Sourced from poliklinika-djeca.hr
Do you know that you have rights? Do you know that there is a law called the Convention on the Rights of the Child?
Your rights are what you are allowed to do and what the people responsible for you must do to ensure that you are happy, healthy, and safe. Of course, you also have responsibilities toward other children and adults, so that they too can enjoy their rights.
The Convention is an agreement between countries to respect the same law. When a country’s government accepts the Convention, it means that it agrees to respect and follow the law written in that Convention.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on November 20, 1989, and it contains standards that every signatory state must guarantee to every child.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has accepted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. This means that our government must now ensure that every child has all the rights set out in the Convention.
Each article of the Convention explains one of your rights. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is written for lawyers, so even adults sometimes find it difficult to understand. We have decided to choose some of the rights we think are the most important and explain them in simple words.
You have the right to know what your rights are – that’s what article 42. of this Convention says!
This Convention on the Rights of the Child has a total of 54 articles, but most of the other articles talk about how adults and governments should work together to make sure that all children receive the rights that belong to them. You might want to read the entire Convention as well. Talk about the Convention with your friends, parents, and teachers. If you choose to talk to other people about children’s rights, you will also be helping other children. The more people understand that children have rights, the more likely it is that all children will be helped to grow up healthy, safe, and free.
Article 1.
Everyone under the age of 18 has all the rights in this Convention.
Article 2.
You have these rights no matter who you are, who your parents are, the color of your skin, your sex or religion, the language you speak, whether you have a disability, or whether you are rich or poor.
Article 3.
Whenever an adult is involved with you in any way, they must do what is best for you.
Article 6.
Everyone must agree that you have the right to life.
Article 7.
You have the right to have a name, and when you are born, your name, along with your parents’ names and your date of birth, must be recorded. You have the right to a nationality, the right to know who your parents are, and the right to be cared for by them.
Article 9.
You must not be separated from your parents unless it is for your own good—for example, if your parents are hurting you or not taking care of you. Also, if your parents decide to live apart, even though you will live with one of them, you have the right to stay in contact with both.
Article 10.
If you and your parents do not live in the same country, you have the right to join them and live in the same place.
Article 11.
No one should kidnap you, but if it happens, the authorities in your country must do everything they can to find you and bring you back.
Article 12.
Whenever adults make a decision that affects you in any way, you have the right to give your opinion, and adults must take it seriously.
Article 13.
You have the right to learn things and to say, write, or draw what you think, as long as you do not violate someone else’s rights.
Article 14.
You have the right to think whatever you want and to follow any religion you choose. Your parents should help you learn what is right and what is wrong.
Article 15.
You have the right to meet, make friends, and form clubs with other people, as long as you do not violate anyone else’s rights.
Article 16.
You have the right to a private life. For example, this means you can keep a diary that no one else is allowed to read.
Article 17.
You have the right to gather information from the radio, television, newspapers, books, and other sources from all over the world. Adults must make sure you receive information that you can understand.
Article 18.
Your parents should raise you together and do what is best for you.
Article 19.
No one is allowed to hurt you in any way. Adults must make sure you are protected from abuse and neglect. Even your parents must not hurt you.
Article 20.
If you do not have parents, or if it is not safe for you to live with them, you have the right to special protection and help.
Article 21.
If someone adopts you, adults must make sure that everything is done in a way that is best for you.
Article 22.
If you are a refugee (meaning you have to leave your country because it is not safe there), you have the right to special protection and help.
Article 23.
If you have difficulties in your development, whether mental or physical, you have the right to special care and education, which will help you grow up like any other children.
Article 24.
You have the right to good health. This means that when you are sick, you must receive professional care and medicine. Adults must do everything they can to prevent a child from getting sick by feeding and taking care of them.
Article 27.
You have the right to a good enough standard of living. This means your parents must make sure you have enough to eat, clothes to wear, a place to live, and so on. If your parents cannot do this, the government of the country you live in must help you.
Article 28.
You have the right to an education. Primary education must be free, and you must attend primary school. You should also have the opportunity to go to secondary school.
Article 29.
The purpose of your education is to develop your personality, talents, and your mental and physical abilities to the fullest. Education should also prepare you to lead a responsible and peaceful life in a free society, to understand the rights of others, and to respect the environment.
Article 30.
If you belong to a minority, you have the right to preserve your culture, practice your religion, and speak your language.
Article 31.
You have the right to play.
Article 32.
You have the right to be protected from work in places or under conditions that could harm your health or interfere with your education. If someone earns money from your work, they must pay you fairly.
Article 33.
You have the right to be protected from illegal drugs and from work in producing or selling drugs.
Article 34.
You have the right to be protected from sexual abuse. This means that no one should persuade you to do anything with your body or convince you that it is okay. For example, no one should touch you, take pictures of you, or make you say things you do not want to.
Article 35.
No one is allowed to kidnap or sell you.
Article 37.
Even if you do something wrong, no one should punish you in a way that is humiliating or seriously harms you. You should never be put in prison except as a last resort, and if that happens, you have the right to special care and regular visits from your family.
Article 38.
You have the right to protection during war. If you are under fifteen years old, no one can force you to join the army or fight in a war.
Article 39.
If someone has hurt or neglected you in any way, for example during a war, you have the right to special care and support.
Article 40.
If you are accused of committing a crime, you have the right to defend yourself. Police, lawyers, and judges must treat you with respect and make sure you understand everything that is happening.
Article 42.
All adults and children must know about this Convention. You have the right to learn about your rights, and adults should do this too.
