Parents And The United Nations Convention On The Rights Of A Child

Please note this write up is about parents and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child treaty. There is a write up on the actual United Nations Convention on the rights of a Child treaty elsewhere on this website. Please click the link below to read this write up before you read this webpage about parents and the treaty. 

LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF A CHILD (UNCRC). 

ACCORDING TO THE UNITED NATIONS WHAT IS THE ROLE OF PARENTS IN THE UNCRC?

Parents, families, and carers are central to making sure the 54 articles of the UNCRC are implemented to ensure a child grows up safe, happy and healthy. The United Nations encourages world governments to provide as much support as possible to parents and families to achieve this. 

The United Nations believes parents are the main defenders of children’s rights. They also believe that the best interests of the child are served when their parents are supported. Governments are encouraged to spend funds on family support and child protection. 

OF THE 54 ARTICLES OF THE UNCRC, WHICH ARE RELEVANT TO PARENTS?

ARTICLE 5 – The state (government) must respect the rights and responsibilities of parents to guide their children in exercising their rights in a way that is consistent with a child’s developing capacities. 

ARTICLE 7 – Every child….has a right….to be cared for by their parents.

ARTICLE 9 – No child should be separated from their parents against their will unless it is in the child’s best interest. Children’s parents who have separated have the right to contact and a relationship with both parents, unless it is not in the child’s interests.

ARTICLE 10 – Where a separated child or their mother or father wishes to move to another country to be reunified as a family, the states involved (governments) should respond quickly and sympathetically. Children whose parents are separated and living in different countries have the right to maintain a personal relationship and direct contact with both parents. 

ARTICLE 11 – States (governments) shall take steps to stop children being illegally taken abroad by their parents/relatives or from being prevented from returning to their country. 

ARTICLE 14 – The state (government) should respect the rights and responsibilities of parents to provide direction to their child that is appropriate for his or her development. 

ARTICLE 18 – The state (government) should recognise that both parents have responsibility for a child’s upbringing and development, and the best interests of the child should be their primary concern. States (governments) should assist parents in this through support for care services.

ARTICLE 19 – The state (government) must do all it can to protect children from violence, abuse, neglect, bad treatment or exploitation by their parents or anyone else who looks after them. 

ARTICLE 20 – If a child cannot be looked after by their parents, the state (government) has a responsibility to provide alternative care. 

ARTICLE 22 – Children who have refugee status…governments…..must help children who are separated from their parents to be reunited with their family.

ARTICLE 27 – Parents are responsible for providing a decent standard of living to enable a child to grow and develop. 

ARTICLE 29 – Education should…..develop a child’s respect…..for their parents.