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17 January 2000
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MORNING
HR/CRC/00/11
17 January 2000
COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD STARTS CONSIDERATION OF INITIAL REPORT
OF FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Kosovo Crisis has Affected Economic and Political Prosperity, Officials Say
The Committee on the Rights of the Child this morning started its consideration of an initial report of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with a Government delegation saying that the country was in a transition period and that the grave economic situation affected the achievement of desired results concerning children’s rights.
Introducing the report, Igor Dzundev, Political Director at the Multilateral Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, underlined the impact of the tragic Kosovo crisis on the country's stability, as well as its economic and political prosperity.
Discussion over the course of the morning focused on basic measures for implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child; legal definitions relating to children; anti-discrimination efforts; general principles of child rights; and civil rights and freedoms. The Committee experts asked, among other things, how the national budget for children was allocated; about international assistance extended to the country and the relationship with non-governmental organizations; the functions, competence, and political weight of the new Children's Ombudsman; and educational discrimination against minorities, particularly Albanians.
The Macedonian delegation also included Groce Petreski, Permanent Representative of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the United Nations Office at Geneva; Gorgi Ilievski, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Education; Mirjana Lazarova-Trajkovska, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Interior; Stevo Pendarovski, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Interior; Angelina Becanovic, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Health; and Elena Grozdanova, Advisor to the Minister of Labour and Social Policy.
Also, Lence Velickovska, Advisor to the Minister of Justice; Elizabeta Gorgieva, Head of the Human Rights Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Biljana Stefanovska-Sekovska, First Secretary at the Permanent Mission; Zoran Todorov, Desk Officer at the Human Rights Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Katica Zafirovska, Professor at the Medical Faculty; and Daniela Brajkovska, Interpreter.
As one of 191 States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia must submit periodic reports to the Committee on its performance to implement the treaty. Government delegations generally appear before the Committee to discuss these rights and to answer questions.
When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will conclude its consideration of the report of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Report of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
The initial report of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (document CRC/C/8/Add.36) enumerates the numerous administrative and legislative measures to implement the provisions of the Convention on an article-by-article basis. It says that projects and measures for the protection and improvement of the situation of children are given priority, and efforts are made for their more comprehensive realization despite the difficult economic situation of the country. It also says that the country actively cooperates with several international organizations such as the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The report further says that the principle of non-discrimination is guaranteed by law and that all citizens are equal in their freedoms and rights regardless of sex, race, colour of skin or nationality, among other things. Children are equal before the Constitution and the law. Any act of discrimination is penalized in the criminal law.
Moreover, the report enumerates the measures taken by the Government regarding civil rights and freedoms; family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure and cultural activities; and special protection measures.
Presentation of Report
IGOR DZUNDEV, Political Director at the Multilateral Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, recalled that last year, his country had marked the tenth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by creating the office of the Ombudsman for Children's Rights. He said that the Government was proud of that achievement with regards to the protection of the rights of the child.
Despite its economic troubles, the country had made progress with respect to many child rights, Mr. Dzundev went on to state. Infant mortality rate had been reduced by 55 per cent, from more than 31 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 16 in 1998. The immunization rate remained high with over 86 per cent of all children immunized against tuberculosis, measles and polio, among others; iodine deficiency disorders had been virtually eliminated; the maternal mortality rate was almost zero; and 95 per cent of all school-aged children attended primary school.
Mr. Dzundev underlined that his country was in a transition period. The grave economic conditions had affected the achievement of the desired results concerning children’s rights. He also emphasized the impact of the tragic Kosovo crisis on the country's stability, as well as its economic and political prosperity.
In conclusion, Mr. Dzundev said that his country enjoyed excellent cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). They were presently in the third cycle of the implementation of the master plan of cooperation 1999-2001, which was based on the Basic Cooperation Agreement signed between the Government and UNICEF in 1994. UNICEF had also played a significant role and had provided great help and concrete contribution, together with the Government efforts, in addressing the needs and problems of refugees, in particular children and women, during and after the recent Kosovo refugee crisis.
Discussion
In the beginning of their consideration of the report, Committee experts asked questions on the general measures of implementation of the Convention; definition of the child; general principles of child rights; and civil rights and freedoms. They asked, among other things, how the national budget for children was allocated; about the international assistance extended to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the relationship with non-governmental organizations; the functions, competence, and political weight of the new Children's Ombudsman; and educational discrimination against minorities, particularly Albanians.
In response to the questions, the members of the Macedonian delegation said that there was no centralized budgetary allocation for children; however, each ministry had to devote part of its budget for the promotion and protection of the rights of children. Because of the economic situation in the country, less money was being spent for activities designed to promote children's rights.
In addition, a child support allowance was available depending on the number of children in the family and could be utilized only up to the third born child in the family. The allowance also depended on the age of the children - the age limit was 26 years if the child was a full-time student, the delegation said. In 1998, a total of 36,960 families had received child support allowance.
In matters of divorce, children's opinions were given priority and the social work centres located throughout the country provided advice at the local level, the delegation said. Since one-third of the population was concentrated in the capital city, Skopje, many of the social work centres were situated there. There were 450 social workers in the country.
With regard to refugee children, the delegation said that there were 17,000 pupils who attended elementary schools which were compulsory, while 3,740 refugee students were registered for secondary schooling. The Government was greatly assisted by UNICEF which provided school equipment in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
There was no discrimination against children belonging to national minorities concerning education, the delegation said. All children in Macedonia had the right to compulsory primary education regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliation. In addition, secondary education was accessible to all. National minorities such as the Romas, Turks and Albanians enjoyed the right to education. However, non-attendance of school among minorities could be attributed to religious background, particularly in the Muslim communities of Macedonia which discouraged female students from pursuing their studies. The Government provided educational text books in the mother-tongue of each nationality.
The office of the Ombudsman for the Rights of Children had started its functions very recently and no figure of complaints was available, the delegation said. It continued to deal with complaints involving children.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia had 32 printed newspapers which more or less treated issues related to the promotion and protection of children, the delegation said. The provisions of the Convention were also made known through various media and governmental institutions.
Committee members asked additional questions on such issues as registration of child birth, particularly in remote communities and of Roma children; cases involving testimony of children; emotional and physical abuse of children; foster families and alternative care; the principle of adoption; and an independent survey of the work performed by the social work centres. The delegation was expected to provide answers to the questions during the afternoon meeting.
HR/CRC/00/11
17 January 2000
COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD STARTS CONSIDERATION OF INITIAL REPORT
OF FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Kosovo Crisis has Affected Economic and Political Prosperity, Officials Say
The Committee on the Rights of the Child this morning started its consideration of an initial report of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with a Government delegation saying that the country was in a transition period and that the grave economic situation affected the achievement of desired results concerning children’s rights.
Introducing the report, Igor Dzundev, Political Director at the Multilateral Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, underlined the impact of the tragic Kosovo crisis on the country's stability, as well as its economic and political prosperity.
Discussion over the course of the morning focused on basic measures for implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child; legal definitions relating to children; anti-discrimination efforts; general principles of child rights; and civil rights and freedoms. The Committee experts asked, among other things, how the national budget for children was allocated; about international assistance extended to the country and the relationship with non-governmental organizations; the functions, competence, and political weight of the new Children's Ombudsman; and educational discrimination against minorities, particularly Albanians.
The Macedonian delegation also included Groce Petreski, Permanent Representative of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the United Nations Office at Geneva; Gorgi Ilievski, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Education; Mirjana Lazarova-Trajkovska, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Interior; Stevo Pendarovski, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Interior; Angelina Becanovic, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Health; and Elena Grozdanova, Advisor to the Minister of Labour and Social Policy.
Also, Lence Velickovska, Advisor to the Minister of Justice; Elizabeta Gorgieva, Head of the Human Rights Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Biljana Stefanovska-Sekovska, First Secretary at the Permanent Mission; Zoran Todorov, Desk Officer at the Human Rights Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Katica Zafirovska, Professor at the Medical Faculty; and Daniela Brajkovska, Interpreter.
As one of 191 States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia must submit periodic reports to the Committee on its performance to implement the treaty. Government delegations generally appear before the Committee to discuss these rights and to answer questions.
When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will conclude its consideration of the report of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Report of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
The initial report of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (document CRC/C/8/Add.36) enumerates the numerous administrative and legislative measures to implement the provisions of the Convention on an article-by-article basis. It says that projects and measures for the protection and improvement of the situation of children are given priority, and efforts are made for their more comprehensive realization despite the difficult economic situation of the country. It also says that the country actively cooperates with several international organizations such as the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The report further says that the principle of non-discrimination is guaranteed by law and that all citizens are equal in their freedoms and rights regardless of sex, race, colour of skin or nationality, among other things. Children are equal before the Constitution and the law. Any act of discrimination is penalized in the criminal law.
Moreover, the report enumerates the measures taken by the Government regarding civil rights and freedoms; family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure and cultural activities; and special protection measures.
Presentation of Report
IGOR DZUNDEV, Political Director at the Multilateral Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, recalled that last year, his country had marked the tenth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by creating the office of the Ombudsman for Children's Rights. He said that the Government was proud of that achievement with regards to the protection of the rights of the child.
Despite its economic troubles, the country had made progress with respect to many child rights, Mr. Dzundev went on to state. Infant mortality rate had been reduced by 55 per cent, from more than 31 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 16 in 1998. The immunization rate remained high with over 86 per cent of all children immunized against tuberculosis, measles and polio, among others; iodine deficiency disorders had been virtually eliminated; the maternal mortality rate was almost zero; and 95 per cent of all school-aged children attended primary school.
Mr. Dzundev underlined that his country was in a transition period. The grave economic conditions had affected the achievement of the desired results concerning children’s rights. He also emphasized the impact of the tragic Kosovo crisis on the country's stability, as well as its economic and political prosperity.
In conclusion, Mr. Dzundev said that his country enjoyed excellent cooperation with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). They were presently in the third cycle of the implementation of the master plan of cooperation 1999-2001, which was based on the Basic Cooperation Agreement signed between the Government and UNICEF in 1994. UNICEF had also played a significant role and had provided great help and concrete contribution, together with the Government efforts, in addressing the needs and problems of refugees, in particular children and women, during and after the recent Kosovo refugee crisis.
Discussion
In the beginning of their consideration of the report, Committee experts asked questions on the general measures of implementation of the Convention; definition of the child; general principles of child rights; and civil rights and freedoms. They asked, among other things, how the national budget for children was allocated; about the international assistance extended to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the relationship with non-governmental organizations; the functions, competence, and political weight of the new Children's Ombudsman; and educational discrimination against minorities, particularly Albanians.
In response to the questions, the members of the Macedonian delegation said that there was no centralized budgetary allocation for children; however, each ministry had to devote part of its budget for the promotion and protection of the rights of children. Because of the economic situation in the country, less money was being spent for activities designed to promote children's rights.
In addition, a child support allowance was available depending on the number of children in the family and could be utilized only up to the third born child in the family. The allowance also depended on the age of the children - the age limit was 26 years if the child was a full-time student, the delegation said. In 1998, a total of 36,960 families had received child support allowance.
In matters of divorce, children's opinions were given priority and the social work centres located throughout the country provided advice at the local level, the delegation said. Since one-third of the population was concentrated in the capital city, Skopje, many of the social work centres were situated there. There were 450 social workers in the country.
With regard to refugee children, the delegation said that there were 17,000 pupils who attended elementary schools which were compulsory, while 3,740 refugee students were registered for secondary schooling. The Government was greatly assisted by UNICEF which provided school equipment in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
There was no discrimination against children belonging to national minorities concerning education, the delegation said. All children in Macedonia had the right to compulsory primary education regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliation. In addition, secondary education was accessible to all. National minorities such as the Romas, Turks and Albanians enjoyed the right to education. However, non-attendance of school among minorities could be attributed to religious background, particularly in the Muslim communities of Macedonia which discouraged female students from pursuing their studies. The Government provided educational text books in the mother-tongue of each nationality.
The office of the Ombudsman for the Rights of Children had started its functions very recently and no figure of complaints was available, the delegation said. It continued to deal with complaints involving children.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia had 32 printed newspapers which more or less treated issues related to the promotion and protection of children, the delegation said. The provisions of the Convention were also made known through various media and governmental institutions.
Committee members asked additional questions on such issues as registration of child birth, particularly in remote communities and of Roma children; cases involving testimony of children; emotional and physical abuse of children; foster families and alternative care; the principle of adoption; and an independent survey of the work performed by the social work centres. The delegation was expected to provide answers to the questions during the afternoon meeting.