THE OMBUDSMAN AND THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS The Ombudsman raised the question with the Ministry of Education after receiving a number of complaints from parents. In this context, he stressed his special duty to point out legislative deficiencies in relation to Denmark’s international obligations according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In the Ombudsman’s assessment, the gap in the legislation was problematic in relation to Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child regarding a child’s right to be heard and involved in all matters affecting the child. He emphasised that it was the Ministry’s responsibility to ensure that private schools would in future comply with the Convention, through legislation if necessary. In the Ministry’s assessment, a guidance and information drive towards the schools would at first be sufficient to ensure the child’s right to be heard. The Ombudsman took note of this assessment and stated at the same time that he would pay special attention to the problem to see if it will in fact be resolved in practice (the Ombudsman’s Annual Report for 2015, Case No. 2015-53). For decades, international law has been part of the Ombudsman’s legal tool box. The special duties in regard to selected conventions and practice codes have provided the Ombudsman with new partners and roles, both at home and abroad, and have made the tool box for his daily work both heavier and more powerful. 39