Independent Human Rights Institutions for Children

Independent human rights institutions play a critical role in promoting and protecting human rights at national level. The UN Study on Violence against children encourages States to establish independent human rights institutions for children (also called ombudspersons for children or commissioners for children). They can give a voice to the voiceless, denounce situations, monitor progress, remind States of their obligations, promote debates and changes in policies and legislation.

More information about the role and work of these institutions can be found in the following pages:

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Global Study on Independent Human Rights for Children published by UNICEF-Innocenti
European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC)