UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

The United Nations, also known by the abbreviation UN or United Nations Organization, has adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This aims to highlight and respect the rights of children and young people and improve their living conditions.

Children and young people should be taken seriously in accordance with their needs, regardless of their chronological age. To this end, there are guiding principles on which children's rights are based. Even though these guiding principles were developed for children up to the age of majority, it is important not to make them dependent on any age limit. This means that young adults should also act in accordance with these principles after their 18th birthday. After all, every young person should have the same opportunity for care, protection and self-determination.

The four guiding principles of the Convention

  1. Children have the right to equal treatment.
    No child should be disadvantaged: Children must be treated equally regardless of sex, origin, nationality, language, religion or color, disability or political opinion.
  2. The best interests of the child shall prevail.
    The best interests of the child must be the primary consideration in every decision.
  3. Child development opportunities shall be promoted.
    Every country has a responsibility to ensure the right to life and survival, development and fulfillment of a child's capacities.The opinion and will of the child must be respected.
    Children have the right to be involved and have a say in decisions and matters that affect them.

Children's rights are based on these guiding principles, which can be divided into the areas of protection, development and promotion, and participation. For example, children have the

  • right to health
  • right to parental care
  • right to an upbringing free from violence
  • right to education
  • right to equality
  • right to protection in war and flight
  • right to protection from all forms of exploitation
  • right to freedom of expression and participation
  • right to play and leisure
  • right to special care and support in case of disability

These 10 important children's rights are explained in more detail under the following link:

UNICEF Children's Rights

Further information on children's rights can be found in the following brochure:

The rights of children and young people

A summary of the rights can be found under the following link:

Summary of children's rights

Further helpful links on children's rights can be found here:

Last updated: June 26, 2025