GACR Toolkit #1

What Are Children’s International Human Rights?

You may be asking what that means, and I’m here to explain! Let's break this down, though—international means around the world, or global, so all of Earth. When you combine this with human rights, it means to ensure a protected quality of life. These help people around the world go to work, get an education, have healthcare, and so much more! Children’s International Human Rights are the basic rights every child in the world is entitled to, simply because they are human! These rights are protected under international agreements and apply to anyone under 18, no matter nationality, gender, race, background, or ability. 

How Were These Rights Were Founded?

In 1989, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which is a definitive outline of all of the rights that a child should have. It is one of the most highly accepted agreements worldwide. 

The Categories of Children’s International Human Rights:

  1. Right to Survival

Children have the right to life, food, healthcare, water, and shelter.

2. Right to Development

Children have the right to education, rest, play, and to access information.

3. Right to Protection

Children must be protected from exploitation, abuse, neglect, trafficking, and discrimination.

4. Right to Participation

Children have the right to express their opinions and have those opinions considered in matters that affect them.

Why This Matters:

Children’s rights matter because children are often the most vulnerable members of society. Protecting their rights ensures that they can grow, learn, and participate fully in their communities. When children’s rights are violated, it affects their futures and society as a whole.



Key Terms:

Human Rights

Basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, simply because they are human.

Convention

A formal agreement between countries. When a country agrees to a convention, it promises to follow its rules.

Discrimination

The unjust treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, age, gender, or ability.

Vulnerable

Susceptible (likely) to physical or emotional attack or harm.