New online platform launched to support global children's rights legislative reform
In collaboration with UNICEF and University College Cork, Leiden University is delighted to launch a new online platform aimed to provide essential guidance for States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) engaged in legislative reform. This state-of-the-art resource is designed to support the creation and amendment of legislation, ensuring full compliance with the CRC, its Optional Protocols and relevant international and regional human rights instruments.
Tailored to serve as a guiding tool for States Parties, the platform facilitates the reform of existing laws and the development of new legislation that respects, protects and fulfils the obligations outlined in the CRC, all while adopting a children's rights-based approach. Moreover, it offers detailed insights into the key elements that should be included in the law and process when engaging in children's rights legislative reform. In line with Article 4 of the CRC, the initiative strives to guarantee that all domestic legislation aligns with the CRC and its Optional Protocols (implementing OPSC and OPAC and strengthening children’s access to justice on a national and international level through OPIC), thereby facilitating the direct application and enforcement of their principles and provisions. The platform aims to integrate cutting-edge knowledge and practical experience in the field of children's rights legislative reform, offering a valuable resource for practical experts and policymakers.
It addresses key issues, including:
- What is legislative reform, what is its purpose and what are its key elements?
- Why should States engage in legislative reform?
- Who are the key stakeholders in legislative reform?
- How can States conduct a comprehensive legislative reform process, including a child rights impact assessment?
The platform's key features include:
- Comprehensive guidance: Providing up-to-date, user-friendly advice for stakeholders involved in legislative reform, this section addresses key questions about the nature, purpose and essential elements of legislative reform, the importance of engaging in reform, the identification of key stakeholders and the steps for conducting a comprehensive legislative reform process.
- Practical examples: Showcasing real-world examples of children's rights legislative reform from various legal systems and traditions across the globe. These examples, in combination with concise commentaries, illustrate various approaches without prescribing specific models.
This platform builds on the foundational work of the UNICEF Handbook on Legislative Reform: Realising Children’s Rights (2008) and incorporates additional academic and practical insights, making it a robust tool for legislative reform. While the platform strives to provide accurate and relevant information, it acknowledges that it may not be exhaustive. Continuous updates and contributions from users will help maintain its relevance and utility. Regular updates will ensure the information remains up to date. Users are therefore encouraged to share examples of good practices and provide feedback through the contact form.
Acknowledgements
The author team is grateful for the contributions and support from the many parties involved. Special thanks go to Marcel Villerius, web designer at Leiden University, and the members of the advisory group: Professor Ann Skelton (Chair UN Committee on the Rights of the Child), Bragi Guðbrandsson (Member UN Committee on the Rights of the Child), Professor Kirsten Sandberg (University of Oslo), Professor Laura Lundy (Queen’s University of Belfast, University College Cork), Luis Pedernera (Member and former chair UN Committee on the Rights of the Child), Dr Nicolás Espejo Yaksic (Centre for Constitutional Studies, Supreme Court of Mexico) and Sophie Kiladze (Vice Chair UN Committee on the Rights of the Child).
Leiden University, UNICEF and University College Cork invite all stakeholders involved in children's rights and legislative reform to explore this significant resource, share their insights and contribute to collective efforts to advance children's rights on a global scale.