Here, you will find child-friendly versions of cases submitted by or on behalf of children and examined by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child under the Optional Protocol on a Communications Procedure (OPIC). The Leiden Children's Rights Observatory remains committed to promoting access to justice by making the Committee's views and decisions more understandable and accessible to children. This is an ongoing project.
Sixteen children from different countries submitted a complaint to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. They argued that their rights to life, health and culture were harmed because some countries despite knowing the dangers of climate change were not doing enough to prevent it.
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V.W., a girl from Germany, was kept away from her father M.W. following her parents divorce. As the issue could not be resolved in Germany, her father filed a complaint with the Committee on the Rights of the Child on her behalf.
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A.B., a Russian child with two moms, faced mistreatment. His family sought safety in Finland, but their request to stay there was denied, forcing them to return to Russia. A.B. complained to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, saying Finland ignored his best interests and opinion.
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B.J. and P.J., siblings from Czechia, were sent to a children’s care center by a court because they weren’t going to school or getting mental health care. The court made this decision without considering the children’s views, so they complained to the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
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C.R., a girl in Paraguay, couldn’t see her father who lived abroad. Even though a court said they should be able to meet, the visits didn’t happen. Her father brought the case to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, saying this harmed C.R.’s right to stay in contact with both parents.
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G.G.P., a boy from Paraguay, waited many years to be officially recognized by his father. Even though his mother went to court, the process took too long and nothing changed. Because of this, G.G.P. couldn’t have his full identity or receive support from his father. His mother sent a complaint on his behalf to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, saying the unfair delays harmed G.G.P.’s rights.
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