Signature and Ratification of The Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure (OP3CRC) in Nepal
The Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure (OP3CRC) entered into force in April 2014. It enables children to apply their complaints on child rights violations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child if the state law fails to respond adequately. Till now there are 52 signatories and 46 Parties to OP3CRC. With regards to South Asia, the Maldives is the only state that has signed the treaty but no state has ratified it to date. Due to a lack of appropriate legislation or poor law enforcement respectively, various Child right violations are prevalent in Nepal. In order to ensure a consequent compliance with the CRC the ratification of OP3CRC is indispensable. Up to present, the Government of Nepal rejects to ratify the third Optional Protocol, as it fears upcoming additional burden. This concern, however, results from a huge knowledge gap regarding the content of the OP3CRC and the consequences of ratification. CN has been incessantly working on comprehensive awareness and advocacy campaign on the OP3CRC. CN is also the only member of Ratify OP3CRC which is an international Coalition for the OPCRC on a Communications Procedure which facilitates the ratification of OP3CRC. CN has recently formed “Ratify OP3CRC Coalition Nepal” which works for lobbying and advocating for ratification of OP3CRC by the government of Nepal.
CN has been rigorously aiming to persuade the government of Nepal to ratify the OP3CRC in order to ensure a long-term fulfillment of the international obligations of the Government of Nepal on the rights of the Child. CN has formed “Ratify OP3CRC Coalition Nepal” on 17th August 2017, with various networks and Organizations with several prominent personals as advisors for the coalition who have been working on rights of the child and human rights in general and several developing partners as observer members.
CN’s effort on advocacy and lobbying for ratification of OP3CRC more specifically from the following year:
2011
- CN organized inter-ministerial interaction program on 21 December 2011, immediate after the adoption of OP3 CRC by UN General Assembly on 19 December 2011
2011
2011-2012
- Translation of OP3CRC in Nepali language and wider dissemination
- Interaction program with CSO’s regard OP3CRC
2011-2012
2014
- Issues for ratification of OP3CRC was raised in UN Committee on the Right of the Child in 69th pre sessional working group in Geneva Switzerland and in 2016 concluding observation stated it.
2014
2016
National workshop on 20th November 2016 ratification of OP3CRC where representatives from government authorities, NHRC and civil society organizations had their participation. Some key results include:
- Commitment from NHRC received to recommend Government of Nepal to sign and ratify the OP3CRC.
- Government authorities expected systematic advocacy programs from civil society organizations on OP3CRC ratification and make it a common mission.
2016
2017
- Create a Network to Ratify OP3CRC Coalition
- Regular interaction with political parties, ministries and the National Human Rights Commission
- Publications related to Ratify OP3CRC Coalition
- Interaction with Communication media
2017
2018
- Strategic plan for the ratify OP3CRC Coalition Nepal
- Publications related to Ratify OP3CRC Coalition
- Interaction with Communication media, political parties, govt. agencies
- National workshop Of OP3CRC on the occasion of 10th Human rights national magnameet 2018
- Submission of letter of activities done with the coordination and collaboration of NHRC
2018
2019
- Planning workshops of “Ratify OP3CRC Coalition Nepal” and revise and finalize the strategic plan of Ratify OP3CRC Coalition Nepal for 2019-2022
- Mock session on the communication procedure of OP3CRC with children
- 32 episodes produced and broadcasted Television dialogue on OP3CRC
- Translate, Publish and distribute Advocacy toolkit on OP3CRC in Nepali language
- Learning and Sharing Meeting of Television dialogue viz. Baal Bimarsha
- Publish, print and distribute booklet on child friendly version of key questions on OP3CRC for children
- High level Dialogue with Ms. Mikkio Otani on Child Situtaions and Relevance of OP3CRC in Nepal.
2019
2020
- Closed session with influencing persons from major political parties and GoN authorities.
2020
