Article 2 says all children have the rights set out in the UNCRC, and individual children and young people shouldn’t be discriminated against when these rights are realised. This covers both direct and indirect discrimination.
Direct discrimination happens when a person is treated differently because of the way they are.
For example, it happens if someone doesn’t get a job because of their disability or isn’t treated equally because of their race.
Indirect discrimination happens when something applies to everyone in the same way but affects some people unfairly.
For example, if everyone had to climb up a flight of stairs to get to an after school club, this would discriminate against children who couldn’t do that because of disability.
If you believe you may have been discriminated against the Equality Advisory Support Service provides advice and assistance on equality and human rights legislation and how it may relate to you.
More in the Rights questions and answers section
If you believe you may have been discriminated against the Equality Advisory Support Service provides advice and assistance on equality and human rights legislation and how it may relate to you.
The LGBT Youth Scotland website has advice, information and resources for young people, parents and carers and professionals. There’s a chat line, too (tel. 0131 555 3940).
Contact provides support and advice for families with disabled children
.Kindred specialises in supporting families with complex needs. They operate a helpline and provide practical information, advocacy support and guidance, as well as a counselling service for parents whose children are in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh whether on an in-patient or an out-patient basis.
More in the Rights questions and answers section
Non-discrimination is a general principle
Non-discrimination is one of the four general principles of the UNCRC, which underpin how it should be interpreted and put into practice.
The four principles are: