What is the Convention on the Rights of the Child?
Child rights we should all know
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Since the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989, it has become the most widely ratified international human rights treaty in the world, with 196 countries as parties. This historic agreement represents a promise made by world leaders that every child must be protected, cared for, and given the opportunity to grow and reach their full potential equally. Over the years, the Convention has become a vital foundation for advancing child rights around the world, including in Thailand, which ratified the Convention in 1992.
Yet millions of children and young people around the world are still being left behind, denied the basic rights that countries promised to uphold due to many factors, including poverty, violence against children, and inequality. Many children and young people still do not have the opportunity to take part, play a role, or be heard, even on issues that directly affect them. At the same time, they are facing new challenges, from mental health concerns and online safety to the skills they need for the future and the impacts of climate change.
Today, child rights are not only a promise made in the past. They are a mission that all of us must help turn into reality in the lives of every child. UNICEF is committed to helping bring society together to fulfil that promise, and to standing alongside children as they rise with their own potential and help create positive change towards a world for every child.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
A child is every individual below the age of 18 (unless in countries where the law applicable to the child differs) and are entitled to every right stipulated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Thailand acceded to on the 12th February 1992. This means the government is obliged to take action to ensure that every child in the country, regardless of who they are, equally enjoy the rights under the Convention. It is also the duty of the government to report the progress to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
What are Child Rights We Should All Know?
The Convention on the Rights of the Child comprises four main pillars - the right to survival, the right to protection, the right to development and the right to participation. These rights are based on the non-discrimination principle and all actions must be in line with the best interest of children. Let’s have a look into the details of each pillar, shall we?
Every child deserves a healthy start
But the reality is that many children still lack access to the food they need and the basic rights they deserve.
1. The Right to Survival
Since the first moment children are born, they have the right to life. They have the right to a registered name and nationality. They have the right to be cared for and protected by their parents and not be separated from their families. The government needs to safeguard these rights and provide basic services for children to survive and thrive. This includes quality healthcare, age-appropriate nutrition, clean drinking water and a safe place to live as well as access to future opportunities for development.
2. The Right to Protection
Once children are born and survive, they have the right to be protected from all forms of harm including domestic violence. They must be protected from physical violence and psychological intimidation may they be within and outside their families. The right to protection also includes being protected from child labour, tasks that are dangerous or impede their education. Likewise, children must be protected from harmful substances and drugs. Another important aspect is protection from trafficking, smuggling, kidnapping, sexual abuse and all forms of exploitation against children. The government also has the duty to ensure that child victims are rehabilitated and reintegrated into society with dignity.
In terms of the justice process, every child not only has the right to fair treatment but also unique attention to children’s needs meaning every legal procedure needs to take into account the best interest of children.
For children separated from their families, they have the right to be protected and cared for with respect to their ethnic background, language, religion, and culture. In wartime, every child must be protected from war or joining the fighting. When children are refugees, they must have special assistance and protection.
3. The Right to Development
A child today is an adult of tomorrow. Education and development are essential rights. This should begin with the right to access to early childhood development services and access to information from various sources with parents responsible for giving guidance. Meanwhile, children with special needs such as children with disabilities must have equal rights to development and education that enable them to realize their potential and meaningfully participate in society. The right to development also includes the opportunity to further specialized skills and physical and mental abilities that open ways for them to a brighter future and realize their dream.
4. The Right to Participation
Children are members of society. They may be small in size but they fully have the right to freely express their thoughts, views and opinions, and participate in society particularly in the areas affecting them. Their voices must be seriously taken into account in line with their age and maturity.
Every child and youth has unfathomable potentials. While the government has to facilitate and support the participation of children and youth, everyone also needs to take action to support children and youth to participate and exercise their agency as they are also the main driving force in bringing about positive change to society.
Because we value…the voice of the child
Not every child can enjoy their rights. When this happens, what can we, as adults, do to help?
In Thailand, there are still too many children being left behind and deprived of their basic rights. More than 13 per cent of children under five are stunted. One in four children aged 3 to 5 does not attend an early childhood development programme. At least 15 per cent of lower secondary school-age children are not in school. Around half of children aged 1 to 14 have experienced violent discipline in some form, whether physical punishment or psychological aggression. Many adolescents and young people still do not have access to essential information on health and skills development, and are not given enough support to participate and express their views.
As adults, we all have an important role to play in respecting, protecting and supporting the rights of every child and young people. These rights are a key foundation for nurturing their potential and opening doors of opportunity in their lives. When children and young people receive the support they need, they are able to participate, express their views, and play a meaningful role in matters affecting their lives, their communities, society and the country.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an important agreement by countries who have promised to protect children’s rights.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child explains who children are, all their rights, and the responsibilities of governments. All the rights are connected, they are all equally important and they cannot be taken away from children.
Be part of the effort to build a little big world fit for every child. Download the Child-Friendly Convention on the Rights of the Child and help spread the word today.
How would you like to help?
Every contribution supports a different right — pick the cause closest to your heart.
Health and survival
We provide medical care, vaccines and life-saving nutrition so that children can survive and thrive in the toughest moments.
Safe water and sanitation
We bring clean drinking water and safe sanitation to families, protecting children from disease.
Education
We keep children learning - in classrooms, communities, and even during crises.
Protection
We work with families, communities and authorities in the ground to protect children from violence, exploitation, and harm, and help them grow up safe.