Committee on the Rights of the Child

23rd session (Geneva, 10 to 28 January 2000)

Reports by States

Armenia

Concern at the damaging effects of environmental degradation on children was brought to the attention of the State party. All appropriate measures needed be undertaken to reduce these effects, including international co-operation. The Committee recognised that the State party had faced serious economic, social and political challenges, including increased unemployment and poverty during the past few years (caused by the transition to a market economy), along with the consequences of the 1988 earthquake, which had seriously impacted upon the welfare of the population.

Costa Rica

The Committee was concerned at the regional and socio-economic disparities, with discrimination affecting predominantly the most disadvantaged groups. As a result there was a need for educational campaigns to raise awareness and to prevent discrimination on gender grounds or on the basis of ethnic and/or national origin. Concerns over the use of corporal punishment at home and the need to take effective measures to enforce the legal prohibition of corporal punishment in schools, in the penal system and other institutions were also discussed.

Grenada

The Committee expressed an overall concern related to the prevalence of traditional attitudes within the State. Concerns were also voiced regarding reported incidences of domestic violence, ill treatment and sexual abuse and increasing levels of unemployment and poverty. The Committee recommended the prohibition of corporal punishment in schools, within the family, the juvenile justice system and alternative care systems.

India

The Committee was concerned about the practice of untouchability and highlighted the need to prevent caste and tribe-motivated abuses and to prosecute state and private actors who were responsible for such. Comprehensive educational campaigns were recommended to prevent and combat caste-based discrimination and concerns persisted with respect to child labour practices. The Committee highlighted the need for a national study to be conducted on the phenomenon, vigilance committees to be established, along with labour inspectors and the 1986 Child Labour Act to be given wider implementation.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

The economic exploitation of children, especially street children was of primary concern to the Committee, who stressed the need to address this through initiatives such as the enforcement of primary school attendance and through efforts to raise secondary school attendance. The State party was made aware that it needed to continue to pay particular attention to children of poor families and from regions experiencing particular economic difficulties. The high level of drug abuse among children was also of concern. There is a need for preventive measures to combat this and to provide appropriate rehabilitation and assistance to those already suffering from addiction.

Peru

The Committee welcomed initiatives such as the National Strategy to Combat Poverty and the development of Regional Children’s Plans of Action, even though widespread poverty and socio-economic disparities continued to severely hamper the enjoyment of Peruvian children’s rights. Although political violence and terrorist activities had decreased, the negative impact of these activities had spread to impact the life, survival and development of children. Internal violence and its consequences were further concerns of the Committee.

Sierra Leone

The Committee noted that years of armed conflicts had created difficulties for the State, compounded by the effects of regional sanctions. All feasible measures needed to be undertaken to have child abductees and combatants released and demobilised and to rehabilitate and reintegrate them into society. The Committee recommended the State establish and strictly enforce legislation prohibiting the future recruitment of children under the age of 18, by any armed force or group. Concerns over the incidents of sexual abuse in the context of armed conflicts are among the issues to be discussed by the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.

South Africa

The Committee acknowledged the challenges faced by South Africa in overcoming the legacy of apartheid, which continued to have a negative impact on the situation of children and to impede the full implementation of the Convention. In particular, the Committee noted the vast economic and social disparities that continued to exist between various segments of society, as well as the relatively high levels of unemployment and poverty. The State Party was encouraged to ensure the full participation of youth in the creation of development strategies and to develop strategies to address HIV/AIDS at the national, regional and local levels.

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