Chapter Four - The Bill of Rights 

Part 3. Specific application of rights

53. Children

1. Every child has the right --
   1. to a name and nationality from birth;
   2. to free and compulsory basic education;
   3. to basic nutrition, shelter and health care;
   4. to be protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, all forms of violence, inhuman treatment and punishment, and hazardous or exploitative labour;
   5. to parental care and protection, which includes equal responsibility of the mother and father to provide for the child, whether they are married to each other or not; and
   6. not to be detained, except as a measure of last resort, and when detained, to be held –
      1. (i) for the shortest appropriate period of time; and
      2. (ii) separate from adults and in conditions that take account of the child’s sex and age.
2. A child’s best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child.