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Information for civil society, NGOs and NHRIs
Committee on the Rights of the Child
The Convention on the Rights of the Child expressly gives civil society a role in monitoring its implementation. Under article 45(a) of the Convention, the Committee may invite specialized agencies, UNICEF and “other competent bodies” – including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), national human rights institutions (NHRIs), individual experts and children – to provide expert advice on the implementation of the Convention. Their participation in the Committee’s activities is essential to provide a comprehensive picture of the way States are implementing the rights and obligations enshrined in the Convention.
The Committee warmly welcomes international, regional, national and local organizations to submit written reports on how the Convention is being implemented in a country. Information may be submitted by individual NGOs or coalitions of NGOs, as well as by NHRIs and Ombudspersons. Importantly, the Committee greatly welcomes submissions by children. It encourages civil society to coordinate and submit joint comprehensive reports to strengthen national-level cooperation and enhance the impact of the monitoring and reporting process.
Written submissions
Deadlines for written submissions by non-State party stakeholders to the Committee concerning State party reports under the simplified reporting procedure:
| Alternative reports for the adoption of the list of issues prior to reporting (LOIPR) | Additional submissions for the pre-sessional working group (PSWG)1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| February PSWG | 1 December | February PSWG | 1 December |
| June PSWG | 1 April | June PSWG | 1 April |
| October PSWG | 1 August | October PSWG | 1 August |
1 Under the simplified reporting procedure, additional submissions are not received between the PSWG and the session, as the PSWG meeting takes place approximately 3 months prior to the Committee’s constructive dialogue with the State party. Read more about how non-State party stakeholders can submit information to the Committee under the simplified reporting procedure.
Deadlines for written submissions by non-State party stakeholders to the Committee concerning State party reports under the traditional reporting procedure:
| Alternative reports for the pre-sessional working group (PSWG) | Additional submissions between the PSWG and the session 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| February PSWG | 1 November | January session | 15 December |
| June PSWG | 1 March | May session | 15 April |
| October PSWG | 1 July | September session | 15 August |
2 Additional submissions may include: comments on the List of Issues and Written Replies and/or any other relevant information
All reports should be submitted electronically, in Word format only, through the Child Rights Connect website. They can be comprehensive (maximum 10,000 words) or thematic (maximum 3,000 words). Submissions from children’s own organizations can use other communication formats and, when in writing, do not have a word limit. Read more about how children can participate in the Committee’s reporting process.
Organizations should clearly indicate whether their report is confidential or if they wish the Committee to make it public. Reports that are submitted for publication on OHCHR’s website should not contain names, personal details, photos or any other information that might identify an individual child.
Participation in the pre-sessional working group
The pre-sessional working group is a confidential, interactive meeting between the Committee and United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, NGOs, NHRIs and children. It provides a unique opportunity for dialogue with partners regarding implementation of the Convention and its Optional Protocols by States parties.
Local, national, regional and international NGOs who submit reports to the Committee may also request to participate in the pre-sessional working group. Requests should be submitted through the Child Rights Connect website, when submitting the report or at least two months prior to the beginning of the pre-sessional working group concerned. Based on the submissions and requests received, the Committee will issue a written invitation to selected organizations to participate in the pre-sessional working group.
The Committee will only invite partners whose information is particularly relevant to its consideration of the State party's report. Priority will be given to partners who have submitted information within the requested timeframe, who are working at national level and who can provide first-hand information that is complementary to information already available to the Committee. The Committee reserves the right to limit the number of partners invited.
Please note that only the organizations that submit written information in accordance with the above-mentioned deadlines and procedures can be invited to participate in the pre-sessional working groups. The pre-sessional working group is a meeting closed to the public, and observers are not allowed.
Contact information
For general queries, please contact the CRC Secretariat at [email protected].
If you wish to receive support and capacity building to engage in the reporting process and the work of the Committee, you can contact Child Rights Connect:
Child Rights Connect
1 rue Richard-Wagner
1202 Geneva, Switzerland
T: +41(0)22 522 4130
[email protected]
www.childrightsconnect.org
Child Rights Connect is an international network of NGOs that advocates for children’s enjoyment of their rights and empowers civil society and non-State actors, including children, NHRIs and Ombudspersons, to engage effectively with the Committee.
Read the Child Rights Connect Guides for NGOs, NHRIs and children on the CRC Reporting Cycle and other resources.