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AFTERNOON

HR/CRC/99/54
4 October 1999


COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD CONTINUES CONSIDERATION
OF INITIAL REPORT OF THE NETHERLANDS


The Committee on the Rights of the Child this afternoon continued its consideration of the initial report of the Netherlands by questioning a Government delegation on a range of issues, including a child’s right to choose euthanasia.

Committee members expressed some concern that a proposal had been introduced by the Government of the Netherlands to the country's Parliament which, if adopted, would permit children to opt for euthanasia.

The Dutch delegation told Committee members that legislation had been forwarded last August that would allow children aged 16 or over, with the consent of their parents, to choose euthanasia. In addition, the draft also read that children aged 12 or over could opt for euthanasia if a medical doctor had agreed with it and the child had sufficient understanding of the situation. The delegation, however, doubted that the proposal would be accepted by Parliament.

Much of the discussion focussed on general principles, as well as civil rights and freedom; family environment; alternative care; basic health and welfare; and education, leisure and culture.

The delegation of the Netherlands consisted of T. Halff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; S. van Manen of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; I. Jansen of the Ministry of Justice; J.T.J. Struyker Boudier of the Ministry of Justice; L. Ling Ket On of the Ministry of Justice; L. Rensman of the Ministry of Justice; C.J. Staal of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment; and A.P.J.M. van Loon of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.

The Netherlands, as one of 191 States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, must submit periodic reports to the Committee on how it is implementing the provisions of the treaty. Government delegations generally appear before the Committee to discuss these rights and to answer questions.

When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 5 October, it will continue its consideration of the initial report of the Netherlands.

Discussion

The delegation responded to a number of questions. Discussion focussed on general principles; civil rights and freedoms; family environment and alternative care; and basic health and welfare.

The delegation maintained that there had been a rapidly increasing interest in the rights of the child at the policy, institutional and financial levels. The delegation explained that the basis for child policy in developing countries was described in “First Steps”, a policy memorandum issued in 1994. The basic principle was the right of all children to a decent existence, personal development, and protection against exploitation, abuse and violence.

In an effort to educate children on the provisions of the Convention, the Government began running a public information campaign in 1996 to inform children between the ages of 10 and 14 about their rights. Municipalities also attempted to actively promote participation by young people in decision-making, the delegation said.

Frisian was the only officially recognized minority language in the Netherlands, said the delegation. All Frisians were taught Dutch in school. The Convention and the report had not been translated into Frisian, and the Dutch Government was not legally required to do so, the delegation said.

According to the delegation, there was no structural partnership with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to further implementation of the Convention. Nevertheless, NGOs were consulted regularly and they could, on an ad hoc basis, be invited to roundtable conferences or seminars to discuss matters pertaining to such topics as the rights of the children.

The Government of the Netherlands believed that self-control should be exercised in the media and on the Internet to not introduce violence against children, the delegation said. Proposed legislation which would regulate the media had been contemplated by the Council of Ministers.

The delegation also said that a proposal had been submitted to Parliament last August that would have provided legal protection for children over 16, with the consent of their parents, the right to choose euthanasia. In addition, the draft would also allow children aged 12 and over, with the consent of a medical doctor, to choose euthanasia, if the child had sufficient understanding of the situation. The delegation doubted that the draft law would be accepted by the Parliament.