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OVERVIEW
THE UNITED NATIONS ( UN) IS A GATHERING OF 192 COUNTRIES. IT WAS SET UP AFTER WORLD WAR II TO BRING ABOUT A PEACEFUL AND FAIR WORLD. THE COUNTRIES MEET IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS THE CLOSEST THING TO A WORLD PARLIAMENT.
The countries of the UN have written conventions which say what they agree to do to make the world peaceful and fair. A CONVENTION is a collection of rules or things that should be done. One of the most important UN Conventions is about children's rights; YOUR RIGHTS.
Even though they use the word CHILD the rights in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child ( UNCRC) belong to EVERYONE UP TO THE AGE OF 18. The UNCRC has 54 PARTS WHICH ARE CALLED ARTICLES.
The United Kingdom has signed the UNCRC which means that in all the countries of the UK, including Scotland, children and young people should have the rights that have been promised.
EVERY 5 YEARS THE UK GOVERNMENT HAS TO REPORT TO A SPECIAL UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE on what is happening about children's rights. In Scotland the Government prepares a report too. The Government in Scotland can only do so much about children's rights because some of the decisions that affect children and young people are still made in the UK Parliament in London.
IN 2007 SCOTLAND ELECTED A NEW GOVERNMENT SO MOST OF THIS REPORT IS ABOUT WHAT THE LAST GOVERNMENT DID ABOUT CHILDREN'S RIGHTS. THIS BOOKLET IS PART OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO LET YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS.
This booklet tells you what the SCOTLAND REPORT said about the past 5 years. If you want to see the full Scotland Report you'll find it at:
www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/07/30114126/0
The Scotland Report is divided into sections and so is this booklet. At the start of sections 1 to 7 we give you some information about the rights you have.
Section 1 is about making rights happen
Section 2 is about fairness and equality
Section 3 is about children's rights and freedoms
Section 4 is about family life and being cared for
Section 5 is about being healthy
Section 6 is about education, culture and things to do
Section 7 is about being safe and protected
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