Concluding Observations Committee on the Rights of the Child CRC/C/IRN/CO/3-4 para
22
Full recommendation:
In light of its general comment No. 2 (2002) on the role of independent national human rights
institutions, the Committee recommends that the State party take measures to expeditiously
establish, in compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the
promotion and protection of human rights (Paris Principles), an independent mechanism for
monitoring human rights, including a specific mechanism for monitoring children’s rights that is
able to receive, investigate and address complaints by children in a child-sensitive manner,
ensure the privacy and protection of victims, and undertake monitoring, follow-up and
verification activities for victims.
Assessment using Impact Iran human rights indicators
As of February 2020, Iran has not established an independent and impartial National Human
Rights Institution (NHRI). The High Council of Human Rights is often mentioned by Iran as
being the country’s NHRI, yet the fact that this body is a part of the Judiciary of Iran contradicts
the standards introduced by the Paris Principles.
On 16 April 2012, the President's cabinet established the National Body on the Convention on
the Rights of the Child (NBCRC).1 The NBCRC is generally charged with promotion of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child.2 The establishment of a national body to monitor
implementation of the Convention is a positive step. However, the NBCRC is not an independent
body and is overseen by the Ministry of Justice.3 Its duties include evaluating respect for rights
of children at a national level, reviewing draft legislation and regulations, reviewing government
reports on child rights, monitoring reported violations of the rights of the child, and conducting
public outreach related to child rights. However, the powers of the NBCRC, as described in
interviews by its leadership, are primarily advisory and geared towards coordination between
government agencies.4 It is not clear what influence the body could have on the government to
change laws and policies that are incompatible with Iran's obligations under the Convention, nor
the amount of funding it receives and the activities it undertakes on a yearly basis. UNICEF
sources5 demonstrate that the NBCRC has been cooperative in advancing children’s rights in
Iran, yet there is a relative lack of other relevant sources that illustrate this body’s wider scope of
work.
1
Bylaw for the National Body on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (10 January 2012)
Ibid., art. 2
3
Ibid., arts. 1 and 4.
4
Iranian Labor New Agency (“ILNA”), Interview with the Secretary of National Body on the Rights of the Child (30 July 2014)
5
UNICEF Iran
2
1