Article 6: Life and development

Convention text

1.

Every child has the right to life. This is agreed by the countries that have signed the Convention.

2.

These countries must ensure that every child can survive and develop.

Key point

Every child has the right to live and to develop.

Explanation

Every child has the right to live and to develop. A child is a human being under the age of 18. This is set out in Article 1: Meaning of the term ‘child’. However, it does not specify when the right to life begins. Is it at birth, at fertilisation (conception), or somewhere in between? This is for the countries that have signed the Convention to decide.

The government has a duty to ensure a safe environment in which children can develop and grow up. This is an environment without war or poverty, where there is enough food and clean water, where children can attend school, and where they are protected from violence.

More information

General Comment No. 7 on the Convention provides more information on children’s rights in early childhood.