The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is an international human rights treaty that sets out the basic rights of children and the obligations of governments to fulfil those rights.
This groundbreaking treaty was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 and was shortly signed by almost every country in the world including Australia. It’s the most widely accepted human rights treaty in history.
The CRC is the foundation of UNICEF’s work. UNICEF's mission is to make sure that the rights of children all over the world are protected and that people under the age of 18 are given special care and protection. We draw attention to the duties of governments, families, communities and individuals to respect those rights and support them in doing so.
Key principles of the CRC
The CRC consists of 54 articles and is guided by four fundamental principles:.
- Non-discrimination. Children should neither benefit nor suffer because of their race, colour, gender, language, religion, national, social or ethnic origin, or because of any political or other opinion; because of their caste, property or birth status; or because they are disabled.
- The best interests of the child. Laws and actions affecting children should put their best interests first and benefit them in the best possible way.
- Survival, development and protection. The authorities in each country must protect children and help ensure their full development — physically, spiritually, morally and socially.
- Participation. Children have a right to have their say in decisions that affect them and to have their opinions taken into account.
Australia's commitment to the CRC
Australia ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990. Every 5 years the Australian Government reports to the UN about how it is meeting our obligations to protect child rights in Australia. Organisations who advocate for the protection of child rights in Australia also have the opportunity to submit an independent report during this process. UNICEF Australia, in partnership with NCYLC and other NGOs, is writing a report to be presented to the United Nations in 2011 on how Australia is meeting its obligations under the CRC. Read more.
Everybody is responsible for protecting children’s rights – including children.
Everybody has rights. This means that everybody, including children, also has the responsibility of respecting the rights of others. Here are some suggestions of the responsibilities that could accompany the rights of the CRC.
- If every child has rights, then they also have a responsibility to respect the rights of others, including other children and their parents.
- If all children have a right to be protected from conflict, cruelty, exploitation and neglect, then they also have the responsibility not to bully or harm other children.
- If all children have the right to a clean environment, then they also have a responsibility to help look after their environment.
- If all children have a right to be educated, then they should learn as much as they are able to and, if possible, share their knowledge with others.
- If all children have a right to a full life, then they should also help ensure that the needy, the disadvantaged and victims of discrimination also enjoy this right.
Download the full version of the CRC.
Download the child-friendly version of the CRC.
For more information about the CRC or to order hard copies of UNICEF Australia's CRC flyer, please contact us on 02 9261 2811.