Furthermore, no child shall be subjected to torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Both capital punishment and life imprisonment without the possibility of release are prohibited for offences committed by persons below 18 years. The Convention stipulates that States must respect the rights and responsibilities of parents and extended family members to provide guidance for children that is appropriate to the child's evolving capacities. The Convention gives parents a joint and primary responsibility for raising their children and stipulates that the State should support them in child-raising. Children should not be separated from their parents, unless this is deemed to be in the child's best interests by competent authorities and in accordance with applicable laws.
Children also have the right to maintain contact with both parents if separated from one or both.
Children and their parents have the right to leave any country and to enter their own for purposes of reunion or maintenance of the child-parent relationship. Parents are responsible to ensure that children enjoy an adequate standard of living while the State has the duty to ensure that this responsibility can be fulfilled. The Convention obliges the State to provide special protection for children deprived of a family environment. Where applicable, adoption is to be carried out in the best interests of children and with the authorisation of the competent authorities. Furthermore, a child placed by the State for reasons of care, protection or treatment is entitled to have that placement evaluated regularly .