Inspired by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,2 other relevant international guidelines3 and examples from other countries, the Flemish4

Parliament on 15 July 1997 voted to enact a law5 establishing a Children’s Rights Commissioner and the Children’s Rights Commissioner’s Office. After a public selection process, conducted outside parliamentary influence, the first Commissioner was selected and officially appointed by the Flemish Parliament on 13 May 1998. After an initial period of setting up the office and recruiting a multidisciplinary staff, the Commissioner’s Office really began work in January 1999.