A history of ENOC

Established in 1997, ENOC links independent human rights institutions for children from 23 countries in Europe. Its aims are:

• to encourage the fullest possible implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the child,
• to support collective lobbying for children’s rights,
• to share information, approaches and strategies,
• and to promote the development of effective independent offices for children.

NGOs and independent offices for children

In most countries non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play a key role as independent advocates for children, or for particular groups of children. Their role is recognised in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and by the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Ratification and promotion of the Convention has led to a rapid growth in the numbers and influence of NGOs promoting children’s rights; in many European countries coalitions of the NGOs working for children’s rights have been formed. NGOs’ national role is not diminished - although it may be changed - by the existence of an independent office for children established by parliament. Where such an office exists, it is likely to develop a close and mutually supportive relationship with NGOs.

In some countries non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have styled their advocacy for children as ombudsman activities (and "ombudswork" for children is a broad term which has been adopted by some commentators to cover all aspects of child advocacy, both governmental and non-governmental).

Other recommendations for independent offices for children

UN Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (the "Riyadh Guidelines"), adopted in 1990, propose that:

"Consideration should be given to the establishment of an office of ombudsman or similar independent organ, which would ensure that the status, rights and interests of young persons are upheld and that proper referral to available services is made..." (para. 57)

Council of Europe European Strategy for Children

The appointment of independent offices has been strongly promoted by the Council of Europe, whose "European Strategy for Children" (1996) proposes the appointment of "a commissioner (ombudsman) for children or another structure offering guarantees of independence, and the responsibilities required to improve children’s lives, and accessible to the public through such means as local offices". The Strategy puts all its recommendations in the context of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. (Recommendation 1286 on a European Strategy for Children, adopted by Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, January 24 1996).