The Committee of Ministers is the Council of Europe’s decision-making body and is made up of the ministers of foreign affairs of each member state or their permanent diplomatic representatives in Strasbourg. The Committee of Ministers has adopted many recommendations and guidelines to member states on issues concerning children’s rights.

The Parliamentary Assembly brings together 612 representatives and substitutes from the parliaments of the member states. It is a forum for democratic debate where important human rights issues are addressed and member states are held to account over their human rights records. The Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development regularly considers children’s rights issues.

The Congress of Local and regional Authorities  is responsible for strengthening local and regional democracy in its 46 member states. Composed of two chambers – the Chamber of Local Authorities and the Chamber of Regions – and three committees, it brings together 612 elected officials representing more than 150 000 local and regional authorities. The Congress regularly supports the Council of Europe action in favour of children’s rights and participation. It has also actively contributed to the Council of Europe campaign to combat sexual violence against children.

The European Court of Human Rights rules on individual or state applications alleging violations of the rights contained in the European Convention on Human Rights. All 46 Council of Europe member states have ratified the Convention and therefore have access to the Court.

The Court plays a crucial role in ensuring that children’s rights are upheld in legal cases involving their protection and has delivered landmark rulings on issues ranging from domestic violence and child custody to the rights of unaccompanied refugee children.

The Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent and impartial institution within the Council of Europe mandated to foster the effective observance of human rights, and to assist member states in the implementation of the Council of Europe human rights standards. The Commissioner promotes education and awareness of human rights in Council of Europe member states and also conducts country visits aimed at identifying shortcomings in human rights protection and encouraging reform measures. Children’s rights feature prominently in all of the Commissioner’s work.

The Conference includes some 400 international Non Governmental Organisations (INGOs). It provides vital links between politicians and the public and brings the voice of civil society to the Council. The Council's work benefi ts extensively from the INGOs' expertise and their outreach to European citizens. Now INGOs can also acquire participatory status at the Council of Europe and participate in consultation and full-scale co-operation on specific projects.