UNCRC Articles Archive

An adult pulling a child in a direction indicated by an arrow, with a red line drawn over the illustration to cross it out.

Article 11

I have the right not to be taken out of the country illegally

Article 11 of the UNCRC says children and young people shouldn’t be taken from their home country against their will.

I have the right to be listened to and taken seriously

Article 12 says children and young people have the human right to have opinions and for these opinions to be heard and taken seriously.

I have the right to find out and share information

Article 13 is about the right to freedom of expression, which children and young people have like everyone else.

I have the right to have my own thoughts and beliefs and to choose my religion with my parents’ guidance

Article 14 is about freedom of thought, freedom of conscience and a child’s rights around religion.

I have the right to meet with friends and to join groups

Article 15 of the UNCRC makes it clear that – like all people in the world – children and young people have the human right to freedom of association.

I have the right to keep some things private

Article 16 of the UNCRC makes it clear that children and young people have the right to privacy, just like adults do.

I have the right to get information in lots of ways, so long as it’s safe

Article 17 of the UNCRC says children and young people should be able to access information, particularly from the media. They should be able to get information from many places— from their country and beyond.

I have the right to be brought up by both parents if possible

Article 18 of the UNCRC says that a child or young person’s parents will normally have the main responsibility for bringing them up.

I have the right to be protected from being hurt or badly treated

Article 19 of the UNCRC makes it clear that children and young people have the right to be protected from violence, just like everybody else.

I have the right to special protection and help if I can’t live with my own family

Article 20 of the UNCRC says that children and young people have the right to special protection and help if they can’t live with their family.