UK: New book empowers children and helps them know their rights

74% of parents in Great Britain think it should be compulsory for schools to teach children about their human rights - new figures released today reveal

81% of parents want schools to teach their children about racism and other forms of prejudice

Most parents feel children should have the right to age-appropriate sex education inclusive of LGBT+ relationships

‘I can’t wait to tell my friends that we have the right to play!’ - Florence, age 8

Amnesty International is launching a new book with Andersen Press on children’s rights for primary school students today (5 September) as it releases new figures revealing the majority of parents in Great Britain want their children to learn about their human rights in school, and feel children should be taught about racism and other forms of prejudice as well as have the right to sex education that includes LGBT+ relationships.

The book, These Rights Are Your Rights, is released as children return to school and ahead of the Government’s review of the national curriculum, which starts this month.

These Rights Are Your Rights is written for children and is informed by children.  In light-touch words and pictures, with fun facts and jokes, it explains what child rights are, how they came into being, how governments are failing to uphold them and equips young people with the knowledge they need to protect themselves and others. It shows how child rights apply online too, with advice on how to stay safe from cyberbullying, grooming and dark algorithms. 

The book lays out the rights that children have in a clear, engaging, child-friendly way, from having the right to play, to the right to equality – regardless of race, religion or sexuality – to the right to a safe place; to identity; and more. 

It is illustrated by inspiring stories of children who took action when their rights were being denied, from the UK’s Amy, Jaime, Kane and Jamie who have additional learning needs and are wheelchair users and succeeded in getting children with accessibility issues involved in town-planning decisions, to Kez Valdez from the Philippines who became an activist after living on the streets and as a young teen helped improve the lives of other street children, and Sweden’s Greta Thunberg, who mobilised school children around the world to demand politicians take meaningful action on climate change, and many more, showing children can and do take action for their rights.

In addition to introducing children to their rights, the book has guidance on how to recognise fake news, build skills in how to raise awareness and strengthen their confidence. It is useful for children to read themselves as well as for teachers to use as a resource and for parents to read to younger children.

Alice Sims, Amnesty International UK’s Human Rights Education Manager, said:

“This book is ideal for Key Stage 2 - its child-friendly style speaks to children directly and is also useful for teachers and parents to understand and discuss their rights with them.

 “We created this series to increase children’s understanding of their rights and empower them to become active both in their own lives and know they can help people wherever they are. 

 “Our poll shows the majority of parents clearly want schools to teach their children about human rights and the Government has a fresh opportunity to make this a reality with the curriculum review and make sure teaching children’s rights is embedded throughout education, starting at primary school.

 “Empowering children and young people to learn about their rights is a human right that will benefit them throughout their lives and this book will help them do it.”

 Florence, age 8, said:

“I can’t wait to tell my friends that we have the right to play!

“I enjoyed the tips on how to stand up for everyone and to always be yourself and thought it was cool that the children in Wales made their Government make changes to their playgrounds and community.”

The latest in Amnesty’s child rights series it includes a preface by Angelina Jolie – who joined forces with Amnesty in 2021 to co-write the first book of the series Know Your Rights and Claim Them.

In her preface, Angelina Jolie speaks directly to children telling them that:

“Children everywhere, from the moment you are born, you have the same rights as every other child…. Laws get broken all the time, but it is harder for this to happen if we know what they are and what can be done to stop it.

“That is what this book is about …. This book tells you what your rights are, where they come from and why they matter …. When young people join together, you are an unstoppable force.”

Teaching human rights should be compulsory

A new YouGov poll commissioned by Amnesty last month reveals that fewer than a quarter (24%) of parents know that children have more rights than adults, but the majority (74%) feel it’s important for children to learn about their rights in school and that it should be compulsory – a clear message ahead of the curriculum review.

The vast majority of parents – 81% – feel children should be taught about racism and other forms of prejudice at school – a particularly strong message in the wake of the racist violence that tore through communities this summer. Amnesty’s poll also shows that most parents – 58% – feel children should have the right to be taught age-appropriate sex education that is inclusive of LGBT+ relationships. 

These Rights Are Your Rights written by Nicky Parker at Amnesty International and illustrated by Sue Cheung, is published by Andersen Press and is available from today (Thursday 5 September) in bookshops across the UK and Amnesty UK’s website: https://www.amnestyshop.org.uk/products/amnesty-international/these-rights-are-your-rights-paperback-book/ priced £7.99.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,038 parents of children aged under 18. Fieldwork was undertaken between 22-23 August 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).