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Youth Bill of Rights
The founding members of the
National Child Rights Alliance wrote a Youth
Bill of Rights which was re-drafted in 1995 at the
first Youth Summit. It is the document that unifies
all members despite diverse backgrounds and beliefs.
They believe that civil and human rights apply to
all people - including children and youth, and they
work to establish and defend these rights for
children. |
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The Right to
Liberty:
No youth or child shall be forced to live in any
household against his or her will - this includes
biologic as well as foster and adoptive families. No
person shall be forced into marriage. No child or
youth shall be institutionalized against her or his
will without due process rights. The right to
freedom from forced institutionalization includes
the right to freedom from military conscription.
The Right to Safety:
All young people shall have the right to safe haven on request,
without fear of criminal charges. We support sanctuary for
youth. |
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The Right to Survival:
All youth shall have the right to adequate food, shelter,
medical care and a healthy environment. We support a free
national health care system for children which is not dependent
on parental income nor parental permission. We support full
employment and living wage rights for workers, and a guaranteed
income for those unable to work, so that families need not be
torn apart by poverty. Pay differentials based on age shall be
abolished. All young persons shall have the right to emergency
services including welfare services regardless of the status of
their guardians.
The Right to Education:
All youth shall have the right to a free education - including
college and technical schools - at public expense. Programs must
be free of cultural, racial or gender bias in all respects.
The Right of Free Speech:
All young people shall have the right of free speech. This
includes both in personal expression and in school-based and
public media.
The Right of Non-Discrimination:
We support all efforts to end curtailment of the potential and
self-esteem of any youth. No child shall be discriminated
against on the basis of age, race, gender, language, country of
origin, economic or marital status of parents, religious
affiliation, sexual orientation, or physical or mental
limitations or differences.
The Right of Free Choice:
No youth or child shall be either forced or forbidden to choose
a religious or political affiliation, philosophy or creed.
The Right to an Attorney:
All young persons shall have
the right to legal representation whereby attorneys act as an
attorney for - rather than guardian of - their clients.
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