Can the Committee undertake inquires?
Yes. The Optional Protocol establishes an inquiry procedure. If the Committee receives reliable information indicating grave or systematic violations by a State party to the Optional Protocol of any of the provisions of the Convention, the Committee may invite the State in question to respond to such information. After considering the State party’s observations and any other reliable information, the Committee may designate one or more of its members to conduct an inquiry and issue a report urgently. If the State agrees, the Committee may visit the country in question. After undertaking the inquiry, the Committee transmits its findings to the State which has six months to submit further observations. The Committee eventually summarizes its findings which it makes public. A State ratifying the Optional Protocol may “opt out” of the inquiry procedure.