The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a legally-binding international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities.

The agreement contains 54 articles which highlight the children’s rights and provide a guideline for the governments to work by it.

By the conditions of the agreement – governments are required to abide by it by meeting the needs of the children and help them reach their full potential.

The rights of the children include – 

• Life, survival and development 
• Protection from violence, abuse and neglect
• An education that enables children to fulfil their potential
• Be raised by, or have a relationship with, their parents
• Express their opinions and be listened to

A third optional protocol was added in 2011. This enables children whose rights have been violated to complain directly to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.

All countries that sign up to the UNCRC are bound by international law to ensure it is implemented. This is monitored by the Committee on the Rights of the Child

The UNCRC is also the only international human rights treaty to give non-governmental organisations (NGOs), like Save the Children, a direct role in overseeing its implementation, under Article 45a.

Bibliography: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/