United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

On 16th March 2021, The Scottish Parliament passed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill.

By passing this Bill, Scotland became the first country in the UK to incorporate the UNCRC into domestic law to ensure that children’s rights are respected and protected by law.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is the international agreement between 193 member states of the United Nations and spells out the rights that should be afforded to you.

Your rights under the UNCRC include:

• Right to life and healthcare

• Right to protection from violence, abuse or neglect

• Right to have a say in decisions that affect your life

• Right to education

• Right to information

• Right to privacy

• Right to meet with other young people

• Obligation on the state to act in your best interest

Protecting your rights

The Children and Young People’s Commissioner for Scotland and their team, work to protect the of everyone in Scotland under 18 and everyone in Scotland under 21 who has been looked after or in care.

You can contact The Children and Young People’s Commissioner directly via email at inbox@cypcs.org.uk and there are more details on the website at  https://www.cypcs.org.uk/

Learning More

Download a ten-minute training tool called, “Introducing Children’s Rights” The pack will help you gain an understanding of children’s rights, rights frameworks (e.g. UNCRC) and rights-based legislation (e.g. the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014).

For more details on UNCRC training and resources, please contact Jeanette Third at YMCA Scotland.