Novita

Me and my rights

 

Yes, children have rights and duties.

 

United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Children in 1989, with which children's rights are protected. It Protects children against abuse and exploitation . In many parts of the world, children don't live in the same conditions than in Slovenia. Children are living in severe poverty, lack of food, water, no medical facilities , no schools, without parents or relatives. Living in a war zone, are daily victims of violence, a lot of girls is sexually abused and the boys are forced into war.

 

Also, in Slovenia, some rights of children are violated. Therefore, it is important that we are all familiar with the rights of the children and that we do our best to achieve them .

 

Only if we know the rights we can see the violation and warn about it. Rights are very important for every individual.

 

For better understanding below you can find the rights of children under the Convention, so that you can check them at any time look, understand, and be aware of them.

• The rights of this Convention have everyone under the age of 18 years ( = child ).

• All the children have rights, no matter what race they belong to, what sex they are, what language they speak, what is their religion, abilities, beliefs, wealth or background.

• Adults should always act in the interests of the child. When deciding they should consider how their decisions affect the children.

• Countries should ensure that the right of this Convention are respected.

• Countries must work together with parents and others responsible for the child, to ensure that children learn to exercise their rights.

• Children have a right to live.

• Children have the right to a name and nationality. They have the right (if possible) to know their parents, who need to take care of them.

• Countries should respect children's right to their own identity - even to a name, nationality and family ties.

• Children should not be separated from their parents unless it is good for them (because the parents of the children are not behaving well). If the parents live apart , the child has a right to be in contact with both of them, where this is not contrary to the interests of the child.

• If the child and the parents do not live in the same country they have the right to family reunification in one country.

• Children have the right to protection from abduction.

• Children have the right to express their views on the things that concern them . This opinion must be respected by adults.

• Children have the right to receive and share information  (talking, drawing, writing, etc.), as long as this information are not harmful to them or to others.

• Children have a right to any religion and to have any belief . Parents need to help them in learning what is right and wrong and what is best for the child.

• Children have the right to socialize, to choose friends, and that they are members of the group if it does not infringe the rights of others.

• Children have a right to privacy.

• Children should have access to information, especially those that affect their well-being and health. Adults should make sure that this information is not harmful to children , and that they are properly understood.

• Both parents have common responsibilities for the upbringing of the child. Countries need to help the parents that their children enjoy the rights provided for in this Convention.

• Children must be protected from all forms of violence. Adults should ensure that children are protected from abuse, violence and neglect.

• Children who are unable to live with their parents have the right to special assistance and protection.

• Countries should ensure that adopted children are protected and enjoy equal rights.

• Children who are refugees have the right to special assistance and protection.

• mentally or physically handicapped children are entitled to special care and education that enables them to fully enjoy life.

• Children have a right to the best health care available, clean water, good quality food, a clean environment and education - all of which ensures that they remain healthy.

• Countries should regularly monitor the conditions in which children live under their care.

• Countries need to help children of families in need.

• Children have the right to live in a way so that they can fully develop (physical, mentally, spiritually, socially) . The state must help families of children who can not afford to offer them.

• Children have the right to quality education. The Member States should promote education. Elementary schools should be compulsory and free of charge and further education has to be as accessible as possible.

• Education of children should provide the development of their capabilities and the strengthening of respect for human rights.

• If the child is a member of a minority he/she has the right to express their culture and religion, and to communicate in their own language.

• Children have the right to play, rest and leisure.

• Children have the right to protection from work that would injure them (it is dangerous, harmful to the health and education of the child). If children do work they have to be at work safely and fairly paid.

• Children have a right to be protected from the illegal use of drugs and involvement in their production and resale.

• Children have the right to protection from sexual abuse.

• An abduction of children and their sale and trafficking are inadmissible.

• Children have a right to be protected against any form of exploitation.

• The child should not be punished in a cruel or degrading manner.

• Children have a right to be protected against the war. Children under 15 years may not be directly involved in the fighting or be called up into the army.

• wounded, injured or neglected children are entitled to special assistance.

• Children accused of breaking the law, have the right to legal assistance and fair treatment before the law and respect for their rights.

• If the laws of the State provide children better protection of their rights as this Convention it has to be respected.

• Countries should ensure that children and adults are aware of the rights provided for them in this Convention (UNICEF).

 

Did you have the feeling that these rights are obvious in Slovenia when reading? For most children it is, but there is a large number of children who are not so lucky to live in a peaceful, playful and mostly carefree childhood. This has led to this document - the Convention that protects the interests of children.