Agenda Profile: Riina Solman

The political position strongly supports joining the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (534 SE), emphasizing the necessity of protecting vulnerable children, particularly in cases of sexual abuse. This support is value-based, centered on the belief that the process is justified if even a single child receives assistance. Furthermore, the government's demographic rhetoric is criticized, and the importance of family policy in boosting the birth rate is highlighted, citing previously successful measures. The bill is also supported because of the recommendation from the Chancellor of Justice's office, which lends it additional institutional weight.

The speaker (co-presenter) demonstrates thorough knowledge of the procedural course of the draft bill in the Social Affairs Committee and the technical aspects of international law (the informative nature of translations, UN committee working languages). The expertise is also based on personal experience as Minister of Population and meetings with specialized experts, particularly concerning cases of violation of children's rights and mistreatment. Practical questions were also raised regarding the costs of implementing decisions and filing complaints. On the topic of demography, specific political measures are highlighted, along with comparisons to the experience of the State of Israel.

The style is predominantly formal and explanatory, especially concerning the co-presenter, who provides a comprehensive overview of the committee's discussion and logically addresses risk questions (e.g., the manipulation of children). The tone is serious and supportive, emphasizing the importance of protecting children and highlighting the professionalism of the committee. The speech focusing on demographics is encouraging and utilizes comparative examples (Israel, 2017 grants) to underscore the political choices involved.

The speaker is actively involved in the legislative process, having been appointed as the co-rapporteur for the draft legislation initiated by the Government of the Republic, and actively participating in the work of the Social Affairs Committee, where an in-depth discussion was held. Several practical questions concerning the implementation and costs of the bill are being raised. Previous meetings with specialized experts in the role of the Minister of Population were also mentioned.

The primary opposition in parliament originated with Kalle Grünthal, who expressed concern regarding hidden costs, the substantive meaning of the interpretation, and the transfer of responsibility to the UN. The co-rapporteur addresses this criticism by focusing on policy, explaining that the committee is professional, costs are restricted to outreach work, and the mechanism is framed by safeguards. Furthermore, the Minister's pessimistic rhetoric concerning the birth rate is criticized, with positive political solutions offered as a counterpoint.

The style of cooperation is open and consensual, emphasizing thorough discussion within the Social Affairs Committee and specifically naming supportive colleagues who voted in favor of moving the draft legislation forward. Cooperation with the Office of the Chancellor of Justice, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the preparation of the draft bill is also noted. The Minister is recognized for introducing the important protocol to the Riigikogu (Parliament).

The focus is clearly national (navigating the Estonian legal system through three court instances and implementing decisions in Estonia) and international (the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, the experiences of other countries, foreign pressure). Regarding the topic of demography, the experience of the State of Israel is cited as an example. A regional focus is absent.

The economic perspective focuses on cost control related to the protocol, stressing that the Estonian state will not pay any money to the UN and that expenses will be limited to organizing a child-friendly awareness campaign. In the context of demography, targeted state family benefits (such as support for families with three or more children) are backed as a means to increase the birth rate, citing their positive impact historically.

The primary social issue is the protection of children's rights, particularly in the context of sexual abuse and parental disputes, where children are placed in a vulnerable position. It is stressed that a protocol is required if the child has failed to receive assistance across all three levels of court. Furthermore, the low birth rate is highlighted as a critical social problem, with the proposed solution being the modification of policy choices and the adoption of best practices. Within the framework of children's rights, a distinction is made between the rights of children and the rights of parents.

The legislative focus is on the ratification of Draft Act 534 SE, initiated by the Government of the Republic, concerning Estonia’s accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure. The objective is to establish an additional mechanism for children to seek assistance after the exhaustion of all domestic legal remedies (three court instances). The speaker is a strong supporter and co-rapporteur of the draft Act in the Riigikogu.