The rights of the child
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Children's rights are fundamental rights |
Most recent FRA publications |
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Children have rights which need to be protected, respected and fulfilled. While children have rights also enjoyed by adults (such as the right to education, to primary health care, to freedom of expression, to choose their own religion, to participate in decisions which affect their life, etc.) they also have specific rights, such as when they are victims of family violence or sexual exploitation, when they migrate on their own, or have a physical or mental disability. According to the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) a child is a person under the age of 18 (unless under applicable law, majority is attained earlier). The Convention enshrines the rights of children, treating them as "independent right holders" in many domains. All the Member States of the European Union (EU) have ratified the UN CRC. The EU is committed to fully respecting the rights of the child: Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) contains the EU's obligation to promote the protection of the rights of the child, and Article 24 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union elaborates on those rights. Other Charter articles devote specific attention to child protection, such as the prohibition of child labour and protection of young people at work in Article 32. In addition, all the other articles of the Charter are also applicable to children as human beings. Article 24 states that children have the right to such protection and care as is necessary for their well-being and that in all actions relating to children, whether taken by public authorities or private institutions, the child's best interests must be a primary consideration. In 2006, the Commission adopted its Communication "Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child"(COM(2006)367). Since then, general principles to ensure that EU action is exemplary in ensuring respect for the provisions of the Charter and of the UN CRC, and a number of concrete actions in areas where the EU can bring real added value, such as child-friendly justice, protecting children in vulnerable situations and fighting violence against children have been identified in the "EU Agenda for the rights of the child" (COM(2011)60).
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FRA's work on the rights of the childDespite international, European and national norms, child rights are still violated across the EU. Many children are victims of abuse or neglect or do not have adequate access to education, health care, justice etc. This is the result of many factors: lack or insufficient implementation of legislation, poor knowledge of or engagement in children's issues, and insufficient involvement of children in the matters which concern their rights, amongst others. In addition, there is still a relative paucity of data on the situation of children. The FRA reports and delivers advice on child rights issues. In 2007, the European Commission asked FRA to develop indicators to measure the protection, respect and promotion of the rights of the child in the EU. On the basis of these indicators the FRA collected data and developed two reports, on child trafficking and on separated and asylum-seeking children.
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Key research findings from the FRA’s work
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FRA’s ongoing workThe FRA works together with policy-makers, public authorities, and civil society organizations, informing them about its child rights indicators and encouraging and facilitating their use. In 2012 the Agency will develop fieldwork research to examine the extent to which justice processes are child-friendly. For more information about this work see the project page on Children and justice. The FRA also co-operates with FRONTEX in the preparation of briefings for border guards participating in FRONTEX operations in regard to the treatment of children.
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FRA’s partnersThe FRA works together with various partners in collecting information and increasing awareness and knowledge about the rights of the child in the EU. This includes European institutions, international organisations, civil society organisations, experts groups and national authorities. The Agency's partners include: |
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EventsThe FRA has organized several events concerning the rights of the child:
Recent events in which the FRA participated:
Contact To receive more information on the work of the Rights of the Child Team, please email childrights@fra.europa.eu |
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FRA organises expert meeting on children with disabilities(26 April 2012)
Protect children’s rights during economic crisis for the benefit of Europe today and tomorrow(21 November 2011)
Three years on and the economic and financial crisis shows no sign of abating. Vulnerable groups are most at risk. To mark the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on 20 November, the FRA wishes to reaffirm its commitment to securing the fundamental rights of children, many seriously affected by public service cuts in education, health and social services.














