The National Network of civil society organisations has appealed to the government and Parliament to ratify the third optional protocol to the Child Rights Convention on a Communications Procedure (OP3 CRC).

The OP3 CRC establishes an international complaints procedure for violations of child rights contained in the CRC, which Nepal is a party. Nepal ratified the UN CRC in 1990, but is yet to ratify its third optional protocol.

So far, 40 states have ratified while 51 have signed to the protocol. It opens the door to register complaints at the international level if domestic legislation does not provide remedy to violation of child rights.

At a two-day seminar that concluded here Saturday, National Network Chairperson Krishna Subedi said political parties, people’s representatives, civil society and the media should support ratification of the optional protocol.

Kathmandu School of Law Professor Rita Mainali said the protocol would ensure quick justice to the survivors of child rights violation.

Founding President of Education Journalists Group Nepal Rajan Sharma suggested using online media to generate a social debate on child rights and address any related problems.