Civil rights
Under the CRC children have rights to identity, such as the right to have their
birth registered, the right to a name, the right to know who their parents are and
the right to a nationality. The CRC also protects a child’s right to live a life free
from discrimination and their right to access accurate information in writing,
print or other media.
Some concerns for children’s civil rights in Australia are:
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Not all babies in Australia are registered at birth, especially those born to
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents. Birth certificates play an
important role in ensuring that a child has access to education and other
resources.
It is not always possible for transgender children in Australia to seek legal
recognition of their gender identity. The inability to change the sex marker
on birth certificates can make the experience of attending school, for
example, difficult for transgender children.
Children in out-of-home care can experience difficulties in accessing
identity documents, such as birth certificates, proof of Aboriginality, proof
of Australian citizenship, and passports.
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