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26 September 2000
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CRC
25th session
26 September 2000
Afernoon
The Committee on the Rights of the Child this afternoon concluded its consideration of an initial report of Tajikistan on how that country was implementing the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In preliminary remarks, an expert noted with concern that the State party was facing many difficulties in the implementation of the Convention due to the armed conflict and political instability in the country.
The expert recommended, among other things, that Tajikistan ensure that all the rights contained in the Convention were enjoyed by all children, without any distinction, and also to take effective measures to eliminate discrimination against girls. Efforts needed to be made to eliminate discrimination against children living or working on the streets, and children belonging to minority groups should enjoy all rights, the expert added.
The Committee will issue its formal, written concluding observations and recommendations on the report of Tajikistan towards the end of its three-week session which will conclude on 6 October.
The afternoon discussion focused on the main subjects of family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure and cultural activities; and special protection measures.
As one of the 191 States parties to the Convention, Tajikistan must submit periodic summaries on its performance to implement the provisions of the treaty. A two-member Tajik delegation, headed by the country's Deputy Prime Minister, was on hand throughout the day to present the report and to answer questions raised by Committee experts.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 27 September, it will take up the second periodic report of Colombia.
Discussion
The delegation of Tajikistan continued to respond to questions raised by Committee experts this morning. In response to a question on whether children born out of wedlock had the same rights as other children born to married couples, the delegation said all children enjoyed the same legal rights in the country.
Children without "propiska" or residence permits were not excluded from any social benefits provided by the Government, and they enjoyed all other privileges the society could give, the delegation said.
Breast-feeding was advocated for by the Government and information had been disseminated throughout the country under a special programme, the delegation said. Among other things, the programme stressed that breast feeding was a much cheaper means to feed a child.
The number of children infected by malaria was decreasing and they were treated properly, the delegation said. Areas bordering Afghanistan and swampy regions were most affected by malaria-carrier mosquitos.
Only children with cardio-vascular complications were sent abroad for further medical treatment, the delegation said. The remaining patients could be treated locally, although the health care quality could still be improved. The leading causes of diseases among children and adolescents were acute respiratory infections, diarrhoeal disease, typhoid fever and hepatitis.
Tajikistan had a national programme on the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the Government had allocated several million roubles to support the activities, the delegation said. Although some of the premises in which the services were offered were dilapidated because of lack of resources to repair them, the activities continued.
A question was raised concerning the situation of 60,000 orphaned children left without care and support, to which the delegation said that the Government was taking steps for the accommodation, instruction and upbringing of those children in boarding schools and children's homes. Already, 5,000 pupils were studying in 18 boarding schools.
Maternal and infant mortalities had been on the increase in the last few years, the delegation said. However, the Government had taken preventive measures in the field of abortion and family-planning. The rate of infant mortality had been reduced from 53 per one thousand in 1980 to 30 per cent per 1,000 live births in 1996.
With regard to children with disabilities, the delegation said that at present, there were 16 specialized institutions taking care of them. Since the beginning of this year, an institution had been created to host children with mental disabilities. As many as 45 mentally handicapped children now lived and were being educated in that institution.
A programme of immunization had not been carried out throughout the country, the delegation said. At the present time, tuberculosis was one of the serious illnesses encountered by the authorities. The lack of specialized personnel had also aggravated the situation of tuberculosis. The campaign for immunization had not been successfully accomplished and many children were not immunized.
Strict application of the standards of adoption of children had been observed by the courts, the delegation said. The courts' decisions were subject to appeal. Tajikistan was not yet a party to the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption and Protection of Children.
Juvenile criminality had been reduced during the last seven months, the delegation said. In 1996, 547 offenses had been committed by juveniles, consisting of theft of State or private property and robberies.
An agency had been set up to fight drugs in the country, the delegation said, adding that concentrated attention was given through preventive campaigns against drugs. A series of seminars had been held on drug-addiction by youth and on its negative effects on their health. One of the priorities for health was the prevention of drug taking and cigarette smoking. The Government was concerned about children as young as 13 years of age smoking cigarettes.
Preliminary Remarks
One of the experts offered preliminary remarks. Formal, written conclusions of the Committee will be issued towards the end of the three-week session.
The expert noted with concern that the State party was facing many difficulties in the implementation of the Convention due to the armed conflict and political instability in the country.
The expert recommended, among other things, that the State party ensure that all the rights contained in the Convention were enjoyed by all children, without any distinction. Tajikistan should take effective measures to eliminate discrimination against girls. Also, efforts needed to be made to eliminate discrimination against children living or working on the streets, and children belonging to minority groups should enjoy all rights.
The expert noted the great challenge concerning corruption at many levels of the Government. He recommended that existing laws be reviewed with a view to bringing them in line with the provisions of the Convention. Special attention needed to be paid to the areas of birth registration. The registration fee for new borns should be reduced as the economic status of the poorer section of the community should be considered. Tajikistan should also support an atmosphere for children to enable them to freely express themselves; and children should be protected from domestic violence.
* *** *
25th session
26 September 2000
Afernoon
The Committee on the Rights of the Child this afternoon concluded its consideration of an initial report of Tajikistan on how that country was implementing the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In preliminary remarks, an expert noted with concern that the State party was facing many difficulties in the implementation of the Convention due to the armed conflict and political instability in the country.
The expert recommended, among other things, that Tajikistan ensure that all the rights contained in the Convention were enjoyed by all children, without any distinction, and also to take effective measures to eliminate discrimination against girls. Efforts needed to be made to eliminate discrimination against children living or working on the streets, and children belonging to minority groups should enjoy all rights, the expert added.
The Committee will issue its formal, written concluding observations and recommendations on the report of Tajikistan towards the end of its three-week session which will conclude on 6 October.
The afternoon discussion focused on the main subjects of family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure and cultural activities; and special protection measures.
As one of the 191 States parties to the Convention, Tajikistan must submit periodic summaries on its performance to implement the provisions of the treaty. A two-member Tajik delegation, headed by the country's Deputy Prime Minister, was on hand throughout the day to present the report and to answer questions raised by Committee experts.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 27 September, it will take up the second periodic report of Colombia.
Discussion
The delegation of Tajikistan continued to respond to questions raised by Committee experts this morning. In response to a question on whether children born out of wedlock had the same rights as other children born to married couples, the delegation said all children enjoyed the same legal rights in the country.
Children without "propiska" or residence permits were not excluded from any social benefits provided by the Government, and they enjoyed all other privileges the society could give, the delegation said.
Breast-feeding was advocated for by the Government and information had been disseminated throughout the country under a special programme, the delegation said. Among other things, the programme stressed that breast feeding was a much cheaper means to feed a child.
The number of children infected by malaria was decreasing and they were treated properly, the delegation said. Areas bordering Afghanistan and swampy regions were most affected by malaria-carrier mosquitos.
Only children with cardio-vascular complications were sent abroad for further medical treatment, the delegation said. The remaining patients could be treated locally, although the health care quality could still be improved. The leading causes of diseases among children and adolescents were acute respiratory infections, diarrhoeal disease, typhoid fever and hepatitis.
Tajikistan had a national programme on the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the Government had allocated several million roubles to support the activities, the delegation said. Although some of the premises in which the services were offered were dilapidated because of lack of resources to repair them, the activities continued.
A question was raised concerning the situation of 60,000 orphaned children left without care and support, to which the delegation said that the Government was taking steps for the accommodation, instruction and upbringing of those children in boarding schools and children's homes. Already, 5,000 pupils were studying in 18 boarding schools.
Maternal and infant mortalities had been on the increase in the last few years, the delegation said. However, the Government had taken preventive measures in the field of abortion and family-planning. The rate of infant mortality had been reduced from 53 per one thousand in 1980 to 30 per cent per 1,000 live births in 1996.
With regard to children with disabilities, the delegation said that at present, there were 16 specialized institutions taking care of them. Since the beginning of this year, an institution had been created to host children with mental disabilities. As many as 45 mentally handicapped children now lived and were being educated in that institution.
A programme of immunization had not been carried out throughout the country, the delegation said. At the present time, tuberculosis was one of the serious illnesses encountered by the authorities. The lack of specialized personnel had also aggravated the situation of tuberculosis. The campaign for immunization had not been successfully accomplished and many children were not immunized.
Strict application of the standards of adoption of children had been observed by the courts, the delegation said. The courts' decisions were subject to appeal. Tajikistan was not yet a party to the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption and Protection of Children.
Juvenile criminality had been reduced during the last seven months, the delegation said. In 1996, 547 offenses had been committed by juveniles, consisting of theft of State or private property and robberies.
An agency had been set up to fight drugs in the country, the delegation said, adding that concentrated attention was given through preventive campaigns against drugs. A series of seminars had been held on drug-addiction by youth and on its negative effects on their health. One of the priorities for health was the prevention of drug taking and cigarette smoking. The Government was concerned about children as young as 13 years of age smoking cigarettes.
Preliminary Remarks
One of the experts offered preliminary remarks. Formal, written conclusions of the Committee will be issued towards the end of the three-week session.
The expert noted with concern that the State party was facing many difficulties in the implementation of the Convention due to the armed conflict and political instability in the country.
The expert recommended, among other things, that the State party ensure that all the rights contained in the Convention were enjoyed by all children, without any distinction. Tajikistan should take effective measures to eliminate discrimination against girls. Also, efforts needed to be made to eliminate discrimination against children living or working on the streets, and children belonging to minority groups should enjoy all rights.
The expert noted the great challenge concerning corruption at many levels of the Government. He recommended that existing laws be reviewed with a view to bringing them in line with the provisions of the Convention. Special attention needed to be paid to the areas of birth registration. The registration fee for new borns should be reduced as the economic status of the poorer section of the community should be considered. Tajikistan should also support an atmosphere for children to enable them to freely express themselves; and children should be protected from domestic violence.
* *** *