The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is presently the most widely ratified international human rights instrument. State parties compliance with the Convention is monitored by the Committee on the Rights of the Child whose experts analyse government and NGO alternative reports and provide recommendations to enhance the promotion and respect of children’s rights. In 2006 a landmark European Commission Communication launched the development of an EU strategy on children’s rights, leading to the organisation of European Fora on the Rights of the Child. Eurochild is working within the framework of CRAG – the Child Rights Action Group – to contribute to the development and implementation of the EU strategy. The entrance into force of the Lisbon Treaty in December 2009 opens a new page for action on children’s rights at EU level since for the first time in the EU’s history the promotion of the rights of the child is amongst the objectives of the Union. The treaty also incorporates the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights making it a binding instrument for most member states. The charter has a dedicated article on children recognising the best interest of the child principle and the right of children to participation. |
