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Republic of Estonia Child Protection Act (excerpts)
Passed 8 June 1992
(RT* 1992, 28, 370),
entered into force 1 January 1993

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§ 9. Right of child to identity
(1) Every child shall be registered immediately after birth in a medical care institution. Every child has the right from birth to a name, nationality, general education in his or her national culture, and to know and be cared for by his or her parents.
(2) The child shall be registered by a state agency during the first month of life.

§ 10. Equal right of child to receive assistance and care
The child has an equal right to receive assistance and care and to develop, regardless of his or her sex or ethnic origin, regardless of whether the child lives in a two parent family or single parent family, whether the child is adopted or under curatorship, whether the child is born in wedlock or out of wedlock, or whether the child is healthy, ill or disabled.

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§ 20. Child and fellow human beings
(1) The child shall treat his or her fellow human beings with respect.
(2) In exercising his or her rights, the child shall not harm the legal interests and rights of other children or adults.

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§ 39. Right of child to education
Every child has the right to an education which develops the child's mental and physical abilities and forms a healthy personality, including:
1) develops respect for the child's parents, fellow human beings, himself or herself and all living things;
2) develops respect for the child's native language, the Estonian national culture and other languages and cultures;
3) prepares the child for responsible life in a free society in the spirit of tolerance, equality and respect for human rights;
4) teaches the child to protect nature, the environment and his or her health.

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§ 67. Refugees
(1) If a child is considered to be a refugee in accordance with international or national law, the child shall receive protection and assistance regardless of whether the child is accompanied or unaccompanied by his or her parents or any other person.
(2) The social services departments shall begin to trace the child's parents and determine possibilities for the child's return.
(3) If the child's parents are not found, the child shall be accorded the same protection as is accorded to any other child who has been temporarily or permanently deprived of his or her family environment.

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Source: Unofficial translation


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