Convention on the Rights of the Child
Every child has the right to survive, learn, play, be heard and be safe
For every child, every right
Every child has the right to survive, learn, play, be heard and be safe. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) turns that promise into international law.
Before the CRC, children were often seen as people who simply receive help. The Convention changed that. It says children are people with their own rights, and that childhood is a time when they need special care and protection.
In 2026, Lao PDR marks 35 years since it ratified the Convention. This is a good moment to ask what these rights mean for children in Lao PDR, and what each of us can do.
What is the Convention?
The CRC is the first global set of legally binding rights that apply to all children. It is also the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history.
- Adopted: by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1989. The date is now celebrated every year as World Children's Day.
- In force: since 2 September 1990.
- Who it covers: everyone under 18, whatever their gender, origin, religion or ability.
- What it contains: 54 articles that set minimum standards for a child's well-being at every stage of development.
- Who has joined: 196 countries. The United States is the only country that has not ratified it (UNICEF FAQ).
- Lao PDR: ratified the Convention in 1991.
The Convention is backed by three Optional Protocols. They add stronger protection on children in armed conflict, the sale of children and child sexual exploitation, and a way for children to bring complaints to the UN.
Four principles guide every right
Four principles run through the whole Convention. They apply to every child, everywhere.
- No discrimination (Article 2). Every child has the same rights, whatever their race, colour, sex, language, religion, opinion, or their parents' background.
- Best interests of the child (Article 3). In every decision about children, what is best for the child comes first.
- Life, survival and development (Article 6). Every child has the right to life, and governments must do all they can to help children grow to their full potential.
- Respect for children's views (Article 12). Children have the right to say what they think in matters that affect them, and to be taken seriously.
The rights in the Convention
The articles fall into four groups. Articles 41 to 54 explain how governments and adults must work together so that every child gets all of their rights.
| Group | Key articles | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Survive and grow | 6, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31 | Health care, a good standard of living, social security, free primary education, and time to rest and play |
| Be protected | 19, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 | Safety from violence, child labour, drugs, sexual abuse, trafficking, cruel treatment and war, plus help to recover and a fair, child-friendly justice system |
| Be heard | 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 | Say what you think, get information, and choose your beliefs and friends |
| Belong | 7, 8, 9, 20, 23, 30 | A name and nationality from birth, a family, care for children with disabilities, and the right to your own culture, religion and language |
The Convention in Lao PDR
Lao PDR ratified the Convention in 1991. Government staff and volunteers who work with children and families are expected to promote and protect child rights in every part of their work.
In 2019, for the 30th anniversary, the Government hosted a national celebration. Many partners took part, and together they made formal commitments to promote and protect children's rights.
What you can do
Rights only matter when people act on them. Everyone has a part to play.
- Learn the rights. Read the Convention, or share the child-friendly version with children you know.
- Listen to children. Ask what they think and take their answers seriously.
- Speak up. Challenge violence, discrimination and harmful practices when you see them.
- Make it part of your work. If you work with or for children, use the Convention to guide your decisions.
- Share it. Tell others why children's rights matter to you.
