Menu
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) aims to protect and promote the rights of children, regardless of their background, and give them the right to be treated with respect and to express their views.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child has four basic principles: all children have equal value and rights, decisions affecting children must consider what is best for the child, every child has the right to life, survival and development, and children have the right to express their views, to be heard and to have these views taken into account.
The convention applies to all children in Sweden regardless of their legal status and is part of Swedish law. The Swedish government, regions and municipalities must ensure that children's rights under the convention are respected, and private organizations that provide services for children must also comply with it. Non-profit organizations are not legally obliged to comply with the convention but may be indirectly affected by the criteria for funding or access to premises created by the state, the municipalities or the regions.
The convention applies to everyone who is under 18 years of age, unless the law states that someone becomes an adult earlier.
Countries must make rules and laws to comply with the convention and ensure that children's rights are respected.
Children have the right to a name, citizenship and to know who their parents are as far as possible. Countries must ensure that these rights are respected, especially to avoid children becoming stateless.
If a child or the parents want to be reunited with their family, the country must help in a kind and positive way. Children who have parents in different countries have the right to see them and travel between countries if it does not harm something important such as safety or health.
Children have the right to say what they think and share information and thoughts in different ways, such as talking, writing, or using art. But there are some limitations:
So, children have the right to express themselves, but it must be done with respect to certain rules.
Children shall not be treated arbitrarily or unlawfully in respect of their privacy, family life, home or correspondence, nor shall they be subjected to unlawful attacks on their reputation or standing. Legislation must protect the child from such intrusions or attacks.
States must take various measures to protect children from any form of violence, harm or ill-treatment, including sexual abuse, when they are with their parents, guardians or other adults responsible for them.
Children who seek protection as refugees, according to international or national law, and who come alone or with their parents or another person, receive appropriate protection and assistance.
Countries must cooperate with the UN and other organizations to protect and help such children. They must also try to find the child's parents or other family members to reunite them. If the parents or family members cannot be found, the child must receive the same protection as other children who cannot live with their family, according to this Convention.
Children cared for by authorities for care or treatment have the right to a regular review of their situation and treatment.
Children's right to education. Primary school must be compulsory and free.
They must have access to information about education and occupations. The state must ensure that children have regular school attendance and reduce study interruptions.
Children have the right to rest, play, and leisure appropriate to their age and freedom to participate in cultural and artistic activities.
States must protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse. They must prevent children from participating in illegal sexual activities, being exploited for prostitution or other illegal sexual activities, and being used in pornographic material.
Children must be protected from torture and cruel treatment, not detained illegally or punished by the death penalty or life imprisonment. If a child is detained, he must be treated with respect and have the right to legal assistance and contact with his family.
Children facing criminal charges or convicted of crimes have the right to treatment that respects their dignity and basic freedom and human rights.
This part deals with how countries that have signed the convention should implement it. There is a UN monitoring committee that reviews the countries' reports. Other UN agencies and non-governmental organizations can also contribute information to the UN.
All children have rights that must be respected, regardless of who they are, without discrimination.
Children should have the right to keep their identity and name without anyone doing anything illegal. If their identity is threatened, they should get help.
Countries must respect children's right to maintain their identity, including their nationality, name and family relationships.
Countries must counter the illegal abduction of children to and from abroad by promoting international agreements.
States must respect the child's right to think about things, have his own faith and practice his religion if he wishes. They must also respect the parents' rights to guide the child in a way that helps their development in exercising their rights.
The media has an important role and must ensure that children have access to different kinds of information from different sources, both national and international. This information should promote children's social, spiritual, moral, physical and psychological well-being.
(a) The media should be encouraged to disseminate information that is good for children and in line with what is mentioned in Article 29.
(b) There should be cooperation between countries to produce, exchange and disseminate such information from different cultures and sources.
(c) The production and distribution of children's books should be encouraged.
(d) The media should take particular account of the language needs of children belonging to minority or indigenous groups.
(e) Guidelines should be in place to protect children from information that may harm their welfare, taking into account the provisions of Articles 13 and 18.
A child who cannot live with his family, either temporarily or permanently, must receive special protection and support from the state. States must follow their own laws and ensure that the child is cared for in a different way.
Children with functional variations have the right to a dignified life that promotes their self-confidence and active participation in society.
Children have a right to social security, including social security, and take the necessary steps under their laws to make this a reality. The benefits must be granted taking into account the child's and guardian's resources and other relevant factors
Children's education must:
Children have the right to protection against harmful work and economic exploitation. The state must introduce laws and measures that include minimum ages for work, regulation of working conditions for children, and penalties for those who violate these laws.
States must take all necessary measures, both nationally and in cooperation with other countries, to prevent children from being abducted, sold or trafficked, regardless of the purpose or the means by which it is carried out.
States must follow international rules on how to protect children in armed conflicts. They must not allow persons under the age of 15 to participate directly in hostilities. They are also not allowed to recruit anyone under the age of 15 into their armed forces. If they are recruiting people between the ages of 15 and 18, they should try to recruit the oldest first. They must also take extra efforts to protect and help children affected by armed conflict.
If national laws give children greater opportunities to exercise their rights than those set out in this Convention, they take precedence.
This section deals with the process for States to accede to the Convention and when their commitments enter into force. It also states that reservations contrary to the purpose of the Convention are not permitted.
When making decisions that affect children, always consider what is best for the child and protect their well-being.
All countries must ensure that every child has the right to life. They must do their best to ensure that children survive, grow up and develop.
Children may not be separated from their parents unless it is absolutely necessary for the child's best interests. Children must have the opportunity to have contact with both parents if it does not harm them.
The state must ensure that children who can form their own opinions have the right to freely express their opinions about everything that affects them. The child's age and maturity must be taken into account when considering their views.
Children have the right to form groups and have peaceful meetings. But there are some rules:
The state must do its best to ensure that parents take responsibility for raising and helping the child grow up. Parents have the main responsibility for this and they must always think about what is best for the child.
Countries that allow adoption must do what is best for the child and:
(a) Adoption must be approved by the proper authorities, who must use relevant and reliable information to decide whether it is best for the child to be adopted.
(b) If the child cannot find a foster or adoptive family in his home country, international adoption may be considered as an alternative.
(c) International adoptions must have the same guarantees and standards as domestic adoptions.
(d) There must be no financial gain for anyone in international adoptions.
(e) Countries may enter into agreements or arrangements to ensure that children are placed in another country through the appropriate authorities or organizations.
Children have the right to the best possible health and access to health care and rehabilitation. No child may be prevented from having access to such care.
Children have the right to a standard of living that promotes their physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development. Parents and guardians have the main responsibility for this, but the state must offer support programs and material assistance if necessary.
Children from ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities or indigenous peoples have the right to participate in their cultural life, religion and language together with their members without discrimination.
States must protect children from narcotics and drugs and prevent them from being exploited in the illegal drug trade.
States must protect the child against all other forms of exploitation that may harm the child in any respect.
Children must get help if they have been victims of various difficult situations, such as neglect, exploitation, abuse, torture, cruel treatment or war. The help means that the child receives support to recover physically and mentally and to readjust socially. This help must be provided in an environment that is good for the child's health and self-esteem.
States that have joined the Convention must disseminate information about its rules and principles so that both adults and children are aware of them.
The convention applies to everyone who is under 18 years of age, unless the law states that someone becomes an adult earlier.
All children have rights that must be respected, regardless of who they are, without discrimination.
When making decisions that affect children, always consider what is best for the child and protect their well-being.
Countries must make rules and laws to comply with the convention and ensure that children's rights are respected.
Children should have the right to keep their identity and name without anyone doing anything illegal. If their identity is threatened, they should get help.
All countries must ensure that every child has the right to life. They must do their best to ensure that children survive, grow up and develop.
Children have the right to a name, citizenship and to know who their parents are as far as possible. Countries must ensure that these rights are respected, especially to avoid children becoming stateless.
Countries must respect children's right to maintain their identity, including their nationality, name and family relationships.
Children may not be separated from their parents unless it is absolutely necessary for the child's best interests. Children must have the opportunity to have contact with both parents if it does not harm them.
If a child or the parents want to be reunited with their family, the country must help in a kind and positive way. Children who have parents in different countries have the right to see them and travel between countries if it does not harm something important such as safety or health.
Countries must counter the illegal abduction of children to and from abroad by promoting international agreements.
The state must ensure that children who can form their own opinions have the right to freely express their opinions about everything that affects them. The child's age and maturity must be taken into account when considering their views.
Children have the right to say what they think and share information and thoughts in different ways, such as talking, writing, or using art. But there are some limitations:
So, children have the right to express themselves, but it must be done with respect to certain rules.
States must respect the child's right to think about things, have his own faith and practice his religion if he wishes. They must also respect the parents' rights to guide the child in a way that helps their development in exercising their rights.
Children have the right to form groups and have peaceful meetings. But there are some rules:
Children shall not be treated arbitrarily or unlawfully in respect of their privacy, family life, home or correspondence, nor shall they be subjected to unlawful attacks on their reputation or standing. Legislation must protect the child from such intrusions or attacks.
The media has an important role and must ensure that children have access to different kinds of information from different sources, both national and international. This information should promote children's social, spiritual, moral, physical and psychological well-being.
(a) The media should be encouraged to disseminate information that is good for children and in line with what is mentioned in Article 29.
(b) There should be cooperation between countries to produce, exchange and disseminate such information from different cultures and sources.
(c) The production and distribution of children's books should be encouraged.
(d) The media should take particular account of the language needs of children belonging to minority or indigenous groups.
(e) Guidelines should be in place to protect children from information that may harm their welfare, taking into account the provisions of Articles 13 and 18.
The state must do its best to ensure that parents take responsibility for raising and helping the child grow up. Parents have the main responsibility for this and they must always think about what is best for the child.
States must take various measures to protect children from any form of violence, harm or ill-treatment, including sexual abuse, when they are with their parents, guardians or other adults responsible for them.
A child who cannot live with his family, either temporarily or permanently, must receive special protection and support from the state. States must follow their own laws and ensure that the child is cared for in a different way.
Countries that allow adoption must do what is best for the child and:
(a) Adoption must be approved by the proper authorities, who must use relevant and reliable information to decide whether it is best for the child to be adopted.
(b) If the child cannot find a foster or adoptive family in his home country, international adoption may be considered as an alternative.
(c) International adoptions must have the same guarantees and standards as domestic adoptions.
(d) There must be no financial gain for anyone in international adoptions.
(e) Countries may enter into agreements or arrangements to ensure that children are placed in another country through the appropriate authorities or organizations.
Children who seek protection as refugees, according to international or national law, and who come alone or with their parents or another person, receive appropriate protection and assistance.
Countries must cooperate with the UN and other organizations to protect and help such children. They must also try to find the child's parents or other family members to reunite them. If the parents or family members cannot be found, the child must receive the same protection as other children who cannot live with their family, according to this Convention.
Children with functional variations have the right to a dignified life that promotes their self-confidence and active participation in society.
Children have the right to the best possible health and access to health care and rehabilitation. No child may be prevented from having access to such care.
Children cared for by authorities for care or treatment have the right to a regular review of their situation and treatment.
Children have a right to social security, including social security, and take the necessary steps under their laws to make this a reality. The benefits must be granted taking into account the child's and guardian's resources and other relevant factors
Children have the right to a standard of living that promotes their physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development. Parents and guardians have the main responsibility for this, but the state must offer support programs and material assistance if necessary.
Children's right to education. Primary school must be compulsory and free.
They must have access to information about education and occupations. The state must ensure that children have regular school attendance and reduce study interruptions.
Children's education must:
Children from ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities or indigenous peoples have the right to participate in their cultural life, religion and language together with their members without discrimination.
Children have the right to rest, play, and leisure appropriate to their age and freedom to participate in cultural and artistic activities.
Children have the right to protection against harmful work and economic exploitation. The state must introduce laws and measures that include minimum ages for work, regulation of working conditions for children, and penalties for those who violate these laws.
States must protect children from narcotics and drugs and prevent them from being exploited in the illegal drug trade.
States must protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse. They must prevent children from participating in illegal sexual activities, being exploited for prostitution or other illegal sexual activities, and being used in pornographic material.
States must take all necessary measures, both nationally and in cooperation with other countries, to prevent children from being abducted, sold or trafficked, regardless of the purpose or the means by which it is carried out.
States must protect the child against all other forms of exploitation that may harm the child in any respect.
Children must be protected from torture and cruel treatment, not detained illegally or punished by the death penalty or life imprisonment. If a child is detained, he must be treated with respect and have the right to legal assistance and contact with his family.
States must follow international rules on how to protect children in armed conflicts. They must not allow persons under the age of 15 to participate directly in hostilities. They are also not allowed to recruit anyone under the age of 15 into their armed forces. If they are recruiting people between the ages of 15 and 18, they should try to recruit the oldest first. They must also take extra efforts to protect and help children affected by armed conflict.
Children must get help if they have been victims of various difficult situations, such as neglect, exploitation, abuse, torture, cruel treatment or war. The help means that the child receives support to recover physically and mentally and to readjust socially. This help must be provided in an environment that is good for the child's health and self-esteem.
Children facing criminal charges or convicted of crimes have the right to treatment that respects their dignity and basic freedom and human rights.
If national laws give children greater opportunities to exercise their rights than those set out in this Convention, they take precedence.
States that have joined the Convention must disseminate information about its rules and principles so that both adults and children are aware of them.
This part deals with how countries that have signed the convention should implement it. There is a UN monitoring committee that reviews the countries' reports. Other UN agencies and non-governmental organizations can also contribute information to the UN.
This section deals with the process for States to accede to the Convention and when their commitments enter into force. It also states that reservations contrary to the purpose of the Convention are not permitted.
English 
Svenska