Children's rights facts for kids
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Children's rights are special human rights for kids. They focus on making sure children get extra care and protection.
The 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) says a child is anyone under 18 years old. This is unless the law in their country says they become an adult sooner.
Contents
What Kinds of Rights Do Children Have?
Children have two main types of human rights under international law. First, they have the same basic rights as adults. However, some rights, like the right to marry, only apply when they are older.
Second, children have special rights. These rights protect them while they are young. For example, children have the right to be safe. They also have the right to be free from cruel treatment. They have a right to special protection during childhood.
Important Rights for Kids
Some specific rights for children include:
- The right to life.
- The right to a name.
- The right to share their views on things that affect them.
- The right to their own thoughts, beliefs, and religion.
- The right to health care.
- The right to be safe from being made to work too much.
- The right to education.
Children's rights can be seen in many ways. They cover civil, political, economic, social, and cultural areas. Some rights help children be seen as independent people. Other rights protect them from harm because they depend on adults. These are sometimes called the right to be heard and the right to be safe.
The "3 Ps" of Children's Rights
The United Nations helps explain children's rights using "3 Ps": Provision, Protection, and Participation.
- Provision: Children have the right to a good life. This includes health care, education, and time for play and fun. It means having enough food, a warm bed, and going to school.
- Protection: Children have the right to be safe from abuse, neglect, and unfair treatment. This means having safe places to play. It also means adults should raise children in a helpful way.
- Participation: Children have the right to take part in their communities. They should have a say in programs and services for them. This includes joining library groups or other community activities. It also means children can help make decisions.
Other Ways to Group Rights
The Child Rights Information Network (CRIN) also groups rights.
- Economic, social, and cultural rights: These are about basic needs. They include rights to education, housing, food, water, and good health. They also cover the rights of different cultures and groups.
- Environmental, cultural, and developmental rights: These are sometimes called "third generation rights." They include the right to live in safe and healthy places. They also mean groups of people have the right to grow culturally, politically, and economically.
Organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch also work for children's rights. They focus on things like stopping children from being held in jail for very long times. They also work to stop children from being used in wars. They want to end very harsh punishments for young people. They also raise awareness about human rights in schools.
Scholars often look at specific rights that help children grow up healthy and free. These include:
- Freedom of speech (the right to speak freely).
- Freedom of thought (the right to think what you want).
- Freedom from fear (the right to feel safe).
- Freedom of choice and the right to make decisions.
- Ownership over one's body.
How International Law Protects Children's Rights
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a very important document. It is the base for all international laws about children's rights today. Many agreements and laws around the world protect these rights.
One early document was the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. Eglantyne Jebb wrote it in 1923. The League of Nations supported it in 1924. The United Nations later adopted a bigger version in 1959. This document helped create the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The United Nations created the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) in 1966. Almost all countries have agreed to follow this international agreement. Countries that join must respect and enforce the rights in the Covenant. This treaty started on March 23, 1976.
The rights in the ICCPR are for everyone, including children. Even though children have all these rights, some, like the right to marry or vote, only start when they are adults.
Key Rights for Children in ICCPR
Some general rights that apply to children include:
- The right to life.
- The right to feel safe.
- The right to be free from torture.
- The right to be free from cruel or unfair treatment.
- The right to be kept separate from adults if accused of a crime.
- The right to have their case handled quickly.
- The right to be treated in a way that fits their age.
Article 24 of the ICCPR specifically says children need special protection because they are young. It also gives them the right to a name and a nationality.
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
The United Nations' 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is a very important agreement. It is the first international law that brings together all kinds of human rights for children. These include civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child checks how countries are following the CRC. Countries that agree to the CRC promise to protect children's rights. They also agree to be responsible for this promise to the world.
The CRC is the most widely agreed-upon human rights treaty. 196 countries have signed it. The United States is the only country that has not yet signed it.
Main Ideas of the CRC
The CRC has four main principles:
- Non-discrimination: All children should be treated fairly, no matter who they are.
- Best interests of the child: When decisions are made, what is best for the child should always come first.
- Right to life, survival, and development: Children have the right to live and grow up healthy.
- Views of the child: Children's opinions should be heard in decisions that affect them. This depends on their age and how mature they are.
Other pages
Images for kids
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A boy working as a "clock boy" on the streets of Merida, Mexico
See also
In Spanish: Derechos del niño para niños
