ALTERNATIVE REPORTS

Since the Committee began examining reports, the NGO Group has worked to ensure that the Committee receives information from national and international NGOs in order to better monitor the progress and difficulties encountered in the implementation of the CRC and the Optional Protocols.

The NGO Group, in cooperation with the Child Rights Information Network (CRIN), has created a database of NGO reports that have been presented to the Committee. Only reports for which written permission has been obtained from the authors have been included. Copyright of the reports are retained by the authors.

An Alternative Reports Search Form allows the database to be searched by any combination of country, session or organization.

As one of its core activities, the NGO Group provides technical assistance and support to national NGOs in the preparation of their reports. The Guide for Non-Governmental Organizations Reporting to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child contains detailed information on how NGOs can submit written information to the Committee.

Reports prepared by NGOs vary in terms of content and size but most aim to:

• provide a serious and independent assessment of the implementation of the Convention at national level though specific, reliable and objective information
• highlight key issues of concern
• present information about the practical implementation of legislation, programs and policies
• provide information on areas of concern not covered or thought to be covered incorrectly or misleadingly
• present concrete recommendations that are country specific, limited in time and can be realistically implemented at national level

NGO reports are a unique opportunity to bring concerns about children to the international legal body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the CRC. It encourages and facilitates public scrutiny of governmental policies, can be the beginning of an open debate on the status of children in the country and creates a window of opportunity to have a serious dialogue with senior government official about efforts to comply with the CRC. Reporting can also empower national NGOs by offering a legitimate external source to which children’s issues can be raised and addressed.