Submitted by crinadmin on
Read full Constitution here. Sections relating to children: § 8. Every child of whose parents one is an Estonian citizen has the right to Estonian citizenship by birth. Everyone who has lost his or her Estonian citizenship as a minor has the right to its restoration. No one shall be deprived of Estonian citizenship acquired by birth. No one shall be deprived of Estonian citizenship because of his or her beliefs. The conditions and procedures for the acquisition, loss and restoration of Estonian citizenship shall be provided by the Citizenship Act. § 27. The family, being fundamental to the preservation and growth of the nation and as the basis of society shall be protected by the state. Spouses have equal rights. Parents have the right and the duty to raise and care for their children. The protection of parents and children shall be provided by law. The family has a duty to care for its needy members. § 28. Everyone has the right to the protection of health. An Estonian citizen has the right to state assistance in the case of old age, inability to work, loss of a provider, or need. The categories and extent of assistance, and the conditions and procedure for the receipt of assistance shall be provided by law. Citizens of foreign states and stateless persons who are in Estonia have this right equally with Estonian citizens, unless otherwise provided by law. The state shall promote voluntary and local government welfare services. Families with many children and persons with disabilities shall be under the special care of the state and local governments. § 37. Everyone has the right to education. Education is compulsory for school-age children to the extent specified by law, and shall be free of charge in state and local government general education schools. In order to make education accessible, the state and local governments shall maintain the requisite number of educational institutions. Other educational institutions, including private schools, may also be established and maintained pursuant to law. Parents shall have the final decision in the choice of education for their children. Everyone has the right to receive instruction in Estonian. The language of instruction in national minority educational institutions shall be chosen by the educational institution. The provision of education shall be supervised by the state. § 44. Everyone has the right to freely obtain information disseminated for public use. All state agencies, local governments, and their officials have a duty to provide information about their activities, pursuant to procedure provided by law, to an Estonian citizen at his or her request, except information the disclosure of which is prohibited by law, and information intended exclusively for internal use. An Estonian citizen has the right to access information about himself or herself held in state agencies and local governments and in state and local government archives, pursuant to procedure provided by law. This right may be restricted pursuant to law to protect the rights and freedoms of others or the confidentiality of a child's parentage, and in the interests of preventing a criminal offence, apprehending a criminal offender, or ascertaining the truth in a criminal proceeding. Citizens of foreign states and stateless persons who are in Estonia have the rights specified in paragraphs two and three of this section equally with Estonian citizens, unless otherwise provided by law.