The United Nations Convention on
the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a legally-binding international agreement
setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every
child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities.
All signatories are bound to the
UNCRC by international law, and its implementation is monitored by the
Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Under the terms of the
convention, states are required to meet the basic needs of children and help
them reach their full potential. Central to this is the acknowledgment that
every child has basic fundamental rights.
These include:
The right to life
The right to his or her own name
and identity
The right to be protected from
abuse or exploitation
The right to an education
The right to having their privacy
protected
The right to be raised by, or have a
relationship with, their parents
The right to express their
opinions and have these listened to and
where appropriate, acted upon
The right to play and enjoy culture and art in safety
The right to play and enjoy culture and art in safety