Protecting childhood – children's rights in Germany and around the world
Children need special protection. Learn the most important facts about the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its implementation in Germany here.
Clara Krug ,
12.11.2024 
What are children's rights?
Children's rights are particular human rights that children and young people up to the age of 18 are entitled to. They are based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) that was adopted by the United Nations in 1989. The goal of the UNCRC is to protect children's rights around the world.
What are the most important points of the UNCRC?
The Convention comprises 54 articles and is based on the following four basic principles: the ban on discrimination, the right to life and personal development, the right of participation and the principle of child well-being. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is among the worlds' conventions with the greatest number of parties.
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Open consent formWhy do children need special rights?
Children require particular protection because they depend on support from adults in their development. The UNCRC requires, for example, that children grow up in a safe environment in which they can develop healthily.
Which children's rights apply in Germany?
Germany ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992 and undertook to respect, protect and ensure the rights of children and young people. This applies to all children in Germany, regardless of their residency status. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has the status of an ordinary federal law in Germany and is therefore binding. The governing parties have the goal to enshrine children's rights in the Basic Law. The planned constitutional change requires a two-third majority in the Bundestag and Bundesrat.
Children in Germany – quick facts
Who stands up for children's rights in Germany?
On the communal level, youth welfare offices are dedicated to protecting children and their rights. They take action in the event of neglect or domestic violence and offer support measures for affected children and their families. In addition, there are numerous organisations and advice offices that have committed themselves to helping children in Germany and around the world, such as the German Children’s Fund, the Child Protection Association, SOS Children's Villages and UNICEF Germany.
