International recommendation

Respect for the views of the child

Issue date:
Human rights body:
Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
Populations of concern:
ChildrenPersons with disabilities
Relevant CRC article:
Art. 12 – Respect for children’s views
Source:
CRC/C/NOR/CO/7

Recommended measures (6)

Welcoming that the child’s right to be heard has been incorporated into several laws in recent years, and recalling its general comment No. 12 (2009) on the right of the child to be heard, the Committee recommends that the State Party:

Measure
Measure types:
Policies, strategies, and action plansInstitutions, practices and guidelines
Responsible Ministries:
Ministry of Children and FamiliesMinistry of Justice and Public Security

(a) Develop strategies, action plans and common national guidelines on how and when the right to be heard must be guaranteed for all children and ensure that children’s views and opinions are given due consideration in decisions concerning child welfare, asylum, expulsion and family reunification and in times of crisis

Measure
Measure type:
Institutions, practices and guidelines
Responsible Ministries:
Ministry of Children and FamiliesMinistry of Culture and EqualityMinistry of Health and Care ServicesMinistry of Education and ResearchMinistry of Justice and Public Security

(b) Ensure the right of children in disadvantaged situations to be heard, including children with disabilities and children of a younger age

Measure
Measure types:
Awareness-raising and disseminationInstitutions, practices and guidelines
Responsible Ministries:
Ministry of Children and FamiliesMinistry of Education and Research

(c) Promote the meaningful participation of children within the family, within the community, at school and in the realm of local and national policymaking and decision-making affecting children

Measure
Measure type:
Institutions, practices and guidelines
Responsible Ministries:
Ministry of Local Government and Regional DevelopmentMinistry of Children and Families

(d) Strengthen children’s and youth councils and ensure that their outcomes and those of other types of participative bodies systematically inform public decision-making

Measure
Measure type:
Statistics and research
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Children and Families

(e) Obtain guidance and collect and disseminate data on participation

Measure
Measure type:
Laws and regulations
Responsible Ministries:
Ministry of Children and FamiliesMinistry of Health and Care ServicesMinistry of Justice and Public SecurityMinistry of Culture and Equality

(f) Guarantee that children are able to interact with services without parental consent, and that they are able to receive information and express their views before information about them is shared, unless their best interests are affected