Progress: No progress
Ensure legal protection of the child and youth advocates of the federal states, with a uniform mandate
Proponent:
League
Österreichische Liga für Menschenrechte
Rahlgasse 1/26, A-1060 Wien
http://www.liga.or.at/projekte/universal-periodic-review-2020-upr/
Remarks to progress by Liga (last modified Apr 1, 2025):
In Austria, there are nine independent Ombuds Offices for Children and Young People (KIJAs), one in each federal state, which offer children and young people legal assistance and support. These advocacy centres are not bound by instructions and work independently to protect the rights of young people. In addition to providing counselling, they are also active in advocacy and public relations work to promote the implementation of children’s rights and document violations of children’s rights.
However, the legal protection of these institutions, including the anchoring of their independence, has been a controversial issue in the past. A relevant amendment to the law, which was passed in 2018, means that federal competence in the area of child and youth welfare will be transferred to the federal states from 2020, which could also have an impact on the legal position of the KIJAs. Critics fear that this change could weaken the Ombuds Offices for Children and Youths, particularly in their function as monitoring institutions in line with international recommendations.
The Ombuds Offices for Children and Youths in Austria are part of larger networks, such as the Standing Conference of Ombudspersons for Children and Youths (Stänko), and also participate internationally in the promotion of children’s rights. The creation of a standardised legal framework and greater financial and staffing security for the KIJAs is still considered important in order to secure their work in the long term and effectively represent the rights of children and young people.
As part of the Government Plan 2025-2029, the Federal Government is launching a process to improve child and youth welfare, harmonise standards and provide funding for cross-sectoral projects (see Government Plan 2025-2029: https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/die-bundesregierung/regierungsdokumente.html).
