Dr Mandlate trains at the Human Rights Commission workshop in Mozambique

Children’s Rights researcher at the Community Law Centre, Dr Aquinaldo Mandlate attended a workshop on the possibility of establishment of a child rights unit in Mozambique, as part of experts who trained Mozambican National Human Rights Commission.

This workshop, which took place, last week in Bilene in Mozambique, explored possibilities for the establishment of a child rights unit under the Commission. The event aimed to orient Commissioners on international child rights instruments, and to discuss the application of CRC Committee General Comment No. 2 in the work of the Mozambican NHRI.

It also envisaged sharing of experiences in the setting up and functioning of a child rights unit operating under NHRI’s in other countries, as well as discussing how NHRI’s and organisations can complement their role in ensuring protection and promotion of children’s rights.

His presentation focused on major child rights instruments placing emphasis on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC or African Children’s Charter). It also highlighted the differences between these instruments and the nature of state parties’ obligations under their provisions.

The workshop attracted participants from civil society organisations working on children’s matters, delegates from government departments, and judges. Representatives of the Office of the Attorney General, an advisor from the Office of the Ombudsman, and the media were also present. More than half of the Commissioners of the Mozambican NHRI were present, including the Commission’s chairperson and its deputy-chairperson.

This was organised by Plan International/Mozambique Office, Rede das Organizações da Sociedade Civil para as Crianças/ROSC, Rede da Criança, Save the Children/Mozambique Office, and United Nations Development Programme/UNDP in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission.