Children to Be Able to File Complaints in Cases of Rights Violations

The government of Armenia approved the proposal to sign the Optional Protocol on a communications procedure to the Convention on the Rights of the Child during its meeting today, September 19. The justification for the decision states that this Optional Protocol was adopted during the 66th session of the UN General Assembly on December 19, 2011. The protocol has been signed by 51 countries and has entered into force for 41 countries.

The protocol is open for signature by any state that has signed or ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child or any of its two Optional Protocols or has acceded to them. The protocol aims to strengthen and complement national and regional mechanisms that allow children to file complaints regarding violations of their rights.

The importance of the protocol lies in its provision for the Committee on the Rights of the Child (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) to carry out a number of functions aimed at reinforcing and complementing such national mechanisms, as well as expanding the implementation of the Convention and, where applicable, its Optional Protocols on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and the involvement of children in armed conflict.

By signing the Optional Protocol, the Republic of Armenia will undertake to duly consider the Committee’s views and recommendations regarding complaints from individuals under its jurisdiction and to provide a written response to the Committee, including information on any actions taken or proposed in light of the Committee’s views and recommendations.

Moreover, by being a party to the Optional Protocol, the Republic of Armenia may recognize the Committee’s competence to receive and consider communications whereby one State Party claims that another State Party is not fulfilling its obligations under the Convention or any of its two Optional Protocols. Such competence for the Committee is conferred only upon the relevant declaration by the State Party.

In light of the above, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia considers it advisable to sign the Optional Protocol on the communication procedure regarding the Convention on the Rights of the Child.