The Convention on the Rights of the Child is a law: "Children gain a stronger position"

The UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on Children in 1989 and Sweden joined in 1990.

- So this is nothing new, but children's rights are being strengthened. It becomes clearer that children are rights bearers, says Carina Andersson, public health strategist at Region Blekinge.

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child examines how different countries work on children's rights. In the report that the committee produces every five years, Sweden has received comments, among other things, that the child's position needs to be strengthened when making decisions, says Carina Andersson.

- In all decisions concerning children, the best interests of the child must be assessed and taken into account, she says.

The fact that the Children's Convention is a law means that it is directly applicable in court and that children's legal rights under the Convention weigh as heavily as other laws.

- It is state authorities, regions and municipalities that have an obligation to comply with the law, says Carina Andersson.

Private actors that provide services to the state concerning children are also required to comply with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.