HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION IN THE NORTHEAST ASIAN SCHOOL SYSTEMSAppendix A
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
This plain language version is given only as a guide. For an exact rendering of each principle,
refer students to the original. This version is based in part on the translation of a text, preparedin 1978 for the World Association for the School as an Instrument of Peace, by a ResearchGroup of the University of Geneva under the responsibility of Prof. L. Massarenti.
					Plain language version

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Article 1
When children are born, they are free andeach should be treated in the same way.
They have reason and conscience andshould act towards one another in a friendly
manner.

Article 1
All human beings are born free and equalin dignity and rights. They are endowedwith reason and conscience and should
act towards one another in a spirit ofbrotherhood.

Article 2
Everyone can claim the following rights,
despite- a different sex- a different skin colour- speaking a different language- thinking different things- believing in another religion- owning more or less- being born in another social group- coming from another country.

Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights andfreedoms set forth in this Declaration,
without distinction of any kind, such as race,
colour, sex, language, religion, politicalor other opinion, national or social origin,property, birth or other status. Furthermore,
no distinction shall be made on the basis of
the political, jurisdictional or international
status of the country or territory to which aperson belongs, whether it be independent,
trust, non-self-governing or under any otherlimitation of sovereignty.

It also makes no difference whether thecountry you live in is independent or not.
Article 3
You have the right to live, and to live in
freedom and safety.

Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty andsecurity of person.

Article 4
Nobody has the right to treat you as his or
her slave and you should not make anyone
your slave.

Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude;
slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibitedin all their forms.

Article 5
Nobody has the right to torture you.

Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or tocruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment.

Article 6
You should be legally protected in the sameway everywhere, and like everyone else.

Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition
everywhere as a person before the law.

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Article 7
The law is the same for everyone; it should
be applied in the same way to all.

Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entitledwithout any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal
protection against any discrimination in
violation of this Declaration and against any
incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8
You should be able to ask for legal help
when the rights your country grants you are
not respected.

Article 8
Everyone has the right to an effective remedyby the competent national tribunals for acts
violating the fundamental rights granted
him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9
Nobody has the right to put you in prison,
to keep you there, or to send you away fromyour country unjustly, or without a goodreason.

Article 9
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest,
detention or exile.

Article 10
If you must go on trial this should be done inpublic. The people who try you should not
let themselves be influenced by others.

Article 10
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fairand public hearing by an independent andimpartial tribunal, in the determination of
his rights and obligations and of any criminal
charge against him.

Article 11
You should be considered innocent until it
can be proved that you are guilty. If you areaccused of a crime, you should always havethe right to defend yourself. Nobody has theright to condemn you and punish you forsomething you have not done.

Article 11
1. Everyone charged with a penal offence
has the right to be presumed innocent until
proved guilty according to law in a public
trial at which he has had all the guarantees
necessary for his defence.
2. No one shall be held guilty of any penal
offence on account of any act or omission
which did not constitute a penal offence,
under national or international law, at thetime when it was committed. Nor shall aheavier penalty be imposed than the onethat was applicable at the time the penal
offence was committed.

Article 12
You have the right to ask to be protected
if someone tries to harm your good name,enter your house, open your letters, orbother you or your family without a goodreason.

Article 12
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary
interference with his privacy, family, homeor correspondence, nor to attacks upon hishonour and reputation. Everyone has theright to the protection of the law against
such interference or attacks.

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Article 13
You have the right to come and go as you
wish within your country. You have the rightto leave your country to go to another one;and you should be able to return to yourcountry if you want.

Article 13
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of
movement and residence within the bordersof each State.
2. Everyone has the right to leave any
country, including his own, and to return tohis country.

Article 14
If someone hurts you, you have the right to
go to another country and ask it to protectyou.
You lose this right if you have killed someone
and if you yourself do not respect what is
written here.

Article 14
1. Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy
in other countries asylum from persecution.
2. This right may not be invoked in thecase of prosecutions genuinely arising from
non-political crimes or from acts contrary to
the purposes and principles of the United
Nations.

Article 15
You have the right to belong to a country
and nobody can prevent you, without agood reason, from belonging to anothercountry if you wish.

Article 15
1. Everyone has the right to a nationality.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his
nationality nor denied the right to change
his nationality.

Article 16
As soon as a person is legally entitled, he or
she has the right to marry and have a family.
Neither the colour of your skin, nor thecountry you come from nor your religion
should be impediments to doing this. Men
and women have the same rights when
they are married and also when they areseparated. Nobody should force a person
to marry. The Government of your country
should protect your family and its members.

Article 16
1. Men and women of full age, without any
limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to founda family. They are entitled to equal rights
as to marriage, during marriage and at its
dissolution.
2. Marriage shall be entered into only withthe free and full consent of the intending
spouses.
3. The family is the natural and fundamentalgroup unit of society and is entitled toprotection by society and the State.

Article 17
You have the right to own things andnobody has the right to take these from you
without a good reason.

Article 17
1. Everyone has the right to own property
alone as well as in association with others.
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his
property.

Article 18
You have the right to profess your religion
freely, to change it, and to practise it either
on your own or with other people.

Article 18
Everyone has the right to freedom ofthought, conscience and religion; this rightincludes freedom to change his religion
or belief, and freedom, either alone or incommunity with others and in public or
private, to manifest his religion or belief inteaching, practice, worship and observance.

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Article 19
You have the right to think what you want,
and to say what you like, and nobody should
forbid you from doing so.
You should be able to share your ideas – alsowith people from any other country.

Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinionand expression; this right includes freedom
to hold opinions without interference and toseek receive and impart information and ideas
though any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20
You have the right to organize peacefulmeetings or to take part in meetings in apeaceful way. It is wrong to force someone
to belong to a group.

Article 20
1. Everyone has the right to freedom ofpeaceful assembly and association.
2. No one may be compelled to belong toan association.

Article 21
You have the right to take part in your country’s political affairs either by belonging to
the Government yourself of by choosing
politicians who have the same ideas as you.
Governments should be voted for regularly
and voting should be secret. You should get
a vote and all votes should be equal. You
also have the same right to join the public
service as anyone else.

Article 21
1. Everyone has the right to take part in
the government of his country, directly or
through freely chosen representatives.
2. Everyone has the right of equal access topublic service in his country.
3. The will of the people shall be the basis of
the authority of government; this will shallbe expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal
suffrage and shall be held by secret vote orby equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22
The society in which you live should help
you to develop and to make the most of
all the advantages (culture, work, social
welfare) that are offered to you and to all
the men and women in your country.

Article 22
Everyone, as a member of society, has theright to social security and is entitled torealization, through national effort andinternational co-operation and in accordancewith the organization and resources of eachState, of the economic, social and culturalrights indispensable for his dignity and thefree development of his personality.

Article 23
You have the right to work, to be free tochoose your work, and to get a salary thatallows you to live and support your family.
If a man and a woman do the same work,
they should get the same pay. All people
who work have the right to join together todefend their interests.

Article 23
1. Everyone has the right to work, to freechoice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection
against unemployment.
2. Everyone, without any discrimination, has
the right to equal pay for equal work.
3. Every one who works has the right to justand favourable remuneration ensuring for
himself and his family an existence worthyof human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
4. Everyone has the right to form and tojoin trade unions for the protection of his
interests.

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Article 24
Each work day should not be too long, since
everyone has the right to rest and should be
able to take regular paid holidays.

Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure,including reasonable limitation of working
hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25
You have the right to have whatever you
need so that you and your family: do not
fall ill; do not go hungry; have clothes anda house; and are helped if you are out ofwork, if you are ill, if you are old, if your wifeor husband is dead, or if you do not earn aliving for any other reason you cannot help.
Both a mother who is going to have a baby
and her baby should get special help. All
children have the same rights, whether or
not the mother is married.

Article 25
1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-beingof himself and of his family, including food,clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness,disability, widowhood, old age or other lackof livelihood in circumstances beyond his
control.
2. Motherhood and childhood are entitledto special care and assistance. All children,whether born in or out of wedlock, shallenjoy the same social protection.

Article 26
You have the right to go to school andeveryone should go to school. Primaryschooling should be free. You should be
able to learn a profession or continue yourstudies as far as you wish. At school, you
should be able to develop all your talents
and you should be taught to get on withothers, whatever their race, their religion or
the country they come from. Your parents
have the right to choose how and what you
will be taught at school.

Article 26
1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in
the elementary and fundamental stages.
Elementary education shall be compulsory.
Technical and professional education shallbe made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on
the basis of merit.
2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to
the strengthening of respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote
understanding, tolerance and friendshipamong all nations, racial or religious groups,
and shall further the activities of the United
Nations for the maintenance of peace.
3. Parents have a prior right to choose thekind of education that shall be given to theirchildren.

Article 27
You have the right to share in yourcommunity’s arts and sciences, and in any
good they do. Your works as an artist, awriter or a scientist should be protected, andyou should be able to benefit from them.

Article 27
1. Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community,
to enjoy the arts and to share in scientificadvancement and its benefits.
2. Everyone has the right to the protectionof the moral and material interests resulting
from any scientific, literary or artistic
production of which he is the author.

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Article 28
To make sure that your rights will be
respected, there must be an “order” thatcan protect them. This “order” should be
local and worldwide.

Article 28
Everyone is entitled to a social andinternational order in which the rights andfreedoms set forth in this Declaration can be
fully realized.

Article 29
You have duties towards the community
within which your personality can fully
develop. The law should guarantee humanrights. It should allow everyone to respect
others and to be respected.

Article 29
1. Everyone has duties to the community inwhich alone the free and full developmentof his personality is possible.
2. In the exercise of his rights and freedoms,
everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely forthe purpose of securing due recognition andrespect for the rights and freedoms of others
and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare
in a democratic society.
3. These rights and freedoms may in no casebe exercised contrary to the purposes andprinciples of the United Nations.

Article 30
No society and no human being in any partof the world should act in such a way as todestroy the rights that you have just beenreading about.

Article 30
Nothing in this Declaration may beinterpreted as implying for any State,group or person any right to engage inany activity or to perform any act aimed
at the destruction of any of the rights andfreedoms set forth herein.

The plain language version of the UDHR is a duly permitted reproduction of the text from theannex of the ABC-Teaching Human Rights, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights (Geneva/New York: 2003). This publication is also available at www.ohchr.
org/EN/PublicationsResources/Pages/TrainingEducation.aspx289

HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION IN THE NORTHEAST ASIAN SCHOOL SYSTEMSAppendix B
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 20 November 1989
All children have the same rights. These rights are listed in the UN Convention on the Rights of
the Child. Almost every country has agreed to these rights. All the rights are connected to eachother, and all are equally important. Sometimes, we have to think about rights in terms of whatis the best for children in a situation, and what is critical to life and protection from harm. As
you grow, you have more responsibility to make choices and exercise your rights.
(Note: The articles on the Committee on the Rights of the Child and other matters have notbeen included.)					
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PREAMBLE
United Nations and specific provisions ofcertain relevant human rights treaties andproclamations.

PREAMBLE
The States Parties to the present Convention,

It reaffirms the fact that children, becauseof their vulnerability, need special care andprotection, and it places special emphasison the primary caring and protective responsibility of the family.
It also reaffirms the need for legal and other protection of the child before and after
birth, the importance of respect for the cultural values of the child’s community, andthe vital role of international cooperation insecuring children’s rights.

Considering that, in accordance with theprinciples proclaimed in the Charter of theUnited Nations, recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable
rights of all members of the human familyis the foundation of freedom, justice andpeace in the world,
Bearing in mind that the peoples of theUnited Nations have, in the Charter, reaffirmed their faith in fundamental humanrights and in the dignity and worth of thehuman person, and have determined topromote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Recognizing that the United Nations has, inthe Universal Declaration of Human Rights
and in the International Covenants on
Human Rights, proclaimed and agreed thateveryone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinctionof any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion,
national or social origin, property, birth orother status,
Recalling that, in the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, the United Nations has proclaimed that childhood is entitled to special
care and assistance,

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Convinced that the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its
members and particularly children, shouldbe afforded the necessary protection andassistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community,
Recognizing that the child, for the full andharmonious development of his or her personality, should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love
and understanding,Considering that the child should be fully
prepared to live an individual life in society, and brought up in the spirit of the ideals proclaimed in the Charter of the United
Nations, and in particular in the spirit ofpeace, dignity, tolerance, freedom, equality
and solidarity,
Bearing in mind that the need to extend particular care to the child has been stated in
the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of theChild of 1924 and in the Declaration of theRights of the Child adopted by the United
Nations on 20 November 1959 and recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, in the International Covenant on Civil
and Political Rights (in particular in articles
23 and 24), in the International Covenant
on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights(in particular in article 10) and in the statutes and relevant instruments of specialized
agencies and international organizations
concerned with the welfare of children,
Bearing in mind that, as indicated in the
Declaration of the Rights of the Child, “thechild, by reason of his physical and mental
immaturity, needs special safeguards andcare, including appropriate legal protection,
before as well as after birth”,

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Recalling the provisions of the Declaration
on Social and Legal Principles relating to
the Protection and Welfare of Children, with
Special Reference to Foster Placement and
Adoption Nationally and Internationally; theUnited Nations Standard Minimum Rules
for the Administration of Juvenile Justice(“The Beijing Rules”); and the Declarationon the Protection of Women and Children
in Emergency and Armed Conflict,
Recognizing that, in all countries in theworld, there are children living in exceptionally difficult conditions, and that such children need special consideration,
Taking due account of the importance of the
traditions and cultural values of each people
for the protection and harmonious development of the child,
Recognizing the importance of international
co‑operation for improving the living conditions of children in every country, in particular in the developing countries,
Have agreed as follows:

Article 1
Everyone under 18 has these rights.

Article 1
For the purposes of the present Convention,a child means every human being below theage of 18 years unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier.

Article 2
All children have these rights, no matter who
they are, where they live, what their parents
do, what language they speak, what theirreligion is, whether they are a boy or girl,what their culture is, whether they have adisability, whether they are rich or poor. No
child should be treated unfairly on any basis.

Article 2
1. States Parties shall respect and ensure therights set forth in the present Convention
to each child within their jurisdiction without discrimination of any kind, irrespectiveof the child’s or his or her parent’s or legal
guardian’s race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national,
ethnic or social origin, property, disability,
birth or other status.
2. States Parties shall take all appropriate
measures to ensure that the child is protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities,
expressed opinions, or beliefs of the child’s
parents, legal guardians, or family members.

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Article 3
All adults should do what is best for you.
When adults make decisions, they should
think about how their decisions will affectchildren.

Article 3
1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social
welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, thebest interests of the child shall be a primaryconsideration.
2. States Parties undertake to ensure thechild such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well‑being, taking into
account the rights and duties of his or her
parents, legal guardians, or other individuals legally responsible for him or her, and, tothis end, shall take all appropriate legislative
and administrative measures.
3. States Parties shall ensure that the institutions, services and facilities responsible
for the care or protection of children shallconform with the standards established bycompetent authorities, particularly in theareas of safety, health, in the number andsuitability of their staff, as well as competentsupervision.

Article 4
The government has a responsibility tomake sure your rights are protected. They
must help your family protect your rights
and create an environment where you cangrow and reach your potential.

Article 4
States Parties shall undertake all appropriate
legislative, administrative, and other measures for the implementation of the rights
recognized in the present Convention.
With regard to economic, social and cultural rights, States Parties shall undertakesuch measures to the maximum extent of
their available resources and, where needed, within the framework of international
co-operation.

Article 5Your family has the responsibility to help you
learn to exercise your rights, and to ensurethat your rights are protected.

Article 5
States Parties shall respect the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents or, whereapplicable, the members of the extended
family or community as provided for by local custom, legal guardians or other persons
legally responsible for the child, to provide,in a manner consistent with the evolving
capacities of the child, appropriate direction and guidance in the exercise by thechild of the rights recognized in the present
Convention.

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Article 6
You have the right to be alive.

Article 6
1. States Parties recognize that every childhas the inherent right to life.
2. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child.

Article 7
You have the right to a name, and thisshould be officially recognized by the government. You have the right to a nationality(to belong to a country).

Article 7
1. The child shall be registered immediately
after birth and shall have the right from birth
to a name, the right to acquire a nationality
and, as far as possible, the right to know andbe cared for by his or her parents.
2. States Parties shall ensure the implementation of these rights in accordance with
their national law and their obligations under the relevant international instruments inthis field, in particular where the child would
otherwise be stateless.

Article 8
You have the right to an identity – an official
record of who you are. No one should takethis away from you.

Article 8
1. States Parties undertake to respect theright of the child to preserve his or her identity, including nationality, name and family
relations as recognized by law without unlawful interference.
2. Where a child is illegally deprived of someor all of the elements of his or her identity,
States Parties shall provide appropriate assistance and protection, with a view to speedily re-establishing his or her identity.

Article 9You have the right to live with your parent(s),unless it is bad for you. You have the rightto live with a family who cares for you.

Article 9
1. States Parties shall ensure that a childshall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial review
determine, in accordance with applicablelaw and procedures, that such separation isnecessary for the best interests of the child.
Such determination may be necessary in aparticular case such as one involving abuseor neglect of the child by the parents, or one
where the parents are living separately anda decision must be made as to the child’splace of residence.

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2. In any proceedings pursuant to paragraph 1 of the present article, all interested
parties shall be given an opportunity to participate in the proceedings and make theirviews known.
3. States Parties shall respect the right ofthe child who is separated from one or bothparents to maintain personal relations anddirect contact with both parents on a regular basis, except if it is contrary to the child’sbest interests.
4. Where such separation results from any
action initiated by a State Party, such as thedetention, imprisonment, exile, deportation
or death (including death arising from any
cause while the person is in the custody of
the State) of one or both parents or of thechild, that State Party shall, upon request,
provide the parents, the child or, if appropriate, another member of the family with theessential information concerning the whereabouts of the absent member(s) of the family unless the provision of the information
would be detrimental to the well-being of
the child. States Parties shall further ensurethat the submission of such a request shall of
itself entail no adverse consequences for the
person(s) concerned.

Article 10
If you live in a different country than yourparents do, you have the right to be together in the same place.

Article 10
1. In accordance with the obligation ofStates Parties under article 9, paragraph 1,
applications by a child or his or her parents
to enter or leave a State Party for the purpose of family reunification shall be dealt
with by States Parties in a positive, humane
and expeditious manner. States Parties shallfurther ensure that the submission of such arequest shall entail no adverse consequences for the applicants and for the members of
their family.

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2. A child whose parents reside in different States shall have the right to maintainon a regular basis, save in exceptional circumstances personal relations and directcontacts with both parents. Towards thatend and in accordance with the obligationof States Parties under article 9, paragraph
1, States Parties shall respect the right ofthe child and his or her parents to leave any
country, including their own, and to enter
their own country. The right to leave any
country shall be subject only to such restrictions as are prescribed by law and which arenecessary to protect the national security,
public order (ordre public), public health or
morals or the rights and freedoms of others
and are consistent with the other rights recognized in the present Convention.

Article 11
You have the right to be protected fromkidnapping.

Article 11
1. States Parties shall take measures to combat the illicit transfer and non-return of children abroad.
2. To this end, States Parties shall promote the conclusion of bilateral or multilateral agreements or accession to existing
agreements.

Article 12
You have the right to give your opinion, andfor adults to listen and take it seriously.

Article 12
1. States Parties shall assure to the child who
is capable of forming his or her own views
the right to express those views freely in all
matters affecting the child, the views of thechild being given due weight in accordancewith the age and maturity of the child.
2. For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard
in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or
through a representative or an appropriate
body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.

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Article 13
You have the right to find out things andshare what you think with others, by talking,drawing, writing or in any other way unlessit harms or offends other people.

Article 13
1. The child shall have the right to freedomof expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart informationand ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers,
either orally, in writing or in print, in theform of art, or through any other media of
the child’s choice.
2. The exercise of this right may be subject
to certain restrictions, but these shall only
be such as are provided by law and arenecessary:(a) For respect of the rights or reputationsof others; or(b) For the protection of national security
or of public order (ordre public), or of publichealth or morals.

Article 14
You have the right to choose your own religion and beliefs. Your parents should help
you decide what is right and wrong andwhat is best for you.

Article 14
1. States Parties shall respect the right of thechild to freedom of thought, conscience andreligion.
2. States Parties shall respect the rights andduties of the parents and, when applicable,
legal guardians, to provide direction to thechild in the exercise of his or her right in amanner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child.
3. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations
as are prescribed by law and are necessary
to protect public safety, order, health or
morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

Article 15
You have the right to choose your own
friends and join or set up groups, as long as
it isn’t harmful to others.

Article 15
1. States Parties recognize the rights of thechild to freedom of association and to freedom of peaceful assembly.
2. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of these rights other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which
are necessary in a democratic society in theinterests of national security or public safety,
public order (ordre public), the protection of
public health or morals or the protection of
the rights and freedoms of others.

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Article 16
You have the right to privacy.

Article 16
1. No child shall be subjected to arbitraryor unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor
to unlawful attacks on his or her honour andreputation.
2. The child has the right to the protection of
the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 17
You have the right to get information thatis important to your well being, from radio,
newspaper, books, computers and othersources. Adults should make sure that the
information you are getting is not harmful
and help you find and understand the information you need.

Article 17
States Parties recognize the important function performed by the mass media and shallensure that the child has access to information and material from a diversity of national
and international sources, especially those
aimed at the promotion of his or her social,
spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health. To this end, States
Parties shall:(a) Encourage the mass media to disseminate information and material of social andcultural benefit to the child and in accordance with the spirit of article 29;(b) Encourage international co-operation in
the production, exchange and dissemination of such information and material froma diversity of cultural, national and international sources;(c) Encourage the production and dissemination of children’s books;(d) Encourage the mass media to have particular regard to the linguistic needs of thechild who belongs to a minority group or
who is indigenous;(e) Encourage the development of appropriate guidelines for the protection of the childfrom information and material injurious tohis or her well-being, bearing in mind theprovisions of articles 13 and 18.

Article 18
You have the right to be raised by yourparent(s) if possible.

Article 18
1. States Parties shall use their best efforts
to ensure recognition of the principle thatboth parents have common responsibilities
for the upbringing and development of thechild. Parents or, as the case may be, legal
guardians, have the primary responsibility
for the upbringing and development of thechild. The best interests of the child will betheir basic concern.

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2. For the purpose of guaranteeing andpromoting the rights set forth in the present Convention, States Parties shall renderappropriate assistance to parents and legal guardians in the performance of theirchild‑rearing responsibilities and shall ensure the development of institutions, facilities and services for the care of children.
3. States Parties shall take all appropriate
measures to ensure that children of working
parents have the right to benefit from childcare services and facilities for which they are
eligible.

Article 19
You have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, in body or mind.

Article 19
1. States Parties shall take all appropriate
legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all
forms of physical or mental violence, injury
or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment,
maltreatment or exploitation, including
sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s),legal guardian(s) or any other person who
has the care of the child.
2. Such protective measures should, as appropriate, include effective procedures forthe establishment of social programmes toprovide necessary support for the child andfor those who have the care of the child, as
well as for other forms of prevention and for
identification, reporting, referral, investigation, treatment and follow-up of instancesof child maltreatment described heretofore,
and, as appropriate, for judicial involvement.

Article 20
You have the right to special care and help if
you cannot live with your parents.

Article 20
1. A child temporarily or permanently deprived of his or her family environment, orin whose own best interests cannot be allowed to remain in that environment, shallbe entitled to special protection and assistance provided by the State.
2. States Parties shall in accordance with
their national laws ensure alternative carefor such a child.

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3. Such care could include, inter alia, foster
placement, kafala of Islamic law, adoption,or if necessary placement in suitable institutions for the care of children. When considering solutions, due regard shall be paid tothe desirability of continuity in a child’s upbringing and to the child’s ethnic, religious,
cultural and linguistic background.

Article 21
You have the right to care and protection if
you are adopted or in foster care.

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Article 21
States Parties that recognize and/or permit
the system of adoption shall ensure that thebest interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration and they shall:(a) Ensure that the adoption of a child is authorized only by competent authorities who
determine, in accordance with applicablelaw and procedures and on the basis of all
pertinent and reliable information, that the
adoption is permissible in view of the child’s
status concerning parents, relatives and legal guardians and that, if required, the persons concerned have given their informed
consent to the adoption on the basis of suchcounselling as may be necessary;(b) Recognize that inter-country adoption
may be considered as an alternative meansof child’s care, if the child cannot be placedin a foster or an adoptive family or cannot
in any suitable manner be cared for in thechild's country of origin;(c) Ensure that the child concerned by intercountry adoption enjoys safeguards andstandards equivalent to those existing in thecase of national adoption;(d) Take all appropriate measures to ensure
that, in intercountry adoption, the placement does not result in improper financial
gain for those involved in it;(e) Promote, where appropriate, the objectives of the present article by concluding bilateral or multilateral arrangements
or agreements, and endeavour, within thisframework, to ensure that the placement of
the child in another country is carried out bycompetent authorities or organs.

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Article 22
You have the right to special protection andhelp if you are a refugee (if you have been
forced to leave your home and live in another country), as well as all the rights in thisConvention.

Article 22
1. States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure that a child who is seeking
refugee status or who is considered a refugee in accordance with applicable international or domestic law and procedures shall,whether unaccompanied or accompanied
by his or her parents or by any other person, receive appropriate protection andhumanitarian assistance in the enjoymentof applicable rights set forth in the present
Convention and in other international human rights or humanitarian instruments towhich the said States are Parties.
2. For this purpose, States Parties shall provide, as they consider appropriate, co-operation in any efforts by the United Nations
and other competent intergovernmental organizations or non-governmental organizations co-operating with the United Nations
to protect and assist such a child and to
trace the parents or other members of thefamily of any refugee child in order to obtain information necessary for reunification
with his or her family. In cases where no parents or other members of the family can befound, the child shall be accorded the same
protection as any other child permanently
or temporarily deprived of his or her family
environment for any reason, as set forth in
the present Convention.

Article 23
You have the right to special education andcare if you have a disability, as well as all therights in this Convention, so that you canlive a full life.

Article 23
1. States Parties recognize that a mentallyor physically disabled child should enjoy afull and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance, and facilitate the child’s active participation in thecommunity.
2. States Parties recognize the right of thedisabled child to special care and shall encourage and ensure the extension, subject
to available resources, to the eligible childand those responsible for his or her care, of
assistance for which application is made andwhich is appropriate to the child’s condition
and to the circumstances of the parents orothers caring for the child.

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3. Recognizing the special needs of a disabled child, assistance extended in accordance with paragraph 2 of the present
article shall be provided free of charge,
whenever possible, taking into account thefinancial resources of the parents or otherscaring for the child, and shall be designed toensure that the disabled child has effective
access to and receives education, training,
health care services, rehabilitation services,
preparation for employment and recreation
opportunities in a manner conducive to thechild’s achieving the fullest possible social
integration and individual development,
including his or her cultural and spiritualdevelopment.
4. States Parties shall promote, in the spirit ofinternational co-operation, the exchange ofappropriate information in the field of preventive health care and of medical, psychological and functional treatment of disabledchildren, including dissemination of and access to information concerning methods ofrehabilitation, education and vocational services, with the aim of enabling States Parties
to improve their capabilities and skills and to
widen their experience in these areas. In thisregard, particular account shall be taken of
the needs of developing countries.

Article 24
You have the right to the best health carepossible, safe water to drink, nutritious food,a clean and safe environment, and information to help you stay well.

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Article 24
1. States Parties recognize the right of thechild to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities forthe treatment of illness and rehabilitation ofhealth. States Parties shall strive to ensurethat no child is deprived of his or her rightof access to such health care services.
2. States Parties shall pursue full implementation of this right and, in particular, shalltake appropriate measures:(a) To diminish infant and child mortality;(b) To ensure the provision of necessary
medical assistance and health care to all
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health care, through inter alia the application of readily available technology andthrough the provision of adequate nutritious
foods and clean drinking water, taking into
consideration the dangers and risks of environmental pollution;(d) To ensure appropriate pre-natal andpost-natal health care for mothers;(e) To ensure that all segments of society,in particular parents and children, are informed, have access to education and aresupported in the use of basic knowledge ofchild health and nutrition, the advantages ofbreast-feeding, hygiene and environmental
sanitation and the prevention of accidents;(f) To develop preventive health care, guidance for parents and family planning education and services.
3. States Parties shall take all effective andappropriate measures with a view to abolishing traditional practices prejudicial to thehealth of children.
4. States Parties undertake to promote andencourage international co-operation with aview to achieving progressively the full realization of the right recognized in the present article. In this regard, particular accountshall be taken of the needs of developing
countries.

Article 25
If you live in care or in other situations awayfrom home, you have the right to have theseliving arrangements looked at regularly to
see if they are the most appropriate.

Article 25
States Parties recognize the right of a child
who has been placed by the competent authorities for the purposes of care, protection
or treatment of his or her physical or mental
health, to a periodic review of the treatment
provided to the child and all other circumstances relevant to his or her placement.

Article 26
You have the right to help from the government if you are poor or in need.

Article 26
1. States Parties shall recognize for every
child the right to benefit from social security,
including social insurance, and shall take thenecessary measures to achieve the full realization of this right in accordance with theirnational law.

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2. The benefits should, where appropriate,
be granted, taking into account the resources and the circumstances of the child andpersons having responsibility for the maintenance of the child, as well as any otherconsideration relevant to an application for
benefits made by or on behalf of the child.

Article 27
You have the right to food, clothing, a safe
place to live and to have your basic needs
met. You should not be disadvantaged sothat you can’t do many of the things otherkids can do.

Article 27
1. States Parties recognize the right of every
child to a standard of living adequate for thechild’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral andsocial development.
2. The parent(s) or others responsible forthe child have the primary responsibility tosecure, within their abilities and financial capacities, the conditions of living necessary
for the child’s development.
3. States Parties, in accordance with national
conditions and within their means, shall takeappropriate measures to assist parents andothers responsible for the child to implement this right and shall in case of need
provide material assistance and support programmes, particularly with regard to nutrition, clothing and housing.
4. States Parties shall take all appropriate
measures to secure the recovery of maintenance for the child from the parents orother persons having financial responsibility
for the child, both within the State Party andfrom abroad. In particular, where the person
having financial responsibility for the childlives in a State different from that of thechild, States Parties shall promote the accession to international agreements or the conclusion of such agreements, as well as themaking of other appropriate arrangements.

Article 28
You have the right to a good quality education. You should be encouraged to go toschool to the highest level you can.

Article 28
1. States Parties recognize the right of thechild to education, and with a view toachieving this right progressively and on
the basis of equal opportunity, they shall, inparticular:(a) Make primary education compulsory
and available free to all;304

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financial assistance in case of need;(c) Make higher education accessible to allon the basis of capacity by every appropriate means;(d) Make educational and vocational information and guidance available and accessible to all children;(e) Take measures to encourage regular attendance at schools and the reduction ofdrop-out rates.
2. States Parties shall take all appropriate
measures to ensure that school discipline isadministered in a manner consistent withthe child’s human dignity and in conformity
with the present Convention.
3. States Parties shall promote and encourage international co-operation in mattersrelating to education, in particular with aview to contributing to the elimination ofignorance and illiteracy throughout theworld and facilitating access to scientific andtechnical knowledge and modern teaching
methods. In this regard, particular accountshall be taken of the needs of developing
countries.

Article 29
Your education should help you use anddevelop your talents and abilities. It should
also help you learn to live peacefully, protect
the environment and respect other people.

Article 29
1. States Parties agree that the education of
the child shall be directed to:(a) The development of the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities
to their fullest potential;(b) The development of respect for humanrights and fundamental freedoms, and forthe principles enshrined in the Charter of
the United Nations;(c) The development of respect for thechild’s parents, his or her own cultural identity, language and values, for the national
values of the country in which the child isliving, the country from which he or she
may originate, and for civilizations different
from his or her own;

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Original text(d) The preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality ofsexes, and friendship among all peoples,
ethnic, national and religious groups andpersons of indigenous origin;(e) The development of respect for the natural environment.
2. No part of the present article or article 28
shall be construed so as to interfere with theliberty of individuals and bodies to establish
and direct educational institutions, subject
always to the observance of the principles
set forth in paragraph 1 of the present article and to the requirements that the education given in such institutions shall conformto such minimum standards as may be laid
down by the State.

Article 30
You have the right to practice your own
culture, language and religion – or any you
choose. Minority and indigenous groups
need special protection of this right.

Article 30
In those States in which ethnic, religious
or linguistic minorities or persons of indigenous origin exist, a child belonging to sucha minority or who is indigenous shall not bedenied the right, in community with othermembers of his or her group, to enjoy his or
her own culture, to profess and practise hisor her own religion, or to use his or her own
language.

Article 31
You have the right to play and rest.

Article 31
1. States Parties recognize the right of thechild to rest and leisure, to engage in play
and recreational activities appropriate to theage of the child and to participate freely incultural life and the arts.
2. States Parties shall respect and promote
the right of the child to participate fully incultural and artistic life and shall encourage
the provision of appropriate and equal opportunities for cultural, artistic, recreational
and leisure activity.

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Article 32
You have the right to protection from workthat harms you, and is bad for your healthand education. If you work, you have theright to be safe and paid fairly.

Article 32
1. States Parties recognize the right of thechild to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work thatis likely to be hazardous or to interfere withthe child’s education, or to be harmful tothe child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.
2. States Parties shall take legislative, administrative, social and educational measures toensure the implementation of the present
article. To this end, and having regard to therelevant provisions of other international instruments, States Parties shall in particular:(a) Provide for a minimum age or minimum
ages for admissions to employment;(b) Provide for appropriate regulation of thehours and conditions of employment;(c) Provide for appropriate penalties or othersanctions to ensure the effective enforcement of the present article.

Article 33
You have the right to protection from harmful drugs and from the drugs trade.

Article 33
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures, including legislative, administrative,social and educational measures, to protect
children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs
and psychotropic substances as defined in
the relevant international treaties, and toprevent the use of children in the illicit production and trafficking of such substances.

Article 34
You have the right to be free from sexual
abuse.

Article 34
States Parties undertake to protect the childfrom all forms of sexual exploitation andsexual abuse. For these purposes, States
Parties shall in particular take all appropriate
national, bilateral and multilateral measures
to prevent:(a) The inducement or coercion of a child toengage in any unlawful sexual activity;(b) The exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices;(c) The exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials.

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Article 35
No one is allowed to kidnap or sell you.

Article 35
States Parties shall take all appropriate national, bilateral and multilateral measures
to prevent the abduction of, the sale of or
traffic in children for any purpose or in any
form.

Article 36
You have the right to protection from any
kind of exploitation (being taken advantage
of).

Article 36
States Parties shall protect the child against
all other forms of exploitation prejudicial to
any aspects of the child’s welfare.

Article 37
No one is allowed to punish you in a cruelor harmful way.

Article 37
States Parties shall ensure that:(a) No child shall be subjected to torture orother cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Neither capital punishment nor life imprisonment without
possibility of release shall be imposed foroffences committed by persons below 18
years of age;(b) No child shall be deprived of his or her
liberty unlawfully or arbitrarily. The arrest,
detention or imprisonment of a child shallbe in conformity with the law and shall be
used only as a measure of last resort and forthe shortest appropriate period of time;(c) Every child deprived of liberty shall betreated with humanity and respect for theinherent dignity of the human person, andin a manner which takes into account theneeds of persons of his or her age. In particular every child deprived of liberty shall beseparated from adults unless it is consideredin the child’s best interest not to do so andshall have the right to maintain contact withhis or her family through correspondence
and visits, save in exceptional circumstances;(d) Every child deprived of his or her liberty shall have the right to prompt accessto legal and other appropriate assistance, as
well as the right to challenge the legality ofthe deprivation of his or her liberty before acourt or other competent, independent andimpartial authority, and to a prompt decision on any such action.

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Article 38
You have the right to protection and freedom from war. Children under 15 cannot
be forced to go into the army or to take partin war.

Article 38
1. States Parties undertake to respect and toensure respect for rules of international humanitarian law applicable to them in armed
conflicts which are relevant to the child.
2. States Parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure that persons who have notattained the age of 15 years do not take adirect part in hostilities.
3. States Parties shall refrain from recruiting
any person who has not attained the age of
15 years into their armed forces. In recruiting among those persons who have attained
the age of 15 years but who have not attained the age of 18 years, States Parties
shall endeavour to give priority to those who
are oldest.
4. In accordance with their obligations underinternational humanitarian law to protect
the civilian population in armed conflicts,
States Parties shall take all feasible measures
to ensure protection and care of children
who are affected by an armed conflict.

Article 39
You have the right to help if you’ve been
hurt, neglected or badly treated.

Article 39
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to promote physical and psychologicalrecovery and social reintegration of a childvictim of: any form of neglect, exploitation,or abuse; torture or any other form of cruel,inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; or armed conflicts. Such recovery andreintegration shall take place in an environment which fosters the health, self-respectand dignity of the child.

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Article 40
You have the right to legal help and fairtreatment in a justice system that respects
your rights.

Article 40
1. States Parties recognize the right of every
child alleged as, accused of, or recognized ashaving infringed the penal law to be treatedin a manner consistent with the promotionof the child’s sense of dignity and worth,which reinforces the child’s respect for thehuman rights and fundamental freedomsof others and which takes into account thechild’s age and the desirability of promoting
the child’s reintegration and the child’s assuming a constructive role in society.
2. To this end, and having regard to the relevant provisions of international instruments,
States Parties shall, in particular, ensure that:(a) No child shall be alleged as, be accusedof, or recognized as having infringed the penal law by reason of acts or omissions thatwere not prohibited by national or international law at the time they were committed;(b) Every child alleged as or accused of having infringed the penal law has at least thefollowing guarantees:(i) To be presumed innocent until provenguilty according to law;(ii) To be informed promptly and directly of
the charges against him or her, and, if appropriate, through his or her parents or legal
guardians, and to have legal or other appropriate assistance in the preparation and presentation of his or her defence;(iii) To have the matter determined without
delay by a competent, independent andimpartial authority or judicial body in a fairhearing according to law, in the presence oflegal or other appropriate assistance and,
unless it is considered not to be in the bestinterest of the child, in particular, taking into
account his or her age or situation, his or her
parents or legal guardians;(iv) Not to be compelled to give testimony
or to confess guilt; to examine or have examined adverse witnesses and to obtain theparticipation and examination of witnesses
on his or her behalf under conditions ofequality;

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Original text(v) If considered to have infringed the penal
law, to have this decision and any measures
imposed in consequence thereof reviewed
by a higher competent, independent andimpartial authority or judicial body according to law;(vi) To have the free assistance of an interpreter if the child cannot understand or
speak the language used;(vii) To have his or her privacy fully respected at all stages of the proceedings.
3. States Parties shall seek to promote theestablishment of laws, procedures, authorities and institutions specifically applicable
to children alleged as, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the penal law, and,in particular:(a) the establishment of a minimum age below which children shall be presumed not tohave the capacity to infringe the penal law;(b) whenever appropriate and desirable,measures for dealing with such children
without resorting to judicial proceedings,
providing that human rights and legal safeguards are fully respected.
4. A variety of dispositions, such as care,guidance and supervision orders; counselling; probation; foster care; education andvocational training programmes and otheralternatives to institutional care shall beavailable to ensure that children are dealt
with in a manner appropriate to their wellbeing and proportionate both to their circumstances and the offence.

Article 41
If the laws of your country provide better
protection of your rights than the articles inthis Convention, those laws should apply.

Article 41
Nothing in the present Convention shallaffect any provisions which are more conducive to the realization of the rights of thechild and which may be contained in:(a) The law of a State Party; or(b) International law in force for that State.

Article 42
You have the right to know your rights!
Adults should know about these rights andhelp you learn about them, too.

Article 42
States Parties undertake to make the principles and provisions of the Convention widely known, by appropriate and active means,to adults and children alike.

The plain language version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (including the introductory statement) is a duly permitted reproduction of the text from the website of UNICEFCanada (www.unicef.ca/portal/GetPage.aspx?at=1421).