Rights of the Child

Children’s Rights Queensland strongly advocates for and promotes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Convention

The Convention on the Rights of the Child has 54 articles in all. 42 articles on the Rights of the Child are listed below. Articles 43-54 are about how adults and governments should work together to make sure that all children get all their rights.

A summary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is shown below. To read all the articles in detail click here. Almost every country in the world has agreed to these rights.

If you are under the age of 18 you are considered a child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child applies to you.

Article 1

All children have rights.

Article 2

You should not be discriminated against.

Article 3

Your best interests should always be considered.

Article 4

Your rights should be protected.

Article 5

Your family should realise your rights.

Article 6

You have the right to live and develop.

Article 7

You have the right to a name and nationality.

Article 8

You have the right to an identity.

Article 9

You have a right to stay with your parents.

Article 10

You have the right to be with your parents.

Article 11

You have the right to remain in your country.

Article 12

You have the right to be heard.

Article 13

You have the right to express yourself.

Article 14

You have the right to think for yourself.

2020 Children's Week Theme:

Article 15

You have the right to join or establish groups.

Article 16

You have the right to privacy.

Article 17

You have the right to access information.

Article 18

You have the right to be raised by your parents and they should be supported.

Article 19

You have the right to be protected from violence.

Article 20

You have the right to be looked after.

Article 21

If adopted, your best interests should be the priority.

Article 22

You have the same rights as other children if you are seeking refugee status.

Article 23

You have the right to special care and support if you are disabled.

Article 24

You have the right to be healthy.

Article 25

You have the right to have your care reviewed.

Article 26

You have the right to support from the government.

Article 27

You have the right to a good standard of living.

Article 28

You have the right to an education.

Article 29

You have the right to develop your personality and talents through education.

Article 30

You have the right to enjoy your culture.

Article 31

You have the right to rest, play and participate.

Article 32

You have the right to be protected from work that is dangerous.

Article 33

You have the right to be protected from drugs and trafficking.

Article 34

You have the right to be protected from abuse.

Article 35

You have the right to be protected from abduction.

Article 36

You have the right to be protected from exploitation.

Article 37

You have the right to not be imprisoned forever or be deprived of your liberty.

Article 38

You have the right to not join the army if you are under 15 years.

Article 39

You have the right to special care if you have been abused.

Article 40

You have the right to be treated fairly and respectfully.

Article 41

These rights are just the start. If the laws in a country provide children with better rights than the convention outlines, they should be followed.

Please note that this is a summary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The full convention is available here.