COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD TO HOLD THIRTY-FIRST SESSION IN GENEVA FROM 16 SEPTEMBER TO 4 OCTOBER 2002

Reports from Argentina, the United Kingdom, the Seychelles, Sudan, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Burkina Faso, Poland and Israel to be Reviewed


The promotion and protection of children's rights in Argentina, the United Kingdom, the Seychelles, Sudan, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Burkina Faso, Poland, and Israel will be reviewed as the Committee on the Rights of the Child meets in Geneva from 16 September to 4 October 2002.
The Committee was formed in 1991 to monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which gives a comprehensive collection of children's rights the force of international law. The countries scheduled to come before the Committee at this session are among the 191 to have ratified or acceded to the Convention, a number that makes the treaty the most widely accepted human rights instrument ever. Only Somalia and the United States have not ratified it. States parties to the Convention are expected to send representatives to the Committee to present reports on how they give effect to children's rights.
A day of general discussion on the question of "the private sector as service provider and its role in implementing child rights" will be held on Friday, 20 September. In this context, the private sector encompasses businesses, non-governmental organizations and other private associations, both for profit and non-profit. The purpose of the general discussion is to foster a deeper understanding of the contents and implications of the Convention as they relate to specific topics. The focus of the day of discussion will be on the impact of increasing participation of private sector actors in the provision and funding of state-like functions on the implementation of the Convention of the Rights of the Child.
While the Committee is entirely conscious that the business sector can impact children's rights in a wide variety of ways, it has chosen to focus on exploring the various issues emerging from privatisation and the assumption by non-governmental organizations or businesses of traditional state functions, i.e. in the health and the education sector, in the provision of institutional care, legal assistance, treatment of victims etc., given the high relevance of this trend to the work of the Committee.
During the three-week session, the Committee may also pursue the elaboration of general comments based on various principles and provisions of the Convention. It may consider ways and areas in which existing cooperation with various relevant bodies can be further strengthened to enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of the child. The panel may also discuss the organization of its future work as well as the procedure to be followed in the consideration of reports by States parties and their follow-up, including, where necessary, technical assistance.
The Committee is composed of 10 independent Experts, although States parties have adopted an amendment to the Convention that would increase the membership to 18 in order to enable the Committee to face a rapidly growing workload. The amendment will enter into force upon acceptance by a two-thirds majority of States parties.
The Committee will start its work by approving its agenda and programme of work.
Concluding Remarks on Reports of States Parties Previously Reviewed
Of the 9 countries whose reports are being considered this session, 5 have had reports previously reviewed. The other four countries are presenting initial reports.
In its concluding remarks on the initial report of Argentina, considered in February 1995, the Committee welcomed the establishment of the National Council for Children and Family, the development of a National Plan of Action for Children as well as the signing of a federal Pact for Mothers and Children. The Committee was concerned that sufficient administrative and other measures seemed not to have been taken to facilitate an effective coordination of the implementation of the Convention of the Rights of the Child on local, regional and national levels. The Committee suggested that the budgetary measures be reviewed with a view to ensuring that the maximum amount of available resources was allocated to promote and protect the rights of the child at the federal, regional and local levels and that a larger part of the education and training of law enforcement personnel, judges and other administration of justice officials be devoted to an understanding of international standards on juvenile justice.
Concerning the initial report of the United Kingdom, considered in January 1995, the Committee took note of the adoption by the State party of a Children's Act applicable to England and Wales. The Committee also observed that the State party had extended the application of the Convention to many of its dependent territories. The Committee was concerned about the broad nature of the reservations made to the Convention by the State party which raised concern as to their compatibility with the object and purpose of the Convention, in particular, the reservation relating to the application of the Nationality and Immigration Act. The Committee noted with concern the increasing number of children living in poverty. The Committee was aware that the phenomenon of children begging and sleeping on the streets had become more visible. With regard to matters relating to the health, welfare and standard of living of children in the United Kingdom, the Committee recommended additional measures to address, as a matter of priority, problems affecting the health status of children of different socio-economic groups and of children belonging to ethnic minorities and to the problems of homelessness affecting children and their families.
With regards to the initial report of Ukraine, considered in November 1995, the Committee welcomed the establishment of mechanisms to deal with children's issues and the question of children's rights, in particular the Parliamentary Commission on Health Care, Mother and Child Welfare with its departments and regional divisions, and the Presidential Committee for Women's, Maternal and Children's Affairs. The Committee expressed concern at the insufficient budgetary allocation provided for the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights of children and was worried by the high rate of abandonment of children, especially new-born babies, and the lack of a comprehensive strategy to assist vulnerable families. The Committee recommended that the State party strengthen the coordination between the different governmental mechanisms involved in children's rights, both at the national and local levels, and that it undertake to gather all the necessary information on the situation of children in the various areas covered by the Convention, including in relation to children belonging to the most vulnerable groups.
In its concluding remarks on the initial report of Burkina Faso, considered in April 1994, the Committee welcomed the measures undertaken by the Government of Burkina Faso, since the entry into force of the Convention in 1990, in order to promote and to protect the rights of the child. The Committee expressed its concern about the negative effects of poverty and structural adjustments on the situation of children in Burkina Faso, as illustrated by the high rate of infant mortality, malnutrition, as well as the low level of health services and school attendance. The Committee recommended that a comprehensive strategy be elaborated and effectively implemented by the Government of the State party to eradicate the existing discrimination against girls and women. In that context, special efforts should be made to prevent existing practices of forced marriage, female circumcision and domestic violence. More attention should be paid to the wider dissemination of knowledge about modern methods of family planning.
And finally, in the concluding remarks on the initial report of Poland, considered in January 1995, the Committee was encouraged by the Government's willingness to identify and address the various problems impeding the implementation of the rights provided for in the Convention and to seek appropriate solutions, particularly in the area of child health care. The Committee was worried about the impact on children of the difficult economic situation prevailing in the country and was concerned that traditional attitudes still prevailing in the country may not be conducive to the realization of the general principles of the Convention, including, in particular, article 2 (principle of non-discrimination), article 3 (principle of the best interest of the child) and article 12 (respect for the views of the child). The Committee encouraged the Government to give consideration to the adoption of a National Plan of Action in the field of the rights of the child and to develop specific programmes aiming at protecting children and at ensuring that safety nets are established to prevent a deterioration of their rights in the context of economic transition. The Committee also suggested that further measures should also be taken to prevent a rise in discriminatory attitudes or prejudices towards vulnerable children, particularly Roma children and children infected by HIV/AIDS, in the light of article 2 of the Convention.
Timetable for Consideration of Reports
The following is the timetable for consideration of reports from States parties to the Convention during this session:
Tuesday, 17 September 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Argentina (CRC/C/70/Add.10)
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday, 19 September 10 a.m.-1 p.m. United Kingdom (CRC/C/83/Add.3)
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Monday, 23 September 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Seychelles (CRC/C/3/Add.64)
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday, 24 September 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sudan (CRC/C/65/Add.17)
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday, 26 September 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Ukraine (CRC/C/70/Add.11)
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, 27 September 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Republic of Moldova (CRC/C/28/Add.19)
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Monday, 30 September 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Burkina Faso (CRC/C/65/Add.18)
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday, 1 October 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Poland (CRC/C/70/Add.12)
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesday, 2 October 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Israel (CRC/C/8/Add.44)
3 p.m.-6 p.m.
Convention on the Rights of the Child
The General Assembly adopted the Convention unanimously on 20 November 1989,
30 years after the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of the Child. The Convention makes States which accept it legally accountable for their actions towards children. Work on its drafting began in 1979 -- the International Year of the Child -- at the Commission on Human Rights.
The Convention was opened for signature on 26 January 1990. That day, 61 countries signed it, a record first-day response. It entered into force just seven months later, on 2 September 1990.
Ratifying the Convention entails reviewing national legislation to make sure it is in line with the provisions of the treaty. The Convention stipulates, among other things, that: every child has the right to life, and States shall ensure to the maximum child survival and development; every child has the right to a name and nationality from birth; and, when courts, welfare institutions or administrative authorities deal with children, the child's best interests shall be a primary consideration. The Convention recognizes the right of children to be heard.
Furthermore, States shall ensure that each child enjoys full rights without discrimination or distinctions of any kind; that children should not be separated from their parents, unless by competent authorities for their well-being; States should facilitate reunification of families by permitting travel into, or out of, their territories; and States shall protect children from physical or mental harm and neglect, including sexual abuse or exploitation.
Also according to the Convention, disabled children shall have the right to special treatment, education and care; primary education shall be free and compulsory and discipline in school should respect the child's dignity; capital punishment or life imprisonment shall not be imposed for crimes committed before the age of 18; no child under 15 should take any part in hostilities and children exposed to armed conflict shall receive special protection; and children of minority and indigenous populations shall freely enjoy their own culture, religion and language.
In May 2000, the General Assembly adopted by consensus the two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. The Optional Protocols have entered into force.
Committee Membership
The Convention requires that the members of the Committee have a high moral standing and recognized competence in the field of children's rights. The following Experts, nominated by the State parties to serve in their personal capacity, have been elected to the Committee: Ibrahim Abdul Aziz Al-Sheddi (Saudi Arabia), Ghalia Mohd Bin Hamad Al-Thani (Qatar), Jacob Egbert Doek (the Netherlands), Saisuree Chutikul (Thailand), Luigi Citarella (Italy), Judith Karp (Israel), Awa N'Deye Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso), Marilia Sardenberg (Brazil), Moushira Khattab (Egypt), and Elizabeth Tigerstedt-Tahtela (Finland).
The Chairperson is Mr. Doek. Vice Chairpersons are Mrs. Ouedraogo, Mrs. Sardenberg, and Ms. Chutikul. Mrs. Karp is Rapporteur.
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