What is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child?

This is an international law which was written on 20 November 1989. The Convention has 54 articles that list the rights that every child should have. 192 countries have agreed to these rights. These countries have to make sure that these rights are respected.

The Convention is based on four principles:

• Principle 1. Non-discrimination: Nobody can treat you differently because of your opinion, religion, race, language, sex or because you were born poor or rich…
   
• Principle 2. Best interest of the child: When adults make decisions about you, they should think if this decision is best for you…

• Principle 3. Right to survival, protection and development: Countries should protect you from harm and help you to live and grow healthily.

• Principle 4. Participation: You have the right to give your opinions in all matters that affect you. Your views should be taken seriously. As you grow older your views should become more important.

More information about the rights in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC):

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What is the Charter of the Fundamental Rights of the European Union?

It is an important European law which lists social, economic and political rights of European citizens and residents in the European Union.

• Article 24 says that each child has a right to protection and care, the right to be heard, to have direct contact with parents and to have their best interests protected.

What is the European Social Charter?

It is a treaty adopted by the Council of Europe in 1961 and revised in 1996. Some of its articles deal with children’s rights:

• Article 7 says that each child has the right to be protected from dangers that can harm the child’s body and mind
   
• Article 17 says that each child has the right to social, economic and legal protection e.g. the right to receive education, to be protected from violence and to receive care and assistance

What is the European Convention on Human Rights?

It is an international treaty under which countries promise to respect human rights and freedoms. The Convention, which was signed on 4 November 1950 in Rome, does not mention children’s rights specifically but it protects the rights of everyone including children.

Some of the rights written in the Convention are:

• the right to life,
• the right to a fair hearing
• the right to respect for private and family life
• freedom of expression
• freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Under certain conditions, everyone, including children, who feels that their rights have not been respected, can take a case to the European Court of Human Rights when a solution cannot be found in their own country. This Court, established in 1959 and based in Strasbourg (France), is responsible for ensuring the respect of the rights written in the European Convention on Human Rights.

The rights of the child are regulated differently in each country usually by law. When governments make laws for the people living in their country, this is called a national law. The body in charge of making new laws is usually the Parliament, which is elected by the citizens in that country. National laws have to respect European law and to keep the promises made under international treaties.