Chapter III - Standing Committee

Article 16 - Establishment and functions of the Standing Committee

A Standing Committee is set up for the purposes of this Convention.

The Standing Committee shall keep under review problems relating to this Convention. It may, in particular:

consider any relevant questions concerning the interpretation or implementation of the Convention. The Standing Committee's conclusions concerning the implementation of the Convention may take the form of a recommendation;

recommendations shall be adopted by a three-quarters majority of the votes cast;

propose amendments to the Convention and examine those proposed in accordance with Article 20;

provide advice and assistance to the national bodies having the functions under paragraph 2 of Article 12 and promote international co-operation between them.

Article 17 - Composition

Each Party may be represented on the Standing Committee by one or more delegates. Each Party shall have one vote. Any State referred to in Article 21, which is not a Party to this Convention, may be represented in the Standing Committee by an observer. The same applies to any other State or to the European Community after having been invited to accede to the Convention in accordance with the provisions of Article 22.

Unless a Party has informed the Secretary General of its objection, at least one month before the meeting, the Standing Committee may invite the following to attend as observers at all its meetings or at one meeting or part of a meeting:

any State not referred to in paragraph 2 above;

the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child;

the European Community;

any international governmental body;

any international non-governmental body with one or more functions mentioned under paragraph 2 of Article 12;

any national governmental or non-governmental body with one or more functions mentioned under paragraph 2 of Article 12.

The Standing Committee may exchange information with relevant organisations dealing with the exercise of children's rights.

Article 18 - Meetings

At the end of the third year following the date of entry into force of this Convention and, on his or her own initiative, at any time after this date, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe shall invite the Standing Committee to meet.

Decisions may only be taken in the Standing Committee if at least one-half of the Parties are present.

Subject to Articles 16 and 20 the decisions of the Standing Committee shall be taken by a majority of the members present.

Subject to the provisions of this Convention the Standing Committee shall draw up its own rules of procedure and the rules of procedure of any working party it may set up to carry out all appropriate tasks under the Convention.

Article 19 - Reports of the Standing Committee

After each meeting, the Standing Committee shall forward to the Parties and the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe a report on its discussions and any decisions taken.