Independent Human Rights Institutions for Children

One of the core requirements of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is that States Parties should undertake all necessary and appropriate measures to implement the rights recognized therein. However, the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights is a particular challenge for the discretionary power of the State Party because it has to determine what the available resources are. The Committee encourages “other competent bodies” and NGOs to have an active role in effective implementation of the Convention. This opens the way for independent monitoring bodies such as IHRICs, to provide expert advice on implementation. This paper discusses the need for such bodies, their role, possible mandate and powers, guiding principles, as well as the problems of financing and independence. A fundamental feature of the activities of IHRICs is the participation of civil society and children themselves.