UNCRC Lets Get it Right

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child is an international agreement that protects the human rights of children under the age of 18. The UNCRC was ratified by the UN General Assembly in 1989 and on the 16th December 1991, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland formally agreed to make sure that every child in the UK has all the rights as listed in the convention. The Welsh Assembly Government has shown its commitment to the convention by adopting it as the basis for policy making for children and young people in Wales in 2004.

So what are Human Rights?
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

UNCRC Articles and what’s next
Altogether there are 54 articles in the Convention. Articles 43-54 are about how adults and governments should work together to make sure all children are entitled to their rights. Articles 1-42 which set out how children should be treated. To view all 54 articles please click on the links below:

Children & Young people Friendly version (pdf)

Full Version
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm

Every 4-5 years the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child examines progress made by the UK State Party towards implementing the 54 Articles of the UN Convention on Rights of the Child and thereby 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 and information was presented by the UK State Party and other organisations that have an interest in Children’s Rights in 2007.

To see a copy of the UNCRC Action Plan for Wales 'Getting it Right' please click here. The Welsh Assembly are also working with the rest of the UK State Party on joint areas of priority including addressing low levels of know and awareness of the UNCRC across Wales.

The Welsh Assembly Government believe that working in partnership is the most effective approach to realising the desired outcome of securing the wellbeing of every child and young person in Wales and across the UK and supporting them to realise their rights and achieve their full potential.