Committee on the Rights of the Child

24th session (Geneva, 15 May to 2 June 2000)

Reports by States

Cambodia

Major consideration was given by the Committee to the legacy of over 20 years of genocide, armed conflict, political instability, and the country’s isolation that contributed to socio-economic impediments. Initiatives taken by the State to rehabilitate child soldiers were welcomed. The Committee reiterated its desire to see a high priority given to measures to prevent discrimination against children, as this right was enshrined in the Convention. An issue of concern for the Committee, in relation to this, was the lack of participation in school, although improvements to the educational system as well as to current health conditions have been made. Sexual exploitation of children was also a matter of concern during the meeting and the importance of undertaking activities such as educational programs for police and other officials, who play a role in the protection of children, was emphasised.
The delegation of Cambodia expressed it’s awareness of health problems predominant in it’s country, such as the high rate of AIDS (highest in the region) and it communicated that preventative measures had been taken to limit its spreading through the school system.

Djibouti

Djibouti, through updated National legislation has taken steps to implement the Convention. There are now measures in place to prohibit female genital mutilation. Violence leading to female genital mutilation is now punishable with five years imprisonment and a fine. The criminal procedure and national codes, among others, have either been reviewed or were being reviewed currently. A minimum legal age of marriage for girls related to traditional practice (15 for girls, 18 for boys), discouragement of polygamy and concern regarding the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS) was also discussed by the Committee.

Georgia

The Committee took note of the economic and social difficulties hindering the implementation of the Convention. It recommended, among other things, a national plan of action to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child, legislation concerning the minimum legal age for sexual consent and medical treatment without parental consent, the adoption of adequate policy measures to combat domestic violence, ill-treatment and (sexual) abuse of children, as well as legislation that prohibits all forms of physical and mental violence.

Iran

The Committee noted positively that Iran had achieved the majority of its goals related to the 2000 plan of action, for implementation of the World Declaration on the Survival and Protection and Development of Children in the 1990s, but it expressed its concern that the State authority’s narrow interpretation of Islamic texts, was hampering the enjoyment of Convention rights. It hoped that Iran would reduce the scope of its reservation to the Convention and that ultimately the reservation would be withdrawn.

The Committee stated that in order to implement the Convention a national plan of action was needed, along with the establishment of an independent institution to monitor it’s implementation. The latter would serve the purpose of receiving and addressing complaints related to violations of children’s rights.

Concern regarding corporal punishment (such as amputation, flogging, and stoning) carried out upon persons believed to have committed crimes under the age of 18 was expressed by the Committee and it was stated that the administration of the death penalty for those who committed crimes under the age of 18, should be abolished. A further concern of the Committee was the discriminatory laws related to boys and girls, in particular the practice of being subjected to discretionary punishment and the receiving of blood money after having killed one’s own child. This practice needed to be abolished also.

Jordan

The Committee emphasised the right to non-discrimination in accordance with Article 2 of the Convention. In particular discrimination against girls and mothers and children born out of wedlock were discussed. Furthermore issues related to the right to education, gender inequality and discrimination against women and girls in the Penal Code were also raised. The occurrence of Corporal punishment, crimes of honour and the justification of honour killing were also among the major concerns of the Committee.

Kyrgyzstan

Amongst the positive developments noted by the Committee were, the establishment of a Presidential Commission on Human Rights, the Parliamentary Commission on Human Rights and the creation of programs to address poverty, the economic situation of women and education. The Government’s macroeconomic initiatives were also applauded.

The Committee also voiced several concerns. The independence of the judiciary was of concern, as were the high level of unemployment and the plight of women, most notably violence, trafficking and repressive measures taken against female journalists. Furthermore health issues, the need to ensure the right to education (especially for girls and female journalists), the ill treatment of children by the militia, and issues related to families, schools and institutions were raised by the Committee, along with adolescent health problems.

Malta

The Committee welcomed Malta’s accession to the main human rights instruments and its accession to ILO Convention No. 138, in relation to the minimum age for employment. However, the Committee was concerned that the reservation to Article 26 of the Convention could adversely affect existing levels of social services for children. It was recommended that the reservation be reviewed with a view to future withdrawal. Malta was encouraged to continue taking measures to incorporate standards of the Convention into domestic legislation and to make efforts in implementing the aforesaid. An independent body, such as an Ombudsman should also be established to monitor this implementation and to receive and address complaints of violations of child rights. Also a minimum legal age for criminal responsibility, the need for "illegitimate child" and "natural child" to be removed from domestic legislation and the commercial sexual exploitation of children were discussed.

Norway

The Committee welcomed the independent role of the Norwegian Office of the Ombudsperson for children, the withdrawal of Norway’s reservation to Article 40 (2)(b)(v) of the Convention and the endeavours undertaken to combat intolerance towards foreigners, racism and xenophobia.

Amongst the recommendations made by the Committee, Norway was asked to further consider incorporating the Convention into domestic legislation and to evaluate implementation of all aspects of the Convention by municipal authorities. A number of recommendations concentrated on education, equal treatment and on the provision of the same standard of services to children. Concern over violent acts in society was noted by the Committee and the need for procedures regarding refugee children to be reviewed and shortened. Other concerns centred on the educational provision for Roma children. It was recommended that there be a review of the asylum procedure for children.

Suriname

The Committee noted many positive developments in Suriname including the creation of legislation to facilitate the implementation of the Convention and the establishment of a National Youth Council. It further noted that social and economic factors were impeding the implementation of the Convention, whilst the structural adjustment program had led to increasing levels of unemployment and poverty. The Committee recommended, amongst other things, that domestic laws conform to the Convention and either an existing governmental mechanism or a new one be established with sufficient authority to monitor the implementation of the Convention. The latter was particularly needed in light of the dissolution of the former National Commission on the Rights of the Child.

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