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The Convention is a document that sets out the rights of all children. The Convention applies to children under age 18.
192 countries, including New Zealand, have signed the convention and agreed to ensure children's rights are upheld. New Zealand has to report to the UN on a regular basis to ensure they uphold ALL children and young people's rights in NZ. The Government's latest report was released last year.
All organisations concerned with a child's welfare and needs should work towards what is best for the child.
The work of ACYA and other interested people is to make the Convention known, and to make sure the children and young people of New Zealand are cared for.
Rights of the Child
Children and young people (all human beings under the age of 18) have the same basic general human rights as adults. Children also have specific human rights that recognise their special need for protection. Children’s rights fall into three categories:
- Provision rights include the right to an adequate standard of living, free education, adequate health resources, and legal and social services.
- Protection rights include protection from abuse and neglect, bullying and discrimination, and the right to safety within the justice system.
- Participation rights include the right to freedom of expression and the right to participate in public life.
What does protection from discrimination and abuse mean?
- Protection from discrimination, torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, exploitation, abuse, abduction, illegal arrest, etc
What does participation in society mean?
- The child has a right to have a say in matters affecting himself or herself.
- All children have the right to a name, culture, nationality.
There are many rights that a child has including:
- Right to life
- Right to remain with parents (unless it is not safe)
- Rights of both parents to be recognised
- Rights when adopted
- Right to be treated fairly and with respect
- Right to not be hit by other people
- Right to standard of living.
- Rights to an education
- Rights of access to information about one self, freedom of speech, religion.
- Rights to shelter, health, medical services, prevention of illnesses
- Rights of mentally & physically disabled child.
- Refugee and protection from war
- The right to reviews while in care of state.
- Rights when in contact with the justice system
- Freedom of association, right to privacy, access to media.
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