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State Reporting and the Role of NGOs

All states which have ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child have to submit regular reports to the Committee on measures taken by the state to protect children's rights. The first report is due two years after a state ratifies the Convention. Afterwards, a report has to be submitted every five years. The Committee examines these reports and gives recommendations for every State Party. Both state reports and recommendations are public documents and are available on the website of the Committee.

Before it makes its decisions, however, the Committee specifically invites non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other national human rights institutions to provide their own reports regarding the children's rights situation in their country. In its recommendations, the Committee takes into account the information it receives from NGOs. The cooperation with NGOs is institutionalised by means of working groups which meet without the state representatives before the sessions.

Another way for individuals to draw international attention to violations of children's rights therefore is to report them to national or international NGOs working in the area which can bring them into the discussion with the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Last change: 22.02.12 - 17:45