As part of the international monitoring system, the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has been established. It consists of 18 independent experts elected at a meeting of the States Parties to the UNCRC. OHCR-CRC page (in English)

States Parties to the UNCRC are required to report to the CRC on their progress in implementing the UNCRC, on their progress in fulfilling their obligations and on the progress children are making in enjoying these rights.

The reports must be submitted in accordance with a timetable communicated in advance by the CRC.

Belgium submitted the first reports requested by the CRC on 06/09/1994, 15/08/2005 and 16/11/2009. Belgium also submitted the second periodic report of 25/10/2001 and the third periodic report of 4/12/2009. 

After each national report, civil society organisations have the possibility to provide additional information to the CRC. These are commonly referred to as "alternative reports".

On the basis of the national report and the alternative reports from civil society, the CRC sends a questionnaire (List of issues) to the State Party concerned. This State is then invited to a session in the framework of the "constructive dialogue". This is public. During this session, the State's report is discussed with the experts of the CRC. The "List of issues" serves as the common thread during this dialogue.

Following the constructive dialogue, the CRC draws up a report entitled 'list of observations'. These are recommendations to the State Party to accompany it in the implementation of the UNCRC.