UNICEF
United Nations Children’s Fund

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Children’s rights in plain English

Conventions on the Rights of the Child Article 44:

1. States Parties undertake to submit to the Committee (on the Rights of the Child) through the Secretary-General of the United Nations reports on the measures they have adopted which give effect to the rights recognised herein and which give effect to the rights recognised herein and on the progress made on the enjoyment of those rights:

(a) Within two years of the entry into force of the Convention for the State Party concerned;
(b) Thereafter every five years.

Article 1

Everyone under 18 years of age has all the rights in this convention

Article 2

You have these rights, whoever you are, whoever your parents are, whatever colour you are, whatever sex or religion you are, whatever language you speak, whether you have a disability, or if you are rich or poor.

Article 3

Whenever an adult has anything to do with you, he or she should do what is best for you.

Article 6

Everyone should recognise that you have the right to live.

Article 7

You have the right to have a name, and when you are born your name, your parents’ names and the date should be written down. You have the right to a nationality, and the right to know and be cared for by your parents.

Article 9

You should not be separated from your parents unless it is for your own good. For instance, your parents may be hurting you or not taking care of you. Also, if your parents decide to live apart, you will have to live with one or the other of them, but you have the right to contact both parents easily.

Article 10

If you and your parents are living in separate countries, you have the right to get back together and live in the same place.

Article 11

You should not be kidnapped, and, if you are, the government should try their hardest to get you back.

Article 12

Whenever adults make a decision that will affect you in any way, you have the right to give your opinion, and the adults have to take that seriously.

Article 13

You have the right to find out things and say what you think through speaking, writing, making art etc, unless it breaks the rights of others.

Article 14

You have the right to think what you like and be whatever religion you want to be. Your parents should help you learn what is right and wrong.

Article 15

You have the right to meet, make friends with and make clubs with other people, unless it breaks the rights of others.

Article 16

You have the right to a private life. For instance, you can keep a diary that other people are not allowed to see.

Article 17

You have the right to collect information from radios, newspapers, television, books etc. from all around the world. Adults should make sure that you get information you can understand.

Article 18

Both of your parents should be involved in bringing you up and they should do what

Article 19

No one should hurt you in any way. Adults should make sure that you are protected from abuse, violence and neglect. Even your parents have no right to hurt you.

Article 20

If you do not have any parents, or if it is not safe for you to live with your parents, you have the right to special protection and help.