In addition to the CRC, the EU has its own standards in the field of child rights.

Respect for human rights – including child rights – is one of the core values upon which the EU is founded. This value and others, such as freedom, democracy and equality, guide both the internal work of the Union as well as its external action, including development policy and aid delivery.

Child rights are also embedded in core EU legal documents. Respect for human rights and child rights are enshrined in the portal paragraphs of the Treaty on EU. Article 24 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union includes principles such as the best interests of the child, the right of children to protection and care and to express their views freely, and the right of a child to have direct contact with his or her parents, unless contrary to his or her interests. Article 32 of the Charter also prohibits child labour. Moreover, three of the EU’s eight core human rights guidelines are specifically related to children. In addition, the EU has committed to making child rights part of its political and human rights dialogue with third countries.

Finally, all EU Members States are party to the Council of Europe’s European Convention of Human Rights, which the EU, as an organisation, will accede to in the near future. The rights protected in this Convention are recognised as general principles of EU Law.