Fact sheets and legal compliance info
LC3. UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (1990)
Date Posted: 14 August 2016
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was ratified by the UK government in 1991. The Convention influenced the development of a number of UK Acts, including the development of the Human Rights Act (1998), Protection of Children Act (1999) and the Criminal Justice and Courts Act (2000), and supports other legislation, such as the Children and Young Peron’s Act (which safeguards young people working as professional entertainers or artists).
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was ratified by the UK government in 1991. The Convention influenced the development of a number of UK Acts, including the development of the Human Rights Act (1998), Protection of Children Act (1999) and theCriminal Justice and Courts Act (2000), and supports other legislation, such as theChildren and Young Person’s Act (which safeguards young people working as professional entertainers or artists).
The Convention contains a number of specific clauses (called Articles) that have a direct bearing on dance practice. They include:
- Article 3: The best interests of the child must be a top priority in all actions and decisions that affect the child.
- Article 12: Every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously. This right applies at all times, for example during immigration proceedings, housing decisions or the child’s day-to-day home life or education.
- Article 19: Governments must do all they can to ensure that children are protected from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect and bad treatment by their parents or anyone else who looks after them.
- Article 23: A child with a disability has the right to live a full and decent life with dignity and, as far as possible, independence and to play an active part in the community. Governments must do all they can to support disabled children and their families.
- Article 28: Every child has the right to an education. Primary education must be free and different forms of secondary education must be available to every child.
- Article 31: Every child has the right to relax, play and take part in a wide range of cultural and artistic activities.
- Article 32: Governments must protect children from economic exploitation and work that is dangerous or might harm their health, development or education. Governments must set a minimum age for children to work and ensure that work conditions are safe and appropriate.
Further reading
UNICEF, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1990