When your rights are violated

Violations of children’s rights can endanger their growth and development. For this reason, the Convention on the Rights of the Child is legally binding in Finland, just like any other law.

Ideally, all adults would know and respect children’s rights, but this is not always the case. That is why it is important that you know your rights and are able to tell others about them if necessary. You can learn about children’s rights on this website as well as at home or at school during Children’s Rights Week, for example.

Speak to your parents or another trusted adult if you feel that your rights are not being respected. The realisation of children’s rights is also safeguarded by several authorities, such as the Ombudsman for Children, the Parliamentary Ombudsman, the patient and social services ombudsmen in your wellbeing services county and the Finnish Supervisory Agency.

Any child or group of children may submit a complaint to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child if all domestic legal remedies have been exhausted without success.