COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD CONCLUDES DIALOGUE WITH ITALY
Press Release
HR/4204
COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD CONCLUDES DIALOGUE WITH ITALY
19951106 GENEVA, 1 November (UN Information Service) -- Italy was traversing a difficult period and it was still far from attaining the political stability that would enable it to fully implement the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, the representative of Italy told the Committee on the Rights of the Child this afternoon, as it concluded examination of the initial report of that country. However, the representative added, Italian legislation was so advanced that the essential principles of the Convention had already found their place in a society that loved children.In their preliminary concluding remarks, the Committee urged that human rights and, in particular, the rights of the child be included in school curricula and disseminated to the general public. Committee members also encouraged the harmonization of public and private education systems, with particular attention to the allocation of resources and to the problem of school dropouts, which might lead to juvenile delinquencies.
Committee members also noted the regional disparities existing in Italy and the different treatment given to certain groups of persons and categories of children. They underlined the need to pay special attention to the most vulnerable groups, particularly foreign children and children of Roms (Gypsies). Many experts insisted on the adoption of a legal disposition relating to corporal punishment. They also called for efforts to eliminate discrimination against children born out of wedlock, foreign children and children of Roms.
The establishment of national and permanent mechanisms to collect and compile data in all areas where coordination of activities might be ensured was also called for. Members recommended the involvement of non-governmental organizations on behalf of children and sensitization to the principles of the Convention.
Following conclusion of its consideration of Italy's report, the Committee heard from the representative of the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference, Adair Dyer, who spoke about the goals of the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. According to the final act of the Convention, he said, States should recognize
Press Release HR/4204 6 November 1995
that the child should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding. It also had as an objective the establishment of safeguards to ensure that intercountry adoptions took place in the best interests of the child and with respect for the child's fundamental rights.
Also this afternoon, the Committee held a dialogue with the representative of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Loic Picard, who told the Committee that a new international convention pertaining to child labour was being developed. Moreover, he said, the ILO was preparing a report on the economic implications of child labour by determining the number of children actually involved. The ILO also encouraged improvements in States' legislation and the application of special laws which could protect children from any form of exploitation.
The Chair of the Committee, Akila Belembaogo, reported on the missions accomplished by Committee members to India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh in relation to the condition of child protection in those countries. She welcomed the growing roles played by non-governmental organizations in the protection and promotion of the rights of children. She informed the members on the meeting of the Chairs of treaty bodies and the agreements reached therein.
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