Summary: Parliament's Constitutional Committee is seeking to give the Chancellor of Justice additional ombudsman duties under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

[10 January 2011] - Under the draft legislation, the Chancellor of Justice Act would be amended to give the ombudsman-like official a clear mandate for handling children's affairs - something backers say will emphasize the importance of the field.

The Chancellor of Justice would be responsible for investigating cases of violations of children's rights and making inquiries, issuing opinions and recommendations on how to further children's rights, and help harmonize national legal acts with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

In December, Parliament's Finance Committee appropriated 383,000 euros to the Chancellor of Justice to establish a children's ombudsman office. Parliament is expected to discuss the draft legislation on January 11.

Further Information:

ESTONIA: Children's Rights References in the Universal Periodic Review [CRIN, January 2011]

ESTONIA: Working hard to reduce child exploitation, though gaps remain, says UN expert [31 October 2008]