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MENU: Resources / Latest developments / December meeting / submissions / Our objectives / What you can do Below you will find an update on latest developments in the UN and what we as NGOs are doing. We are also sending you links to documents that you may find useful in your lobbying. Read the draft text of the Optional Protocol An updated Advocacy Toolkit A paper on Collective Complaints in English and Español / Français / Arabic The NGO Submission for the second meeting of States in December. Other languages include Español / français / Arabic Our Commentary on the Draft text of the complaints procedure in English and Spanish Since it was agreed in March that States would begin working on a draft text of a complaints mechanism (or Communications Procedure), the Chairperson of the group of States has been holding informal talks and consultations with governments, representatives of civil society and key experts to collect input for his initial draft. In August 2010, he circulated his proposal for a draft which will serve as a basis for the negotiations. Latest developments
During the December meeting, if they reach consensus on the draft, it will go to the Human Rights Council for adoption in March, if not, they will hold another five day meeting during the second half of February 2011.
All States will be invited. One representative of the Committee on the Rights of the Child is expected to be invited as a resource person and other relevant stakeholders, such as UN experts, representatives from UN agencies, Children's Ombudspersons and NGOs may also attend, provided that they have the appropriate accreditation.
Similarly, those interested (who hold the appropriate accreditation) can make written contributions in advance of the meeting.
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The NGO Group for the CRC and partner organisations have prepared a joint submission in response to the Chair's draft. If your organisation would like to support our submission, please contact Anita Goh, Advocacy Officer of the NGO Group at goh@childrightsnet.org
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The Committee on the Rights of the Child also prepared Comments on the Chair’s proposal for a draft which concur with the main positions defended in the NGO joint submission.
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Mr Peter Newell, one of the experts invited at the first session of the OEWG in December 2009, submitted a new brief in preparation of the second session of the OEWG on Collective communications.
Although we want a speedy process, the most important thing for us is that the new OP contains the key provisions that will ensure its effectiveness and utility for victims of violations of their rights under the CRC and its two existing OPs.
Our aim is that States make full use of the ten days that have been allocated for negotiations in December 2010 and February 2011 and that a draft OP which allows for collective as well as individual communications is presented before the HRC in June 2011.
What is collective communications
Collective communications are communications that can be submitted without identifying an individual victim. They describe potential or actual violations of rights that have resulted or that will likely result in victimization if they are not addressed.
In the context of children’s rights violations, collective communications would be instrumental to:
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ensure that situations that would be difficult, if not impossible, to address through individual communications (e.g. victims of child pornography, children in illegal situations, etc.) can be brought to the Committee’s attention, and
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avoid involving children victims in the process when there are concerns over confidentiality, re-victimization and protection of these children
As we have said before, it is crucial that we join forces on this campaign. We would kindly ask that you write to your Ministries of Foreign Affairs and other relevant government offices asking them to support the inclusion of the possibility of collective communications. We have drafted a model letter – you only need to add your name and the name of your organisation.
The Updated Advocacy toolkit and the briefing should answer any questions you, or your government may have on the draft text and indeed the need for collective communications.
Please tell us whether you get any responses, whether you have meetings, what your government's position is, etc. Email Anita Goh at the NGO Group for the CRC on goh@childrightsnet.org