What are children's rights?

Human rights are children's rights too.

International human rights instruments recognise that children as well as adults have basic human rights. Children also have the right to special protection because of their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse.

Convention on the Rights of the Child (the CRC), adopted by the UN General Assembly in November 1989, sets out the specific ways these rights should be ensured for children and young people.

The CRC incorporates the whole spectrum of human rights - civil, political, economic, social and cultural. It sets out the specific ways these rights should be ensured for children and young people. The CRC recognises that the degree to which children can exercise these rights independently is influenced by their evolving maturity. It also emphasises the rights and responsibilities of parents where applicable.

Some of the core principles in the CRC are:

*  the right to survival and development;
* respect for the best interests of the child as a primary consideration;
*  the right of all children to express their views freely on all matters affecting them; and
*  the right of all children to enjoy all the rights of the CRC without discrimination of any kind.
* Australia ratified the CRC in December 1990, but it yet to be incorporated into Australian law.

Nevertheless, the Australian Human Rights Commission has the role of monitoring Australia’s compliance with the CRC.  

Click to read more about Children’s Rights in Australia.