The New Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child: 10 Things You Should Know

Abstract

On 19 December 2011, the UN General Assembly adopted the Third Optional Protocol (‘OP’) to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (‘CROC’), which establishes a system whereby children can bring a complaint alleging that a human right has been violated to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (‘CRC’). Prior to the adoption of this OP, the CRC was the only UN treaty committee without jurisdiction to receive communications alleging violations of a human rights treaty.