20 Examples of Children’s Rights

The Children’s Rights are legal norms that protect all persons under 18 years of age. When talking about these rights, in general, reference is made to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international treaty signed by the United Nations Organization in 1989. Through this signature, it is established that all children enjoy the same rights than adults, while establishing a series of special rights for them. For example: right to play and rest, right to the love of a family.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child has 54 articles and seeks to protect infants against all forms of exploitation. It is the result of a long process of seeking consensus on issues such as mistreatment, labor and child slavery.

Children’s rights throughout history

The Geneva Declaration on the Rights of the Child of 1924 was approved by a few countries and was the first precedent in this matter.

Although it did not achieve the condition of global and binding (which is essential in these cases), it meant a valuable starting point. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, after the Second World War, also collaborated, since it concluded that it was necessary to create a list of special rights for minors.

Thus, in 1959 the first signing of a treaty on the Rights of the Child was made and in 1989 the Convention on the Rights of the Child arrived, which is in force today. The signatory countries must be responsible for having effective mechanisms to ensure compliance and the punishment of those who violate it.

Examples of children’s rights

1. Right to play and rest.
2. Right to the protection of your private life.
3. Right to have an opinion and be taken into account.
4. Right to receive health.
5. Right to receive immediate help in case of emergencies.
6. Right to receive education.
7. Right to the love of a family.
8. Right to be protected from sexual abuse.
9. Right to freedom of worship.
10. Right to a name and a nationality.
11. Right to know your identity and origin.
12. Right not to be conscripted in times of war.
13. Right to be protected from drug trafficking.
14. Right to be protected from ill-treatment.
15. Right to special protection in the case of being a refugee.
16. Right to enjoy guarantees against justice.
17. Right not to be discriminated against in any field.
18. Right to enjoy social security.
19. Right to be protected in case of physical or emotional abandonment.
20. Right to decent housing.