Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), is the most widely ratified human rights agreement in the world. It details your rights and how they should be applied in its 54 articles, plus two optional extras (or 'protocols').

The Convention starts off by saying that everyone under the age of 18 (the definition of a child), regardless of gender, origin, religion or possible disabilities, needs special care and protection because children are often very vulnerable (articles 1 & 2 — the numbers in brackets correspond to the relevant article in the Convention).

It also says that governments must take action to ensure your rights are respected (4). It ends by describing ways of putting theory into practice and monitoring progress (41–54, see the feature 'Promises to keep' for more about this). Although the Convention has 54 articles in all, it is guided by four fundamental principles: Non-discrimination (2): you should neither benefit nor suffer because of your race, colour, gender, language, religion, national, social or ethnic origin, or because of any political or other opinion; because of your caste, property or birth status; or because you are disabled.

The best interests of the child (3): laws and actions affecting children should put your best interests first and benefit you in the best possible way.
Survival, development and protection (6): the authorities in your country must protect you and help ensure your full development — physical, spiritual, moral and social.

Participation (12): you have a right to have your say in decisions that affect you, and to have you opinions taken into account.

• The right to free Primary education
• The right to highest attainable standards of health
• The right to be cared for by your parents
• The right to protection from physical and mental abuse
• The right to be cared for by both your parents
• The right to protection as a refugee
• The right to a legally registered name and nationality
• The right to protection against economic exploitation
• The right to protection from unlawful attacks on your reputation
• The right to protection from sexual abuse
• The right to fair treatment if you break the law
• The right to use the language and customs of your family
• The right to preserve your family relations
• The right to an education
• The right to privacy
• The right to express yoru opinions
• The right to follow your chosen religion
• The right not to fight in a war