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Summary: Information about institutions in Mauritius that monitor children's rights.
Children's Ombudsperson The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was established in 2001 following the enactment of the Protection of Human Rights Act. The Commission's role includes the investigation of complaints that a person acting in a public function has violated the rights of a person in Mauritius and particularly includes the investigation of the actions of the police force with regards to human rights. The Ombudsperson for Children's Office (OCO) was established in 2003 in pursuance of the Ombudsperson for Children Act 2003 (OCA) and is mandated to ensure that the rights, need and interests of children are given full consideration by public bodies, private authorities individuals and associations of individuals; to promote the rights and best interests of children; and to promote compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (s. 5, OCA). The Ombudsperson is empowered to propose legislation, initiate investigations into violations of the rights of children and investigate complaints made by children in relation to the violation of the rights of children (s. 6, OCA). In its Concluding Observations of 2006, the Committee on the Rights of the Child acknowledged the valuable work of the OCO in investigating children's rights violations and awareness-raising, but expressed concern at the limited human and financial resources available to the Office. The Committee also expressed concern that the staff of the OCO were seconded from government departments, which may limit the Office's independence. The Committee urged the State to provide the Ombudsperson with sufficient human and financial resources to fulfil its functions; to recruit qualified and trained staff to work in the Office and to involve the OCO in the review of any laws and policies pertaining to children.