Youth Bill of Rights
From YRN
As adopted by NCRA in 1989.
Youth Bill of Rights
The National Child Rights Alliance believes that civil rights apply to all people - including children and youth. NCRA works to establish these rights for children:
The Right to Liberty
No children shall be forced to live in any household against their will - this includes biologic as well as foster and adoptive households. No children shall be forced into marriage. No children shall be institutionalized against their will without due process rights.
The Right to Safety
All children shall have the right to safe haven on request, without fear of criminal charges. NCRA supports Sanctuary for Children, and is establishing a fund in defense of this right.
The Right to Survival
All children have the right to adequate food, shelter, medical care and a healthy environment. NCRA supports a free national health care system for children which is not dependent on parental income nor parental permission 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.
The Right to Education
All children 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 children 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
NCRA supports all efforts to end curtailment of a child's potential and self-esteem based on age, race, gender, language, country of origin, the economic or marital status of parents, religious or sexual preference, and physical or mental limitations or differences.
The Right of Free Choice
No child shall be either forced or forbidden to choose a religious or political affiliation, philosophy or creed.
The Right to an Attorney
All children shall have the right to legal representation whereby the attorneys act as an attorney for - not guardian of - their clients.
