Abstract : This study seeks to contribute to knowledge of the implementation of the U.N Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Focus was restricted to one of eight General Measures of Implementation – involvement of civil society, in particular, non-government organisations (NGOS), in the implementation and monitoring of the CRC. The study had three aims: (1) to develop initial indicators of NGO involvement; (2) to explore level of NGO activity; and (3) to explore which aspects of NGO involvement might have an effect on extending human rights to children in the most fundamental area of protection from violence. Results indicate that most State Parties (SP’s) have at least one NGO member and 50 per cent had a National Coalition member in the Child Rights Information Network (CRIN). Regarding activity, at least one alternative NGO report was submitted to the CRC Committee for most SP’s. Analyses of Concluding Observations indicate that the Committee on the Rights of the Child expressed concerns about most SP’s involvement with NGOs and found very few governments encouraging NGOs to take a child-rights focus. Overall, few indicators of NGO involvement were related to lower rates of child physical abuse – what appeared most important was having a government that encourages NGOs to have a child-rights focus. Reasons for these findings and directions for future research are discussed.
