CHILD RIGHTS

1 YOU HAVE THE RIGHTS set out here until you are 18.

2 YOU HAVE THESE RIGHTS whatever your race or skin color, whether you are a boy or a girl, whatever language your speak, whatever your religion, political beliefs, nationality or ethnic group, whether you are rich or poor, and whether you are disabled.

3 WHENEVER ADULTS MAKE DECISIONS or do anything that affects you, they should always think about what is best for you.

4 YOUR GOVERNMENT IS RESPONSIBLE for protecting your rights.

5 YOUR FAMILY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING YOU to achieve your rights. Your government should support them to do this.

6 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE. Your government should make sure you have the chance to survive and develop healthily.

7 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO A NAME AND A NATIONALITY, and the right to know and be cared for by your parents.

8 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO AN IDENTITY – an official record of your name, nationality and family.

9 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE WITH YOUR PARENTS, unless that would be bad for you. If your parents are separated, you have the right to have contact with both of them, unless that could be harmful for you.

10 IF YOU LIVE IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY FROM YOUR PARENTS, you have the right to move so that you can live together as a family.

11 YOUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE STEPS to prevent you being taken out of your country illegally.

12 WHEN IMPORTANT DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE that affect you, you have the right to give your opinion and to be taken seriously.

13 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO FIND OUT INFORMATION and to share your ideas through writing, speaking, drawing or any other way, unless it may harm you or anyone else.

14 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO THINK FOR YOURSELF, to choose what you believe and to practice your religion, provided this does not stop other people enjoying their rights. Your parents should support and guide you in these matters.

15 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SET UP OR JOIN A GROUP and to meet together, provided this doesn’t stop others enjoying their rights.

16 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO A PRIVATE LIFE, and your character and reputation should not be attacked.

17 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO GET INFORMATION that is suitable and beneficial for you from around the world through TV, radio, newspapers, social media and the internet.

18 BOTH OF YOUR PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE for bringing you up and should think about what is best for you. Your government should make sure there is support to care for you, particularly if both your parents are working.

19 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED FROM VIOLENCE, abuse or neglect by your parents or anyone else who cares for you.

20 IF YOUR PARENTS ARE NOT ABLE TO LOOK AFTER YOU PROPERLY, your government should arrange for you to be cared for by someone else who will respect your culture, religion and language.

21 IF YOU ARE ADOPTED, YOUR NEEDS SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY, whether you are adopted in your country or taken to another country.

22 IF YOU HAD TO LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY BECAUSE YOU WERE NOT SAFE, in your new country you have the right to be protected. You should have the same rights as other all children in your new country.

23 IF YOU HAVE A MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DISABILITY, you should get the education, care and support you need to lead a full and independent life to the best of your ability, and to participate in your community.

24 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO HEALTHCARE when you are sick and to healthy food, clean water, a clean environment and information to help you stay healthy. Rich countries should help poorer countries do this.

25 IF YOU ARE BEING LOOKED AFTER AWAY FROM YOUR HOME, your situation should be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting good treatment and care.

26 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO HELP FROM THE GOVERNMENT if your family is poor or in need.

27 YOU SHOULD HAVE THE CONDITIONS YOU NEED for your physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development. If your family is unable to provide these conditions, the government should help – particularly with nutrition, clothing and housing.

28 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION. Primary education should be required for all children and should be available free. Secondary education should be available to all children. Higher education should be available according to capacity. School discipline should respect your dignity and your rights.

29 YOUR EDUCATION SHOULD HELP YOU DEVELOP YOUR PERSONALITY, talents, and mental and physical abilities. It should encourage you to develop respect in your own culture, for other cultures and for the environment. It should help prepare you to live in and contribute to a free society.

30 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ENJOY YOUR CULTURE, to practise your religion and to speak your language, whether or not these are shared by the majority of people in your country.

31 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REST, PLAY AND TAKE PART in cultural and artistic activities.

32 YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO WORK THAT IS DANGEROUS, that is harmful to your health or development, that interferes with your education, or where people take advantage of you.

33 YOUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOU from taking, producing or distributing dangerous drugs.

34 YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE PROTECTED FROM SEXUAL ABUSE and exploitation, including prostitution and being used in pornography.

35 YOUR GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT KIDNAPPED, sold or taken to another country to be exploited.

36 YOU SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM ANY OTHER ACTIVITIES that may harm your wellbeing and development.

37 IF YOU COMMIT A CRIME AND ARE GIVEN A PRISON SENTENCE, you have the right to keep in touch with your family. You should not be treated cruelly or put in a prison with adults. The death penalty and life imprisonment are not allowed for children.

38 IF YOU ARE UNDER 15, YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO JOIN THE ARMY or fight in a war. Children living in war zones should be given special protection.

39 IF YOU HAVE BEEN ABUSED, cruelly treated or affected by war, you should be given special care to help you recover.

40 IF YOU ARE ACCUSED OF BREAKING THE LAW, you should be treated fairly and in a way that respects your dignity. Your age should be taken into account. Prison sentences should only be given where children have committed the most serious crimes.

41 THESE RIGHTS ARE A MINIMUM. If the laws in your country give you stronger rights than those outlined here, then those laws should be followed.