HR/CRC/98/14
20 January 1998


The Committee on the Rights of the Child this afternoon exchanged views with the representatives of the World Health Organization on its cooperation in the promotion and protection of children's rights.

The representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) told Committee members that, just as health was a prerequisite for the full enjoyment of other human rights, so was enjoyment of all other human rights necessary for the realization of the
highest attainable standard of health, including the rights to adequate food, clothing and housing, education and work.

Ileana C. Herrell, Senior Advisor on Health Policy in Development and James Tulloch, Director of Health and Child Development at WHO said that in the context of reviewing its policy for 'Health for All in the 21st Century', WHO was the lead agency in endeavouring to achieve the right to the highest attainable standards of physical and mental health and social well-being for all human beings.

The representatives said that WHO's primary function was to promote and protect health, which was recognized as a fundamental human rights in its Constitution, and was protected by international law. The right to health encompassed and was dependent on the enjoyment of many other rights. Like other social rights, the right to health had yet to receive the full
attention it deserved, they said.

Not all morbidity and mortality was caused by inequity and discrimination, the WHO representatives said, adding that when inequities and discrimination were the root of ill-health, health status indicators could help highlight such human rights
violations. Studies from throughout the world illustrated the disadvantaged health status of women, children, minorities, indigenous people and other groups who experienced discrimination and inequalities.

Committee members expressed the desire that WHO undertake a study on such issues as suicide, mental health and infant mortality. An expert said that the Committee had recently noted the high rate of suicide in the Federated States of Micronesia, contrary to the assumption that suicide was a problem of developed countries.

The Committee valued the exchange of information with the WHO as vital and encouraged the Organization to further it cooperation with the Committee regarding the health of children in general.

When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 21 January, it will consider in private session its concluding observations and recommendations on the country reports it examined during this session which ends on Friday, 23 January.