Back

UNCRC Article of the Week (28th February 2022)

Published on:

This week's Article of the Week is:

Article 30: I have a right to speak my own language and to follow my family’s way of life.

Article 30 of the UNCRC makes it clear that children and young people who belong to a minority group have the right to share their culture, language and religion with other people in that group.

Minority groups include:

  • ethnic minorities
  • religious minorities
  • linguistic minorities— people who use a language that’s not the one most people use. That includes signed languages as well as spoken ones: British Sign Language users are members of a linguistic minority.

While most of what Article 30 says is implied by other Articles of the UNCRC, it exists to makes clear that the rights of minority children and young people should not be overlooked by people who think about how to put the Convention into practice. It applies to everyone in the UK and not just its citizens— so refugees in the process of seeking asylum are covered by it in the same way as everyone else.

What Article 30 doesn’t say9

Article 30 doesn’t say that a child or young person’s culture or religion can be used to override their human rights. In particular, children and the young have the right to be protected from practices that are likely to cause them harm, regardless of whether they are part of their culture.

Useful links
Useful Links for Parents

Here's a quick link to some useful information for parents and carers, including home learning apps and the school's communication app.

Find out more
Watch our video
Video Tour

Come on an exciting video tour of our lovely school.

Find out more
Our address
Our Address

    Riversdale Primary School
    302A Merton Road
    Wandsworth London
    SW18 5JP

    0208 874 6904
Directions
Get Directions

Enter your post code into the box below and we’ll provide you with a list of directions to our school.