The Government has commissioned a study of the complaints mechanism of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Lawyer Frode Elgesem will be in charge of the Government’s study, which will highlight the advantages and disadvantages should Norway decide to ratify the Optional Protocol on a communications procedure under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

The Government has not yet decided whether Norway will ratify the Optional Protocol of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure. The Protocol gives individuals the opportunity to present cases before the Committee on the Rights of the Child. 

Before the Government decides whether or not to ratify the Protocol, it has decided to commission a thorough study to examine the consequences of ratification. Lawyer Frode Elgesem will carry out the study. He has been given this task in accordance with the official guidelines for public procurement. 

Frode Elgesem has substantial legal expertise gained from his work as a lawyer, and he has published several works in the field of human rights. Mr Elgesem is a former member of the Norwegian Bar Association’s human rights committee and has previously worked for the Office of the Attorney-General of Norway. He has widespread experience of conducting public studies and of dispute resolution. 

When carrying out the study, it will be important to consult civil society actors and other Norwegian stakeholders. 

The study is to be completed by 31 May 2013. 

The Optional Protocol was adopted during the 66^th session of the UN General Assembly on 19 December 2011, and it opened for signature on 28 February 2012. Until now, 35 countries have signed the Protocol. Four countries have ratified it. The Protocol will enter into force once it has been ratified by ten countries. 

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