HAQ: Centre for Child Rights was founded in 1998. It was registered under the Societies Registration Act, in June 1999. The recognition, protection and promotion of three rights form the cornerstone of HAQ’s work. They are: Right to Survival, Right to Childhood and Right to Equal Opportunity.

HAQ’s strength lies in its capacity to undertake research and documentation, capacity building and advocacy. HAQ’s strength also is its capacity to straddle micro as well as macro issues, bringing hands on experience into policy advocacy nationally as well as internationally.

For HAQ, ensuring accountability is not only about monitoring performance but also about strengthening the existing system and building its capacity to generate a timely and effective response.

HAQ works through its two main programmes- Children and Governance and Child Protection. Its interventions on child justice straddle both these programmes. While the direct interventions with children, both who are in conflict with the law as well as those in need of care and protection are part of its Protection Programme, its work on law and policy change and advocacy based on the research and documentation related to the interventions as well as the experience gained on ground are part of its Children and Governance programme.