COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD CONCLUDES CONSIDERATION OF SWEDEN’S REPORT ON COMPLIANCE WITH CONVENTION

AFTERNOON
HR/CRC/99/14
22 January 1999





The Committee on the Rights of the Child this afternoon concluded its consideration of the second periodic report presented by the Government of Sweden on how that country was complying with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

During the discussion, some experts raised additional questions on "hidden children", estimated to be around 2,000, who had been living in the country for many years without effectively enjoying the rights enshrined in the Convention. These children were living in poor conditions and did not benefit from the country's social system, including education. The only assistance they received was emergency medical care, experts said.

Other members of the Committee also raised questions on illicit transfer of Swedish children to other countries, at times abducted by a foreign parent; problems of alcoholic consumption by children; sexual exploitation and abuse; abortion and mental problems; and the role of the Ombudsman, among other things.

The delegation of Sweden said that efforts had been made to inform children about the Convention and their rights according to the instrument. Special measures would also be undertaken by the Government in the course of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Convention.

The Committee will issue its formal concluding observations and recommendations towards the end of its three-week session which concludes on 29 January.


As one of 191 States parties to the Convention, Sweden is obligated to submit summaries on the measures undertaken in the fields of administration, legislation and jurisdiction to comply with the provisions of the instrument.

When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Monday, 25 January, it will take up the second periodic report of Yemen.

Discussion

An expert queried members of the delegation on the issue of "hidden children", saying that about 2,000 such children had been living in the country for many years without effectively enjoying the rights enshrined in the Convention. These children were living in poor conditions and did not benefit from the country's social system, including education. The only assistance they received was emergency medical care.

Other members of the Committee also raised questions on illicit transfer of Swedish children to other countries, at times abducted by a foreign parent; problems of alcoholic consumption by children; sexual exploitation and abuse; abortion and mental problems; and the role of the Ombudsman, among other things.

In response to the numerous questions raised by Committee members, the delegation said that efforts had been made to inform children about the Convention and their rights according to the instrument. Special measures would also be undertaken by the Government in the course of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Convention.

On medical counselling, the delegation said that if a child presented himself or herself for any medical treatment, the medical practitioner should contact the parents of the child and inform them about the treatment. However, if it was an adolescent, medical secrecy should be maintained by the doctor.

A question was raised concerning channels of complaints by children. The members of the delegation said that there existed a non-governmental organization called "Children's Rights in Society" which dealt with complaints arising from children in distress. In addition, there was a free-toll telephone line for children complaining about their daily conditions, including violence and abuse. The Office of the Children's Ombudsman did not have a mandate to receive complaints from children.

The Swedish officials said that sexual exploitation of children was deemed more serious than sexual offenses committed against adults. Some of the country's legal provisions were aimed exclusively at criminal acts against children and were designed to protect them from sexual exploitation. Moreover, sexual contact with a child under the age of 15 years or any attempt to induce a child to undertake or participate in an act with sexual implications was punishable as sexual molestation of children.


According to the delegation, the minimum age for marriage was 18 years, but children under that age could marry with the expressed permission of the county council. Non-Swedish children under 18 years of age could marry if the law of their countries of origin allowed them. In all circumstances, children under 15 years of age were not permitted to marry on Swedish soil.

Concerning media violence, the delegation said that the Government had presented a Bill amending the Radio and Television Act so that programmes which contained violence or pornography would be broadcast with warnings, in accordance with the amended European Union television directive. The obligation to warn viewers would also apply to news broadcasts. It was also proposed that the regulation should cover both coded and uncoded transmissions. The Bill was expected to be enacted as early as the current year, added the delegation.