Article 15 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: Setting Up or Joining Groups

Article 15 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees every child the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association. This right not only includes children’s ability to join social groups, but also enables them to form communities, build solidarity, unite around shared goals, and collectively raise their voices on social issues. In this sense, Article 15 is one of the essential foundations of children’s participation in social and democratic life.

Research shows that the freedom to assemble and organize strengthens children’s social development, self-confidence, and leadership skills (Lansdown, 2022; McMellon & Tisdall, 2020). Within groups, children learn not only to express themselves, but also to debate, encounter differing perspectives, and make collective decisions. These experiences enhance their critical thinking skills while reinforcing their sense of social responsibility.

Today, children’s right to organize and participate collectively extends widely into digital environments. Social media, online campaigns, and digital youth platforms provide essential opportunities for children to come together safely and form solidarity networks (Livingstone & Bulger, 2014; Hanna et al., 2023). At the same time, the digital world presents risks such as privacy violations and online harassment, making it essential for states to both support and safeguard children’s digital participation.

Children’s right to peaceful assembly and association has gained significant visibility within social movements. Historically, children and young people have played active roles in key protest movements. From factory-working children participating in labor strikes during the industrial era to school boycotts and youth movements throughout the 20th century, the long-standing power of children’s collective action is well documented (History Workshop, 2023). As National Geographic highlights, the 1963 Birmingham Children’s March was a turning point in the U.S. civil rights movement, led in large part by children. Time magazine likewise notes that, from the 1960s to the present, high school students have taken critical roles in anti-war protests, gun control movements, and demands for safer schools.

Youth activism continues to rise globally. Greta Thunberg’s “Fridays for Future” movement, launched at age 15, mobilized millions of children worldwide in climate strikes. Malala Yousafzai’s fight for girls’ right to education made her a global symbol of peace and equality. UNICEF’s list of young activists also includes Khairul Nizam (advocating against child labor), Mari Copeny (fighting for environmental justice), and Bana Alabed (raising global awareness about the impact of war on children), all powerful examples of children using organization and peaceful protest to drive change.

UNICEF (2024) reports that children today are increasingly mobilizing around issues such as the climate crisis, racism, gender equality, anti-war movements, and the right to education. Participation in these protests allows children to have a say in their own lives, become advocates for their rights, and develop awareness of global challenges.

However, the risks children may face during protests and organizational activities must not be overlooked. Studies show that adults sometimes dismiss child protesters or may encounter pressure from law enforcement or political actors (Reynaert et al., 2009; Shpytalenko et al., 2024). For this reason, states must not only recognize children’s right to peaceful assembly, but also ensure that children can exercise this right safely.

In conclusion, Article 15 secures children’s right to be active agents of social change. By acting together, children amplify their voices, learn solidarity, and develop the capacity to transform the world around them. Society’s responsibility is to protect and support spaces where children can assemble peacefully, express their views freely, and organize in safety.

References

Hanna, A., & Martinez Sainz, G. (2023). “I Will Not Stand Aside and Watch. I Will Not be Silent”: Claiming the Right to Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly through the #FridaysForFuture Movement. The International Journal of Children's Rights, 31(4), 811-840. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718182-31040002

Haworth-Booth, A. (2021, July 26). Children on strike. History Workshop. https://www.historyworkshop.org.uk/activism-solidarity/children-on-strike/

Lansdown, G. (2022, January). Article 15: The Right to Freedom of Association and Assembly. In Monitoring State Compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (p. 85). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-84647-3_10

Livingstone, S., & Bulger, M. (2014). A global research agenda for children's rights in the digital age. Journal of Children and Media, 8(4), 317-335. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482798.2014.961496

McMellon, C., & Tisdall, E. K. M. (2020). Children and young people’s participation rights: Looking backwards and moving forwards. The International Journal of Children's Rights, 28(1), 157-182. https://doi.org/10.1163/15718182-02801002

Reynaert, D., Bouverne-de-Bie, M., & Vandevelde, S. (2009). A review of children’s rights literature since the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Childhood, 16(4), 518-534. https://doi.org/10.1177/0907568209344270

Shpytalenko, G., Havrik, R., Vatras, V., Sabluk, S., & Andrukhiv, O. (2024). Safeguarding children's rights through international legal frameworks. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 6. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2024ss0735

UNICEF. (2024). Youth, protests and the polycrisis. United Nations Children’s Fund. https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/media/7761/file/UNICEF-Innocenti-Youth-Protests-and-the-Polycrisis-%20report.pdf

UNICEF Australia. (2024). Five child activists you need to know. https://www.unicef.org.au/stories/five-child-activists-you-need-to-know

Dr. Sezen ÇİÇEK APAYDIN

November 23, 2025