United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

Human rights are guarantees that protect individuals and groups from actions that affect their freedom and human dignity. Human rights are things that you are entitled to by simply being a person. They are:

• Universal: the same for everyone 
• Indivisible: equally important
• Inalienable: all humans have them and they cannot be taken away

In 1991 the United Kingdom formally agreed to ensure that every child in the UK has all the rights listed in the convention. The Welsh Government adopted the Convention as the basis for policy making for children and young people in Wales in 2004.

There are 54 articles in the Convention. Articles 43-45 are about how adults and governments should work together to make sure all children are entitled to their rights. Articles 1-42 set out how children should be treated.

Every 4-5 years the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child examines progress made by the UK State Party towards implementing the Articles of the UNCRC and so protecting children and young people’s human rights.

The last review of progress by the UK State Party (i.e. the Governments of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and overseas territories) took place in 2008.

Visit the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) website for more information.