COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD OPENS THIRTY-THIRD SESSION

Committee Elects Board; High Commissioner

For Human Rights Addresses ‘Historic Session’ of Committee

(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 19 May (UN Information Service) -- The Committee on the Rights of the Child this morning opened its thirty-third session during which it will review the protection and promotion of children’s rights in Eritrea, Cyprus, Zambia, Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands, Libya, Jamaica, Morocco, Syria and Kazakhstan.

The Committee met in private at the beginning of the morning and decided to elect for two years Jacob Egbert Doek as Chairperson, and Joyce Aluoch, Marilia Sardenberg Gonçalves and Saisuree Chutikul as Vice-Chairpersons.  It was later announced that Moushira Khattab had been appointed as Rapporteur.  The Committee also adopted its agenda. 

The elected or re-elected members of the Committee made a solemn declaration to perform their duties and exercise their powers as members of the Committee on the Rights of the Child honourably, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously.  These include Joyce Aluoch (Kenya); Jacob Egbert Doek (Netherlands); Kamel Filali (Algeria); Moushira Khattab (Egypt); Lothar Krappmann (Germany); Yanghee Lee (Republic of Korea); Norberto Liwski (Argentina); Rosa Maria Ortiz (Paraguay); Awa N’Deye Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso); Lucy Smith (Norway); Marjorie Taylor (Jamaica), and Nevena Vuckovic-Sahovic (Serbia and Montenegro).

Sergio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, addressed the Committee, noting that this was a historic session as it was the first time the Committee met as an 18-member body since eight new members had been elected.   The High Commissioner spoke of the expansion of the workload of the Committee, and pledged his support.  With regard to recent developments relating to the Secretary-General’s report on strengthening the United Nations, he said he was also looking forward to suggestions to be made to this effect by the Committee.

Committee Chairperson Mr. Doek thanked the High Commissioner and re-stated the commitment of the Committee to fulfilling its mission. 

The Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 20 May, to begin its consideration of the initial report of Eritrea (document CRC/C/41/Add.12).

Statements

SERGIO VIEIRA DE MELLO, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, noted that this was a historic session, as it was the first time the Committee was meeting as an 18-member body since 10 new members had been elected.  He then spoke of the expansion of the work load of the Committee, and pledged his support.  With regard to recent developments relating to the Secretary-General’s report on strengthening the United Nations, he was also looking forward to suggestions to be made to this effect by the Committee.

The thematic work of the Committee was of critical importance, Mr. Vieira de Mello said, in that it provided detailed guidance to States parties and others on the obligations contained in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and accordingly the steps that were required for its implementation.  The recommendations of the Committee would be integrated into the activities of the field offices and technical cooperation programs, particularly as a vehicle to strengthen the rule of law at the national level.

The High Commissioner concluded by expressing his deep appreciation for the good work done by the Committee in promoting and protecting children’s rights, and wished the members a fruitful and successful session.

JACOB EGBERT DOEK, Chairperson of the Committee, thanked the High Commissioner and re-stated the commitment of the Committee to fulfil its mission and to continue to grow and change as appropriate.  Further discussions would be held on the ideas of working in two chambers to examine the feasibility of the idea.

MARILIA SARDENBERG GONCALVES, Committee expert, said that this was a highly strategic moment for the Committee, since it had completed its first ten years with a globally successful message for change in children’s human rights.  A new phase was beginning, and there was a need for support for the new members and to study new methods of work.  The Committee should not be absent from the developments in civil society.  There was a need for more resources and support from the Secretary-General so as to ensure continuing successful results. 

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