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Your Rights

Children’s rights and responsibilities were set down at a Convention on the Rights of the Child and accepted by the United Nations in 1991. Since then the Government has to make sure that children and young people have their rights respected by adults.

Young people should be listened to, particularly when decisions are being made about them and they are entitled to have their opinions taken into account.  They should also have access to information as long as the information is not damaging to them or others.  We are here to help that happen.

Other rights include:

• The right to health care, clean water and a clean environment.
• The right to a primary education.
• The right to relax, play and join a wide range of activities.

Your responsibilities

If children have these rights then they also have responsibilities. The Convention also refers to the responsibilities of children, such as to respect the rights of others, especially their parents.

Some other responsibilities that could accompany rights are:

• not to bully or harm each other
• to do what they can to look after their environment
• to learn as much as their capabilities allow
• to help others
• to respect other’s thoughts and religious principles

Want to know more about your rights?

UNICEF Rights of Child

Here By Right /Act by Right - Charter