Complaints Mechanism: Lobbying Documents

As of today, over 450 organisations from around the world have signed the petition to establish a communications (complaints) procedure under the UN CRC. 

In order to establish a new Optional Protocol for the CRC, the Human Rights Council (HRC) must first issue a resolution to create an open-ended Working Group to draft the procedure.

In commemoration of the CRC’s 20th anniversary this year, the HRC will devote a full day to the topic of children’s rights at its session in March; this would be an auspicious moment to pass a resolution to establish the open-ended Working Group.

We need your help

We would like to request that you write to your Foreign Ministries at home to inform them about the campaign and request their support.

We have produced a sample letter you can download [Word format and copy and past the text below] and send to your Ministry/Department of Foreign Affairs. You can send this from your own organisation, or contact other appropriate organisations and send a joint letter, preferably before the end of February.

What else can you do

1. If you have not yet signed the petition please consider doing so by going here: http://www.crin.org/petitions/petition.asp?petID=1007 and encourage others to sign as well;

2. You could also consider requesting a meeting with relevant government departments to discuss the proposal.

3. Please also keep us informed of any response/reaction to the campaign by emailing us at: [email protected]

Further information

 You may wish to attach some of these documents with your letter:

• Campaign Leaflet: Answering arguments against providing a communications procedure for the CRC
  
• Analysis: Children’s use of international and regional human rights complaint/communications procedures

• Treaty Body Communications Procedures
  This document contains text of Optional Protocols and other provisions for the core treaties.

• NEW: Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Adopted in December 2008 by the UN General Assembly)

Visit the Campaign website for more information and regular updates: http://www.crin.org/law/CRC_complaints/

_____________

Dear INSERT NAME,

There is a strong and growing international campaign to strengthen the enforcement of the Convention on the Rights of the Child through the drafting and adoption of an Optional Protocol to establish a communications/complaints procedure. Over 450 non-governmental organizations, human rights institutions and other bodies from all regions support this campaign. The Committee on the Rights of the Child has adopted a position in favour of such a procedure, and a number of State parties to the CRC are also supportive. Information about the proposed Optional Protocol is enclosed for your reference.

In order to establish a new Optional Protocol for the CRC, the Human Rights Council (HRC) must first issue a resolution to create an open-ended Working Group to draft the procedure. In commemoration of the CRC’s 20th anniversary this year, the HRC will devote a full day to the topic of children’s rights at its session in March; this would be an auspicious moment to pass a resolution to establish the open-ended Working Group. The support of INSERT NAME OF STATE is critical to achieve this goal.

We would like to encourage INSERT NAME OF STATE to adopt a position in support of the establishment of an Optional Protocol for a communications procedure for the CRC, and to consider what role you might play in mobilizing support amongst members of the HRC.

Children have waited nearly 20 years for this essential mechanism to reinforce full implementation of their Convention. There should be no further delay. A representative of NAME OF NGO will be in contact with you shortly to arrange a time to meet to discuss this further.

Sincerely,

INSERT NAME