Some basic principles from CROC

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

Australia has ratified United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Convention provides a legal and policy reference for both government policy makers and those working with young people.

Some relevant Articles to consider:

Article 3

In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

Article 12

The child has the right to express his or her opinion freely and to have that opinion taken into account in any matter or procedure affecting the child.

Article 13

The child has the right to express his or her views, obtain information, make ideas or information known, regardless of frontiers.

The full text of the Convention is available through the web-site of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission at: www.hreoc.gov.au/human_rights/ or from the UNICEF web-site www.unicef.org/crc