Belgium’s Child Rights Office Becomes Children’s Defender
Belgium’s child rights ombudsman institution has undergone a significant rebranding. The office formerly known as the “Délégué général aux droits de l’enfant” (General Delegate for Children’s Rights) will now be called the “Défenseur des droits de l’enfant” (Defender of Children’s Rights) in all its communications. The change was announced on Thursday during the institution’s 35th anniversary celebration at the Parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, as reported by RTBF.
A Modernization Effort for a 35-Year-Old Institution
Created on November 1, 1991, the office was the first independent child rights ombudsman institution in Europe. It was established two years after the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Belgium ratified in December 1991. For 35 years, it has operated under the title “Délégué général aux droits de l’enfant” — a name that current officeholder Solayman Laqdim acknowledged was bureaucratic and difficult for children to understand.
“Changing the logo and the name used is not changing the mission,” Laqdim said in a statement. “It’s making this mission more visible, clearer, and more accessible. An institution that defends children’s rights must be understandable by children themselves.”
The institution confirmed that this is a “choice of communication and readability” that does not alter its legal status or mandate. The official name remains unchanged in regulatory texts until the legislature adopts a decree to formalize the change, according to the official website.
New Visual Identity and Digital Presence
Alongside the name change, the institution unveiled a new visual identity. The logo features a double “D” — representing both “Défenseur” (Defender) and “Droits” (Rights) — combined with a smile symbolizing proximity, a speech bubble representing dialogue, and a shield for protection. Two versions of the logo exist: a sober institutional version and a warmer, child-friendly version.
The institution’s website has moved to www.defenseurdesenfants.be, and all social media accounts — including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Bluesky — have been renamed to reflect the new appellation.
What the Change Means
The rebranding reflects a broader trend among public institutions toward clearer, more citizen-friendly language. The term “Délégué général” (General Delegate) was widely seen as bureaucratic jargon, while “Défenseur des droits de l’enfant” more directly describes the institution’s function: defending children’s rights.
Importantly, the name change does not affect the institution’s powers, mission, or independence. The office remains an independent public body operating within the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, covering the French-speaking population of Wallonia and Brussels. Its core responsibilities — informing children of their rights, monitoring the application of laws, making recommendations to government, receiving complaints, and conducting investigations — remain unchanged.
A Pioneer in Europe
Belgium’s French Community was a pioneer when it established the child rights ombudsman in 1991, years before similar institutions became common across Europe. The officeholder is appointed for a six-year term, renewable once, after a public call for candidates. Solayman Laqdim, a criminologist with over 20 years of experience in youth protection, has held the position since February 2023, succeeding Bernard De Vos who served for 15 years.
The institution presents an annual report to the government and parliament every November 20, International Children’s Rights Day.
What’s Next
While the name change is now in effect for all communications, the legal formalization depends on the Parliament of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation adopting a decree. Until then, the official name in all legal and regulatory texts remains “Délégué général aux droits de l’enfant.” It remains to be seen whether the Flemish Community of Belgium, which has its own separate child rights institutions, will follow with similar changes.
For now, as Laqdim put it, the institution has taken a significant step toward being more accessible to those it serves — the children themselves.