The commissioner is appointed by the Flemish Parliament
MANDATE The Commissioner defends the rights of children and promotes their intrests. Therefore: | He will follow up the implementation of the CRC, |
| He will follow up, analyse, evaluate and publicise on the living conditions of children, |
| He will act as the spokesperson for the rights, needs and intrests of children |
More specifically he will perform these tasks with a special attention for:
| The dialogue with children and organisations working for the intrest of children individuallly or collectively, |
| The participation of children in society and the accessibility for children to all services and organisations, which have to do with children, |
| The monitoring of the conformity with the CRC of all laws, decrees, government decisions … within the competence of the Flemish Community, |
| The dissemination of information about the content of the CRC, especially towards children |
In the execution of this mandate the commissioner has the power to perform studies (or have those performed), either on his own initiative or initiated by Parliament, as well as to investigate complaints on violations of the CRC principles. Regarding such complaints the Commissioner can either investigate those himself; or refer the complaining party to more competent services. The investigation is suspended as long as there is a judicial or administrative procedure pending.
The authorities will offer all informations, documents and advice, needed to perform those tasks. The commissioner has free access to all public buildings and services and public servants are to transmit all relevant info or documents (except those covered by medical discretion or other confidentialty rules).
A yearly report on the activities will be presented to the Parliament. This report will also be given to the federal authority to be taken into account in drafting the national report for the UN Committee. The Commissioner shall evaluate these national reports.
CHARACTERISTICS Complete independence of the Parliament.
Immunity for statements or actions performed within the mandate.
No involvement in any other organisation, be it paid or on a voluntary basis.
Duty of discretion.
The personnel-formation and the budget are to be approved by Parliament on the Commissioner's proposal.
The mandate is for five years and is renewable only once for the same term.
Three years before and after the mandate the Commissioner cannot be elected for a public mandate or office (e.g. parliamentarian, mayor…).