A few days before the International Children's Day on 20 November, the General Assembly of the United Nations cleared the way for an individual complaints procedure for children. With the procedure, children and young people will have the opportunity to report and complain about violations of their rights to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva.

"The best children's rights are of no help if they exist only on paper," said the Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Kristina Schröder. "Children must be able to defend themselves against infringements of their rights. Unfortunately, many children and young people in the world do not yet have this option. That's why I campaigned for a children's complaints procedure at the United Nations. The fact that the General Assembly has now agreed on the process is an important step to better defend children's rights globally. "

Germany has petitioned for the children's individual complaints procedure together with seven other states in the General Assembly. With the decision of the Assembly the Additional Protocol can now be signed and ratified by all states. "I call on all countries to sign the Additional Protocol on the appeal process quickly. This is the only way for children to benefit from this new tool by drawing attention to grievances, and enforce their rights," added Schröder.

Source: Eurochild