the child has the right to read
good newspapers and books and get information
by other means, such as radio, TV and the Internet.
Countries should have laws that protect children
against films and texts that could harm the child.

Article 18 is that it is the parents
who have joint responsibility for the child.
Parents should always think about what is best for their child.
Countries to help parents
so that they can be good parents.
One way to help parents is to have good preschools
where children can be when their parents are working.

Article 19 is about protecting children
against violence at home.
Countries to protect children
towards parents and other adults
beating the child is cruel to the child,
or caring for the child badly in any other way.
It may be that the parents
misuse alcohol or drugs
or that the parents are sexually abusing the child.

Articles 20 and 21 is about children who cannot live
at home with his family.
Countries must ensure that the child can live
in another family.
It is best if the child can stay with relatives.
Sometimes a child can be adopted by a family
in another country.
Authorities and courts that decide
Where children live should always be in the best interests of the child.

Article 22 is about children who are refugees.
Countries promise to give children arriving in the country
protection and assistance.
This applies to both children who arrive alone
and children travelling with their parents.
A lonely child should be helped to find their parents.
If you cannot find the parents or other relatives
the child should receive the same protection and help as other children
when they cannot live with their parents.

Article 23 is about children with disabilities.
Countries should ensure that
that children with disabilities have good lives.
Children with disabilities should be able to go to school
and participate in society in other ways.
The child and the child's family should receive the help they need.
Help should be free or as cheap as possible
that people can afford to receive help.
Countries will learn together about
how they can help children with disabilities in good ways.
Rich countries should help poor countries.

Article 24 is about the child's right to health care
and healthcare.
Countries pledge to do all they can
for children to be in good health.
All children have the right to receive care when they are sick.
Women expecting a baby
and mothers with newborn babies
receive good care.
Parents should be taught how to feed
and care for their child.
Rich countries should help poor countries.

Article 25 is about children who do not live at home
with their parents.
The authority responsible for the child
ensure that the child receives good care or treatment.

Articles 26 and 27 is about the child's right to safety.
Helping families to ensure the well-being of their child
even if the parents are poor, sick or unemployed.
A parent who does not live with the child should also take responsibility
for their child.
It can be to pay
so that the child is fed, clothed, housed
and anything else the child needs.

Article 28 is about the child's right to go to school.
All children should go to primary school.
It should be free.
Countries to ensure more children attend secondary school
and other higher education programmes.
Rich countries should help poor countries.

Article 29 is about what the child will learn at school.
Every child should be allowed to develop as much as possible.
Children should be well prepared for their adult life.
The child should learn about human rights
and that all people are of equal value.
Children should also learn to care for nature.

Article 30 deals with children belonging to minorities
or indigenous peoples.
In Sweden there are children who are Sami, Swedish Finns,
Tornedalians, Roma and Jews.
They have the right to their language, culture and religion.

Article 31 is about
the child has the right to play,
rest and leisure.

Article 32 is about protecting the child
against dangerous work.

Article 33 is about protecting the child
against drugs.

Article 34 is about protecting the child from adults
forces them to have sex
or that the child is forced to sell sex.

Articles 35 and 36 is about protecting the child
against being exploited in any other way.
It could be that someone sells a child
for the child to work in a factory.
It could be that someone takes a child from the parents
to sell the child to another family.
But it is also a protection against all other ways
to exploit children that anyone can think of.

Article 37 is about protecting the child
against the death penalty, life imprisonment and torture.
Torture is when you torment a person
for it to tell you something.
When there is a trial against a child, the child has the right
to get help from a lawyer,
a person who has knowledge of laws.
Children in prison must not be ill-treated.
Children should not be in the same prison as adults.
Children in prison should be able to receive visits from
their family and correspond with their family.

Article 38 is about children not being soldiers.

Article 39 is about countries helping children
who have been exploited so that the child can feel good
and live a normal life.
They may be children who have been soldiers in war.

Article 40 deals with children who are suspected
for any offence.
Countries promise to treat the child well
and to give the child a fair trial.

Article 41 is that countries are welcome to
do more than what the Convention says
to give the child rights.

Article 42 is about countries pledging to ensure
that both children and adults know the rules
contained in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Articles 43 to 54 are rules on how countries should do
to comply with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Committee on the Rights of the Child

At the UN House in the city of Geneva, Switzerland
a group of people work to ensure that
that countries comply with the rules of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
It is the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Countries must submit reports from time to time
to the UN Committee.

Countries also promise that people in the country
should be able to read the reports in order to discuss
what is good and bad for children in the country.
It is the Ministry of Social Affairs that makes the Swedish
government reports.
You can order Sweden's reports for free
from the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Eighteen people work in the UN Committee.
They come from different countries
and all are child experts.
The experts read the countries' reports.
Sometimes there are several reports from the same country.
Organisations working for children's rights
can make their own reports on the situation of children in the country.

Then the UN Committee has a meeting.
Some people who work for the country's government
will be there.
They are asked to answer questions about what they have done for children
and what they intend to do to make it better.

The UN Committee is not a court.
It cannot penalise countries that do not
to comply with the rules of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
But the UN Committee can make suggestions on
what countries can do to make things better.
Sometimes countries can get help from the UN
or by other countries.
The idea is to give children their rights.

The UN Committee works
in several different ways

The UN Committee can call a government to a meeting
at any time.
It could be if the UN learns that children
are treated very badly in a country.
Maybe a child has written a letter
to the UN Committee and told them what was happening.

The UN Committee can organise meetings to talk about
specific problems.
There have been meetings on children at war,
children in dangerous jobs,
girls' rights and
children who are in wheelchairs or have other disabilities.

More countries have started to think
on children's rights

Of course, not all countries follow the rules
in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Some countries break many rules.
In some poor countries, children have dangerous jobs.
It may be that girls
and children with disabilities are not allowed to go to school.
Most countries find it difficult to comply with all the rules.
Sweden has also been criticised by the UN Committee.

But politicians in many countries have started
thinking more about children's rights
when they decide different things.
Several countries have new laws that are good for children.
Child ombudsmen now work in several countries
which checks that the country complies with the rules.
The Ombudsman for Children has existed in Sweden since 1993.
Teachers and others working with children
learn about the rights of the child.

New organisations have started to work for children's rights.
Aid organisations are thinking more about
what is good for children when they help people
in poor countries.
Countries have shown these things
in their reports to the Committee
for the rights of the child.

But almost no country has been able to show
that they do in some new way
when it comes to asking children
what they think.
Article 12 states that countries
will ensure that children have a say
what they think
and make a difference.
The UN Committee has said
to the governments of the countries
that they will give children
more say in school.

The future of children's rights

The UNCRC has existed since 1989.
Almost all countries have pledged to comply with the rules.
Most countries have submitted reports
to the UN Committee.

Now is the time to make sure that children really
receive the rights set out in the Convention.
Therefore, it is important that people know
what rules are contained in the Convention.
Then they can start discussing how to make it better
for children in Sweden and in other countries.

This is the Ombudsman for Children's publication An easy-to-read publication on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The publication is also available as a pdf with the Ombudsman for Children.

Introduction

States Parties,

Considering that the recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human race is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, in accordance with the principles proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations,

Considering that in the Charter the peoples of the United Nations have reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person, and have resolved to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Recognising that the United Nations, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the International Covenants on Human Rights, has proclaimed and agreed that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin,

Recalling that the United Nations has proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that children have the right to special care and assistance,

Convinced that the family, as the fundamental unit of society and the natural environment for the development and well-being of all its members and especially of children, should be given the necessary protection and support to enable it to fulfil its responsibilities in society,

which recognises that, in order to achieve the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, the child should grow up in a family environment, in an environment of happiness, love and understanding,

Considering that the child should be fully prepared for an independent life in society and brought up in accordance with the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in a spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity,

Considering that the need to provide special care for the child was established in the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child of 1924 and in the Declaration on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the General Assembly on 20 November 1959, and recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (in particular Articles 23 and 24), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (in particular Article 10), and in the statutes and relevant instruments of specialised agencies and international organisations concerned with the welfare of children,

recognising that ”the child, by reason of his or her physical and mental immaturity, needs special protection and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth”, as stated in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child,

Recalling the provisions of the Declaration of Social and Legal Principles relating to the Protection and Care of Children, in particular with regard to national and international foster care and adoption; the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (the Beijing Rules); and the Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict,

recognising that in all countries of the world there are children living in exceptionally difficult circumstances and that such children require special attention,

which takes due account of the importance of the traditions and cultural values of each people for the protection and harmonious development of the child.

recognising the importance of international cooperation to improve the living conditions of children in every country, especially in developing countries,

have agreed on the following:

Part I

Article 1

For the purposes of this Convention, a child means every human being below the age of 18 years unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.

Article 2

States Parties shall respect and ensure to each child within their jurisdiction the rights set forth in the present Convention without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child's or his or her parent's or legal guardian's race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.

1. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected from all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions or beliefs of parents, carers or family members.

Article 3

1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.
2. States Parties undertake to ensure to the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well-being, taking into account the rights and duties of his or her parents, legal guardians or other persons legally responsible for him or her, and shall take all appropriate legislative and administrative measures to this end.
3. States Parties shall ensure that institutions, services and facilities responsible for the care or protection of children meet standards established by the competent authorities, in particular with regard to safety, health, the number and suitability of staff and competent supervision.

Article 4

States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures to implement the rights recognised in this Convention. With regard to economic, social and cultural rights, States Parties shall make full use of their available resources to take such measures. Where appropriate, such measures shall be taken in the framework of international co-operation.

Article 5

States Parties shall respect the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents or, where applicable, members of the extended family or community according to local custom, legal guardians or other persons legally responsible for the child, to provide, in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child, appropriate direction and guidance in the exercise by the child of the rights recognised in the present Convention.

Article 6

1. States Parties recognise the inherent right to life of every child.
2. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child.

Article 7

1. The child shall be registered immediately after birth and from birth shall have the right to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and, as far as possible, the right to know who its parents are and to be cared for by them.
2. States Parties shall ensure the realisation of these rights in accordance with their national law and their obligations under relevant international instruments in this field, in particular in cases where the child would otherwise be stateless.

Article 8

1. States Parties undertake to respect the right of the child to maintain his or her identity, including citizenship, name and family relationships as recognised by law, without unlawful interference.
2. Where a child is unlawfully deprived of part or all of his or her identity, States Parties shall provide appropriate assistance and protection with a view to the prompt restoration of the child's identity.

Article 9

1. States Parties shall ensure that a child is not separated from his or her parents against their will except in cases where competent authorities, subject to judicial review, in accordance with applicable law and procedures, consider such separation necessary for the best interests of the child. Such a decision may be necessary in a particular case, for example in the event of abuse or neglect of the child by the parents or where the parents are living apart and a decision has to be taken on where the child should live.
2. In proceedings referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, all interested parties shall be given the opportunity to participate in the proceedings and to make their views known.
3. States Parties shall respect the right of the child who is separated from one or both parents to maintain on a regular basis a personal relationship and direct contact with both parents, except where this is contrary to the best interests of the child.
4. Where such separation results from measures initiated by a State Party, such as detention, imprisonment, expulsion, deportation or death (including death from any cause while in detention) involving one or both parents or the child, that State Party shall, upon request, provide the parents, the child or, where appropriate, any other member of the family with essential information concerning the whereabouts of the absent family member or members, unless the provision of the information would be detrimental to the child.

States Parties shall further ensure that the making of such a request does not in itself have an adverse effect on the person or persons concerned.

Article 10

1. In accordance with the obligation of States Parties under Article 9(1), applications by a child or his or her parents to enter or leave a State Party for the purpose of family reunification shall be dealt with in a positive, humane and expeditious manner by States Parties. States Parties shall furthermore ensure that the making of such a request does not entail negative consequences for the applicants and members of their family.
2. A child whose parents reside in different States shall have the right, save in exceptional circumstances, to maintain regular personal relations and direct contacts with both parents. To this end and in accordance with their obligation under Article 9(1), States Parties shall respect the right of the child and his or her parents to leave any country, including their own, and to enter their own country. The right to leave a country shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to safeguard national security, the rule of law (public order), public health or morals or the rights and freedoms of other persons and are compatible with the other rights recognised in this Convention.

Article 11

1. States Parties shall take measures to combat the wrongful removal and retention of children abroad.
2. To this end, States Parties shall promote the conclusion of bilateral or multilateral agreements or accession to existing agreements.

Article 12

1. States Parties shall ensure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express them freely in all matters affecting the child. The views of the child shall be given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
2. To this end, in all judicial and administrative proceedings concerning the child, the child shall in particular be given the opportunity to be heard, either directly or through a representative or an appropriate body and in a manner consistent with national procedural rules.

Article 13

1. The child shall have the right to freedom of expression. This right includes freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child's choice.
2. The exercise of this right may be subject to certain restrictions, but only such as are prescribed by law and are necessary:

(a) to respect the rights or reputations of other persons; or,

(b) to safeguard national security, the rule of law (public order) or public health or public morals.

Article 14

1. States Parties shall respect the child's right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
2. States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of parents and, where applicable, legal guardians to provide guidance to the child in the exercise of his or her rights in a manner consistent with the child's evolving development.
3. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public security, public policy, public health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

Article 15

1. States Parties recognise the child's right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
2. The exercise of these rights shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public policy, the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

Article 16

1. No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family life, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his or her honour and reputation.
2. The child is entitled to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 17

States Parties recognise the important role played by the mass media and shall ensure that the child has access to information and material from a variety of national and international sources, particularly those aimed at promoting his or her social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health. To this end, States Parties shall:

(a) encourage the mass media to disseminate information and material of social and cultural value to the child and in the spirit of Article 29,

(b) encourage international co-operation in the production, exchange and dissemination of such information and material from different cultures and national and international sources,

(c) encourage the production and distribution of children's books,

(d) encourage the mass media to pay special attention to the linguistic needs of a child belonging to a minority group or an indigenous people,

(e) encourage the development of appropriate guidelines to protect the child from information and material detrimental to the child's welfare, taking into account the provisions of Articles 13 and 18.

Article 18

1. States Parties shall make their best efforts to ensure the recognition of the principle that both parents have joint responsibility for the upbringing and development of the child. Parents or, where appropriate, legal guardians have primary responsibility for the upbringing and development of the child. They should be guided by what is considered to be in the best interests of the child.
2. In order to guarantee and promote the rights set forth in the present Convention, States Parties shall provide appropriate assistance to parents and legal guardians in the fulfilment of their responsibilities for the upbringing of the child and shall ensure the development of institutions, facilities and services for the care of children.
3. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that children of working parents have the right to benefit from the childcare to which they are entitled.

Article 19

1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person.
2. Such protective measures should include, where appropriate, effective procedures for the establishment of social programmes aimed at providing the child and his or her caregivers with the necessary support, as well as for other forms of prevention and for the identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and follow-up of cases of child maltreatment described above and, where appropriate, procedures for judicial intervention.

Article 20

1. A child who is temporarily or permanently deprived of his or her family environment, or who cannot be allowed to remain in that environment for his or her own good, shall be entitled to special protection and assistance from the State.
2. States Parties shall ensure, in accordance with their national law, alternative care for such a child.
3. Such care may include, inter alia, placement in foster homes, kafalah under Islamic law, adoption or, if necessary, placement in appropriate institutions for the care of children. When considering solutions, due account shall be taken of the desirability of continuity in a child's upbringing and of the child's ethnic, religious, cultural and linguistic background.

Article 21

States Parties that recognise and/or permit adoption shall ensure that the utmost importance is given to the best interests of the child and shall

(a) ensure that the adoption of a child is authorised only by competent authorities which, in accordance with applicable law and procedures and on the basis of all relevant and reliable information, decide that the adoption is permissible, taking into account the child's position in relation to parents, relatives and legal guardians, and that, where necessary, the persons concerned have given informed consent to the adoption on the basis of such counselling as may be required,

(b) recognise that intercountry adoption may be considered as an alternative form of care for the child, if the child cannot be placed in a foster or adoptive family or cannot be adequately cared for in his or her country of origin,

(c) ensure that the child concerned by intercountry adoption enjoys guarantees and standards equivalent to those applicable to national adoption,

(d) take all appropriate measures to ensure that, in the case of intercountry adoption, the placement does not lead to undue financial gain for the persons involved in it,

(e) promote, where appropriate, the objectives of this Article by concluding bilateral or multilateral arrangements or agreements and, within this framework, endeavour to ensure that the placement of the child in another country is made through competent authorities or bodies.

Article 22

1. States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that a child who claims refugee status or is recognised as a refugee in accordance with applicable international or national law and procedures, whether arriving alone or accompanied by his or her parents or by any other person, receives appropriate protection and humanitarian assistance in the enjoyment of the relevant rights set forth in this Convention and in other international instruments relating to human rights or humanitarian law to which those States are parties.
2. To this end, States Parties shall co-operate, as they consider appropriate, in any efforts made by the United Nations and other competent intergovernmental organisations or non-governmental organisations co-operating with the United Nations to protect and assist such a child and to trace the parents or other members of the family of a refugee child with a view to obtaining the information necessary to reunite the child with his or her family. In cases where parents or other family members cannot be found, the child shall be afforded the same protection as any other child permanently or temporarily deprived of his or her family environment for any reason, in accordance with this Convention.

Article 23

1. States Parties recognise that a child with a physical or mental disability should enjoy a full and decent life in conditions that ensure dignity, promote self-confidence and enable the child's active participation in society.
2. States Parties recognise the right to special care for a child with disabilities and shall encourage and ensure, within available resources, that the eligible child and those responsible for his or her care receive the support for which he or she has applied, as appropriate to the child's condition and the circumstances of the parents or others caring for the child.
3. Taking into account the special needs of a child with disabilities, the support provided under paragraph 2 of this Article shall be free of charge, where possible, taking into account the financial resources of the parents or the financial resources of other carers. The support shall aim to ensure that the child has effective access to and receives education, health care, rehabilitation and habilitation, preparation for the world of work and recreational opportunities in a manner that contributes to the child's fullest possible social integration and individual development, including his or her cultural and spiritual development.
4. States Parties shall promote, in a spirit of international co-operation, the exchange of appropriate information in the field of preventive health care and medical, psychological and functional treatment of children with disabilities, including the dissemination of and access to information on habilitation methods, education and vocational training, with a view to enabling States Parties to improve their capacity and competence and broaden their experience in these fields. In doing so, special consideration shall be given to the needs of developing countries.

Article 24

1. States Parties recognise the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and access to health care and rehabilitation. States Parties shall endeavour to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right to have access to such health care.
2. States Parties shall endeavour to give full effect to this right and shall in particular take appropriate measures to

(a) reduce infant and child mortality,

(b) ensure that all children are provided with essential health care, with an emphasis on the development of primary health care,

(c) combat disease and malnutrition, including in the context of primary health care, through the utilisation of readily available technologies and the provision of adequate and nutritious food and clean drinking water, taking into account the hazards and risks posed by environmental degradation,

(d) ensure adequate maternal health care before and after childbirth,

(e) ensure that all groups in society, in particular parents and children, are informed about and have access to education on child health and nutrition, the benefits of breastfeeding, hygiene and clean environment and accident prevention, and are supported in the use of such basic knowledge,

(f) develop preventive health care, parental counselling, education and assistance on family planning issues.

3. States Parties shall take all effective and appropriate measures with a view to eliminating traditional practices harmful to the health of children.

4. States Parties undertake to promote and encourage international co-operation with a view to achieving progressively the full realisation of the right recognised in this article. In so doing, special consideration shall be given to the needs of developing countries.

Article 25

States Parties recognise the right of a child who has been taken into the care of competent authorities for the care, protection or treatment of his or her physical or mental health to a periodic review of the treatment received by the child and of all other matters relating to the child's care.

Article 26

1. States Parties shall recognise the right of every child to enjoy social security, including social insurance, and shall take the necessary measures for the full realisation of this right in accordance with national law.
2. Benefits shall be granted, where appropriate, having regard to the resources and other circumstances of the child and of the persons responsible for his or her care, and to any other relevant circumstances of the application for such benefits by or on behalf of the child.

Article 27

1. States Parties recognise the right of every child to a standard of living adequate for the child's physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development.
2. Parents or other carers have, within the limits of their abilities and financial resources, the primary responsibility for ensuring the living conditions necessary for the child's development.
3. States Parties shall take appropriate measures, in accordance with national conditions and within their means, to assist parents and others responsible for the child to implement this right and shall provide, where necessary, material assistance and support programmes, in particular in relation to food, clothing and housing.
4. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the recovery of maintenance for the child from the parents or other persons having financial responsibility for the child, both within the State Party and from abroad. In particular, where the person having financial responsibility for the child lives in a State other than that of the child, States Parties shall promote both the accession to or conclusion of international agreements and the establishment of other appropriate arrangements.

Article 28

1 States Parties recognise the right of the child to education. With a view to achieving progressively the realisation of this right and on the basis of equal opportunities, they shall in particular:

(a) make primary education compulsory and available free of charge to all,

(b) encourage the development of different forms of secondary education, including both tertiary and vocational education and training, make them available and accessible to every child and take appropriate measures, such as the introduction of free education and financial support where necessary,

(c) to make higher education accessible to all on the basis of ability by any appropriate means,

(d) make educational and vocational information and guidance available and accessible to all children,

(e) take measures to encourage regular school attendance and reduce drop-out rates.

2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that discipline in schools is maintained in a manner consistent with the child's human dignity and in accordance with the present Convention.

3. States Parties shall promote and encourage international co-operation in education, in particular with a view to contributing to the elimination of ignorance and illiteracy throughout the world and to facilitating access to scientific and technological knowledge and modern teaching methods. Special attention shall be paid to the needs of developing countries.

Article 29

1. States Parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed towards

(a) develop the child's full potential in terms of personality, aptitude and physical and mental abilities,

(b) develop respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and for the principles of the United Nations Charter,

(c) develop respect for the child's parents, for the child's own cultural identity, language and values, for the national values of the country of residence and of origin and for cultures different from the child's own,

(d) prepare the child for responsible life in a free society in a spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, gender equality and friendship among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons belonging to an indigenous people,

(e) develop respect for the natural environment.

2. Nothing in this Article or in Article 28 shall be construed so as to interfere with the right of individuals and organisations to establish and operate educational institutions, subject always to compliance with the principles laid down in paragraph 1 of this Article and to the requirement that the education provided in such institutions shall conform to the minimum standards laid down by the State.

Article 30

In States where there are ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities or persons belonging to an indigenous people, a child belonging to such a minority or indigenous people shall not be denied the right, in community with other members of his or her group, to enjoy his or her own culture, to profess and practise his or her own religion, or to use his or her own language.

Article 31

1. States Parties recognise the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreation appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural and artistic life.
2. States Parties shall respect and promote the right of the child to participate fully in cultural and artistic life and shall encourage the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activities.

Article 32

1. States Parties recognise the right of the child to protection from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be harmful or to interfere with the child's education, or to be detrimental to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.
2. States Parties shall take legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to ensure the implementation of this article. To this end, and taking into account the relevant provisions of other international instruments, States Parties shall in particular

(a) set a minimum age or ages for access to employment,

(b) provide for appropriate organisation of working time and working conditions,

(c) provide for appropriate penalties or other sanctions to ensure the effective implementation of this Article.

Article 33

States Parties shall take all appropriate measures, including legislative, administrative, social and educational measures, to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as defined in relevant international treaties and to prevent the exploitation of children in the illicit production and trafficking of such substances.

Article 34

States Parties undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. To this end, States Parties shall in particular take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent:

(a) a child is induced or coerced to engage in an unlawful sexual act,

(b) the exploitation of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual activities,

(c) the exploitation of children in pornographic performances and material.

Article 35

States Parties shall take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures to prevent the abduction and sale of or trafficking in children for any purpose and in any form.

Article 36

States Parties shall protect the child from all other forms of exploitation that may harm the child in any way.

Article 37

States Parties shall ensure the following:

(a) No child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Neither the death penalty nor life imprisonment without the possibility of release shall be imposed for offences committed by persons below the age of 18 years,

(b) No child shall be deprived of his or her liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily. The arrest, detention, imprisonment or other deprivation of liberty of a child shall be in accordance with the law and shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time,

(c) Every child in detention shall be treated humanely and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person and in a manner which takes into account the needs of persons of his or her age. In particular, every child in detention shall be kept apart from adults, unless it is considered to be in the best interests of the child not to do so, and shall, save in exceptional circumstances, have the right to maintain contact with his or her family through correspondence and visits,

(d) Every child deprived of liberty shall have the right to prompt access to legal assistance and other appropriate support, the right to have the lawfulness of his or her detention reviewed by a court or other competent, independent and impartial authority, and the right to a prompt decision on the matter.

Article 38

1. States Parties undertake to respect and ensure respect for rules of international humanitarian law applicable to them in armed conflict and relevant to the child.
2. States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure that persons who have not attained the age of 15 years do not take a direct part in hostilities.
3. States Parties shall refrain from recruiting into their armed forces any person who has not attained the age of 15 years. When recruiting persons who have attained the age of 15 but not 18 years, States Parties shall endeavour to give priority to the recruitment of the oldest.
4. States Parties shall, in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians in armed conflict, take all feasible measures to ensure the protection and care of children affected by armed conflict.

Article 39

States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to promote the physical and psychological rehabilitation and social reintegration of a child who has been subjected to any form of neglect, exploitation or abuse; torture or any other form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or armed conflict. Such rehabilitation and reintegration shall take place in an environment that promotes the child's health, self-respect and dignity.

Article 40

1) States Parties recognise the right of every child suspected or accused of, or found guilty of, having committed an offence to be treated in a manner that promotes the child's sense of dignity and worth, enhances the child's respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of others, and takes into account the age of the child and the desirability of promoting the child's reintegration into and constructive role in society.

2. To this end, and taking into account the relevant provisions of international instruments, States Parties shall ensure that

(a) No child shall be suspected or accused of, or found guilty of, committing an offence on account of an act or omission that was not prohibited by national or international law at the time when it was committed,

(b) Any child suspected or accused of having committed an offence shall have at least the following guarantees

(i) to be considered innocent until proven guilty according to law,

(ii) to be informed promptly and directly of the charges against him or her and, where appropriate, through his or her parents or legal guardians, and to have legal assistance or other appropriate support in the preparation and presentation of his or her defence,

(iii) to have the matter determined without delay by a competent, independent and impartial authority or body in an impartial hearing in accordance with the law and in the presence of legal or other appropriate counsel and, unless it is considered contrary to the best interests of the child, in particular having regard to the age or situation of the child, the parents or legal guardians of the child,

(iv) not to be compelled to give evidence or to plead guilty; to examine, or have examined, witnesses against the child and to have witnesses called and examined on his or her behalf on an equal footing,

(v) if the child is considered to have committed a criminal offence, to have that decision and any resulting measures reviewed by a higher competent, independent and impartial authority or body established by law,

(vi) to have the assistance of an interpreter free of charge, if the child cannot understand or speak the language used,

(vii) to have their privacy fully respected at all stages of the procedure.

3. States Parties shall endeavour to promote the adoption of laws and procedures and the establishment of authorities and institutions specifically adapted to children suspected or accused of, or found guilty of, having committed offences and shall in particular

(a) set a minimum age of criminal responsibility,

(b) make arrangements, where appropriate and desirable, for the out-of-court settlement of cases concerning children below that age, provided that human rights and legal protection are fully respected.

4. Measures such as care, management and provision of supervision, counselling, monitoring, foster care, educational and vocational training programmes and other alternatives to institutional care shall be available to ensure that children are treated in a manner appropriate to their well-being and proportionate to both their personal circumstances and the offence.

Article 41
Nothing in this Convention shall affect any more far-reaching provisions for the realisation of the rights of the child which may be contained in

(a) the law of a State Party; or

(b) the international law applicable to that State.

Part II

Article 42

States Parties undertake to take appropriate and active measures to make the provisions and principles of the Convention widely known among adults and children alike.

Article 43

1. In order to review the progress made by States Parties in implementing the obligations under this Convention, a Committee on the Rights of the Child is hereby established, which shall perform the functions set forth below.
2. The Committee shall be composed of eighteen experts of high moral standing and recognised competence in the field covered by this Convention.2 The members of the Committee shall be chosen by the States Parties from among their nationals and shall serve in their personal capacity, taking into account equitable geographical distribution and the principal legal systems.
3. The members of the Committee shall be elected by secret ballot from a list of persons proposed by the States Parties. Each State Party may propose a candidate from among its own nationals.
4. The first election to the Committee shall be held not later than six months after the date of entry into force of this Convention and thereafter every two years. Not later than four months before the date of each election, the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall invite States Parties in writing to submit their proposals within two months. The Secretary-General shall then draw up and transmit to the States Parties a list in alphabetical order of all persons nominated, indicating the States Parties which have nominated them.
5. Elections shall be held at meetings of States Parties convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations at United Nations Headquarters. At these meetings, at which a quorum of two-thirds of the States Parties is present, the candidates obtaining the highest number of votes and an absolute majority of the votes of the States Parties present and voting shall be elected to the Committee.
6. The members of the Committee shall be elected for a term of four years. They may be re-elected if proposed for re-election. The term of office of five of the members appointed at the first election shall expire after two years. Immediately after the first election, the names of these five members shall be drawn by lot by the Chairman of the meeting.
7. If a member of the Committee dies, resigns or declares that for any other reason he or she is no longer able to fulfil his or her mandate within the Committee, the State Party which proposed the member shall, subject to the approval of the Committee, appoint another expert from among its nationals to hold office for the remainder of the term.
8. The Committee shall establish its own rules of procedure.
9. The Committee shall elect its Bureau for a two-year term.
10. Meetings of the Committee shall normally be held at United Nations Headquarters or at such other suitable place as the Committee may decide. The Committee shall normally meet annually. The duration of the meetings of the Committee shall be determined and, if necessary, reviewed at a meeting of States Parties, subject to the approval of the General Assembly.
11. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall provide the necessary staff and resources to enable the Committee to fulfil effectively its mandate under this Convention.
12. The members of the Committee established under this Convention shall, with the approval of the General Assembly, receive remuneration from the United Nations on such terms as the General Assembly may decide.

Article 44

1. States Parties undertake to submit to the Committee, through the Secretary-General of the United Nations, reports on the measures they have taken to implement the rights recognised in the present Covenant and on the progress made in the enjoyment of those rights:

(a) within two years after the entry into force of the Convention in the State concerned; and

(b) every five years thereafter.

2. Reports under this Article shall indicate any conditions and difficulties affecting the fulfilment of the obligations under this Convention. The reports shall also contain sufficient information to enable the Committee to form a favourable judgement on the implementation of the Convention in the country concerned.

3. A State Party which has submitted a comprehensive initial report to the Committee need not repeat in its subsequent reports submitted under paragraph 1 (b) of this Article the basic information previously provided.

4. The Committee may request further information from States Parties on the implementation of the Convention.

5. the Committee shall submit biennial reports on its activities to the General Assembly through the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

6. States Parties shall make their reports generally available to the public in their respective countries.

Article 45

In order to promote the effective implementation of the Convention and international co-operation in the field covered by the Convention

(a) The specialised agencies, the United Nations Children's Fund and other United Nations bodies shall be entitled to be represented in the review of the implementation of such provisions of this Convention as fall within their mandates. The Committee may invite the specialised agencies, the United Nations Children's Fund and other competent bodies, as it deems appropriate, to provide expert advice on the implementation of the Convention in areas falling within their respective fields of competence. The Committee may invite the specialised agencies, the United Nations Children's Fund and other United Nations bodies to submit reports on the implementation of the Convention in areas falling within the scope of their respective activities,

(b) The Committee shall transmit to the specialised agencies, the United Nations Children's Fund and other competent bodies, as it deems appropriate, reports from States Parties requesting or indicating a need for technical advice or assistance, together with the Committee's views and any proposals regarding such request or need,

(c) The Committee may recommend to the General Assembly that it submit a request to the Secretary-General to undertake, on behalf of the Committee, studies on specific issues relating to the rights of the child,

(d) The Committee may make proposals and general recommendations on the basis of the information received under Articles 44 and 45 of this Convention. Such proposals and general recommendations shall be communicated to each State Party concerned and shall be reported to the General Assembly together with any comments from States Parties.

Part III

Article 46

This Convention shall be open for signature by all States.

Article 47

This Convention shall be ratified. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Article 48

This Convention shall remain open for accession by any State. The instruments of accession shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Article 49

1. This Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date of deposit of the twentieth instrument of ratification or accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
2. In respect of any State ratifying or acceding to the Convention after the deposit of the twentieth instrument of ratification or accession, the Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the deposit by such State of its instrument of ratification or accession.

Article 50

1. A State Party may propose an amendment to the Convention and submit the proposal to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Secretary-General shall then transmit the proposed amendment to the States Parties, together with a request that they indicate whether they favour a conference of States Parties for the purpose of considering and voting on the proposals. If, within four months of the date of transmission of the proposal, at least one third of the States Parties favour such a conference, the Secretary-General shall convene the conference under the auspices of the United Nations. Amendments adopted by a majority of the States Parties present and voting at the conference shall be submitted to the General Assembly for approval.
2. An amendment adopted in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article shall enter into force when it has been approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations and adopted by a two-thirds majority of States Parties.
3. When an amendment enters into force, it shall be binding on the States Parties which have adopted it, while other States Parties shall continue to be bound by the provisions of this Convention and any previous amendments adopted by them.

Article 51

1. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall receive and communicate to all States the text of reservations notified by States at the time of ratification or accession.
2. A reservation contrary to the object and purpose of this Convention shall not be authorised.
3. Reservations may be withdrawn at any time by notification to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall thereupon inform all States. The notification shall take effect from the date of its receipt by the Secretary-General.

Article 52

A State Party may denounce this Convention by written notification to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The denunciation shall take effect one year after the date of receipt of the notification by the Secretary-General.

Article 53

The Secretary-General of the United Nations is designated as the depositary of this Convention.

Article 54

The original of this Convention, of which the Arabic, English, French, Chinese, Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

In witness whereof the undersigned Plenipotentiaries, being duly authorised thereto by their respective Governments, have signed this Convention.