COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD CONCLUDES CONSIDERATION OF INITIAL REPORT OF YEMEN
Press Release
HR/4270
COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD CONCLUDES CONSIDERATION OF INITIAL REPORT OF YEMEN
19960111 GENEVA, 10 January (UN Information Service) -- The Committee on the Rights of the Child this morning concluded its consideration of the initial report of Yemen, making a number of recommendations in the best interest of children.The Committee urged that the welfare of Yemeni children be boosted through the allocation of more resources, particularly to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in remote and rural regions of the country.
The delegation of Yemen was led by the Vice-Minister for Social Affairs and Labour Insurance in the Social Development Sector, Ali Saleh Abdullah. Other members of the delegation included Farag Bin Ghanem, Permanent Representative of Yemen to the United Nations Office at Geneva; Wahibah Ghaleb Faree, of the University of Sana'a; Hodah Ali Ahmed, Director-General for Social Affairs; and Abdul Rahman Al-Musibli, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Yemen, Geneva.
Additional Responses by Yemen
In response to questions posed by experts during the previous meeting, the delegation of Yemen told the Committee that children born out of wedlock were treated in the same manner as those born within a marriage and had access to education and other social benefits. Nevertheless, it was rare to find cases of children born out of wedlock; cohabitation was rare in Yemeni society. Having a child without having married might be considered as a shame because of the attitude of the society, and customs and traditions had restricted the practice.
Regarding the treatment of disabled children, the delegation stated that a programme called "Community-Based Rehabilitation", fostered by the Government and a Swedish organization, had extended its services to many rural areas. Proper social, educational and healthcare services were provided to all disabled children without distinction. In addition, workshop training was also organized for their future social reintegrated. Several centres for the disabled were opened since the project was initiated.
Concerning healthcare in general, the delegation stated that the Government had increased its efforts to extend health services to the general
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public, particularly to mothers and children. Prenatal and motherhood training were provided by several clinics and hospitals, particularly in the rural regions.
On measures to combat harmful traditional practices affecting the health of children, the delegation said the Government, through legislative measures, had limited the age of early marriage and had also introduced other steps to prohibit practices which could harm children. An educational campaign was also being launched to win the awareness of the population against any harmful practices affecting the health of the child.
One expert alluded to the increased number of children begging on the streets, particularly those victimized by war and political conflict. The delegation admitted that some families never sent their children to school, and instead encouraged them to beg. A family's lack of financial resources at times lead children to begging. Yemen was one of the poorest countries in the world. The return of about 1 million Yemeni workers because of the Gulf war had had a negative impact on the economy. The Government could not overcome the economic difficulties prompted by war and political crises. Although there was no legislative act forbidding begging, the report had indicated that a juvenile could be regarded as delinquent if found begging.
The delegation said Yemeni legislation was severe regarding sexual abuse of children. Anyone convicted of such a crime could receive a death sentence.
Preliminary Concluding Observations
In its preliminary observation on the initial report of Yemen, the Committee recommended that, due to the high illiteracy rate, the dissemination of the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in a written form might not be satisfactory. It was recommended that oral explanations of the Convention could be more advantageous to reaching the general public. The training of judges, lawyers, teachers and other civil servants was urged by Committee members.
In order not to duplicate efforts and to save resources, coordination of ministerial and organizational activities regarding the protection and promotion of children was encouraged by the Committee. In allocating resources aimed at boosting the welfare of children, priority should be given to the disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, particularly in remote and rural regions.
The Committee further recommended that Yemen make the minimum age for marriage for girls the same as that for boys. It also urged that all legislation should reflect the best interest of the child. Children had to be encouraged to express their opinions and to participate in matters concerning them.
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