COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD CONCLUDES CONSIDERING REPORT OF CROATIA
Press Release
HR/4285
COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD CONCLUDES CONSIDERING REPORT OF CROATIA
19960124 GENEVA, 23 January (UN Information Service) -- The Committee on the Rights of the Child discussed measures undertaken by the Government of Croatia to address the problem of war-related "post-traumatic syndrome" afflicting Croatian children, as it concluded its consideration of the report of that country this morning.The Committee made many recommendations regarding promotion of tolerance among the different components of the communities, the establishment of an ombudsman for children and coordination among the various administrative branches dealing with rights of the child.
The Croatian delegation told the Committee that the Government was endeavouring to relieve the negative psychological impact of war on children and adolescents. Measures undertaken so far by the authorities focused on improving the capacity of children to live and to learn normally. Priority was given to the development of the child's personality either in family or school. Measures designed to improve the conditions of children included psychological and social assistance for both children and parents.
According to the delegates, a special commission had been set up to coordinate support for children in special circumstances. In collaboration with non-governmental organizations and international institutions, the Government had been collecting data and information in its search for appropriate measures. To hasten a return to normality, they had organized educational and medical seminars and symposia to deal with war victims, particularly children.
As part of efforts to rehabilitate war victims, several counselling centres for traumatized children and parents were set up, in addition to centres run by a Germano-Croatian Friendship Association. Those centres provided psychological help for participants and victims of war. It was expected that 70 per cent of the war victims would receive the necessary psycho-social help at the local and municipal levels.
Furthermore, teachers and psychiatrists were expected to inform social workers about children with symptoms of war trauma. The war not only inflicted psychological damage, but also resulted in the abuse of children, both sexually and through neglect.
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As to measures for preventing the devastating effects of land-mines, delegates said the Government had organized a joint programme involving the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). They gave school children instructions about land-mines and the consequences that could result if they were set off.
Preliminary Concluding Observations
The Committee welcomed the Government's comprehensive legislative reform aimed at integrating the rights of the child. It expressed sympathy for the burden that fell on the Government regarding the many thousands of refugees in its territory.
Further, the Committee commended the Government's attitude and its readiness to work with international organizations and its cooperation with the offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Committee, however, emphasized the need to further coordinate part of its administration dealing with the protection and promotion of the rights of children. The need for a common and comprehensive policy to be followed by all branches of the Government was stressed by the Committee. It also emphasized the necessity to establish an ombudsman to deal with complaints involving the rights of children.
The Committee further recommended that special attention be given to vulnerable segments of the population who would have been victims of the process of privatization.
As to tolerance, the Committee recommended that the media avoid any negative tendency towards members of other ethnic and minority communities; rather, it should create positive behaviour and understanding among the population. Schools should be at the centre of the promotion of tolerance towards the different members of the communities.
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