RIGHTS - Article 12 UNCRC [NI]
Children’s Participation in matters affecting them is laid down as a fundamental right in the UN Convention. The rights of children and young people to express their views and opinions in a range of different ways is central to the UN Covention’s underpinning priniciple – that children are citizens.
The UNCRC (1989) was ratified by the UK in 1991.
Article 12.1 gives children the right to express their views in relation to matters that affect them and to have account taken of these views:
States Parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the right to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child.
Article 12.2 states:
For this purpose, the child shall in particular be provided the opportunity to be heard in any judical and administrative proceedings affecting the child, either directly, or through a representative or an appropriate body, in a manner consistent with the procedural rules of national law.
