Children's rights

Children have the same human rights as adults, plus additional protections due to their special needs. The Commissioner calls on states to prioritise the best interests of children, enhance their participation in decisions affecting them, and make all necessary efforts to ensure that all children can reach their full potential.

Focus

Urgent action needed to reunite Ukrainian children transferred to Russia and Russian-occupied territories with their families

Russia’s aggression has resulted in the violation of the human rights of countless Ukrainian children. Hundreds of children were killed or injured, and millions were deprived of their ability to enjoy basic rights, including healthcare and education. The war has also led to the internal and external displacement of millions of people, putting many children at an increased risk of being separated from parents or caregivers. Thousands of Ukrainian children, including entire orphanages and care institutions, were evacuated to other locations within Ukraine, as well as to other member states of the Council of Europe and beyond.    full article

Publications
Positions on combating school segregation through inclusive education (2017)

Available versions:
Albanian | Bosnian | Croatian | Czech | English | French | Macedonian | Spanish

Realising the right to family reunification of refugees in Europe (2017)

Available versions:
English | French

Janusz Korczak, the Child's Right to Respect (2009)

Available versions: 
English | French