OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC)

General Assembly of the United Nations, Vereinte Nationen

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC) is the most important human rights instrument for children. It was passed on November 20th, 1989, by the General Assembly of the United Nations. It is the most ratified UN-Convention - every member state has signed it, except for the United States. The Federal Republic of Germany signed it on January 26th, 1990, and it came into effect on April 5th, 1992. The rights of children were written down in 54 articles, and oblige the state to their implementation, that is, to respect, protect and fulfill them.

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN-CRC) - full text

UN-Committee on the Rights of the Child, Vereinte Nationen

Adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989, entry into force 2 September 1990, in accordance with article 49

General comment No. 25 (2021) on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment

Table of content
General comment No. 25 (2021) on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment - table of content

Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027)

Guide for Children and Young People
Council of Europe

This is a guide for children and young people from 12 to 17 years old to understand the main objectives of the Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2022-2027).

5th and 6th German State Report to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Concluding Observations

In 2019, the German government jointly submitted the 5th and 6th State Report, which was discussed before the Committee on the Rights of the Child in September 2022. Subsequently, the Committee published its so-called Concluding Observations.

Revision of the EU Guidelines for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Child (2017)

The guidelines recall international standards on the rights of the child and provide comprehensive guidance as well as concrete ways to promote effectively and protect the rights of the child.

African Youth Charter

The African Youth Charter provides a framework for youth empowerment and development activities at the continental, regional and national levels across Africa.

The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) is an important tool for advancing children’s rights. While building on the same basic principles as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the ACRWC highlights issues of special importance in the African context.

EU Strategy on the Right’s of the Child - Fact Sheet

The European Commission has developed a new strategy to protect children’s rights

EU Strategy on the Right’s of the Child

The European Commission has developed a new strategy to protect children’s rights.

General Comment No. 25 (2021) on Children’s Rights in Relation to the Digital Environment

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has published a General Comment on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment.

Explanatory Notes on the General Comment No. 25 (2021) on Children’s Rights in Relation to the Digital Environment

Explanatory Notes on the General Comment No. 25 (2021) on Children’s Rights in Relation to the Digital Environment.

General comment draft on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment

by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
The Committee on the Rights of the Child is currently drafting a general comment on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment. The draft of the general comment can be found here.

January 2016

Terminology Guidelines for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse

ECPAT International, ECPAT Germany

The Terminology Guidelines provide guidance for the understanding and use of terms and concepts for individuals and agencies working for the prevention and elimination of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children.

January 2002

Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

The Optional Protocol is a supplement to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and obliges all signatory parties to prohibit the sale of children, child prostitution and depiction of sexual abuse of children (so-called child pornography).

October 2019

Guidelines for the Implementation of the Optional Protocol CRC/C/156

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

The Guidelines adapt the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol to today's (digital) environment.

White Paper on Online Harms

britische Regierung, Staatssekretär für Digital, Kultur, Medien und Sport

Guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment

Council of Europe, Europarat

The guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment were adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 4 July 2018. The purpose of the guidelines is to assist states and other relevant stakeholders in their efforts to adopt a comprehensive, strategic approach in building and containing the often complex world of the digital environment.

October 2012

Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union

European Union, Europäische Union

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union enshrines certain political, social, and economic rights for EU citizens and residents into EU law.

Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers on the rights of the child in the digital environment

Council of Europe, Europarat

How to better respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child in the digital environment is at the core of the new Recommendation adopted today by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers. Building on international and European legal instruments, the text provides comprehensive guidelines for action by European governments. The digital environment shapes children’s lives in many ways, creating opportunities and risks to their well-being and enjoyment of human rights. Governments are recommended to review their legislation, policies and practices to ensure that these adequately address the full range of the rights of the child. States should also ensure that business enterprises and other key partners meet their human rights responsibilities and are held accountable in case of abuses.

Factsheet on the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

European Commission, Europäische Kommission

The European Commission has worked out a fact sheet on the EU Data Protection Reform, which will take effect from 25 May 2018.

The Declaration of Rome

Pontificia Universita Gregoriana; World Congress: Child Dignity in the Digital World

From 3rd to 6th of October 2017 the Child Dignity World Congress took place at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. Among the 30 speakers at the congress was Jutta Croll, representing the project „Children’s Rights and Child protection“ at Stiftung Digitale Chancen. In a concluding audience the „Declaration of Rome“ was presented to Pope Francis by the congress participants, appealing governments, industry and the civil society to stand up for the protection of the rights and the dignity of children.

March 2016

Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2016-2021)

Council of Europe

Since launching the Programme "Building a Europe for and with children", in Monaco in 2006, the Council of Europe has implemented strategies over a series of policy cycles to guide its work on children’s rights.

May 2011

Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence

Convention No. 210; Istanbul
Council of Europe

This new landmark treaty of the Council of Europe opens the path for creating a legal framework at pan-European level to protect women against all forms of violence, and prevent, prosecute and eliminate violence against women and domestic violence. The definition of “women” includes girls under the age of 18.

October 2007

Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse

Convention No. 201; Lanzarote
Council of Europe, Europarat

This Convention is the first instrument to establish the various forms of sexual abuse of children as criminal offences, including such abuse committed in the home or family, with the use of force, coercion or threats.

November 2001

Convention on Cybercrime

ETS No 185; Budapest
Council of Europe, Europarat

The Convention is the first international treaty on crimes committed via the Internet and other computer networks, dealing particularly with infringements of copyright, computer-related fraud, child pornography and violations of network security. It also contains a series of powers and procedures such as the search of computer networks and interception.

May 1996

European Social Charter (revised)

Covention No. 163; Strasbourg
Council of Europe, Europarat

The European Social Charter (revised) of 1996 embodies in one instrument all rights guaranteed by the Charter of 1961, its additional Protocol of 1988 (ETS No. 128) and adds new rights and amendments adopted by the Parties. It is gradually replacing the initial 1961 treaty.