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Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) 35th Anniversary

The text used on this page for the articles of the Convention come from UNICEF's children's version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

UNICEF icon for CRC Article 3

Preamble

The Preamble of the Convention on the Rights of the Child explains why the treaty is needed and what it aims to achieve. It says, in part, 

"Recognizing that the child, for the full and harmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,

"Considering that the child should be fully prepared to live an individual life in society, and brought up in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality and solidarity..."

Article 1 : Definition of a child

Article 2 : No discrimination

Article 3 : Best interests of the child

Article 4 : Making rights real

Article 5 : Family guidance as children develop

Article 7 : Name and nationality

Article 8 : Identity

Article 9 : Keeping families together

Article 10 : Contact with parents across countries

Article 11 : Protection from kidnapping

Article 12 : Respect for children's views

Article 13 : Sharing thoughts freely

Article 14 : Freedom of thought and religion

Article 15 : Setting up or joining groups

Article 16 : Protection of privacy

Article 17 : Access to information

Article 18 : Responsibility of parents

Article 19 : Protection from violence

Article 20 : Children without families

Article 21 : Children who are adopted

Article 22 : Refugee children

Article 23 : Children with disabilities

Article 24 : Health, water, food, environment

Article 25 : Review of a child's placement

Article 26 : Social and economic help

Article 27 : Food, clothing, a safe home

Article 28 : Access to education

Article 29 : Aims of education

Article 30 : Minority culture, language and religion

Article 31 : Rest, play, culture, arts

Article 32 : Protection from harmful work

Article 33 : Protection from harmful drugs

Article 34 : Protection from sexual abuse

Article 35 : Prevention of sale and trafficking

Article 36 : Protection from exploitation

Article 37 : Children in detention

Article 38 : Protection in war

Article 39 : Recovery and reintegration

Article 40 : Children who break the law

Article 41 : Best law for children applies

Article 42 : Everyone must know children's rights

Articles 43-54 : How the Convention works