The idea of establishing an NGO Panel to coordinate and promote the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty came about as several non-governmental organizations demonstrated interest in supporting the campaign calling for a Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty, an idea initially pitched by Defence for Children International (DCI) in early autumn 2013.

After a first informal group of NGOs was convened by DCI at two different meetings (November 2013 and January 2014, Geneva), to discuss the idea and scope of the campaign, it seemed appropriate to move towards a more formalized entity, in view of the subsequent phases and efforts which would be required to launch and follow a Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty.

Today, more than 170 civil society organizations are members of the NGO Panel, which is co-convened by Defence for Children International and Terre des Hommes Foundation. The NGO Panel continues to serve as a unique global platform bringing together civil society organizations committed to ending the deprivation of liberty of children and promoting child rights in line with international human rights standards.

More than 170 civil society organizations have joined the NGO Panel, which is co-convened by Defence for Children International and Terre des Hommes Foundation 

Scope

The NGO Panel for the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty was set up to coordinate joint advocacy and lobbying efforts that enabled the launch, and completion of the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty. 

Following the publication of the Study in 2019, the NGO Panel has shifted its focus towards supporting the effective implementation, monitoring, and follow-up of the Study and its recommendations at international, regional, and national levels.

The NGO Panel is currently contributing to the development and implementation of the Roadmap for Action 2025–2030, which aims to accelerate concrete action to reduce the number of children deprived of liberty and improve the protection of children’s rights in all contexts of detention and confinement. Members of the NGO Panel play a key role in advancing the implementation of the Study’s recommendations at national level through advocacy initiatives, legal and policy reform, awareness-raising, research, and project implementation.

The NGO Panel also remains responsible for keeping the Global Study and the issue of child deprivation of liberty at the forefront of the international agenda, including through engagement with UN mechanisms, Member States, regional bodies, and other relevant stakeholders.

 

Role

  • Coordinate and support advocacy and lobbying efforts related to the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty at international, regional, and national levels, in collaboration with UN agencies, Member States, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders;
  • Promote and support the implementation of the recommendations of the Global Study, including through contributions to the Roadmap for Action 2025–2030;
  • Support national-level implementation of the Study’s recommendations through advocacy, legal and policy reform initiatives, research, technical cooperation, and project implementation;
  • Organize and support national and regional events aimed at promoting the Study’s recommendations, advancing alternatives to child deprivation of liberty;
  • Share relevant information, reports, research, good practices, and analysis related to child deprivation of liberty and child justice;
  • Identify and promote follow-up and accountability mechanisms to ensure implementation of the recommendations of the Global Study at international, regional, and national levels;
  • Ensure that the issue of children deprived of liberty remains visible and prioritized within international human rights and child rights agendas.

Guiding Principles

The Global Study shows that the vast majority of children detained around the world today have been deprived of liberty in violation of international law and in specific of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). In almost all cases, there would have been noncustodial solutions available, which should have been applied in order to meet the high legal standard of detention as a measure of last resort (Article 37(b) CRC). The best interests principle (Article 3 CRC) serves as the guiding principle for the entire child rights-based analysis, reviewing both context and justification for deprivation of liberty (content) and decision-making processes in relation to such interference (procedure). 

The other guiding principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, namely non-discrimination (Article 2 CRC), the right to survival and development (Article 6 CRC) as well as participation of children (Article 12 CRC) are mainstreamed in the analysis across the entire Global Study. 

Composition

Membership to the NGO Panel is open to all international, regional and national NGOs working in the advancement of the full respect of human rights of the child, which request to be member. Members are to agree with the scope and role of the NGO Panel.

In order to ensure efficient functioning of the NGO Panel, a Core Group has been established, currently consisting of nine members. Membership to the NGO Panel is decided by consensus within the Core Group, taking into account a balanced regional representation and relevance to the topic of children deprived of liberty. The Core Group leads and coordinates all activities, with the expectation that each organizational member will invest staff time and resources.

Membership of the Core Group is to be limited to those NGOs who have expressed their interest to join and have been engaged in the campaign calling for a Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty since the initial phases, and must be organizations which work for the promotion and protection of human rights, with a specific child rights agenda.

Members of the NGO Panel can decide to withdraw their membership by giving written notice to the co-conveners (Defence for Children International (DCI) and Human Rights Watch). Replacement with another NGO can take place upon common approval of the Core Group of the NGO Panel.

Members of the NGO Panel include:

* Click here to see the full list of signatories

Conveners

The NGO Panel has two co-conveners, Defence for Children International (DCI) and Terre des Hommes Foundation. Conveners carry out the following tasks:

  • Information sharing
  • Preparation of meetings
  • Coordinate advocacy and lobbying activities
  • Officially represent the NGO Panel
  • Foster relationship with partners and stakeholders
  • Maintain the website and develop communication materials

Decision-making 

All decisions are to be taken by consensus within the Core Group of the NGO Panel. If consensus cannot be reached – on an exceptional basis – decisions will be made based on a majority vote. In the case of a tie, the co-conveners will cast the deciding vote.

Join the NGO Panel