UNICEF uses the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a framework for all its work. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is a comprehensive human rights treaty that enshrines specific children’s rights in international law. These rights define universal principles and standards for the status and treatment of children worldwide.

History of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on 20 November 1989. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by 191 out of 193 countries, territories and states, making it a global bill of rights. The UK ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on 16 December 1991 and is obliged to review its national law to ensure full compliance with the Convention articles. The Committee on the Rights of the Child, based in Geneva, monitors compliance.

Key principles and provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child consists of 54 articles. A ‘child’ is defined as every human being below the age of 18. The key provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are:

• The right to a childhood (including protection from harm)
• The right to be educated (including all girls and boys completing primary school)
• The right to be healthy (including having clean water, nutritious food and medical care)
• The right to be treated fairly (which includes changing laws and practices that discriminate against children)
• The right to be heard (which includes considering children's views)

Find out more about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

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• Download a leaflet of a summary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Download a copy of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child