Child Rights

Child rights are the rights that are afforded to children under international and national laws. These rights are based on the recognition that children, like adults, have inherent dignity and value, and that they have the right to be protected from harm and to have their best interests taken into account. The rights of children are outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989 and has been ratified by all but two UN member states. The Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out a number of rights that are applicable to all children, including the right to life, the right to education, the right to health care, and the right to be protected from abuse and exploitation. Governments and organizations around the world are working to promote and protect the rights of children.