20 November 2025
Children’s Rights
“World Children’s Day” is also known as International Children’s Rights Day. Each year, this day serves as a reminder that every child, wherever they live, has fundamental rights: to be protected, loved, heard and respected.
What are children’s rights?
Children’s rights are human rights specifically defined for children. They are a set of rules that 196 countries have agreed upon to ensure that all children can grow up safely.
These rights apply to all children and young people under the age of 18. They support their development and take their needs into account. Every child has the right to live with their parents, to eat healthy food and to access healthcare. Every child also has the right to play, enjoy leisure activities, and discover art and culture, among many others.
All children’s rights are connected — each one is equally important and no one is allowed to take them away from children.
Children’s rights are set out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international treaty signed by most countries in the world. By signing it, these countries commit to protecting children through laws and measures that allow them to live and grow in a safe and healthy environment.
What are the key principles of the Convention?
The 4 fundamental principles of children’s rights
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is built on four key principles set out in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC):
The ten priority rights in Luxembourg
Among all children’s rights, Luxembourg has identified 10 rights considered as priorities for children and young people:
I have the right to be myself!
I have the right to both of my parents!
I have the right to learn!
I have the right to participate
and to be informed!
I have the right to be healthy
and to feel well!
I have the right to a good life in a healthy environment!
I have the right to be protected from violence!
I have the right to laugh, play and dream!
I have the right to be included and supported when I have specific needs!
I have the right to be protected in times of war or disaster!
See also the “My Rights” page on www.staarkrechter.lu
Every child has the right to be respected, regardless of the color of their skin, their origin, or their language. No one has the right to discriminate based on their sex or disability.
All decisions that concern children and young people must be made in their best interests. Their well-being must be a priority, and their opinions must be taken into account.
Every child has the right to life, to health, to education, and to living conditions that support their physical, mental, social, and emotional development.
Every child has the right to freely express their opinion on any matter concerning them, and to be heard and respected in their expression.