UNICEF uses the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as a framework for its work for all the world’s children.

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What is the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?

The UNCRC was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 1989. The Convention has been ratified by 191 out of 193 countries, territories and states, making it a truly global bill of rights. The UK ratified the UNCRC on 16 December 1991. On ratification, a country becomes a State Party to the Convention, obliged to review its national law to ensure full compliance with the articles of the Convention. Compliance is monitored by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, based in Geneva. State Parties must submit a national report two years after ratification and thereafter every five years.

What are the key principles and provisions of the CRC?

The Convention consists of 54 articles. A “child” is defined as every human being below the age of 18. The key provisions of the Convention are that:

• All rights apply to all children without exception or discrimination of any kind (article 2).
• That the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children (article 3).
• That States have an obligation to ensure that as much as possible every child’s survival and development (article 6).
• Children’s views must be taken into account in all matters affecting them (article 12).

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• Quick summary of articles in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
  
• Frequently asked Questions about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
  
• Why teach about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child?
  
• Download a child-friendly leaflet of the articles of the Convention