Article 10 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Contact with Parents Across Countries

Article 10 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees that requests by children or their families to enter or leave a country for family reunification must be handled in a humane, positive, and expeditious manner. This article is directly linked to the child’s right not to be separated from their parents (Article 9) and aims to facilitate the reunification of family members living in different countries.

Article 10 places a responsibility on States to evaluate family reunification requests through a fair, transparent process that prioritizes the best interests of the child. While the article does not obligate States to grant entry, it requires that each application be assessed through procedures that are non-punitive, non-discriminatory, and respectful of the child’s right to express their views.

The Committee on the Rights of the Child emphasizes that the best interests of the child, the preservation of family ties, and the child’s participation must be central considerations in all family reunification processes. For this reason, States must reassess their border and migration policies through a child-rights perspective and develop systems that protect children’s personal contact and continuity with their families.

Ultimately, Article 10 ensures not only that children can physically reunite with their families but also that they grow up with a sense of belonging, security, and emotional integrity.