UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
in easy to understand language

Article 1
Everyone under 18 years of age has all the rights in this Convention.

Article 2
The Convention applies to all children and young people no matter what their race or religion, what they think or say, or what type of family they come from.

Article 3
All organisations to do with children and young people should try to do what is best for each child or young person.

Article 4
Governments should work hard to make all these rights available to children and young people.

Article 5
Governments should respect the rights and responsibilities of families to direct and guide their children so that as the children grow, they learn to use their rights properly.

Article 6
All children and young people have the right to life, governments should ensure that children survive and develop healthily.

Article 7
All children have the right to a name that is legally registered, the right to a nationality and the right to know and be cared for by their parents as far as this is possible.

Article 8
Governments should respect the rights of children and young people to a name and family ties.

Article 9
Children should not be separated from their parents unless this is for their own good. Children whose parents have separated have the right to stay in contact with both parents, unless this might harm the child.

Article 10
Families who live in different countries have the right to stay in contact and get together as a family.