The United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child is an international agreement that protects the human rights of children under the age of 18.

In Scotland 20,000 – 27,000 children have a parent in prison each year. We spoke to some of those children to see how the UNCRC has affected them, why children should have rights, and what more they would like to see to ensure their rights are realised.

In this video 3 young people discuss their views on Article 9 – Keeping Families Together, which states:

Children should not be separated from their parents unless they are not being properly looked after
– for example, if a parent hurts or does not take care of a child.

Children whose parents don’t live together should stay in contact with both parents unless this might harm the child.

Importantly, children and young people have the right to keep in contact with their parents. If the State is responsible for them being separated from a parent – as would be the case if that parent were in prison – then it should be able to tell them where that parent is.

Children and young people who have lost contact with their parents should be able to be reunited with their families if they wish.

To see all of our videos please visit vimeo.com/familiesoutside