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About Children's Rights
Every person has rights, no matter what their age, ethnicity, culture, religion, and location are. These are called 'human rights'. Dedicated people from all around the world protect and promote human rights, working locally, nationally, and internationally.
The Children's Commissioner Dr Russell Wills protects and promotes a special part of human rights that directly apply to children and young people. These are called 'children's rights'. Children's rights cover things like what children should and should not be allowed to do, how children should be treated, how they should be protected, and whose role is it to protect them. While human rights protect everyone's access to necessities (like food, shelter, and clothing), children's rights are much more detailed about children's needs. They protect children's access to good education and healthcare, and make sure that children are safe from activities or people who may hurt them.
The largest children's rights document is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCROC). This document has been agreed to by 192 countries around the world, including New Zealand in 1993. Even though children's rights were not introduced by UNCROC, it means that they are being recognised and respected by more people in New Zealand and around the world.
If you have a question about children's rights or would like to get in touch with the Office of the Children's Commissioner, then please contact us.
BE A HERO
Sometimes even adults get it wrong.
Sometimes you can’t talk to them. Sometimes adults do things that make children scared and upset. Sometimes they don’t know what’s right.
And when you need help the most, sometimes they’re not even around. You should know it’s not up to you to try and fix things yourself. And you’re not the reason things go wrong. So, if you feel like adults aren’t doing things right – it’s okay to speak up.
Adults should not hurt other people. It is not the right way for anyone to behave.
Important things for kids to know
- It is not children’s fault when adults behave badly
- It is not a child’s job to make adults stop their bad behaviour
- Children’s feelings are important
- It really helps to talk about problems or worries
- There are people ready to talk with children
- Children are allowed to ask for help
Or you can call 0800WHATSUP (0800 942 8787).
It’s free and private. Call from any telephone – even a mobile and it won’t cost anything.
The 0800 Whatsup people understand that children get worried about what adults are doing at home.
0800WHATSUP is open from noon until midnight every day.
Be a hero – talk to someone you can trust.
0800WHATSUP0800 942 8787
For more information visit UNICEF.