UNCRC Day of General Discussion 2018: Protecting and empowering children as human rights defenders

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified international human rights instrument, with 196 States parties.

During its 76th session, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the body of independent experts responsible for reviewing progress made by States parties in implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child, decided to devote its 2018 Day of General Discussion (DGD) to the issue of protecting and empowering children as human rights defenders. It will take place on Friday, 28 September 2018, during the 79th session of the Committee at the United Nations Office in Geneva.

The purpose of Days of General Discussion was to foster a deeper understanding of the contents and implications of the Convention as they relate to specific articles or topics. Representatives of Governments, non-governmental organizations, United Nations human rights mechanisms, United Nations bodies, and specialized agencies, national human rights institutions, the business sector, as well as individual experts and children were encouraged to take part. The Committee also welcomed the submission of written contributions.

Read more about the session and its supplementary materials on the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner’s website.