Universal Periodic Review: The Status of Children's Rights - CRIN

Child Rights Information Network (CRIN) Overall Analysis of Children's Rights in the UPR
often mentioned, notably by UN Member States in the final recommendations. States under review are often quizzed on
why they have not got an Ombudsperson or what they are doing to ensure its independence and so on.
4) Neglected issues
a) Child participation
The issue of child participation is largely ignored throughout the various reports in the UPR, a point highlighted in the
responses to the NGO survey seen in Chapter 7, which illustrates how NGOs see child participation as the next step.
However, a few references to child participation do appear in State reports. Iraq refer to the establishment of a children's
parliament in their report, whilst Slovenia refer to their launch of a pilot project “Child Advocate – Voice of the Child”
in 2006.
b) Other neglected issues
Other notable issues neglected in the UPR process could probably in a general way be grouped into children's civil and
political rights. Further research into this area could be useful for those organisations working in these areas.
Less controversial issues appear the most: Following on from the previous CRIN comment, Table
2 clearly reveals that it is the less controversial issues, notably education, that are raised the most,
with more controversial issues neglected by the majority of States in their National Reports. This
raises concerns over the extent to which children's rights are fully addressed. Perhaps, States merely
raise children's rights issues as a way of avoiding other difficult ones? Point 4 above also highlights
further issues neglected or excluded completely, demonstrating the need for the UPR to address
issues such as child participation among others.
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