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21 January 2000
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AFTERNOON
HR/CRC/00/17
21 January 2000
COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD OFFERS PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS ON REPORT OF PERU
Urges Further Reform to Reduce Extreme Poverty of Children
The Committee on the Rights of the Child this afternoon offered preliminary observations and recommendations on the second periodic report of Peru, urging the Government to continue its reform programmes in the fields of health and education for children.
The Committee said that Peru was advancing on the right track in its efforts to promote and protect the rights of Peruvian children. However, much had to be done to reduce extreme poverty of children and to support children at risk.
Formal conclusions and recommendations on the report of Peru will be issued in writing towards the end of the Committee's three-week session which concludes on 28 January.
Discussion over the course of the afternoon meeting focused on the general topics of basic health and welfare; education, leisure and cultural activities; and special protection measures.
The delegation of Peru was led by Jorge Voto-Bernales, Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations Office at Geneva. It also consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Advancement of Women and Human Rights, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Peru in Geneva.
Peru, as one of 191 States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, must submit periodic reports to the Committee on its efforts to implement the provisions of the treaty. Government delegations generally come before the Committee to discuss the reports and answer questions raised by Committee members.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Monday, 24 January, it will take up the initial report of Grenada (document CRC/C/3/Add.55).
Discussion
In response to queries put by Committee experts this morning, the members of the delegation said that the problem of abduction of children was a concern for the Government. In order to tackle that problem, legislative measures were under way before the legislative bodies.
Committee members raised follow-up questions on such issues as inclusion of children with disabilities in school; the campaign to promote breast-feeding; immunization programmes against polio and tetanus; training of local midwives; bilateral agreements on abduction; the time set for the adoption of International Labour Office (ILO) Conventions 138 and 182; the campaign to clear anti-personnel landmines; and sexual exploitation of children, among other things.
Responding to those questions, the Peruvian officials said that access to basic health facilities was a priority for the population as a whole. Civil society was also active in collaborating with the Government to disseminate information to the population on such issues as vaccination. The mass media had also been vital in enabling the population to acquire information on basic health. The Government had tried to meet the need for basic health by launching programmes to that end.
The delegation, however, said that deep-rooted concepts of nature as the source of the only medical treatment among certain parts of the Peruvian population had been an obstacle in the expansion of basic health programmes. Efforts had been exerted by the Government to raise awareness and to gradually implement programmes of modern medical treatment to those persons who did not believe in it. Particularly, illiterate pregnant women were convinced to use modern medical treatment and personal attention.
The National Council for Disabilities had been seeking to take into account all obstacles encountered by children with disabilities, the delegation said. In addition, awareness-raising campaigns had been launched among the teaching communities to encourage them to accept disabled children in their classrooms.
Under the National Population Policy for 1998-2002, information had been disseminated on family planning and programmes on voluntary sterilization, the delegation said. The Government had also been urging the population to use natural contraceptive methods as family planning measures.
On breast-feeding, the Government had been promoting this practise through the observation of an annual week-long programme on breast-feeding, the delegation said. At present, breast-feeding was widespread throughout the country.
In addition, priority had also been given to sanitation and clean drinking water in all parts of the country, the delegation said. A campaign of hygienic measures in the process of child birth at home was also part of the overall programme of the Government in promoting health.
There were no bilateral agreements on abduction of children between Peru and other States, however, judicial cooperation existed with neighbouring States on the application of the Inter-American Private Law, the delegation said. The Government had stressed the need for a computerized data bank of children who disappeared involuntarily. A project on "missing kids" was under way for the purpose of elucidating their cases.
With regard to child labour, the Peruvian authorities had already submitted a proposal to parliament on a law corresponding to the obligations of International Labour Office (ILO) Convention 138 on minimum age to take employment. The law would also regulate the situation of child labour in the country. In addition, ILO Convention 182 on extreme forms of child labour was still under discussion by the executive bodies.
Concerning anti-personnel landmines, the delegation said that there was a timetable for clearing landmines from the border areas in cooperation with other States. The demining programme would take place in the frontier zones. Roads also had to be built to reach these areas.
Sexual exploitation of children and the emergence of child prostitution was a concern for Peru which prompted the Government to intensify its fight against such ill-treatment of children, the delegation said. Non-governmental organizations had been participating in the fight against child abuse and other phenomenon which were detrimental to the growth of the child.
On the question of AIDS, the delegation said that the spread of the virus was of concern to the Government. Preventive actions were taken through the dissemination of information and distribution of condoms to youth. Children were now aware of the gravity of the disease and were collaborating by following the advice provided by the officials.
Referring to the meeting of the Working Group on a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on children and armed conflict, the delegation said that the Government of Peru had joined the consensus and was pleased with the outcome of the meeting on the draft optional protocol.
Preliminary Conclusions and Recommendations
In its preliminary observations and recommendations, the Committee said it had received a reliable picture of the situation in Peru with regard to the promotion of the rights of the child. Despite the enormous difficulties facing Peru, much had been done. However, the disparities existing in the country had affected children. Additional measures had to be taken to reduce those disparities so that all children enjoyed their rights.
The Committee said it was aware of the limited resources of the Government but the comprehensive implementation of the provisions of the Convention should be continued. Besides financial shortcomings, the traditional concept of health care had been mentioned by the delegation. More efforts had to be exerted by the Government. Breast-feeding should also be maintained as a higher priority of the Government.
The Committee recommended that Peru continue its efforts in reducing domestic violence and the phenomenon of street gangs. The Committee stressed that the country should seek international technical assistance in the field of health, education and other areas affecting children. It recommended that the Government should continue to do more through the path it was following now.
The Committee encouraged Peru to continue its reform in reducing extreme poverty and taking care of children at risk.
HR/CRC/00/17
21 January 2000
COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD OFFERS PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS ON REPORT OF PERU
Urges Further Reform to Reduce Extreme Poverty of Children
The Committee on the Rights of the Child this afternoon offered preliminary observations and recommendations on the second periodic report of Peru, urging the Government to continue its reform programmes in the fields of health and education for children.
The Committee said that Peru was advancing on the right track in its efforts to promote and protect the rights of Peruvian children. However, much had to be done to reduce extreme poverty of children and to support children at risk.
Formal conclusions and recommendations on the report of Peru will be issued in writing towards the end of the Committee's three-week session which concludes on 28 January.
Discussion over the course of the afternoon meeting focused on the general topics of basic health and welfare; education, leisure and cultural activities; and special protection measures.
The delegation of Peru was led by Jorge Voto-Bernales, Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations Office at Geneva. It also consisted of representatives from the Ministry of Advancement of Women and Human Rights, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission of Peru in Geneva.
Peru, as one of 191 States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, must submit periodic reports to the Committee on its efforts to implement the provisions of the treaty. Government delegations generally come before the Committee to discuss the reports and answer questions raised by Committee members.
When the Committee reconvenes at 10 a.m. on Monday, 24 January, it will take up the initial report of Grenada (document CRC/C/3/Add.55).
Discussion
In response to queries put by Committee experts this morning, the members of the delegation said that the problem of abduction of children was a concern for the Government. In order to tackle that problem, legislative measures were under way before the legislative bodies.
Committee members raised follow-up questions on such issues as inclusion of children with disabilities in school; the campaign to promote breast-feeding; immunization programmes against polio and tetanus; training of local midwives; bilateral agreements on abduction; the time set for the adoption of International Labour Office (ILO) Conventions 138 and 182; the campaign to clear anti-personnel landmines; and sexual exploitation of children, among other things.
Responding to those questions, the Peruvian officials said that access to basic health facilities was a priority for the population as a whole. Civil society was also active in collaborating with the Government to disseminate information to the population on such issues as vaccination. The mass media had also been vital in enabling the population to acquire information on basic health. The Government had tried to meet the need for basic health by launching programmes to that end.
The delegation, however, said that deep-rooted concepts of nature as the source of the only medical treatment among certain parts of the Peruvian population had been an obstacle in the expansion of basic health programmes. Efforts had been exerted by the Government to raise awareness and to gradually implement programmes of modern medical treatment to those persons who did not believe in it. Particularly, illiterate pregnant women were convinced to use modern medical treatment and personal attention.
The National Council for Disabilities had been seeking to take into account all obstacles encountered by children with disabilities, the delegation said. In addition, awareness-raising campaigns had been launched among the teaching communities to encourage them to accept disabled children in their classrooms.
Under the National Population Policy for 1998-2002, information had been disseminated on family planning and programmes on voluntary sterilization, the delegation said. The Government had also been urging the population to use natural contraceptive methods as family planning measures.
On breast-feeding, the Government had been promoting this practise through the observation of an annual week-long programme on breast-feeding, the delegation said. At present, breast-feeding was widespread throughout the country.
In addition, priority had also been given to sanitation and clean drinking water in all parts of the country, the delegation said. A campaign of hygienic measures in the process of child birth at home was also part of the overall programme of the Government in promoting health.
There were no bilateral agreements on abduction of children between Peru and other States, however, judicial cooperation existed with neighbouring States on the application of the Inter-American Private Law, the delegation said. The Government had stressed the need for a computerized data bank of children who disappeared involuntarily. A project on "missing kids" was under way for the purpose of elucidating their cases.
With regard to child labour, the Peruvian authorities had already submitted a proposal to parliament on a law corresponding to the obligations of International Labour Office (ILO) Convention 138 on minimum age to take employment. The law would also regulate the situation of child labour in the country. In addition, ILO Convention 182 on extreme forms of child labour was still under discussion by the executive bodies.
Concerning anti-personnel landmines, the delegation said that there was a timetable for clearing landmines from the border areas in cooperation with other States. The demining programme would take place in the frontier zones. Roads also had to be built to reach these areas.
Sexual exploitation of children and the emergence of child prostitution was a concern for Peru which prompted the Government to intensify its fight against such ill-treatment of children, the delegation said. Non-governmental organizations had been participating in the fight against child abuse and other phenomenon which were detrimental to the growth of the child.
On the question of AIDS, the delegation said that the spread of the virus was of concern to the Government. Preventive actions were taken through the dissemination of information and distribution of condoms to youth. Children were now aware of the gravity of the disease and were collaborating by following the advice provided by the officials.
Referring to the meeting of the Working Group on a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on children and armed conflict, the delegation said that the Government of Peru had joined the consensus and was pleased with the outcome of the meeting on the draft optional protocol.
Preliminary Conclusions and Recommendations
In its preliminary observations and recommendations, the Committee said it had received a reliable picture of the situation in Peru with regard to the promotion of the rights of the child. Despite the enormous difficulties facing Peru, much had been done. However, the disparities existing in the country had affected children. Additional measures had to be taken to reduce those disparities so that all children enjoyed their rights.
The Committee said it was aware of the limited resources of the Government but the comprehensive implementation of the provisions of the Convention should be continued. Besides financial shortcomings, the traditional concept of health care had been mentioned by the delegation. More efforts had to be exerted by the Government. Breast-feeding should also be maintained as a higher priority of the Government.
The Committee recommended that Peru continue its efforts in reducing domestic violence and the phenomenon of street gangs. The Committee stressed that the country should seek international technical assistance in the field of health, education and other areas affecting children. It recommended that the Government should continue to do more through the path it was following now.
The Committee encouraged Peru to continue its reform in reducing extreme poverty and taking care of children at risk.