1. Member States of the Organization of African Unity, Parties to the present Charter shall recognize the
rights, freedoms and duties enshrined in this Charter and shall undertake the necessary steps, in
accordance with their Constitutional processes and with the provisions of the present Charter, to adopt
such legislative or other measures as may be necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Charter.
2. Nothing in this Charter shall affect any provisions that are more conducive to the realization of the rights and
welfare of the child contained in the law of a State Party or in any other international Convention or agreement
in force in that State.
3. Any custom, tradition, cultural or religious practice that is inconsistent with the rights, duties and obligations
contained in the present Charter shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, be discouraged.
ARTICLE 2
Definition of a Child
For the purposes of this Charter, a child means every human being below the age of 18 years.
ARTICLE 3
Non-Discrimination
Every child shall be entitled to the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized and guaranteed in this
Charter irrespective of the child’s or his/her parents’ or legal guardians’ race, ethnic group, colour, sex,
language, religion, political or other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status.
ARTICLE 4
Best Interests of the Child
1. In all actions concerning the child undertaken by any person or authority the best interests of the child shall be
the primary consideration.
1. In all judicial or administrative proceedings affecting a child who is capable of communicating his/her
own views, an opportunity shall be provided for the views of the child to be heard either directly or
through an impartial representative as a party to the proceedings, and those views shall be taken into
consideration by the relevant authority in accordance with the provisions of appropriate law.
ARTICLE 5
Survival and Development
1. Every child has an inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law.
2. State Parties to the present Charter shall ensure, to the maximum extent possible, the survival, protection and
development of the child.
3. Death sentence shall not be pronounced for crimes committed by children.
ARTICLE 6
Name and Nationality
1. Every child shall have the right from his birth to a name.