Submitted by Louise on
This report is part of CRIN's access to justice for children project, looking at the status of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in national law, the status of children involved in legal proceedings, the legal means to challenge violations of children’s rights and the practical considerations involved in challenging violations.
The CRC forms part of national law, making it directly enforceable in the courts, however courts are reluctant to apply it and in some cases have even refused to do so. Children can only file a case themselves in limited areas of law, otherwise their legal representative (parents or guardian) do it on their behalf, and can do so without the child's consent. Access to legal aid is limited to criminal cases, and access to a lawyer can be problematic. State-funded compensation for victims of crime is available under law, but the provision is not yet enforced. In addition to the national courts, children can turn to the Ombudsman who can in turn apply to a Court on their behalf.
