COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD OPENS THIRTIETH SESSION

Hears Address by Representative of Office of
High Commissioner for Human Rights

The Committee on the Rights of the Child opened this morning its spring session by adopting its agenda and programme of work and by hearing a statement by a representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Maria Francisca Ize-Charrin, in her opening statement on behalf of the Office, said that the length of country reports had been an issue of concern to the Office and Conference Services because of financial and personnel shortages for the reproduction of lengthy reports.
Concerning the increase of membership of the Committee from 10 to 18 Experts,
Ms. Ize-Charrin said that so far 128 States had notified their acceptance and the notification of 9 more States would suffice to increase the number. With regard to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child involving children in armed conflict, which entered into force on 12 February this year, 30 States had ratified it. The Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child pornography and child prostitution, which entered into force on 18 January, had also been ratified by 29 States. An initial report on the Optional Protocols was expected by early 2004.
The decision of the Commission on Human Rights on the appointment of an Independent Expert to carry out a study on violence against children was a recognition of the work of the Committee on that issue, Ms. Ize-Charrin said. The appointment of such an Expert was in the hands of the Secretary-General. The Committee had held a general discussion on violence against children in the family and in schools.
Following the statement, some Committee Experts expressed their concern about the shortening of country reports and the budgetary cuts which might have a negative impact on the work of the Committee. It was suggested that a balance should be found in servicing resources in the production of documents and the length of the reports, which were basic and primary sources for the Committee's monitoring purpose.
A new member of the Committee, Moushira Khattab, who replaced another Expert from Egypt, Amina Hamza El Guindi, made a solemn declaration saying that she would perform her duty and exercise her powers as a member of the Committee honourably, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously.
The Secretary of the Committee, Paulo David, announced that 7 new reports, 2 initial and 5 periodic reports had been received since the Committee last met. So far, 169 initial and 58 periodic reports had been submitted, of which 172 country reports were considered by the Committee. At the same time, 22 initial and 119 periodic reports were overdue.
Before adjourning, the Committee held a private meeting to discuss matters concerning its work. It is also scheduled to meet in private at 3 p.m.
During its three-week session, the Committee will consider the reports of Guinea-Bissau, Belgium, Niger, Belarus, Tunisia, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Spain and the Netherlands. These countries are among the 191 States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 22 May, it will start its consideration of the initial report of Guinea-Bissau (document CRC/C/3/Add.63).
Statement on Behalf of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
MARIA FRANCISCA IZE-CHARRIN, Representative of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the Committee would be busy this session with ten country reports scheduled to be considered by it. In addition, the Committee was also scheduled to discuss its general comments on HIV/AIDS, adolescent health and on national human rights institutions.
On the length of country reports, Ms. Ize-Charrin said that it had been an issue of concern to the Office and Conference Services because of financial and personnel shortage for the reproduction of lengthy reports.
Concerning the increase of membership of the Committee from 10 to 18 Experts, Ms. Ize-Charrin said that so far 128 States had notified their acceptance and the notification of 9 more States would suffice to increase the number. With regard to the Optional Protocol to the Convention involving children in armed conflict, which entered into force on 12 February this year, 30 States had ratified it. The Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child pornography and child prostitution, which entered into force on 18 January, had also been ratified by 29 States. An initial report on the Optional Protocols would be expect by early 2004.
Ms. Ize-Charrin recalled that numerous events had taken place during the UN Special Session on Children which took place this month. The Declaration and Plan of Action did not link the legal provisions recognized by the Convention. The participation of children and adolescents in the meeting had given the session special momentum.
The decision of the Commission on Human Rights on the appointment of an Independent Expert to carry out a study on violence against children was a recognition of the work of the Committee on that issue, Ms. Ize-Charrin said. The appointment of such an Expert was in the hands of the Secretary-General. The Committee had held a general discussion on violence against children in the family and in schools.
In conclusion, Ms. Ize-Charrin announced that the first inter-Committee meeting would take place from 26 to 28 June this year to discuss the working methods of the treaty bodies.

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