The new edition of the Handbook on European law relating to the rights of the child

The second edition (2022) of the Handbook on European law relating to the rights of the child has been issued jointly by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the Council of Europe and the European Court of Human Rights.

Since the first edition, launched in 2015, remarkable legal developments and major court rulings in children’s rights have been made. As a consequence, the original handbook had to be updated to address these changes.

The handbook is created by non-specialist legal professionals, public prosecutors, judges, authorities in the area of child protection and organisations responsible for maintaining the legal protection of children’s rights. It is addressed to all bodies that may be involved in legal issues in this field, including lawyers, public prosecutors, judges, social workers and non-governmental organizations.

The handbook is designed to be a comprehensive and practical guide to European law related to children’s rights and child protection. It seeks to raise awareness and improve knowledge of relevant standards set by the European Union and the Council of Europe, particularly through case law of the EU’s Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights. The publication covers topics such as economic, social, cultural and civic rights and freedoms, equality and non-discrimination, family life, personal identity issues, protection against violence, migration and asylum, and children’s rights within criminal justice and alternative proceedings.

The handbook is now available only in English. Other language versions are being expected this year.