All children have rights. Children's rights are guaranteed by the UN Convention on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Germany has ratified the CRC and its optional protocols committing itself to protecting and implementing children’s rights. The German Institute for Human Rights has been entrusted with the task of promoting, supporting and monitoring the implementation of the UN Convention and established the "National CRC Monitoring Mechanism“ for this purpose.
The Monitoring Mechanism is responsible for critically monitoring the implementation of the UN CRC in Germany. To fulfil this role, it serves two primary functions: firstly, it acts as an explanatory body, offering information and guidance on the Convention's content through publications and presentations; secondly, it functions as an observational body, issuing statements and conducting applied research on children's rights. The Monitoring Mechanism work is located between the fields of state action and the reality of children's and young people's lives. The Monitoring Mechanism campaigns to ensure that the rights of all children in Germany are implemented.
Raising awareness of children’s rights
The Monitoring Mechanism helps promote awareness of children’s rights. When necessary, it reminds individuals and institutions that work with children of their obligations under the terms of the Convention.
Advising on CRC interpretation
The Monitoring Mechanism provides advice on interpreting the CRC and its child-oriented implementation to policy-makers at the federal, Länder and local level, as well as the courts, the legal profession and civil society. The Monitoring Mechanism is also an advocate for children’s rights-based research.
Reporting to the United Nations
The Monitoring Mechanism exchanges information about the implementation of children’s rights in Germany with United Nations, especially the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Working with others
The Monitoring Mechanism works closely with civil society organisations, government bodies and research institutions. It also works with children and young people themselves, since their participation, in line with Article 12 of the CRC, is the basis for the Monitoring Mechanism’s work and with the National Human Rights Institutions of other countries.
Main areas of focus
- Best interest of the child
- Non-Discrimination
- Participation/Views of the child
- Enshrining children's rights in German Basic Law
- Child friendly justice
- Children of incarcerated parents
- Complaints mechanisms
- Custodial measures
- Rights of refugee and migrant children
- Federal state-level monitoring
Working methods
The National CRC Monitoring Mechanism works closely with civil society, government agencies, research institutes, children and young people directly. Participation, as set out in Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, is the basis of its work.
