Justice for children
Children encounter the justice system as victims, witnesses, because they are in conflict with the law or as parties to a justice process, such as in custody arrangements. While detention should be used as a last resort and for the shortest period of time. Many justice systems do not have child-sensitive procedures due to lack
Read moreThe right to health
Each child has the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health. The State shall strive to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services (UN Convention on the rights
Read moreNon-discrimination
The UN Convention on the rights of the Child applies to all children, to each child without discrimination of any kind, irrespective of the child’s or his or her parent’s or legal guardian’s race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status. The State
Read moreThe right to education
All children have the right to a primary education, which should be free. Discipline in schools should respect children’s dignity. For children to benefit from education, schools must be run in an orderly way – without the use of violence. Any form of school discipline should take into account the child’s human dignity. Therefore, governments
Read moreSocial rights
Children – either through their guardians or directly – have the right to help from the government if they are poor or in need (UN Convention on the rights of the Child, art. 26). Children have the right to a standard of living that is good enough to meet their physical and mental needs. Governments
Read moreThe right to privacy
Children have a right to privacy. The law should protect them from attacks against their way of life, their good name, their families and their homes (UN Convention on the rights of the Child, art. 16).
Read moreProtection from all forms of violence
The State shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse. Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures for the establishment of social programmes to provide necessary
Read moreChild participation
When adults are making decisions that affect children, children have the right to say what they think should happen and have their opinions taken into account. This does not mean that children can now tell their parents what to do. This Convention encourages adults to listen to the opinions of children and involve them in
Read moreThe right of the child to live in a family
The child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding. The family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded
Read moreBest interest of the child
The best interests of children must be the primary concern in making decisions that may affect them. All adults should do what is best for children. When adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children. This particularly applies to budget, policy and law makers (UN Convention on the rights of
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