COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD TO HOLD TWENTY-EIGHTH SESSION AT GENEVA FROM 24 SEPTEMBER TO 12 OCTOBER

Background Release

COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD TO HOLD TWENTY-EIGHTH SESSION AT GENEVA

FROM 24 SEPTEMBER TO 12 OCTOBER

Experts to Examine Reports from Mauritania, Kenya, Oman,

Portugal, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Gambia, Paraguay, Cameroon, Cape Verde

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 21 September (UN Information Service) -- The promotion and protection of children's rights in Mauritania, Kenya, Oman, Portugal, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Gambia, Paraguay, Cameroon and Cape Verde will be at the top of the agenda as the Committee on the Rights of the Child meets in Geneva from

24 September to 12 October 2001.

The Committee was formed in 1991 to monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most complete statement of children's rights ever made and the first to give these rights the force of international law.  The countries scheduled to come before the Committee at this session are among the 191 to have ratified or acceded to the Convention, a number that makes the treaty the most widely-accepted human rights instruments ever.  Only Somalia and the United States have not yet ratified it.  The States parties to the Convention are expected to send representatives to the Committee to present and defend reports on how they give effect to children's rights.

On Friday, 28 September, the Committee will hold a day of general discussion devoted to the question of “violence against children within the family and schools”.  It has invited interested bodies to participate in the discussion.

During this three-week session, the Committee may also pursue the elaboration of general comments based on various principles and provisions of the Convention.  It is expected to pursue its discussions of ways and areas in which existing cooperation with various relevant bodies could be further strengthened to enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of the child.  The panel will also discuss the organization of its future work, as well as the procedure to be followed in the consideration of reports by States parties and their follow-up, including where necessary, areas identified for technical assistance.

The Committee is composed of 10 independent Experts, although States parties have adopted an amendment to the Convention that would increase the membership to

18 in order to enable the Committee to face a rapidly-growing workload.  The amendment will enter into force upon acceptance by a two-thirds majority of States parties.

The Committee will start its work by approving its agenda and programme of work.

Concluding Remarks on Reports of States Parties Previously Reviewed

Of the 10 countries whose reports are being considered this session, two have had reports previously reviewed.  The other eight countries are presenting their initial reports.

In its concluding remarks on the initial report of Portugal, which was reviewed in November 1995, the Committee welcomed the decision taken by the Government to improve the implementation of economic, social and cultural rights, and noted with satisfaction the establishment of a national minimum guaranteed income.  It also welcomed the establishment of an ombudsperson ("Proveda de Justiça") and the creation in the ombudsperson's office of a focal point on children's rights.  The Committee recommended that the State party strengthen coordination and monitoring between the different governmental mechanisms involved in children's rights, at national, regional and local levels, with a view to ensuring effective implementation of the Convention throughout the country and for all groups of children.  Closer cooperation with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should be promoted.  The principle of non-discrimination should be fully implemented by the State party and the Committee recommended that effective measures be taken to promote and improve the situation of the most vulnerable groups of children, including girls and disabled children, and that the rights of illegal immigrant children and non-accompanied children be fully protected.  The Committee also recommended that the authorities take the necessary measures, including the implementation of a national policy, to prevent abuse and corporal punishment of children, including within the family.

In its concluding remarks on the initial report of Paraguay, which was reviewed in October 1994, and then again in May 1997 in light of additional information, the Committee welcomed steps taken by the State party to make education available throughout the country through an ambitious school-building programme and its efforts to improve the quality of education.  It also welcomed the priority being given by the State party to health, in particular health care for children, including efforts to reduce child mortality, facilitate breastfeeding, support nutrition programmes and increase access to clean drinking water.  Among other things, the Committee recommended that the State party strengthen coordination between the various governmental bodies and mechanisms involved in children's rights, at both the national and local levels, with a view to developing a comprehensive policy on children and ensuring effective evaluation of implementation of the Convention.  The Committee also encouraged the State party to pursue its efforts to strengthen the institutional framework designed to promote and protect human rights in general and the rights of the child in particular.  It also recommended that priority be given in budget allocations to the realization of the economic, social and cultural rights of children, with particular emphasis on health and education, and on the enjoyment of these rights by all children, including the most disadvantaged.  The Committee also encouraged the State party to enforce rigorously legislation on the minimum age for recruitment into the military.

Timetable for Consideration of Reports

The following is the timetable for the consideration of reports from States parties to the Convention during this session:

Tuesday, 25 September   10 a.m.-1 p.m.    Mauritania (CRC/C/8/Add.42)

                          3 p.m.-6 p.m.             "

Wednesday, 26 September10 a.m.-1 p.m.    Kenya (CRC/C/3/Add.62)

                          3 p.m.-6 p.m.             "

Thursday, 27 September  10 a.m. -6 p.m.   Oman (CRC/C/78/Add.1)

Monday, 1 October       10 a.m.-1 p.m.    Portugal (CRC/C/65/Add.11)

                          3 p.m.-6 p.m.           "

Tuesday, 2 October      10 a.m.-1 p.m.    Qatar (CRC/C/51/Add.5)

                          3 p.m.-6 p.m.           "

Thursday, 4 October     10 a.m.-1 p.m.    Uzbekistan (CRC/C/41/Add-8)

                          3 p.m.-6 p.m.                     “

Friday, 5 October     10 a.m.-1 p.m.    Gambia (CRC/C/3/Add.61)

                          3 p.m.-6 p.m.           "

Monday, 8 October       10 a.m.-1 p.m.    Paraguay (CRC/C/65/Add.12)

                          3 p.m.-6 p.m.                     “

Tuesday, 9 October      10 a.m.-1 p.m.    Cameroon (CRC/C/28/Add.16)

                          3 p.m.-6 p.m.                 "

Wednesday, 10 October  10 a.m.-1 p.m.    Cape Verde (CRC/C/11/Add.23)

                          3 p.m.-6 p.m.                 "

Convention on the Rights of the Child

The General Assembly adopted the Convention unanimously on 20 November 1989,

30 years after the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of the Child.  The Convention makes States which accept it legally accountable for their actions towards children.  Work on its drafting began in 1979 -- the International Year of the Child -- at the Commission on Human Rights.

The Convention was opened for signature on 26 January 1990.  That day,

61 countries signed it, a record first-day response.  It entered into force just seven months later, on 2 September 1990.

Ratifying the Convention entails reviewing national legislation to make sure it is in line with the provisions of the treaty.  The Convention stipulates, among other things, that:  every child has the right to life, and States shall ensure to the maximum child survival and development; every child has the right to a name and nationality from birth; and, when courts, welfare institutions or administrative authorities deal with children, the child's best interests shall be a primary consideration.  The Convention recognizes the right of children to be heard.

Furthermore, States shall ensure that each child enjoys full rights without discrimination or distinctions of any kind; that children should not be separated from their parents, unless by competent authorities for their well-being; States should facilitate reunification of families by permitting travel into, or out of, their territories; and States shall protect children from physical or mental harm and neglect, including sexual abuse or exploitation.

Also according to the Convention, disabled children shall have the right to special treatment, education and care; primary education shall be free and compulsory and discipline in school should respect the child's dignity; capital punishment or life imprisonment shall not be imposed for crimes committed before the age of 18; no child under 15 should take any part in hostilities and children exposed to armed conflict shall receive special protection; and children of minority and indigenous populations shall freely enjoy their own culture, religion and language.

In May 2000, the General Assembly adopted by consensus the two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.  The Optional Protocols shall enter into force three months after the deposit of the tenth instrument of ratification or accession.

Committee Membership

The Convention requires that the members of the Committee have a high moral standing and recognized competence in the field of children's rights.  The following Experts, nominated by the State parties to serve in their personal capacity, have been elected to the Committee:  Ibrahim Abdul Aziz Al-Sheddi (Saudi Arabia), Ghalia Mohd Bin Hamad Al-Thani (Qatar), Jacob Egbert Doek (Netherlands), Saisuree Chutikul (Thailand), Luigi Citarella (Italy), Amina Hamza El Guindi (Egypt), Judith Karp (Israel), Awa N'Deye Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso), Marilia Sardenberg (Brazil), and Elizabeth Tigerstedt-Tahtela (Finland).

The Chairperson is Mr. Doek.  Vice Chairpersons are Mrs. El Guindi,

Mrs. Ouedraogo, and Mrs. Sardenberg.  Mrs. Karp is Rapporteur.

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