Involvement of civil society actors and national human rights institutions (NHRI) is essential for the promotion, implementation and monitoring of the Lanzarote Convention.

Ongoing monitoring round

How to contribute to the monitoring work of the Lanzarote Committee?

• Provide information to the Lanzarote Committee

During its monitoring rounds, the Lanzarote Committee seeks the views of civil society and national human rights institutions on the implementation of the Lanzarote Convention in the State Parties. Every monitoring round commences by launching a thematic questionnaire. Civil society organisations and national human rights institutions are invited to provide information on the questions included in the thematic questionnaires and comments on State Parties’ replies. These contributions should be submitted to [email protected] by the deadline set for the respective monitoring round. Unless requested otherwise, contributions are made public and communicated to the State Party concerned.

• Hold child consultations on ongoing monitoring themes

The Lanzarote Committee also seeks children’s views on the issues addressed in the monitoring rounds. Guidelines to help facilitators engage with children in a meaningful and respectful manner are available. Examples of the involvement of children in the monitoring work can be found on the thematic pages of the monitoring round on the protection of children against ICT-facilitated sexual offences and on the protection of children against sexual abuse in the circle of trust. Child consultation reports can be submitted to [email protected].

• Observer status with the Lanzarote Committee

Civil society organisations working in the field of prevention and protection of children from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse internationally may be admitted as observers to the Lanzarote Committee. According to the Committee’s Rules of Procedure, observers can contribute to the preparation of implementation reports, opinions and other documents adopted by the Committee and take part in the discussions and capacity-building activities. An application for observer status can be made to [email protected].

How to contribute to the the promotion and implementation of the Lanzarote Convention?

• Disseminate Lanzarote Committee’s findings, recommendations, implementation reports and other adopted documents

As a result of its monitoring rounds, the Lanzarote Committee adopts implementation reports addressing recommendations to State Parties. The follow-up to these recommendations is assessed in subsequent compliance procedures. The Committee also adopts opinions and other documents in which it takes a position on issues related to the implementation of the Lanzarote Convention. Civil society organisations and national human rights institutions can raise awareness of these documents and advocate for an effective follow-up of the recommendations made.

• Participate in the annual 18 November Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (’#EndChildSexualAbuseDay)

Civil society organisations and national human rights institutions can participate in the annual Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, for example, by organising public discussions, school workshops, screening of films on the topic of sexual violence against children, public statements, media events, and any other awareness-raising activities.

• Use and disseminate thematic resources

Civil society organisations and national human rights institutions can use in their work and disseminate Council of Europe publications, as well as awareness-raising and communication materials on the prevention of and protection from child sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. These are available in multiple languages.

• Advocate for the implementation of the Lanzarote Convention

Civil society organisations and national human rights institutions can advocate for the effective implementation of the Lanzarote Convention in their awareness raising and advocacy work. They can also advocate for the accession to or ratification of the Convention by those States which are not yet party to the Convention.

Civil society observers and NHRI participants to the Lanzarote Committee

Civil society organisations and national human rights institutions can contact the Lanzarote Committee’s observers and the participant organisations, to voice their views and recommendations where relevant to the work of the Lanzarote Committee.