Webcasting - the CRC Committee 59th Session
As part of a pilot project for all treaty bodies, the NGO Group is very pleased to be webcasting the public meetings of the 59th Session of the CRC Committee. In the coming days, the live webcast will be available directly on this page. For now, please click to view the live video.
To view a complete list of the countries that will come before the Committee at this session, and to view the schedule of meetings, click here.
Please check back for more news about how to access archive videos.
State Party Reporting Process
The Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols are monitored through a system of reporting by States parties to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Reporting guidelines are available to assist States in preparing their reports. The report is examined by the Committee in the presence of the government and a summary of the discussion is produced. At the end of the dialogue, the Committee prepares concluding observations which reflect the main points of discussion and indicate concerns and issues which require specific follow-up action at the national level.
All documentation is available on the website of the Committee on the Rights of the Child. In addition, Country Reports and a Session Report are prepared for each session.
Convention on the Rights of the Child
The Convention on the Rights of the Child was unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 1989 and entered into force on 2 September 1990. The Convention, which contains 54 articles, is a comprehensive instrument which sets out rights that define universal principles and norms for children. It provides children with fundamental human rights and freedoms, while taking into account their need for special assistance and protection due to their vulnerability. It has been ratified by 193 States parties.
Optional Protocols
Two Optional Protocols to the CRC were adopted by the General Assembly on 25 May 2000. The first Optional Protocol, which entered into force on 18 January 2002, is on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (OPSC). This Optional Protocol requires that the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography be prohibited by law and it defines the acts that should be consequently criminalised. It binds States to protect the rights and interests of child victims and to develop prevention, rehabilitation and international cooperation measures to ensure the protection of children from sexual exploitation. It has been ratified by 137 States parties.
The second Optional Protocol, which entered into force on 12 February 2002, is on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC). This Optional Protocol raises the minimum age for direct participation in hostilities from 15 years of age to 18. It also prohibits compulsory recruitment by government forces of anyone under 18 and all forms of recruitment or use by other armed groups of persons under 18. It has been ratified by 132 States parties.
State Party Reports
States parties to the CRC are required to submit an initial report two years after ratification and progress reports every five years. States parties to the Optional Protocols are also required to submit an initial report two years after ratification. Subsequent progress reports are submitted as combined documents along with the periodic reports on the implementation of the CRC.
Reporting Guidelines
The process of preparing the State party report should be a broad and participatory one which offers an opportunity to conduct a comprehensive review of national legislation, administrative rules and procedures and practices. It allows States parties to monitor progress made, identify problems and shortcomings, assess future needs and goals, and plan and develop policies to achieve these goals.
The Committee has developed guidelines to assist States parties in drafting their periodic reports.
Guidelines for reporting under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict have also been drafted by the Committee.
Summary Records
The State party report is examined by the Committee in the presence of the government. Government representatives are invited to answer questions and comments posed by Committee members in order to understand more fully the actual situation in the country. Summary records are produced by the United Nations as an official record of the meeting.
Concluding Observations
At the end of the dialogue, the Committee prepares concluding observations which reflect the main points of discussion and indicate concerns and issues which would require specific follow-up action at the national level.