Eduskunnan oikeusasiamies - 100 vuotta lapsen oikeuksien valvontaa
Avainsanat:
laillisuusvalvonta, eduskunnan oikeusasiamies, lapsen oikeudet, perus- ja ihmisoikeudetAbstrakti
Parliamentary Ombudsman – 100 years of supervising children’s rights
Since 1920, the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s (PO) task has been to oversee the legality of actions taken by the authorities. From 1995 onwards, the task has also included monitoring the implementation of fundamental and human rights. As a part of the implementation process of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the PO has since 1998 had a special duty to supervise children’s rights. During the 100 years of PO history, different issues and problems have arisen. Three trends can, however, be distinguished.
First, the PO’s role as a supervisor of fundamental and human rights has brought individuals and their rights to the centre of the PO’s work instead, or in addition to, the authorities. In child-related matters, this can be best seen in inspections carried out in child welfare institutions, for example. Earlier the PO’s focus was — in accordance with the spirit of the time — compliance with the rule, and not so much the content of the rule. Today the focus is on children and their rights and wellbeing. Second, although the PO supervises the rights of all children, the PO has paid special attention to children placed in institutions. Such children are a particularly vulnerable group, whose legal safeguards need special protection and it seems that the PO has taken a very active role in this. Third, the most recent trend in the supervision of children’s rights is the development of the role of the child, which has gradually changed from object to subject. At the same time, children have also become a notable source of information in the work of the PO as it is often the child who is the best source of information regarding the threats and opportunities, and the strengths and weaknesses, his/her life is facing. Hearing children during inspections has revealed some major violations of rights, which have led to rapid action by the authorities and changes in law.
