| Children's rights |
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Every Child has Rights Just like the adults who look after you, support you and work with you in everyday life, children and young people have a number of rights and responsibilities. These rights, which are outlined in the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child, are set out to protect you, give you a voice and ensure that you are given the best possible opportunities to develop into responsible adults. The UN Convention outlines 54 rights for children and young people, and to help you to understand what these rights are, we have included a summary below, which was developed by Save the Children. If you would like more detailed information on children's rights, visit: http://www.unicef.org.uk/youthvoice/pdfs/uncrc.pdf These rights apply to all children and young people; that's you and the person who sits next to you in school or lives next door. You have the right to be safe but so does everyone else, so you also have the responsibility not to abuse other people's rights. Article 2 You have the right to protection against discrimination Article 3 Adults should do what's best for you Article 4 You have the right to have your rights made a reality by government Article 5 You have the right to be given guidance by your parents and family Article 6 You have the right to life Article 7 You have the right to have a name and a nationality Article 8 You have the right to have an identity Article 9 You have the right to live with your parents unless it is bad for you Article 10 If you and your parents are living in different countries, you have the right to get back together and live in the same place Article 11 You should not be kidnapped Article 12 You have the right to an opinion and for it to be listened to and taken seriously Article 13 You have the right to find out things and say what you think, through making art, speaking and writing 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 with your parents guidance Article 15 You have the right to be with friends and join or set up clubs, unless this breaks the rights of others Article 16 You have the right to a private life, ie you can keep a diary that other people are not allowed to see Article 17 You have the right to collect information from the media Article 18 You have the right to be brought up by your parents if possible Article 19 You have the right to be protected from being hurt or badly treated Article 20 You have the right to special protection and help if you can't live with your parents Article 21 You have the right to have the best care for you if you are adopted or living in foster care Article 22 You have the right to special protection and help if you are a refugee Article 23 If you are disabled, either mentally or physically, you have the right to special care and education Article 24 You have the right to the best health possible and to medical care and information Article 25 You have the right to have your living arrangements checked regularly if you are living away from home Article 26 You have the right to help from the government if you are poor or in need Article 27 You have the right to have a good enough standard of living Article 28 You have the right to education Article 29 You have the right to education which develops your personality, respect for other's rights and the environment Article 30 If you come from a minority group you have the right to enjoy your own culture, practice your own religion and use your own language Article 31 You have the right to play and relax by doing things like sport, music and drama Article 32 You have the right to protection from work which is bad for your health or education Article 33 You have the right to be protected from dangerous drugs Article 34 You have the right to be protected from sexual abuse Article 35 No one is allowed to kidnap you or sell you Article 36 You have the right to protection from any other kind of exploitation Article 37 You have the right not to be punished in a cruel or hurtful way Article 38 You have the right to protection in times of war. If under 15 you should never have to be in the army or a battle Article 39 You have the right to help if you have been hurt, neglected or badly treated Article 40 You have the right to help in defending yourself if you are accused of breaking the law Article 41 You have the right to any rights in laws in your country or internationally that give you better rights than these Article 42 All adults and children should know about this convention Articles 43 - 54 are about how governments and international organisations will work to give children their rights. |