Information on children’s rights
Children’s rights are not a matter of opinion: they are human rights that pertain specifically to children. It is therefore important that every child and adult knows what they are. This website offers general information about children’s rights, as well as information tailored to specific target groups. Explore the website to learn more about children’s rights!
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees every child the right to protection and participation and the opportunity to live a good and happy life. It is a binding international treaty, which entered into force under Finnish law in 1991. The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child places a duty on the State to ensure that all citizens – both children and adults – are aware of children’s rights. Compliance with the Convention is monitored by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. The State is obliged to report to the Committee regularly on the implementation of children’s rights.
A separate convention on children’s rights seeks to strengthen children’s human rights, because it has been recognised that children require greater protection and support from adults for their rights to be realised. Children’s rights include many of the same rights as the general human rights, as well as rights that are specific to children, such as the right to rest and play.
It is important that every child and adult knows the rights that pertain to children.
Find information about children's rights
On this website you will find:
- The full text of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention in brief
- Information about human rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and how its implementation is monitored
- Information about children’s rights for parents and guardians
- Information about children’s rights for children and young people
- Information about children’s rights for professionals working with children
What should everyone know about children’s rights?
Children’s rights belong to every child
The Convention on the Rights of the Child applies to every person under the age of 18, regardless of nationality, origin, or background. Its core principles—non-discrimination, the best interests of the child, the right to life, survival and development, and respect for the views of the child—are binding on all States Parties.
The implementation of children’s rights is monitored
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. States must report to the Committee on a regular basis. In Finland, the Ombudsman for Children, the Parliamentary Ombudsman and civil society organisations, as well as the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, all submit their own reports.
Children’s rights are not always realised. The implementation of children’s rights is monitored and overseen nationally by several authorities, and children and groups of children also have the right to submit complaints to the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
To ensure that children’s rights are not violated, all adults who work with children and/or make decisions affecting children should understand children’s rights and be able to apply them.