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Article 12

What is Article 12?

The child has the right to express his or her opinion freely and to have that opinion taken into account in any matter or procedure affecting the child.

One of the things the UNCRC does is to make it clear that human rights apply to children and young people as much they do to adults. Children and young people don’t have as much power as adults. They can’t vote, and they don’t have as much money. But Article 12 says they still have the human right to have opinions and for these opinions to be heard and taken seriously. It says that the opinions of children and young people should be considered when people make decisions about things that involve them. Their opinions shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand on the grounds of age. They should be taken seriously, with their evolving capacities taken into account. Article 12 also says children and young people should be given the information they need to make good decisions.

Article 12 is also concerned with making sure children and young people feel able to express their opinions. It says that they shouldn’t feel their opinions will be dismissed or regarded as invalid because of their age. It also says that children and young people need to know about this right so that they can exercise it, and that adults need to know about this right so they don’t dismiss it out of hand. As well as this, children and young people should be able to complain about any aspect of their lives as easily as adults can. They should have ways to complain about those in a position of power over them – such as parents, guardians or teachers – without an adult knowing. and complaints procedures should be easy for them to access.

You have the right to be heard

To be heard means your rights haveThe right to be heard doesn’t mean adults have to do what you want. After they listen to you, they may still decide to do something else. But they have to take your views and opinions seriously. They shouldn’t dismiss them without thinking about them because you are a child. It is your right for them to listen to you, and to think about what you have to say.