Submitted by jhortolani 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.
Iceland has ratified the CRC and incorporated the Convention into its national laws in February 2013, making it directly enforceable in the courts. Children aged 15 years and older are regarded as legal parties in child protection cases and can appeal decisions by local child protection committee to a district court judge. Iceland has a publicly funded legal aid system and cases concerning children’s rights are eligible for legal aid grants. Special provisions exist to protect child victims and witnesses giving evidence and non-governmental organisations can bring judicial review proceedings on behalf of child victims. In addition to the national courts, children can turn to local child protection committees, as well as the European Court on Human Rights.
