Appendix B: Convention on the Rights of the Child
JOHN HUMPHREY SOCIETY SIMPLIFIED VERSION[1]
Article 1: Everyone under 18 has these rights.
Article 2: All children have these rights, no matter who they are, where they live, what their parents do, what language they speak, what their religion is, whether they are a boy or girl, what their culture is, whether they have a disability or whether they are rich or poor. No child should be treated unfairly on any basis.
Article 3: All adults should do what is best for children. When adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children.
Article 4: The government has a responsibility to make sure children’s rights are protected. They must help families protect children’s rights and create an environment where they can grow and reach their potential.
Article 5: Children’s families have the responsibility to help them learn to exercise their rights and to ensure that their rights are protected.
Article 6: Children have the right to be alive.
Article 7: Children have the right to a name and this should be officially recognized by the government. Children have the right to a nationality (to belong to a country).
Article 8: Children have the right to an identity—an official record of who they are. No one should take this away from them.
Article 9: Children have the right to live with their parent(s), unless it is bad for them. They have the right to live with a family who cares for them.
Article 10: If children live in a different country than their parents do, they have the right to be together in the same place.
Article 11: Children have the right to be protected from being taken out of their country illegally.
Article 12: Children have the right to give their opinions and for adults to listen and take them seriously.
Article 13: Children have the right to share what they think with others by talking, drawing, writing or in any other way unless it harms other people.
Article 14: Children have the right to choose their own religion and beliefs. Parents should guide their children in the development of their beliefs.
Article 15: Children have the right to choose their own friends and join or set up groups, as long as it isn’t harmful to others.
Article 16: Children have the right to privacy.
Article 17: Children have the right to get information from radio, newspaper, books, computers and other sources that is important to their wellbeing. Adults should make sure that the information they are getting is not harmful and help them find and understand the information they need.
Article 18: Children have the right to be raised by their parent(s) if possible.
Article 19: Children have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, in body or mind.
Article 20: Children have the right to special care and help if they cannot live with their parents.
Article 21: Children have the right to care and protection if they are adopted or in foster care.
Article 22: Children have the right to special protection and help if they are refugees (if they have been forced to leave their home and live in another country), as well as all the rights in this Convention.
Article 23: Children have the right to special education and care if they have a disability, as well as all the rights in this Convention, so that they can live a full life.
Article 24: Children have the right to the best health care possible, safe water to drink, nutritious food, a clean and safe environment and information to help them stay well.
Article 25: If children live in foster care or in other situations away from home, they have the right to have these living arrangements looked at regularly to see if they are the most appropriate.
Article 26: Children have the right to help from the government if they are poor or in need.
Article 27: Children have the right to food, clothing, a safe place to live, and to have their basic needs met.
Article 28: Children have the right to a good quality education. Children should be encouraged to go to school to the highest level they can.
Article 29: Children’s education should help them use and develop their talents and abilities. It should also help them learn to live peacefully, protect the environment and respect other people.
Article 30: Children have the right to practice their own culture, language and religion. Minority and indigenous groups need special protection of this right.
Article 31: Children have the right to play and rest.
Article 32: Children have the right to protection from work that harms them and is bad for their health and education. If they work, they have the right to be safe and paid fairly.
Article 33: Children have the right to protection from harmful drugs and from the drug trade.
Article 34: Children have the right to be free from sexual abuse and exploitation.
Article 35: No one is allowed to kidnap or sell children.
Article 36: Children have the right to protection from any kind of exploitation (being taken advantage of).
Article 37: No one is allowed to punish children in a cruel or harmful way.
Article 38: Children who are affected by armed conflict must be protected and cared for. Children under 15 cannot be forced to go into the army or take part in war.
Article 39: Children have the right to special help to recover if they have been exploited, neglected or abused.
Article 40: Children have the right to legal help and fair treatment in a justice system that respects their rights.
Article 41: If the laws of their country provide better protection of their rights than the articles in this Convention, those laws should apply.
Article 42: Children have the right to know their rights. Adults should know about these rights and help them learn about them, too.
Articles 43 to 54: These articles explain how governments and international organizations will work to ensure that children’s rights are protected.