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19 September 2000
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CRC
25th session
19 September 2000
Afternoon
In Preliminary Observations, Expert Recommends Setting Up
Coordination Mechanisms Between Finland's Ministries
The Committee on the Rights of the Child completed its consideration of the second periodic report of Finland this afternoon with an expert recommending in preliminary observations that the country establish effective coordination mechanisms between the various ministries to produce more vision, policies and actions for the realization of children's rights.
The expert also called on Finland to assure the rights of children with disabilities to equal opportunities. The development of preventive measures and programmes to support families was also recommended.
The Committee will issue its formal, written conclusions and recommendations on the report of Finland towards the end of its three-week autumn session on 6 October.
The report of Finland was presented this morning by an eight-member Government delegation which responded to questions put by Committee members during the two meetings. Discussion this afternoon focused on the subjects of family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure, and cultural activities; and special protection measures.
As one of the 191 States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Finland must provide the Committee with periodic summaries of the Government's efforts to implement the treaty and of steps taken to improve the situation of children.
The Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 20 September, to begin consideration of an initial report of Burundi (document CRC/C.3/Add.58).
Discussion
Discussion over the course of the afternoon focused on the general subjects of family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure, and cultural activities; and special protection measures.
In response to questions put by Committee experts, the Finnish delegation said, among other things, that the Convention had been disseminated widely to various agencies that were working with children. Child welfare organizations had also actively contributed to increasing knowledge and awareness of the Convention. The treaty had been translated into the Roma language.
Concerning custody, children had the right to express their views, and due weight was given to these views in accordance with the age and maturity of the child, the delegation said. The views of a young child had significance in disputes concerning child custody or right of access. In assessing the best interests of the child, the views of a young child were also taken into account. A child had the right to refuse to present his or her views on any matter.
New forms of schooling had been developed for those who had not received any post-school education or those who had dropped out of school, the delegation said. Due to social and cultural considerations, Romani children often failed to complete school. Although the situation had improved, there were still school drop-outs among Romani children because of the fact that teaching was conducted either in Finnish or English. The first textbook in the Romani language was published only in 1995.
As a measure to reduce the number of drop-outs and to prevent social exclusion among the Roma children, the status of the Roma language in school teaching had been strengthened, the delegation said. At the national level, teaching materials including Roman language textbooks had already been prepared.
The increased number of children placed outside their families was partly explained by the change in social welfare work practices, the delegation said. Towards the end of the 1990s, repeated short-time placements of children had increased, including children under the age of 12. In addition, the severe economic depression, which caused an high unemployment rate, had increased emotional problems of families with children, thus necessitating the separation of the families and their children.
In order to combat violence against women, the Government had developed services for victims of domestic violence and had trained professionals to identify victims, the delegation said. Since wife battering and violence against children were closely interlinked, the Government had published a children's book on domestic violence.
On prevention of smoking and the use of alcohol and narcotics among children aged between 12 and 14, the Government had attempted to establish a culture of non-smoking and drinking through education. Finland had been a market place for drugs, which tempted young people to go through the experience of these narcotics. Also, the climate conditions also helped youngsters to intoxicate themselves. However, the efforts put in place to avert these situations were going in the right direction.
There were only a few cases of kidnapping per year and no specific countries of destination might be pointed out, the delegation said. Last year, there were four cases of kidnapping.
In application of the administration of juvenile justice, there were very few children in prison, the delegation said. There were no periodic reviews of the placement of a child in a certain prison, except on the request of the prisoner for a transfer to another prison or if the prison circumstances were not in the best interest of the child.
About 8 per cent of children had reported that they had been subjected to corporal punishment or various forms of violence in their respective families, the delegation said.
Preliminary Observations
In preliminary observations, an expert recommended, among other things, that effective coordination mechanisms between the various ministries, as well as between central and local authorities, be set up to give more visions, policies and actions for the realization of children's right. This would also ensure equal access to services with the same standards everywhere in the country. The expert said the State party should make sure that the views of children were taken into consideration concerning policy making and court decisions.
Finland was also recommended to protect children from harmful information; to develop preventive measures and programmes to support families to avoid placement of the child outside the families; and to assure the right of children with disabilities to equal opportunities.
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25th session
19 September 2000
Afternoon
In Preliminary Observations, Expert Recommends Setting Up
Coordination Mechanisms Between Finland's Ministries
The Committee on the Rights of the Child completed its consideration of the second periodic report of Finland this afternoon with an expert recommending in preliminary observations that the country establish effective coordination mechanisms between the various ministries to produce more vision, policies and actions for the realization of children's rights.
The expert also called on Finland to assure the rights of children with disabilities to equal opportunities. The development of preventive measures and programmes to support families was also recommended.
The Committee will issue its formal, written conclusions and recommendations on the report of Finland towards the end of its three-week autumn session on 6 October.
The report of Finland was presented this morning by an eight-member Government delegation which responded to questions put by Committee members during the two meetings. Discussion this afternoon focused on the subjects of family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure, and cultural activities; and special protection measures.
As one of the 191 States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Finland must provide the Committee with periodic summaries of the Government's efforts to implement the treaty and of steps taken to improve the situation of children.
The Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 20 September, to begin consideration of an initial report of Burundi (document CRC/C.3/Add.58).
Discussion
Discussion over the course of the afternoon focused on the general subjects of family environment and alternative care; basic health and welfare; education, leisure, and cultural activities; and special protection measures.
In response to questions put by Committee experts, the Finnish delegation said, among other things, that the Convention had been disseminated widely to various agencies that were working with children. Child welfare organizations had also actively contributed to increasing knowledge and awareness of the Convention. The treaty had been translated into the Roma language.
Concerning custody, children had the right to express their views, and due weight was given to these views in accordance with the age and maturity of the child, the delegation said. The views of a young child had significance in disputes concerning child custody or right of access. In assessing the best interests of the child, the views of a young child were also taken into account. A child had the right to refuse to present his or her views on any matter.
New forms of schooling had been developed for those who had not received any post-school education or those who had dropped out of school, the delegation said. Due to social and cultural considerations, Romani children often failed to complete school. Although the situation had improved, there were still school drop-outs among Romani children because of the fact that teaching was conducted either in Finnish or English. The first textbook in the Romani language was published only in 1995.
As a measure to reduce the number of drop-outs and to prevent social exclusion among the Roma children, the status of the Roma language in school teaching had been strengthened, the delegation said. At the national level, teaching materials including Roman language textbooks had already been prepared.
The increased number of children placed outside their families was partly explained by the change in social welfare work practices, the delegation said. Towards the end of the 1990s, repeated short-time placements of children had increased, including children under the age of 12. In addition, the severe economic depression, which caused an high unemployment rate, had increased emotional problems of families with children, thus necessitating the separation of the families and their children.
In order to combat violence against women, the Government had developed services for victims of domestic violence and had trained professionals to identify victims, the delegation said. Since wife battering and violence against children were closely interlinked, the Government had published a children's book on domestic violence.
On prevention of smoking and the use of alcohol and narcotics among children aged between 12 and 14, the Government had attempted to establish a culture of non-smoking and drinking through education. Finland had been a market place for drugs, which tempted young people to go through the experience of these narcotics. Also, the climate conditions also helped youngsters to intoxicate themselves. However, the efforts put in place to avert these situations were going in the right direction.
There were only a few cases of kidnapping per year and no specific countries of destination might be pointed out, the delegation said. Last year, there were four cases of kidnapping.
In application of the administration of juvenile justice, there were very few children in prison, the delegation said. There were no periodic reviews of the placement of a child in a certain prison, except on the request of the prisoner for a transfer to another prison or if the prison circumstances were not in the best interest of the child.
About 8 per cent of children had reported that they had been subjected to corporal punishment or various forms of violence in their respective families, the delegation said.
Preliminary Observations
In preliminary observations, an expert recommended, among other things, that effective coordination mechanisms between the various ministries, as well as between central and local authorities, be set up to give more visions, policies and actions for the realization of children's right. This would also ensure equal access to services with the same standards everywhere in the country. The expert said the State party should make sure that the views of children were taken into consideration concerning policy making and court decisions.
Finland was also recommended to protect children from harmful information; to develop preventive measures and programmes to support families to avoid placement of the child outside the families; and to assure the right of children with disabilities to equal opportunities.
* *** *