Individual communications

CRC Working Methods and Guidelines on Individual Communications

The Committee can consider individual communications, also known as complaints, from or on behalf of an individual or group of individuals, within the jurisdiction of a State party to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the rights of the child on a communications procedure (OPIC), claiming to be victims of a violation by that State party of any of the rights set forth in any of the following instruments to which that State is a party:

1. The Convention on the Rights of the Child;
2. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;
3. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the involvement of children in armed conflict.

Complaints may be submitted by individuals or groups of individuals regardless of whether their legal capacity is recognized in the State party.

Complaints may also be submitted by the designated representatives or by others acting on behalf of the alleged victim(s) with their express consent. The Committee may request additional information that shows that the submission of a complaint on the alleged victim’s behalf is not a result of improper pressure or inducement and is in the best interests of the child.

Complaints may also be submitted on behalf of the alleged victim without such express consent, provided that the complainant can justify this action and the Committee deems it to be in the best interests of the child. If possible, the alleged victim, on whose behalf the complaint is presented, may be informed of the complaint and his/her views shall be given due weight in accordance with his/her age and maturity.

The Optional Protocol sets a time limit for initial submissions. A complaint must be submitted within one year of exhausting domestic remedies, unless the complainant can demonstrate that it was impossible to do so.

A complaint is inadmissible if the same matter has already been examined by the Committee or has been or is being examined under another procedure of international investigation or settlement.Please see more information on individual communications procedures of treaty bodies

Pending complaints

The Committee publishes a list of complaints that have been registered and are pending before it:

• Table of pending cases​

Jurisprudence

Please see here for more information on jurisprudence and jurisprudence highlights.

CRC also publishes child-friendly versions of decisions.

Follow up

• CRC Guidelines on Follow-up to Views
• Table of views and follow-up
• Latest Follow-up progress report on individual communications

Interim measures

Interim measures can be requested under article 6 of the OPIC in urgent and exceptional circumstances in order to avoid possible irreparable damage to victim(s) of the alleged violation.

Guidelines on interim measures under OPIC

Third party interventions

Guidelines on third party interventions

Oral hearings

The Committee, exceptionally, may decide to invite the complainant and/or alleged victim as well as representatives of the State to provide further clarification or to answer questions on the merits of the case. Any hearing will be conducted in a closed meeting.

Guidelines on oral hearings