Children’s human rights


Human rights are a list of things that all people – including children and young people – need in order to live a safe, healthy and happy life.

You have them no matter where you are from, how old you are, what you believe, or how you choose to live your life.

Governments cannot pick or choose which rights to honour. Your rights can’t be taken away from you.

And adults must respect and protect your human rights when they plan services, make policies and make decisions.

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Many of your human rights are set out in a law called the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, or UNCRC. It exists especially for everyone who is under 18.

But there are many other laws that set out rights that everyone has. These laws apply to children and young people, as well as to everybody else.

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