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Children’s rights
Children have rights – regardless of where they were born or the circumstances in which they grow up. These rights are non-negotiable and apply to every child worldwide. The 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child enshrined these rights and has been ratified by almost every country in the world. Yet millions of children in need experience violations of their fundamental rights on a daily basis. They suffer from exploitation, violence and neglect, and have no access to education or healthcare. Awareness of children’s rights and their consistent protection are crucial to enabling every child to live a life of dignity and security. Only when children’s rights are upheld worldwide can children living in poverty be given a real chance of a better future.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most important international treaty for the protection of children. It was adopted by the United Nations on 20 November 1989 and defines children as all persons under the age of 18. The Convention comprises 54 articles, which can be divided into three main categories: rights to care, rights to protection and rights to participation.
What makes the Convention on the Rights of the Child unique is its universal approach. It applies to all children worldwide, regardless of their origin, gender, religion or social status. The Convention obliges states to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of children. To date, 196 states have ratified the Convention – more than any other human rights treaty.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is based on four fundamental principles: the right to equal treatment without discrimination, the best interests of the child as a primary consideration in all decisions, the right to life and the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental development, and the right to participation and freedom of expression.
Key children’s rights
The Convention on the Rights of the Child encompasses a wide range of specific rights which, taken together, form a comprehensive system of protection. These rights are indivisible and interdependent.
Right to education and healthcare
Every child has the right to an education. Primary education must be free and accessible to all. Education should enable children to fully develop their personalities, talents and intellectual abilities. Yet 244 million children worldwide do not attend school, often because their families live in child poverty.
Children also have the right to the best possible health and access to medical care. States must reduce child mortality, combat disease and prevent malnutrition. Children in need suffer particularly from a lack of healthcare.
Right to protection from violence and exploitation
Children have the right to be protected from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. This includes physical and psychological violence, sexual abuse and neglect. States must take effective protective measures.
Child labour, in particular, constitutes a serious violation of human rights. Around 160 million children worldwide are forced to work, many of them in hazardous conditions. They work in mines, on plantations, in factories or as domestic workers. Child labour robs children of their childhood, endangers their health and prevents them from receiving an education.
Right to family and care
Children have the right to grow up with their parents, unless this is contrary to their best interests. If their parents separate, the child has the right to regular contact with both parents. Children without a family are entitled to special protection and alternative care.
Violations of children’s rights worldwide
Despite the universal applicability of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, these rights are violated millions of times every day. The impact of poverty on children is severe and leads to numerous violations of their rights.
Child trafficking and exploitation are among the most serious crimes against children. Children are subjected to forced labour, sexual exploitation or forced to serve as child soldiers. Children are particularly vulnerable to these dangers in conflict zones and extremely poor regions.
Millions of children have no access to primary education or healthcare. In many countries, families have to pay school fees they cannot afford. Girls are often disadvantaged and married off at a young age. A lack of healthcare leads to preventable diseases and high infant mortality.
Discrimination also violates children’s fundamental rights. Children are marginalised and disadvantaged on the basis of their gender, ethnicity, religion or disability. This discrimination often begins at an early age and has lifelong consequences for their education, health and economic opportunities.
Enforcement and protection of children’s rights
The realisation of children’s rights requires the commitment of various stakeholders. States must enact and enforce laws that protect children’s rights. This involves not only passing laws, but also applying them consistently and providing sufficient resources.
Civil society plays a crucial role. NGOs and aid organisations provide development aid and advocate for children’s rights. They document human rights violations, offer protection to vulnerable children and carry out awareness-raising work. On-the-ground support is essential for reaching and protecting vulnerable children.
Donations enable organisations to protect children, raise awareness and document human rights violations. Key measures include:
- Establishing child protection systems and safe places to turn to
- Educational programmes and scholarships for disadvantaged children
- Healthcare and nutrition programmes
- Legal support and advocacy work
In practical terms, donating means strengthening and upholding children’s rights. Every contribution helps to protect children and create an environment in which their rights are respected.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is a powerful tool, but its effectiveness depends on consistent implementation. Every child deserves to grow up in safety and dignity, with prospects for the future. Upholding children’s rights is not only a legal obligation but a moral imperative. Only by taking children’s rights seriously and protecting them can we create a fairer world for the next generation.