WPC 5V$$dz1a|+I ;^/,lk]/Zn"H5 f{h( !/}&2T?b*qv$15۩L_'qa4XW~i&$i>AK|infht]9B:nO B 9V#~7C ?;{i/ ( CuyTechnicalTechnical Document Style11.11.1.11.1.1.11.1.1.1.11.1.1.1.1.11.1.1.1.1.1.11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1x?Ou2PleadingHeader for numbered pleading paper @  .(  :[Xo[X` hp x (#%'0*,.8135@8:<H?AXoXX?iA'*dE*??iA'*dE*?HH1HH2HH3HH4HH5HH6HH7HH8HH910111213141516171819202122232425262728  .+fE2Doc InitInitialise Document StyleC( G   (DEF($0 ($0 0 (($0 0 0   A_ekqwDocumentDocument StyleI.1.A.a.(1)(a)i)a) {<>N9422142E<><>A/49/41<><><>H($    / | M$  882    .GeneralAssemblyresolution44/25,annex.("2$ wB!UKUS.,  TRX3'3'3' Letter3'TX  +88   fX fXC  $#yC--'882^ X'  ++Ӏ  0  / g M$  882    .SeeA/45/636,annex.  M$  882    .ViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofAction,ReportoftheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,Vienna,1425June1993(A/CONF.157/24(PartI)),chap.III,sect.II,para.51. d M$  882    .A/CONF.157/TBB/4. g M$  882    .CRC/C/16,annexVII. M$  882    .SeeOfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortyseventhSession,SupplementNo.41(A/47/41),chap.I,recommendation1. c M$  882    .Ibid.,para.17. t M$  882    .Ibid.,chap.I,recommendation2. m M$  882    .A/47/628,annex,para.43. i M$  882    .E/CN.4/1990/39,annex. u M$  882    .SeeA/47/628,annex,paras.5155. d M$  882    .A/CONF.157/PC/73. ] M$  882    .HRI/GEN/1. M$  882    .OfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortyseventhSession,SupplementNo.41(A/47/41),paras.14and15. t M$  882    .Ibid.,chap.I,recommendation2. j M$  882    .E/CN.4/Sub.2/479/Rev.1. g M$  882    .E/CN.4/Sub.2/1993/7. M$  882    .OfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortyseventhSession,SupplementNo.41(A/48/41),chap.I,recommendation5,andpara.18. m M$  882    .A/CONF.157/PC/20,para.5. g M$  882    .SeeA/47/628,annex. m M$  882    .A/47/628,annex,para.61. M$  882    .Seechap.I.J,fourthsession,recommendation5andE/CN.4/1994/91. M$  882    .OfficialRecordsoftheGeneralAssembly,FortyseventhSession,SupplementNo.41(A/47/41),chap.I,recommendation3. +'  (  X 882   `'eO?;z|\ p @@@` k )"  882   @ .,    ڄ dTable_A d k )  882   @ .$    ڄ +'  (  X 882   `'lO?;z|\ p @@@` k )"  882   @ .,    ڄTable_B3 Ha`$2Line Printer 16.67cpiTable_C k )  882   @ .$    ڄ("2$ wB!UKUS.,  TRX3'3'3' Letter3'TX  +88   fX fXC  $#yC--'882^ X'  ++Ӏ  0  /  CRight ParRight-Aligned Paragraph NumbersI.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)#|d<6X9`(Courierd6X@`7@3 Ha`$2Line Printer 16.67cpiH H@;@(B$UKUS.,  TRX3'3'3' Letter3'TX  +88   fX fXC  $#yC--'882^ X'# e37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)\^)eskt8v~U wB!UKUS.,  TRX3'3'3' Letter3'TX  +88   fX fXC  $ C--'882^ X'  I 8h qUKUK.,  TRX3'X3'3' Letter3' LetterTXX  ++8888C  $$C--0882^ 882^0    G#[Original:English] X   G#[19May1994]@\\/CONTENTS' 88t882^'Chapter t ParagraphsPage ^   .38 8,  P"88<3dd ,I.  CONCLUSIONSANDRECOMMENDATIONSADOPTEDBYTHE  0  ,,,  COMMITTEEONTHERIGHTSOFTHECHILDATITSSECOND,,,  TOFIFTHSESSIONS...............................................!!VP"1 r   ,,,  A.  Organizationofwork........................................!!VP"1 D  ,,,  B.  StrengtheningthesupporttotheCommittee..................!!VP"3  ,,,  C.  Informalregionalmeetings..................................!!VP"4 x ,,,  D.  Sourcesofinformation......................................!!VP"5 J ,,,  E.  Publicinformationactivities...............................!!VP"6  ,,,  F.  Documentationunitontherightsofthechild...............!!VP"8 ^ ,,,  G.  RelationswithotherUnitedNationsorgansandtreatybodies!!VP"8 0 ,,,  H.  Meetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies..!!UP"12  ,,,  I.  WorldConferenceonHumanRights:recommendationtothe d ,,,    PreparatoryCommitteefortheWorldConferenceonHuman,,,    Rights......................................................!!UP"13 6! ,,,  J.  Childreninarmedconflicts:recommendationtotheGeneral x!# ,,,    Assembly....................................................!!UP"14 a !$ E8 8,  P"88, P"E ,II.  ORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS.....................DDE115!!UP"16 3"#& ,,,  ,,,  A.  StatespartiestotheConvention.................F12!!UP"16 $~&) ,,,  B.  Sessionsandagenda..............................F34!!UP"16 &P(+ ,,,  C.  Membershipandattendance........................F57!!UP"16 ("*- ,,,  D.  Electionofofficers.............................F89!!UP"17 d*+/ ,,,  E.  OrganizationoftheworkoftheCommittee........10!!UP"17 6,-1 ,,,  F.  Presessionalworkinggroup......................D1114!!UP"18 ./3  .04 ,,,  G.  Adoptionofthereport...........................15!!UP"18 X , .III. .REPORTSBYSTATESPARTIESUNDERARTICLE44OFTHE, ., .CONVENTION........................................... .16329P" .!19, ., .A. .Submissionofreports............................ .1626P" .!19, ., .B. .Considerationofreports......................... .27329P" .!20@ .iii  @ .CONTENTS(continued) 88tChaptert .tParagraphsPage   , )8 8,  pP"), .IV. .OVERVIEWOFTHEOTHERACTIVITIESOFTHECOMMITTEE...p .p330577P" .!62, ., .A.Independenceofexperts.........................330P" .!62, ., .B. .Methodsofwork.................................p .p .p331424P" .!62, ., .C. .Publicinformationactivitiesandeducationon, ., . .children'srights...............................p .p .p425445P" .!78, ., .D. .Internationalcooperationandsolidarityforthe, ., . .implementationoftheConventionontheRights, ., . .oftheChild....................................p .p .p446524P" .!80, ., .E. .Reservations....................................p .p .p525534P" .!93, ., .F. .Generalthematicdiscussions....................p .p .p535577P" .!94@ .Annexes, .dI. .StatesthathaveratifiedoraccededtotheConventiononthe, ., .RightsoftheChildasat28January1994.......................P" .$!107, .II. .Agendasofthesecond,third,fourthandfifthsessionsofthe, ., .CommitteeontheRightsoftheChild............................P" .$!112, .III. .MembershipoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild..........P" .$!116, .IV. .StatusofsubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesunder, ., .article44oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.........P" .$!117, .dV. .Childreninarmedconflicts:recommendationtotheGeneral, ., .Assembly........................................................P" .$!125, .VI. .FollowuptotheconsiderationofinitialreportsbyStates, ., .partiestotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild............P" .$!126, .VII. .AreasidentifiedbytheCommitteefortechnicaladviceand, ., .assistanceandadvisoryservices................................P" .$!128, .8VIII. .Preliminarydraftoptionalprotocoloninvolvementofchildrenin, ., .armedconflicts.................................................P" .$!130@ .$iv882   ؀I.CONCLUSIONSANDRECOMMENDATIONSADOPTEDBỲTHECOMMITTEEONTHERIGHTSOFTHECHILD̀ATITSSECONDTOFIFTHSESSIONS@ .<A.Organizationofwork@ . 1.Fourthsession,recommendation12 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2RecallingtherapidentryintoforceoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild L   ׀andthehistoricnumberofStatesparties,whichdemonstrateawidespreadcommitmenttothepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild,2 .2AwareofthehighexpectationsforeffectivenessinthefunctioningoftheCommittee,whichconstitutesanessentialmechanismfortheimplementationoftheprovisionsoftheConvention,2 .2ConcernedabouttheworkloadoftheCommitteeandtheriskofbuildingupanundesirablebacklogintheconsiderationofStatepartyreports,2 .2NotingtheconcernexpressedbytheCommissiononHumanRightsattheincreasinglyheavyworkloadoftheCommitteeandtheresultingdifficultiesfacedbyitinthefulfilmentofitsfunctions,2 .2RecallingtherecommendationmadebytheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsthattheCommittee,withtheassistanceoftheCentreforHumanRights,beenabledexpeditiouslyandeffectivelytomeetitsmandate,especiallyinviewoftheunprecedentedextentofratificationandsubsequentsubmissionofStatepartyreports,2 .2RecognizingtheneedtoadopturgentandadequatesolutionstodealwiththissituationinordernottodashtheexpectationstheConventionhascreated,882 2 .21. .Decides,inaccordancewithrule3ofitsprovisionalrulesofprocedure,toconveneaspecialsessionoftheCommitteein1994;2 .22. .Alsodecidesthatthespecialsessionshouldbeprecededbyameetingofitsestablishedworkinggrouptoconductapreliminaryreviewofreportssubmittedunderarticle44oftheConventionandtoconsiderquestionsrelatingtotechnicalassistanceandinternationalcooperationpursuanttoarticle45oftheConvention;2 .23. .Furtherdecidestofixthedatesofthespecialsessionandthepre-sessionalworkinggroupinconsultationwiththeSecretary-General,takingintoaccountthecalendarofconferencesasapprovedbytheGeneralAssembly.@ . 2.Fifthsession,recommendation22 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2NotingthepreviousconclusionsandrecommendationsithasadoptedinordertoensureeffectivenessinitsworkandpreventthebuildingupofanundesirablebacklogintheconsiderationofStatepartyreports,2 .2StressingtheneedtoadopturgentandadequatesolutionstomeetthehighexpectationscreatedbytheConventionontheRightsoftheChild1/anditssystemofimplementation,2 .2RecallinginparticularthedecisionadoptedatitsfourthsessiontoconveneaspecialsessionoftheCommitteein1994,inaccordancewithrule3ofitsrulesofprocedure,2 .2Notingthat,pursuanttoarticle44,paragraph5,oftheConvention,andinaccordancewithrule64ofitsrulesofprocedure,theCommitteewillsubmittotheGeneralAssembly,throughtheEconomicandSocialCouncil,everytwoyears,reportsonitsactivities,2 .2RecallingthatthebiennialreportoftheCommitteewillonlybeexaminedduringtheforty-ninthsessionoftheGeneralAssembly,totakeplaceattheendof1994,2 .2Reaffirmsthedecisiveimportanceandurgencyofholdingsuchaspecialsessionin1994,precededbyapre-sessionalworkinggroupmeeting,asanessentialmeasureinfacingitsworkloadinaneffectiveandexpeditiousmanner,inthelightoftherecommendationsoftheWorldConferenceonHumanRights.@ . 3.Fifthsession,recommendation12 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2RecallingthattheConventionontheRightsoftheChild1/hasbecome,withinanexceptionallyshortperiod,theinternationalhumanrightsinstrumentwiththelargestnumberofratifications,demonstratingtheinternationalcommunity'sspecialcommitmenttothepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofchildren,2 .2ConcernedabouttheworkloadoftheCommitteeandtheriskofbuildingupanundesirablebacklogintheconsiderationofStatepartyreportssubmittedpursuanttoarticle44oftheConvention,2 .2RecallingthattheCommissiononHumanRightshasalsoexpressedconcernattheincreasinglyheavyworkloadoftheCommitteeandtheresultingdifficultiesfacedbyitinthefulfilmentofitsfunctions,2 .2RecallingalsotherecommendationmadebytheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsthattheCommittee,withtheassistanceoftheCentreforHumanRights,beenabledexpeditiouslyandeffectivelytomeetitsmandate,especiallyinviewoftheunprecedentedextentofratificationsandsubsequentsubmissionofcountryreports,2 .2ConvincedthathavinganadequateamountoftimeforthemeetingsoftheCommitteeisavitalfactorinensuringthecontinuedeffectivenessoftheCommitteeinfutureyears,2 .21. .RequeststheSecretary-GeneraltoconveneaMeetingoftheStatesPartiestotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,inadvanceoforduringthecourseoftheforty-ninthsessionoftheGeneralAssembly,withaviewtoreviewing,pursuanttoparagraph10ofarticle43oftheConvention,thedurationofthemeetingsoftheCommittee;2 .22. .Requests,inaccordancewiththeabove-mentionedprovisionoftheConvention,theStatespartiestodeterminethatthenumberofannualsessionsoftheCommitteeasfrom1995,aswellasthenumberofsessionsoftheworkinggroupestablishedtoconductapreliminaryreviewofStatepartyreportsandtoconsiderquestionsrelatingtotechnicalassistanceandinternationalcooperation,shouldbeincreasedtothree;2 .23. .RequeststheGeneralAssemblyatitsforty-ninthsessiontoapproveanysuchdeterminationthatmaybeadoptedbytheStatesparties;2 .24. .Decidestofixthedatesofsuchathirdregularsessionandofitspre-sessionalworkinggroupinconsultationwiththeSecretary-General,takingintoaccountthecalendarofconferencesasapprovedbytheGeneralAssembly.@ . B.StrengtheningthesupporttotheCommittee@ . Fourthsession,recommendation22 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2HavingconsidereditsworkloadinviewoftheunprecedentednumberofStatepartyreportsexpectedtobesubmittedunderarticle44oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,1/2 .2Havingrevieweditsgeneralworkingconditions,andrecallingtheimportanceofdealingwithStatepartyreportswithoutdelayinordernottodashtheexpectationscreatedaroundtherightsofthechild,2 .2Recognizingtheimportanceofpayingdueattentiontothefieldoftechnicalassistanceandinternationalcooperationpursuanttoarticle45oftheConvention,2 .2EncouragedbytherecommendationoftheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsthattheCommittee,withtheassistanceoftheCentreforHumanRights,beenabledexpeditiouslyandeffectivelytomeetitsmandate,2 .2ConvincedoftheneedtoadopturgentmeasuresfortheservicingoftheCommittee,2 .2RequeststheSecretary-GeneraltostrengthenthesupporttotheCommitteeandtoprovideitwithaminimumoftwoadditionalProfessionalandoneadditionalGeneralServiceposts.@ .C.Informalregionalmeetings@ . 1.Secondsession,recommendation12 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2ReaffirmingtheusefulnessoforganizingmeetingsindifferentregionsoftheworldinordertoenhanceimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,1/2 .2EncouragedbythesuccessfulresultsofthefirstinformalregionalmeetingoftheCommittee,heldintheLatinAmericanandCaribbeanregion,atQuito,inJune1992,2 .2RecognizingtheimportantroleinformalregionalmeetingscanplayinpromotinggreaterawarenessoftheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandoftheworkoftheCommittee,aswellasinenablingthemembersoftheCommitteetoacquireadeeperknowledgeandbetterunderstandingoftherealitiesinaregion,2 .2ConvincedoftherelevanceofthesemeetingsforenhancingmeaningfullyinternationalcooperationandjointeffortsbetweenUnitedNationsbodies,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodiesactiveinthefieldoftheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2WelcomingthedecisionoftheUnitedNationsChildren'sFundtofacilitatetheQuitomeeting,inclosecooperationwithotherUnitedNationsbodies,andtheeffortsmadeinordertoensureitssuccess,2 .2Stressingtheimportanceoftheparticipationinsuchregionalmeetingsofnon-governmentalorganizationsactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild,2 .21. .WelcomestheopportunitygiventotheCommitteetoholdthefirstinformalregionalmeetingatQuito;2 .22. .ExpressesitsthankstotheGovernmentofEcuadorforthewarmwelcomeitextendedattheopeningoftheinformalregionalmeetingoftheCommittee;2 .23. .Recognizestheimportantcontributionofsuchmeetingstothewiderpromotionoftherightsofthechild;2 .24. .Welcomesthepossibilityofholdingotherinformalregionalmeetings,wheneverpossibleonanannualbasis.@ . 2.Fourthsession,recommendation32 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2ReaffirmingthatinformalregionalmeetingscanplayanimportantroleinpromotinggreaterawarenessoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild1/andoftheworkoftheCommittee,aswellasinenablingthemembersoftheCommitteetoacquireadeeperknowledgeandbetterunderstandingoftherealitiesinagivenregion,2 .2ConvincedoftherelevanceofthesemeetingsforenhancingmeaningfullyinternationalcooperationandjointeffortsbetweenUnitedNationsbodies,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodiesactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild,2 .2Stressingtheimportanceoftheparticipationinsuchmeetingsofnon-governmentalorganizationsactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild,2 .2WelcomingthedecisionoftheUnitedNationsChildren'sFundtofacilitatethemeetingsheldatQuitoin1992andBangkokin1993,inclosecooperationwithotherUnitedNationsbodies,andtheeffortsmadetoensuretheirsuccess,2 .21. .Emphasizesthedecisiveroleofinformalregionalmeetingsincontributingtoawiderpromotionoftherightsofthechild;2 .22. .RecognizestheimportanceofsuchmeetingsforachievinguniversalratificationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,aswellasitseffectiveimplementation,asrecommendedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights;2 .23. .Welcomesthepossibilityofholdingotherinformalregionalmeetings,wheneverpossibleonanannualbasis.@ .D.Sourcesofinformation@ . Secondsession,recommendation22 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2Recallingthat,asrecognizedbythethirdmeetingofthepersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies,"eachofthetreatybodiesshouldhaveaccesstoallofthesourcesofinformationthatitfeelsitneedsinordertobeeffective", N   2 .2BearinginmindtheimportanceoftheinformationthatcanbeprovidedtotheCommitteebytheUnitedNationsbodies,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodies,inviewoftheirexperienceandknowledgeinthefieldoftherightsofthechild,2 .2ReaffirmingthataccessbytheCommitteetoallrelevantsourcesofinformationpertainingtoitsfunctionswillbeessentialtoensureeffectiveperformanceofitsactivities,2 .21. .ReiteratestherequestaddressedtotheSecretary-GeneraltoestablishacommitteeresourceroomforthepurposeofgatheringandfacilitatingaccesstothevarioussourcesofinformationthatareindispensablefortheeffectivefunctioningoftheCommittee;2 .22. .RequeststhesecretariattoreportatthebeginningofeachsessionontheactiontakenpursuanttodecisionsadoptedbytheCommitteeatitsprevioussessions;2 .23. .AlsorequeststhesecretariattocontinuetoorganizecountryfilesandtoprepareananalyticalstudyofavailableinformationconcerningeachStatepartywhosereportistobeconsideredbytheCommittee,inthelightoftheadoptedreportingguidelines;̇2 .24. .EncouragesUnitedNationsbodies,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodies,inordertofostertheeffectiveimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,1/toprovidetheCommitteewithrelevantinformationconcerningeachStatepartywhosereportisscheduledtobeconsideredbytheCommittee;2 .25. .ExpressesconcernatthedifficultiesfacedandthedelaytakeninexpeditingtheimplementationoftherecommendationsofthetaskforceoncomputerizationappointedbytheSecretary-Generalwithaviewtoincreasingtheefficiencyandeffectivenessofthefunctioningofthetreatybodies;2 .26. .Recognizesthehighpriorityofthecomputerizationoftheworkofthetreaty-monitoringbodiesanditsimportancetoimprovingthereportingsystem,andencouragesthenextmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiestogiveparticularconsiderationtothisrealityandtoenvisagetheadoptionofadequateandurgentrecommendations;2 .27. .Decidestoestablishaworkinggroupamongitsmemberstoconsiderthequestionofthesystemofinformationanddocumentationrelevanttoitswork,includingthequestionofcomputerization,incooperationwiththeCentreforHumanRights,UnitedNationsbodiesandothercompetentbodies.@ .z E.Publicinformationactivities@ . 1.Secondsession,recommendation32 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2RecognizingtheimportanceofdisseminatinginformationontheConventionontheRightsoftheChild1/anditsimplementationwithaviewtocreatinggreaterawarenessandadeeperunderstandingofitsprinciplesandprovisionsandtopromotethefullrealizationofchildren'srights,2 .21. .WelcomesthepublicationofanissueoftheBulletinofHumanRightson"TheRightsoftheChild";2 .22. .RequeststheSecretary-GeneraltoprovideforandtofacilitateandencouragethedisseminationofinformationconcerningtheConventionandtheworkoftheCommittee,inparticular:2 .2(a) .ToconsiderthetranslationoftheConventionintoadditionallanguages,interalia,byissuingFactSheetNo.10,"TheRightsoftheChild",inadditionallanguages;2 .2(b) .ToconsidertheinclusionintheManualonHumanRightsReportingofachapterconcerningthemechanismestablishedwithintheframeworkoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild;2 .2(c) .ToensureprioritytothecompletionandissuanceofthetravauxprparatoiresandthecommentaryontheConventionontheRightsoftheChild;2 .2(d) .Toconsider,withintheframeworkofthepreparationanddisseminationofprintedinformationinthefieldofhumanrights,theissuanceofaspecialpublicationdesignedtomaketheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionwidelyknowntochildren;2 .23. .AlsorequeststheSecretaryGeneraltoensurethattheUnitedNationsinformationcentresor,inthecountrieswheresuchinformationcentresdonotexist,theUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgrammecountryofficesmakefreelyavailableonaroutinebasisthedocumentsoftheCommitteeforgeneraldistribution,particularlythereportsoftheCommittee,thereportssubmittedtotheCommitteebytheStateinwhoseterritorytheinformationcentreislocatedandthesummaryrecordsrelatingtotheexaminationofthereports;2 .24. .FurtherrequeststheSecretary-Generaltostrengthen,intheframeworkoftheprogrammeofadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistanceoftheCentreforHumanRights,thetrainingactivitiesrelatedtotheimplementationoftheConvention,aswellastheorganizationofseminarsandworkshopsatthenationalandlocallevelsforthepurposeoftrainingthoseinvolvedinthepreparationofStatepartyreportsinaccordancewiththeadoptedreportingguidelines;2 .25. .EncouragestheSecretary-Generaltoconsider,withintheprogrammeofadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistance,providingtrainingandassistancetothenationalinstitutionsactinginthefieldoftherightsofthechild;2 .26. .AlsoencouragestheSecretary-GeneraltoconsidertheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildasaprioritymatterwithinthefellowshipprogramme;2 .27. .InvitesStatespartiestopayparticularattentiontotheneedfortranslatingandpublishingtheConventioninthevariouslocallanguagesandtoensurethattheprinciplesandprovisionsthereofaremadewidelyknown,byappropriateandactivemeans,toadultsandchildrenalike.@ . 2.Thirdsession,recommendation2@ .tDisseminationofinformation2 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2RecognizingtheimportanceofdisseminatinginformationontheConventionontheRightsoftheChild1/andonitsimplementationsystemwithaviewtocreatinggreaterawarenessandtopromotingtherealizationoftherightsofthechild,2 .2ReaffirmingtheimportanceofensuringthattheUnitedNationsinformationcentresor,inthecountrieswheresuchinformationcentresdonotexist,theUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgrammecountryofficesmakefreelyavailableonaroutinebasisthedocumentsoftheCommitteeforgeneraldistribution,2 .21. .RequeststheSecretary-GeneraltoensurethatparticularconsiderationisgiventotheavailabilityofthereportsoftheCommittee,thereportssubmittedtotheCommitteebytheStateinwhoseterritorytheinformationcentreislocated,aswellasthesummaryrecordsrelatingtotheexaminationofthereportsandtheconcludingobservationsadoptedthereonbytheCommittee;2 .22. .Recommendsthat,inordertoensureeasieraccesstothesedocumentsandtoassistStatespartiesintheirendeavourtoensurethattheirreportsaremadewidelyavailabletothepublicintheirowncountry,inthelightofarticle44,paragraph6,oftheConvention,seriousconsiderationbegiventotheissuingofacompilationcontainingtheStatepartyreport,thesummaryrecordsrelevanttoitsconsiderationandtheconcludingobservationsadoptedthereonbytheCommittee.@ .Z F.Documentationunitontherightsofthechild@ . Thirdsession,recommendation42 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2Reaffirmingtheimportanceofensuringitsaccesstoallrelevantsourcesofinformationpertainingtoitsfunctions,2 .2RecognizingtheneedtoensureeffectivecooperationandconstructivedialoguewithUnitedNationsbodiesactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild,inparticulartheSpecialRapporteuroftheCommissiononHumanRightsonthesaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornographyandtheWorkingGrouponContemporaryFormsofSlaveryoftheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinorities,2 .2RecallingtherecommendationmadebythefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiesthatacentralizedinformationanddocumentationunitbecreatedwithintheCentreforHumanRights,2 .2Recommendsthatconsiderationbegiventotheestablishment,withintheCentreforHumanRights,ofadocumentationunitontherightsofthechild,entrustedwiththetaskoffollowingandassistingtheactivitiesdevelopedbytheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,theSpecialRapporteuroftheCommissiononHumanRightsonthesaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornographyandtheWorkingGrouponContemporaryFormsofSlaveryoftheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinorities.@ .lG.RelationswithotherUnitedNationsorgansandtreatybodies@ . 1.Secondsession,recommendation42 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2RecognizingtheimportanceofensuringeffectiveinteractionandcooperationwithUnitedNationsbodiesactinginthefieldoftherightsofthechild,includingtheSpecialRapporteuroftheCommissiononHumanRightsonthesaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornographyandtheWorkingGrouponContemporaryFormsofSlaveryoftheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinorities,2 .2Recognizingalsotheneedtomaintaineffectivecommunicationanddialoguewiththeotherhumanrightsbodiesoncommonissuesandproblems,2 .2ConsideringtheneedandimportanceofensuringitsparticipationinactivitiestakingplacewithintheframeworkoftheUnitedNationsthatareofrelevancetoitswork,2 .2EncouragedbyCommissiononHumanRightsresolution1992/15of21February1992inwhichtheCommissionstressedthecontinuingneedforconsultationandexchangeofinformationbetweenalltreatybodies,2 .21. .WelcomesthepossibilityofholdingfuturemeetingswiththeUnitedNationsbodiesactinginthefieldoftherightsofthechild,includingeachofthetreatybodies,withaviewtodiscussingmattersofcommoninterest;2 .22. .Decidestofollow,asappropriate,themeetingsandactivitiesofotherhumanrightstreatybodies,aswellasotherUnitedNationsmeetingsrelevanttoitswork;2 .23. .Welcomestheholdingofthemeetingsofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiesonabiennialbasis;2 .24. .Welcomestheopportunitytoparticipateintheseminarofexpertsonappropriateindicatorstomeasureachievementsintheprogressiverealizationofeconomic,socialandculturalrights,tobeheldinDecember1992;2 .25. .WelcomestheopportunitytoparticipateinthemeetingofexpertsontheapplicationofinternationalstandardsconcerningthehumanrightsofdetainedjuvenilestobeorganizedatGenevainMarch1993,followingaproposalbytheSecretary-GeneralendorsedbytheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinoritiesinitsresolution1992/25of27August1992,inwhichtheSubcommissionalsoexpressedthewishthattheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildberepresentedatthemeetingofexperts;2 .26. .ExpressesthehopethatadequateresourceswillbeprovidedtoenabletheCommitteetodevelopeffectivecommunicationanddialoguewithotherhumanrightsbodiesandtoparticipateinUnitedNationsmeetingsrelevanttoitswork;2 .27. .InvitesspecialrapporteursoftheCommissiononHumanRightsandtheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinoritiesandworkinggroupsestablishedbytheCommissionandtheSubcommissiontotaketheConventionontheRightsoftheChildintoconsiderationwithintheframeworkoftheirrespectivemandates;2 .28. .WelcomestheopportunityprovidedbyitssecondsessionforstartingaconstructiveandmeaningfuldialoguewiththeSpecialRapporteuronthesaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornography,andonquestionsofcommonconcern,namely,thequestionofchildsoldiers,andexpressesitswillingnesstopursuethisdialogueatitsfuturesessions.@ . 2.Thirdsession,recommendation32 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2RecognizingtheimportanceofensuringeffectiveinteractionandcooperationwithUnitedNationsbodiesactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild,2 .2Recognizingalsotheneedtomaintaineffectivecommunicationandmeaningfuldialoguewiththeotherhumanrightsbodiesonissuesofcommoninterest,2 .2ConsideringtheneedforandtheimportanceofensuringitsactiveparticipationinactivitiestakingplacewithintheframeworkoftheUnitedNationsthatareofrelevancetoitswork,2 .2Recallingtheemphasisputbythefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiesonthepromotionofinteractionamongtreatybodies,2 .2Reaffirmingthedecisionsandrecommendationsadoptedatitsprevioussessions,2 .21. .StressestheneedforprovidingtheCommitteewithadequateresourcestoenableittodevelopeffectivecommunicationanddialoguewithotherhumanrightsbodiesandtoparticipateinUnitedNationsmeetingsrelevanttoitswork;2 .22. .Reaffirmsitsinterestandwillingnesstoparticipateintheproposedmeetingofexpertsontheapplicationofinternationalstandardsconcerningthehumanrightsofdetainedjuveniles,andrecallstheimportantframeworkestablishedbytheConventionontheRightsoftheChild1/inthisfield;2 .23. .DecidestofollowcloselythepreparatoryprocessoftheInternationalYearoftheFamilyand,withinthatframework,tostrengthenitscooperationwiththeCentreforSocialDevelopmentandHumanitarianAffairs,inparticularwithaviewtobeingassociatedwiththateventandhavingaccesstotherelevantdocumentsandstudies;2 .24. .RequeststheSpecialRapporteuroftheCommissiononHumanRightsonthesituationofhumanrightsintheterritoryoftheformerYugoslaviatotaketheConventionontheRightsoftheChildintofullconsiderationinthefulfilmentofhismandateandinhisfuturereports.@ . 3.Fourthsession,recommendation42 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2ReaffirmingtheimportanceofensuringeffectiveinteractionandcooperationwithUnitedNationsbodiesactinginthefieldoftherightsofthechild,2 .2Recognizingtheneedtomaintaineffectivedialogueandcommunicationwithotherhumanrightsbodiesoncommonissuesandproblems,2 .2RecallingtherecommendationoftheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsthatmattersrelatingtohumanrightsandthesituationofchildrenberegularlyreviewedandmonitoredbyallrelevantorgansandmechanismsoftheUnitedNationssystem, O   2 .21. .ReaffirmstheneedtoprovidetheCommitteewithadequateresourcestoenableittodevelopeffectivecommunicationanddialoguewithotherhumanrightsbodiesandtoparticipateinUnitedNationsmeetingsrelevanttoitswork;2 .22. .RequeststhesecretariattotransmititsreportstothespecialrapporteursandworkinggroupsestablishedbytheCommissiononHumanRightsandtheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinorities;2 .23. .InvitessuchspecialrapporteursandworkinggroupstotaketheConventionontheRightsoftheChildintoconsiderationwithintheframeworkoftheirrespectivemandates;2 .24. .RequeststhesecretariattotransmitthereportsoftheCommitteetoUnitedNationsbodieswhoseactivitiesarerelevanttotheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,includingtheinternationalfinancialinstitutions;2 .25. .DecidestofollowcloselythedevelopmentsrelatedtotheInternationalYearoftheFamily,theInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopmentandtheWorldSummitforSocialDevelopment;2 .26. .RecognizestheimportanceofbeingassociatedwiththepreparatoryprocessfortheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen:ActionforEquality,DevelopmentandPeace,totakeplaceinBeijingin1995,andinthisframeworkdecidestodevoteoneofitsfuturemeetingstotheconsiderationofitscontributiontothisevent.@ . 4.Fifthsession,recommendation32 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2ReaffirmingtheimportanceofensuringeffectiveinteractionandcooperationwithUnitedNationsbodiesactinginthefieldoftherightsofthechild,2 .2Recognizingtheneedtomaintainaneffectivedialoguewithotherhumanrightsbodiesoncommonissuesandproblems,2 .2RecallingtheViennastatementadoptedbytheinternationalhumanrightstreatybodies, P   ׀whichstressedtheneedtoaccordhighprioritytoeffortsdesignedtopromotegreatercoordinationamongthevariousinternationaltreatybodies,2 .2RecallingalsotherecommendationadoptedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsthatmattersrelatingtohumanrightsandthesituationofchildrenberegularlyreviewedandmonitoredbyallrelevantorgansandmechanismsoftheUnitedNationssystem,3/2 .2ReaffirmingtheneedtoprovidetheCommitteewithadequateresourcestoenableittodevelopeffectivecommunicationanddialoguewithotherhumanrightsbodiesandtoparticipateeffectivelyinUnitedNationsmeetingsrelevanttoitswork,2 .21. .Decidestoberepresentedat,andtothatendtofollowclosely,thepreparatoryprocessoftheWorldSummitforSocialDevelopment,totakeplaceinDenmarkinMarch1995,aswellasoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen:ActionforEquality,DevelopmentandPeace,totakeplaceinBeijingin1995;2 .22. .AlsodecidestoberepresentedbytwoofitsmembersattheInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopment,tobeheldatCairoinSeptember1994;2 .23. .Reaffirmsthefundamentalimportanceitattachestoitsparticipationinthemeetingofexpertsontheapplicationofinternationalstandardsconcerningthehumanrightsofdetainedjuveniles,tobeorganizedatGenevain1994,inthelightofresolution1993/80of10March1993adoptedbytheCommissiononHumanRights,andrecallsinthisregardtherecommendationsformulatedbytheCommitteeintheframeworkoftheconsiderationofStatepartyreports;2 .24. .DecidestofollowcloselythegeneraldiscussionstobeheldbytheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsin1994ontheroleofsocialsafetynetsasameansofprotectingeconomic,socialandculturalrights,withparticularreferencetosituationsinvolvingmajorstructuraladjustmentand/ortransitiontoafreemarketeconomyandonhumanrightseducationandpublicinformation,andstressesthesignificantattentionithasgiventotheseareas,notablyintheframeworkofitsdialoguewithStatesparties.@ .H.Meetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies@ . Secondsession,recommendation52 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2Recognizingtheimportanceofcontributingtothefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies,2 .2Bearinginminditsproceedingsanddecisionsonissuesofrelevancetotheagendaofsuchameeting,2 .2Decidestobringthefollowingimportantissuestotheattentionofthefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies:@ .A2 .2Theinnovativeexperienceofholdinginformalmeetingsattheregionallevelshouldbebroughttotheattentionofthefourthmeeting,inviewofitsrelevanceasameansofpromotinggreaterawarenessoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild1/anditssystemofimplementationandtoprovidetheCommitteewithadeeperknowledgeandbetterunderstandingoftherealitiesofaregion;@ .B2 .2AccesstoallrelevantsourcesofinformationpertainingtothefunctionsoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildisessential.InthisframeworktheCommittee,recognizingthehighpriorityofcomputerizationoftheworkofthetreaty-monitoringbodies,encouragesthefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiestogiveparticularconsiderationtothisrealityandtoenvisagetheadoptionofadequateandurgentrecommendations.TheCommitteealsodecidestoestablishaworkinggroupfromamongitsmemberstoconsiderthequestionofthesystemofinformationanddocumentationrelevanttoitswork,includingthequestionofcomputerization,incooperationwiththeCentreforHumanRights,UnitedNationsbodiesandothercompetentbodies;@ .C2 .2InviewoftheimportanceofdisseminatinginformationontheConventionontheRightsoftheChild1/anditsmonitoringmechanisminordertoenhanceimplementationoftheConvention,theCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild:2 .2(a) .RequeststheSecretary-GeneraltomakedocumentsoftheCommitteeclassifiedinthegeneraldistributioncategoryfreelyavailable,onaroutinebasis,intheUnitedNationsinformationcentresor,inthecountrieswheresuchcentresdonotexist,inthecountryofficesoftheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme;2 .2(b) .EncouragestheSecretary-Generaltoconsiderprovidingtrainingandassistancetothenationalinstitutionsactinginthefieldoftherightsofthechild,withintheprogrammeofadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistance;@ .D2 .2Inconnectionwiththeissueofreservationsanddeclarations,theCommitteedeemsitimportanttorecallthattheConventionontheRightsoftheChild1/hasintroducedaholisticapproachtotherightsofthechild,allrightsbeinginterrelatedandinherenttothedignityofthechild;@ .E2 .2TheCommitteerecognizestherelevanceofhandlingthequestionofreservationsanddeclarationsinthecourseofthedialoguetobeestablishedwithStatespartieswhenconsideringtheirperiodicreports.̀I.WorldConferenceonHumanRights:recommendationtòthePreparatoryCommitteefortheWorldConferenceon󀀀HumanRights2 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2RecallingitspreviousrecommendationsaddressedtothePreparatoryCommitteefortheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,2 .2ConsideringthattheGeneralAssemblyatitsforty-seventhsessionadoptedtheprovisionalagendafortheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,2 .2Notingtheinclusionintheprovisionalagendaofanitementitled"Considerationofcontemporarytrendsinandnewchallengestothefullrealizationofallhumanrightsofwomenandmen,includingthoseofpersonsbelongingtovulnerablegroups",2 .2Recognizingtheimportanceofconsideringinthisframeworkthequestionoftheenjoymentoftherightsofthechildinaperiodofarmedconflict,2 .21. .DesignatesitsChairpersonanditsRapporteurasitsrepresentativestothefourthsessionofthePreparatoryCommitteefortheWorldConference;2 .22. .DecidestorecommendtothePreparatoryCommitteetoaddressatitsfourthsessiontheissueoftheinvolvementofchildreninarmedconflicts.&  ԀJ.Childreninarmedconflicts:recommendationtòtheGeneralAssembly'  @ . 1.Thirdsession,recommendation12 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2Recallingthatinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofarticle45(c)oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,1/theCommitteemayrecommendtotheGeneralAssemblytorequesttheSecretary-Generaltoundertake,onitsbehalf,studiesonspecificissuesrelatingtotherightsofthechild,2 .2RecallingalsothatatitssecondsessiontheCommitteedevotedonedaytoageneraldiscussiononthetopic"Childreninarmedconflicts",havingdiscussedtherelevanceandadequacyofexistingstandardsapplicableintheframeworkofchildreninarmedconflicts,themeasurestoensureeffectiveprotectiontochildreninsituationsofarmedconflictsandthepromotionofphysicalandpsychologicalrecoveryandsocialreintegration,2 .2Havingconcludedthatinordertofocusgreaterattentionontheseriousproblemofchildreninarmedconflicts,amajorstudyshouldbeundertakenbytheUnitedNations,2 .21. .RecommendstotheGeneralAssembly,inaccordancewitharticle45(c)oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,1/thatitrequesttheSecretary-Generaltoundertakeastudyonwaysandmeansofimprovingtheprotectionofchildrenfromtheadverseeffectsofarmedconflicts,forthepurposeofwhichtheSecretary-Generalmightwishtoinvitethecooperationofrelevantspecializedagencies,otherUnitedNationsorgans,non-governmentalorganizationsandtheInternationalCommitteeoftheRedCross;2 .22. .RequeststheSecretary-GeneraltobringthepresentrecommendationtotheattentionoftheGeneralAssemblyforconsiderationatitsforty-eighthsession.@ . 2.Fourthsession,recommendation52 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2Recallingitsgeneraldiscussiononthetopic"Childreninarmedconflicts"andtherecommendationsadoptedthereon,2 .2HavingconsideredtheseriousattentionpaidbytheCommissiononHumanRightstothisquestionandtheimportantresolutionsadoptedbytheCommissioninthisfield,2 .2EncouragedbythesupportexpressedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRightstotheCommittee'sproposalthattheSecretary-Generalinitiateastudyofmeansofimprovingtheprotectionofchildreninarmedconflicts,2 .2TakingnoteoftherequestaddressedtoitbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRightstostudythequestionofraisingtheminimumageofrecruitmentintoarmedforces,2 .2RequeststheSecretary-GeneraltotransmittotheCommissiononHumanRightsatitsfiftiethsessionthepreliminarydraftoptionalprotocolthattheCommitteehadpreparedonthisissueatitsthirdsession. Q   @ . II.ORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS@ . A.StatespartiestotheConvention1.2 .2Asat28January1994,theclosingdateofthefifthsessionoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,therewere154StatespartiestotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.TheConventionwasadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyinresolution44/25of20November1989andopenedforsignatureandratificationoraccessioninNewYorkon26January1990.Itenteredintoforceon2September1990,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofitsarticle49.AlistofStatesthathavesigned,ratifiedoraccededtotheConventioniscontainedinannexItothepresentreport.2.2 .2Thetextsofthedeclarations,reservationsorobjectionsmadebyStatespartieswithrespecttotheConventionarereproducedindocumentCRC/C/2/Rev.2.@ .nB.Sessionsandagenda3.2 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildhasheldfoursessionssincetheadoptionofitsfirstbiennialreport.Thesecond,third,fourthandfifthsessionsoftheCommitteewereheldattheUnitedNationsOfficeatGenevafrom28Septemberto9October1992,from11to29January1993,from20Septemberto8October1993andfrom10to28January1994,respectively.4.2 .2Atitssecondsession,theCommitteeheld19meetings(28thto46th);atbothitsthirdandfourthsessions,itheld27meetings(47thto74thand75thto104th);atitsfifthsession,itheld26meetings(105thto130th).ThereportsoftheCommitteeonitssecond,third,fourthandfifthsessionsarecontainedindocumentsCRC/C/10,CRC/C/16,CRC/C/20andCRC/C/24respectively.AnaccountofthedeliberationsoftheCommitteeatitssecond,third,fourthandfifthsessionsiscontainedintherelevantsummaryrecords(CRC/C/SR.28-130).TheagendasofthesessionsareshowninannexIItothepresentreport.@ .BC.Membershipandattendance5.2 .2Byletterdated1October1991,Mrs.MariaFtimaBorgesdeOmenainformedtheCommitteeofherdecisiontoceasetofunctionasamemberoftheCommittee,inaccordancewitharticle43,paragraph7,oftheConventionandrule14oftheCommittee'sprovisionalrulesofprocedure.TheletterofresignationwastransmittedtotheSecretaryGeneralbythePermanentRepresentativeofBraziltotheUnitedNationsundercoverofanotedated17December1991.Byanoteddated4March1992,theSecretaryGeneralinvitedtheGovernmentofBraziltoappointanotherexpertfromamongitsnationalstoservefortheremainderofMrs.BorgesdeOmena'sterm.Pursuanttotheprovisionsofarticle43,paragraph7,oftheConvention,theGovernmentofBrazil,bynoteverbaledated30April1992,informedtheSecretaryGeneraloftheappointmentofMr.AntonioCarlosGomesdaCostaasamemberoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildfortheremainderofthesaidterm.Atits28thmeeting,heldon28September1992,theCommittee,inaccordancewithrule14ofitsprovisionalrulesofprocedure,approvedtheappointmentofMr.GomesdaCostabysecretballot.6.2 .2Inaccordancewitharticle43oftheConvention,theThirdMeetingoftheStatesPartiestotheConventionwasconvenedon23February1993atUnitedNationsHeadquarters.ThefollowingfivemembersoftheCommitteewereelectedforatermoffouryearsbeginningon28February1993:Mrs.HodaBadran,Mrs.FloraCorpuzEufemio,Mr.SwithunTachionaMombershora,Mrs.MartaSantosPaisandMrs.MariliaSardenbergZelnerGon alves.ThelistofthemembersoftheCommittee,togetherwithanindicationofthedurationoftheirtermofoffice,appearsinannexIIItothepresentreport.7.2 .2AllthemembersattendedthesecondsessionoftheCommittee.ThethirdsessionwasattendedbyallthemembersexceptMrs.AkilaBelembaogo.AllthemembersattendedthefourthandfifthsessionsoftheCommittee.@ .<D.Electionofofficers8.2 .2TheofficerselectedbytheCommitteeatitsfirstsessioncontinuedtoholdofficeatthesecondandthirdsessions.TheywereMrs.HodaBadran(Egypt),Chairperson;Mr.LuisA.BambaranGastelumendi(Peru),Mrs.FloraC.Eufemio(Philippines)andMr.YouriKolosov(RussianFederation),ViceChairpersons;andMrs.MartaSantosPais(Portugal),Rapporteur.9.2 .2Atits75thmeeting,heldon20September1993,theCommitteeelectedthefollowingofficersforatermoftwoyearsinaccordancewithrule16ofitsprovisionalrulesofprocedure:2 .2Chairperson:Mrs.HodaBadran2 .2ViceChairpersons:Mrs.AkilaBelembaogo2 .2Mr.ThomasHammarberg2 .2Ms.SandraPrunellaMason2 .2Rapporteur:Mrs.MartaSantosPais@ ." E.OrganizationoftheworkoftheCommittee10.2 .2TheCommitteegaveconsideration,atitsdifferentsessionsheldduringthereportingperiod,tothepossiblewaysoforganizingitsfuturework.Atthesecondsession,thenecessityofadoptingadequatemeasurestoenabletheCommitteetodealwithitsheavyworkloadwasstressed.MembersoftheCommitteeexpressedthehopethatthiswouldreceivedueconsiderationduringtheSecondMeetingoftheStatesPartiestotheConvention,scheduledtobeheldon11November1992,inordertodeterminethedurationofthefuturesessionsoftheCommittee.Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteewelcomedtheadoptionbytheGeneralAssemblyofaresolutionapprovingtheorganizationoftwosessionsperyear,eachofuptothreeweeks'duration,andtheestablishmentofapre-sessionalworkinggroup,whileatthesametimeexpressingconcernthatinviewofthenumberofStatespartiestotheConventionandthenumberofreportstobesubmittedunderarticle44oftheConvention,furthermeasureswouldsoonbeneeded(seeCRC/C/16,annexVIII).Atitsfourthsession,theCommittee,recognizingtheneedtoadopturgentandadequatesolutionstodealwiththesituation,decidedtoconveneaspecialsessionoftheCommitteein1994,precededbyameetingoftheworkinggroup(seechap.I,fourthsession,recommendation1).Atitsfifthsession,theCommitteedecidedtorequesttheGeneralAssemblytoauthorizetheSecretaryGeneraltoschedulethreeregularsessionsannuallyasfrom1995(seechap.I,fifthsession,recommendation1).&  @ . F.Presessionalworkinggroup11.2 .2Atitssecondsession,theCommitteeagreedthatStatepartyreportswould'  bereviewedprimarilyinapresessionalworkinggroup,tobeheldapproximatelytwomonthstosixweekspriortotheconveningofeachsession,wherethemainquestionsthatwouldneedtobediscussedfurtherwithrepresentativesofthereportingStateswouldbeidentified.12.2 .2ApresessionalworkinggroupofthewholemetatGenevafrom14to18December1993toconsiderlistsofissuesconcerninginitialreportsscheduledforconsiderationattheCommittee'sthirdsession.ThepresessionalworkinggroupofthefourthsessionwascomposedofMr.Kolosov,Ms.Mason,Mr.HammarbergandMr.Mombeshora;itmetattheUnitedNationsOfficeatGenevafrom28Juneto2July1993andelectedMr.KolosovasitsChairman.Thepre-sessionalworkinggroupofthefifthsessionmetattheUnitedNationsOfficeatGenevafrom15to19November1993;allmembersexceptMrs.SardenbergZelnerGon alvesattendedtheworkinggroup.13.2 .2ThelistsofissuesdrawnupandfinalizedduringtheworkingsessionsweretransmitteddirectlytothepermanentmissionsoftheStatesconcernedwithanotethatstated,interalia,thefollowing:02 .2"ThelistisnotintendedtobeexhaustiveanditshouldnotbeinterpretedaslimitingorinanyotherwayprejudgingthetypeandrangeofquestionswhichmembersoftheCommitteemightwishtopose.However,theworkinggroupbelievesthattheconstructivedialoguewhichtheCommitteewishestohavewiththerepresentativesofthereportingStatescanbefacilitatedbymakingthelistandwrittenanswerstoitavailableinadvanceoftheCommittee'ssession."14.2 .2Atthepresessionalworkinggrouptothefifthsession,heldinNovember1993,theCommitteedecidedthatitshouldestablish,wheneverpossible,informalcontactswithpermanentmissionsoftheStateswhosereportswerescheduledforconsiderationattheforthcomingsessionsinordertoinformthemoftheprocedurefollowedbytheCommitteefortheconsiderationofreportsandclarifythepurposesofthedialogueitintendstoconductwiththerepresentativesoftheStatesparties.@ .G.Adoptionofthereport15.2 .2Atits130thmeeting,heldon28January1994,theCommitteeconsideredthedraftofitssecondbiennialreport,coveringitsactivitiesatthesecond,third,fourthandfifthsessions,heldin1992,1993and1994.ThereportwasadoptedunanimouslybytheCommittee.@ .III.REPORTSBYSTATESPARTIESUNDERARTICLE44OFTHECONVENTION@ . A.Submissionofreports16.2 .2Statespartieshaveundertakentosubmitreportsinaccordancewitharticle44oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildwithintwoyearsoftheentryintoforceoftheConventionfortheStatespartiesconcernedandthereaftereveryfiveyears.InordertoassistStatespartiesinsubmittingthereportsrequiredunderarticle44,paragraph1(a)oftheConvention,theCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,atitsfirstsession,adoptedgeneralguidelinesregardingtheformandcontentsofinitialreports.17.2 .2Ateachofitssessionsduringthereportingperiod,theCommitteewasinformedofandconsideredthestatusofthesubmissionofreports.ThestatusofsubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesunderarticle44oftheConventionasat28January1994,theclosingdateofthefifthsessionoftheCommittee,appearsinannexIVtothepresentreport.18.2 .2Theactiontaken,informationreceivedandrelevantissuesplacedbeforetheCommitteeduringthereportingperiod(secondtofifthsessions)aresummarizedinparagraphs19to26below.Secondsession19.2 .2Inconnectionwiththisitem,theCommitteehadbeforeitthefollowingdocuments:notebytheSecretaryGeneraloninitialreportsbyStatespartiesduein1992(CRC/C/3);andnotebytheSecretaryGeneraloninitialreportsbyStatespartiesduein1993(CRC/C/8).20.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthefactthatsomereportshadalreadybeensubmittedbyStatesparties;thisshowedapoliticalwillingnesstoestablishameaningfuldialoguewiththeCommittee.21.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizedtheimportanceitattachedtothetimelysubmissionofStatepartyreportsinaccordancewitharticle44oftheConvention.22.2 .2TheCommitteewasencouragedbythefactthatanunprecedentednumberofStateshadratifiedoraccededtotheConventionandthatthegeneralguidelinesregardingtheformandcontentofinitialreports(CRC/C/5),aswellastheconsolidatedguidelinesonthe"coredocument"oninformationofageneralcharacter(HRI/CORE/1),hadbeensenttothoseStates.TheCommitteereiteratedtheneedtoencourageStatespartiestopreparetheirinitialreportsonatimelybasisandfollowingtheadoptedguidelines.ItrecalledthattheprocessofreportingshouldbeanimportantoccasionforconductingacomprehensivereviewofthevariousmeasuresundertakenformonitoringprogressmadeintheenjoymentoftherightssetforthintheConvention,andthatthisprocessshouldencourageandfacilitatepopularparticipationandpublicscrutinyofgovernmentpolicies.23.2 .2Itwasrecalledthat,inaccordancewithrule67ofitsprovisionalrulesofprocedure,theCommitteeshall,inthecaseofnonsubmissionofreports,transmittotheStatespartiesconcernedareminderaboutthesubmissionofsuchreports.ThesecretariatwasrequestedtoremindpermanentmissionsofStatespartieswhosereportshadbecomedueduringthecurrentsessionbuthadnotbeensubmittedintime,oftheirreportingobligationsundertheConvention.̇Thirdsession24.2 .2TheCommitteehadbeforeitthefollowingdocuments:notesbytheSecretaryGeneraloninitialreportsbyStatespartiesduein1992(CRC/C/3),1993(CRC/C/8/Rev.1)and1994(CRC/C/11);andanotebytheSecretaryGeneralontheStatespartiestotheConventionandthestatusofsubmissionofreports(CRC/C/12).TheCommitteewasinformedthat,inadditiontothesevenreportsthatwerescheduledforconsiderationbytheCommitteeatthatsession,theSecretaryGeneralhadreceivedtheinitialreportsofCostaRica(CRC/C/3/Add.8),ElSalvador(CRC/C/3/Add.9),Indonesia(CRC/C/3/Add.10),Mexico(CRC/C/3/Add.11),Namibia(CRC/C/3/Add.12),Pakistan(CRC/C/3/Add.13)andPeru(CRC/C/3/Add.7).Fourthsession25.2 .2Inconnectionwiththisitem,theCommitteehadbeforeitthefollowingdocuments:notesbytheSecretaryGeneraloninitialreportsbyStatespartiesduein1992(CRC/C/3),1993(CRC/C/8/Rev.2)and1994(CRC/C/11/Rev.2);andanotebytheSecretaryGeneralontheStatespartiestotheConventionandthestatusofsubmissionofreports(CRC/C/18).TheCommitteewasinformedthat,inadditiontothesixreportsthatwerescheduledforconsiderationbytheCommitteeatthatsession,theSecretaryGeneralhadreceivedtheinitialreportsofArgentina(CRC/C/8/Add.2),Belarus(CRC/C/3/Add.14),BurkinaFaso(CRC/C/3/Add.19),Chile(CRC/C/3/Add.18),Colombia(CRC/C/8/Add.3),theCzechRepublic(CRC/C/11/Add.1),Denmark(CRC/C/8/Add.8),France(CRC/C/3/Add.15),Honduras(CRC/C/3/Add.17),Jordan(CRC/C/8/Add.4),Madagascar(CRC/C/8/Add.5),Myanmar(CRC/C/8/Add.9),Norway(CRC/C/8/Add.7),Paraguay(CRC/C/3/Add.22),Philippines(CRC/C/3/Add.23),Romania(CRC/C/3/Add.16)andSpain(CRC/C/8/Add.6).Fifthsession26.2 .2Inconnectionwiththisitem,theCommitteehadbeforeitthefollowingdocuments:notesbytheSecretaryGeneraloninitialreportsbyStatespartiesduein1992(CRC/C/3),1993(CRC/C/8/Rev.2)and1994(CRC/C/11/Rev.3);anotebytheSecretaryGeneralontheStatespartiestotheConventionandthestatusofsubmissionofreports(CRC/C/22);andanotebytheSecretaryGeneralonthestatusofconsiderationofreports(CRC/C/23).TheCommitteewasinformedthat,inadditiontothereportsthatwerescheduledforconsiderationbytheCommitteeatitspresentsessionandthosewhichhadbeenreceivedpriortotheCommittee'sfourthsession,theCommitteehadreceivedtheinitialreportsofJamaica(CRC/C/8/Add.12),Nicaragua(CRC/C/3/Add.25),Poland(CRC/C/8/Add.11)andUkraine(CRC/C/8/Add.10),aswellasadditionalinformationsubmittedbyIndonesia(CRC/C/3/Add.26)andPeru(CRC/C/3/Add.24)followingtherequestsmadebytheCommitteeinthecourseofitsconsiderationoftheinitialreportsofthosecountries(seeCRC/C/20,paras.54and68).@ .tB.Considerationofreports27.2 .2Duringitsthird,fourthandfifthsessions,theCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportsofBelarus,Bolivia,Colombia,CostaRica,ElSalvador,Egypt,Indonesia,Mexico,Namibia,Peru,Romania,theRussianFederation,Rwanda,theSudan,SwedenandVietNam.28.2 .2Inaccordancewithrule68oftheprovisionalrulesofprocedureoftheCommittee,representativesofallthereportingStateswereinvitedtoattendthemeetingsoftheCommitteewhentheirreportswereexamined.AlltheStatespartieswhosereportswereconsideredbytheCommitteesentrepresentativestoparticipateintheexaminationoftheirrespectivereports.29.2 .2Thefollowingsection,arrangedonacountrybycountrybasisaccordingtothesequencefollowedbytheCommitteeinitsconsiderationofreportsatitssecond,third,fourthandfifthsessions,containspreliminaryand/orconcludingobservationsreflectingthemainpointsofthediscussionandindicating,wherenecessary,issuesthatwouldrequireaspecificfollowup.30.2 .2MoredetailedinformationiscontainedinthereportssubmittedbytheStatespartiesandinthesummaryrecordsoftherelevantmeetingsoftheCommittee.@ . 1.Concludingobservations:Bolivia31.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofBolivia(CRC/C/3/Add.2)atits52nd,53rdand54thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.52to54),heldon14and15January1993,andadopted,atits65thmeeting,on22January1993,thefollowingconcludingobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction32.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthetimelysubmissionoftheinitialreportofBolivia,whichwasoneofthefirstStatestobecomeapartytotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.AlthoughthereportcontainedvaluableinformationonthelegislativeframeworkfortheapplicationoftheConvention,thedialoguegavewaytoarequestforfurtherinformationonhowthelawsareappliedinactualpracticeandwhatmechanismsexisttoevaluatetheresultsthathavebeenachieved.33.2 .2TheCommitteeattachesgreatimportancetotheopportunity,affordedbytheconsiderationofaStateparty'sreport,toundertakeaconstructivedialoguewiththatStatepartyontheimplementationoftheConvention.Inthisregard,theCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtothedelegationofBoliviaforfacilitatingausefulandfrankdiscussionandforprovidingfurtherinformationtotheCommitteetoenableittoobtainamorecomprehensiveviewoftheapplicationoftheConventioninBolivia.TheCommitteetakesnoteofthestatementmadebythedelegationregrettingthatithadnotbeenpossibletoincludehigh-levelrepresentativesfromtheministriesconcernedwiththeactualimplementationoftheConventionwhocouldhavebenefitedfromdirectdialoguewiththeCommittee.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects34.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomestherecentadoptionandentryintoforceofthenewjuvenilecode,whichrepresentssignificantprogresstowardsharmonizinglegislationandpolicywiththeprovisionsoftheConventionandtherebyprovidesalegalframeworkforitsimplementation.TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactiontheprocessofthepreparationofthereports,theinvolvementofthejudiciary,aswellasthestepstakentoprovidefortheparticipationofnon-governmentalorganizationsinthepreparationoftherelevantlegislationandtheformulationofpublicpolicyonchildren,therebybroadeningpopularparticipationintheimplementationprocess.Inthisconnection,itisalsoimportanttonotethattheprovisionsoftheConventionmaybeinvokedinacourtoflawinBolivia.̇(c)2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention35.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthateconomicfactors,includingahighlevelofexternaldebt,havemadethefullapplicationoftheConventionmoredifficult.Inthisrespect,theCommitteenoteswithconcernthatthelong-termconsiderationsembodiedinmanystructuraladjustmentpolicieshavenotadequatelytakenintoaccounttheneedsoftoday'schildren.WhiletheStateisresponsiblefortheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,theCommitteerecognizesthatadditionalinternationalassistancewillbeneededtoaddressmoreeffectivelythechallengeofimprovingthesituationofchildrenlivinginpoverty,particularlythosefromtheruralareasofthecountry.36.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecognizesthat,sincethenewjuvenilecodewasadoptedonlyrecently,therehasnotbeensufficienttimetoimplementitfullyortoevaluateitseffectiveness.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern37.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernthatthestringentbudgetarymeasureshavehadhighsocialcostsandhaveadverselyaffectedtherightsofthechildinBolivia.TheCommittee,whilewelcomingtheadoptionoftheTen-YearPlanofActionfortheBolivianChild,whichisaimedatredressinginfavourofchildrensomeofthepresentimbalances,emphasizestheneedtoelaborateacomprehensivestrategyforimplementingtheConventionandtodevelopaneffectivemonitoringmechanismforevaluatingtheprogressachievedandthedifficultiesencountered.Atpresent,itisunclearastohownon-governmentalorganizationsandthegeneralpublicaretobeinvolvedinmonitoringandevaluatingtheapplicationoftheConvention.38.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedthatthedefinitionofthechildcontainedinthejuvenilecodedoesnotcomplywiththerequirementsofarticle1oftheConvention.39.2 .2TheCommitteeunderlinestheimportanceofimplementingalloftheprovisionsoftheConventioninthelightofthegeneralprinciplescontainedinarticles2,3,6and12oftheConvention.Inthisregard,theCommitteenoteswithconcernthedisparitiesinthestatusandtreatmentofchildreninBoliviaconformingtodistinctionsbasedonrace,sex,languageandethnicorsocialorigin.Vulnerablegroupsofchildren,includinggirlchildren,indigenouschildrenandchildrenlivinginpoverty,areparticularlydisadvantagedintheiraccesstoadequatehealthandeducationalfacilitiesandaretheprimaryvictimsofsuchabusesassaleandtrafficking,childlabourandsexualandotherformsofexploitation.Thediminishedlevelofprotectionforgirlchildreninherentinthelowerminimumageformarriageisdiscriminatoryand,asaresult,deprivesthisgroupofchildrenofthebenefitofotherprotectionsaffordedbytheConvention.40.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedthatonly47percentofbirthsaresupervisedbyqualifiedhealthcareworkers,andisalarmedattheimplicationsthismayhaveforincreasedlikelihoodofsicknessanddisabilityarisingfrompreventableproblemsoccurringduringdelivery.Morebudgetarysupportisneededtocorrectthissituation,aswellassufficientsupporttoprogrammesbenefitingthementalandphysicaldevelopmentofchildren.Withrespecttoeducation,theCommitteenoteswithconcernthatvulnerablegroupsofchildren,suchasgirlchildren,indigenouschildrenandchildrenlivinginruralareas,areover-representedinthenumberofchildrennotenrolledinschool.41.2 .2Withregardtoarticles37and40,theCommitteeisconcernedthattherearenotadequatesafeguardstoensurenon-discriminationintheimplementationoftheseprovisionsoftheConvention.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthepresentdiscretionaryprocedureofconsideringthe"personality"ofthechildasacriteriaforpassingsentences.Thispractice,initsactualapplication,mayoftenbediscriminatoryagainstchildrenlivinginpoverty.TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedthatthereisinadequateseparationofchildrenfromadultsindetentionandthatachildmayremainincustodyfortheexcessivelylongperiodof45daysbeforethelegalityofhisorherdetentionisdecidedupon.Theageforlegalcounsellingwithoutparentalconsentisunclearandpracticesinthisregardmaynotbeinconformitywitharticle37(d)oftheConvention.42.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesmostparticularconcernforchildrenwhoworkorliveinthestreetinordertosurviveandwhorequirespecialattentionbecauseoftheriskstheyareexposedto.(e)2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations43.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatthenecessarychangesbemadeinthejuvenilecodetoensurethatitisinfullconformitywiththerequirementsoftheConvention,particularlywithrespecttothedefinitionofthelegislativeframeworkandevaluatingitseffectonchildren,especiallythosefromvulnerablegroups.Inthisconnection,theimpactoftheTen-YearPlanofActionfortheBolivianChildshouldalsobeactivelymonitoredandstatisticalandotherindicatorsnecessaryforevaluatingtheprogressachievedshouldbeincludedinthesecondperiodicreportoftheStateparty.TheCommitteepositivelynotesthestatementmadebythedelegationindicatingitscommitmenttosendtotheCommitteeinthenearfuturefurtherinformationonindicators,inparticularinthefieldofhealth,education,childreninconflictwiththelaw,disabledchildrenorabandonedchildren.44.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizesthattheprincipleofnon-discrimination,asprovidedforunderarticle2oftheConvention,mustbevigorouslyapplied,andthatamoreactiveapproachshouldbetakentoeliminatediscriminationagainstcertaingroupsofchildren,mostnotablygirlchildren.Inthisconnection,theCommitteenotesthattheapplicationofthisandtheothergeneralprinciplesoftheConventioncannotbedependentuponbudgetaryresources.Withregardtobudgetaryprioritiesintheallocationofavailableresources,theStatepartyshouldbeguidedbytheprincipleofthebestinterestsofthechild,asprovidedforinarticle3oftheConvention,particularlyasthisappliestothemostvulnerablegroupsofchildren,suchasgirlchildren,indigenouschildrenandchildrenlivinginpoverty,includingabandonedchildren.45.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragestheGovernmentofBoliviatoconsiderthepossibilityofaccedingtotheConventionagainstTortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishment.46.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyundertaketoensurethatadequateprotectionisaffordedtoeconomicallyandsociallydisadvantagedchildreninconflictwiththelawandthatalternativestoinstitutionalcareareavailable,asprovidedforunderarticle40,paragraphs3and4,oftheConvention.47.2 .2TheCommitteeunderlinesthattheprovisionsoftheConventionshouldbewidelypublicizedamongthegeneralpublicand,inparticular,amongjudges,lawyers,teachersandmembersofotherprofessionsworkingwithchildrenorwhichareconcernedwiththeimplementationoftheConvention.Particularlyimportantinthisregardisthetrainingofpoliceandthestaffincorrectionalfacilities.Suchinitiativescouldbeeffectivelyundertakenincooperationwithnon-governmentalorganizations.48.TheCommitteerecommendsthattheprovisionsoftheConventionshouldbemorereadilyavailableinlocallanguages.StepsshouldbetakentoencouragegrassrootssupportfortherightsofthechildandtousetheConventionasatooltostimulatepopularvolunteerprogrammes,asawayofsupplementingbudgetaryresourcesavailableforthebenefitofchildren.̀2.Concludingobservations:Sweden49.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofSweden(CRC/C/3/Add.1)atits56th,57thand58thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.5658),heldon18and19January1993,andadopted,atits73rdmeeting,on28January1993,thefollowingconcludingobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction50.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthatSwedenhasundertakenthenecessarystepsfortheswiftratificationoftheConventionandwasthefirstStatetofulfilitsreportingobligations.ItsreportisverycomprehensiveandfollowscloselytheCommittee'sguidelines,althoughmoreinformationisneededonthesituationofvulnerablegroups,particularlyminoritychildren,includingindigenouschildren,andneglectedchildreninthemajorcityareas.51.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationfortheadditionalinformationprovidedbythedelegationthatwassenttopresentthereportofSwedentotheCommittee.Inthisregard,thepresenceofahigh-leveldelegationenabledaconstructivedialoguetotakeplacebetweentheCommitteeandofficialsfromthoseministriesdirectlyresponsiblefortheimplementationoftheConvention.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects52.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomestheGovernment'sawarenessoftheneedtotakeanactiveapproachtoimplementingtheConvention,disseminatinginformationonitandseekingwaystofurtherimprovethestatusofchildreninSweden.Inthisregard,theCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthatlawshavebeenenactedandadministrativemeasuresproposedtoharmonizethelegalframeworkfortheprotectionofchildren'srightswiththerequirementsoftheConvention.TherelevantlegislationgenerallyreflectstheprovisionsoftheConventionaswellasthegeneralprincipleswhichservetoguideitsimplementation.ParticularlynoteworthyistheGovernment'sspiritofdialoguewithnon-governmentalorganizations,especiallyinregardtopublicizingtheConventionandpromotingawarenessamongthegeneralpublic.53.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationforthesignificantcontributionoftheSwedishGovernmentandtheSwedishnon-governmentalorganizationstoimprovingthesituationofchildrenworldwide.TheprominencegivenbytheStatepartytofurtheringtherightsofthechildthroughinternationalcooperationandassistancedirectlybenefitingchildrenfollowsthespiritofarticle4oftheConventionandcanserveasausefulguideforotherStatesparties.54.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthatthecompetentSwedishauthoritiesareconsideringthepossibilityofratifyingtheInternationalConventionontheProtectionoftheRightsofAllMigrantWorkersandMembersofTheirFamilies.(c)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern55.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthefactthatthelawdoesnotprovideforprotectionagainstallthevariousformsofdiscriminationenumeratedinarticle2oftheConvention.Asaresult,itisunclearwhetherthelawprohibitsdiscriminationonthebasisofthechild'sorhisorherparents'orlegalguardian'slanguage,religion,politicalorotheropinion,socialorigin,property,disability,birthorotherstatus.56.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernoverthelackofclarityandapparentdiscrepanciescontainedinthelawwithregardtothedefinitionofthechild.TheCommitteenotesthatalthoughpersonsunder18inSwedendonotenjoyfulllegalcapacitytheymaybesubjectedtomilitaryserviceandthatapersonaged15orovercanbeacceptedintheHomeGuardDefence.TheCommitteealsoexpressesitsconcernatthefactthattheageofsexualmaturityhasnotbeenfixed,whichthreatenstheprotectionofchildrenfrompossibleexploitationintheuseofpornographicmaterials.57.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedthattheGovernmentdoesnotensurethatchildrenindetentionareseparatedfromadults.TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedbythepracticeoftakingforeignchildrenintocustodyundertheAliensActandnotesthatthispracticeisdiscriminatoryinsofarasSwedishchildrengenerallycannotbeplacedincustodyuntilaftertheageof18.Likewise,thereseemstobealackofinformationonchildrenwhoarevictimsofsexualexploitation,includingincest.(d)2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations58.2 .2Withregardtogeneralmeasuresofimplementation,theCommitteerecommendsthatcarefulattentionbegiventosettingupthemonitoringmechanismandindicatorsformeasuringtheprogressmadeintheimplementationofthelegislativeandothermeasurestoprotecttherightsofthechild.TheCommitteeunderlinesthattheimplementationoftheConventionshouldbecarriedoutinclosecooperationwithlocalauthoritiesinordertoensureanapproachwhichiseffectiveandconsistentwiththeprovisionsandgeneralprinciplesoftheConvention.Inthisconnection,theGovernmentshouldensurethatspendingcutscarriedoutbymunicipalitiesareeffectedwithdueregardforthebestinterestsofchildren,particularlythosefromthemostvulnerablegroups.ToenhancetheeffectiveimplementationoftheConvention,theCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyconsiderclosercoordinationwithnon-governmentalorganizationsatthepolicy-makinglevel;incorporatingtheprovisionsoftheConventiondirectlyintodomesticlaw;andfurtherstrengtheninginternationalcooperationandassistance,particularlyforthebenefitofvulnerablegroupssuchasdisabledchildrenandchildrenneedingspecialprotection.59.2 .2Withrespecttothedefinitionofthechild,theCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyconsideranapproachwhichismorecoherentandmorecloselyreflectsthegeneralprinciplesandtheprovisionsoftheConvention.Inrecognitionofthespiritofarticle38oftheConvention,stepsmightbetakentoclosethegapinthelawwhichatpresentallowsforthepossibilityofconscriptingchildrenundertheageof18intothearmedforces.TheCommitteesuggeststhattheGovernmentshouldreassesstheeffectivenessofpresentregulationsregardingtheexploitationofchildreninpornographicmaterials.Further,theGovernmentshouldnotoverlooktheproblemofsexualabusewithinthefamily.TheGovernmentmayalsowishtoreassesstheadvisabilityofpermittingachildofsevenyearsoroldertoacceptlegalormedicalcounsellingwithoutparentalconsent.60.2 .2Inregardtochildreninconflictwiththelaw,theCommitteesuggeststhatfurtherconsiderationshouldbegiventoensuringthatchildrenindetentionareseparatedfromadults,takingintoaccountthebestinterestsofthechildandalternativestoinstitutionalcare.Inthisconnection,theStatepartymaywishtostudythesituationinthosecountrieswherearrangementsforliaisonbetweenjuvenilesandthepoliceforcehavebeenestablished.TheCommitteealsosuggeststhatconsiderationbegiventoprovidingalternativestotheincarcerationofchildrenundertheAliensActandthatapublicdefencecounselbeappointedforchildreninconflictwiththelaw.61.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendsthatstepsshouldbetakentomonitormorecloselythesituationofforeignchildrenplacedinadoptivefamiliesinSweden.TheCommitteeemphasizestheimportanceofmonitoringthesituationofforeignchildrenandothervulnerablegroups,andtothisend,theCommitteerequeststhatthenextreportoftheStatepartyincludefullerstatisticalandotherindicatorsforthesegroups,includingtheincidenceofHIVinfectionandAIDS.Recognizingthattheratificationofotherinternationalhumanrightsinstrumentshasafavourableinfluenceonthepromotionoftherightsofthechild,theStatepartymightconsiderratifyingtheConventionfortheSuppressionoftheTrafficinPersonsandoftheExploitationoftheProstitutionofOthers.̀3.Concludingobservations:VietNam62.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofVietNam(CRC/C/3/Add.4)atits59th,60thand61stmeetings(CRC/C/SR.5961),heldon19and20January1993,andadopted,atits73rdmeeting,on28January1993,thefollowingconcludingobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction63.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheStatepartyforitsreportandforengagingthroughahigh-rankingdelegationinaconstructiveandfrankdialoguewiththeCommittee.ItnoteswithsatisfactionthatVietNamhasbeenthefirstAsianStatetosignandratifytheConventionandtosubmitareportonitsimplementation.TheCommitteeappreciatesthecomprehensivenessofthereport,whichhasbeenpreparedinconformitywiththeCommittee'sguidelines.64.2 .2ThereportandthedetailedadditionalinformationprovidedbytheStateparty'srepresentativesinthecourseofthediscussionhaveenabledtheCommitteetoobtainacomprehensiveviewoftheStateparty'scompliancewiththeobligationsundertakenundertheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandhumanrightsstandardssetforththerein.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects65.2 .2TheCommitteetakesnotewithsatisfactionoftheeffortsmadebytheGovernmentofVietNamtosecureimplementationoftheConvention'sprovisionsthroughoutthecountry.TheadoptionbytheNationalAssemblyoftheLawontheProtection,CareandEducationofChildrenandoftheLawontheUniversalizationofPrimaryEducationinAugust1991,theproclamationoftheYearoftheVietnameseChildin1989-1990,thenationalreviewofthefirst10years(1979-1989)ofimplementationoftheOrdinanceontheProtection,CareandEducationofChildrenandrelatedactivities,thestipulationsontherightsofthechildinthenewnationalConstitution-allthesedevelopmentsareimportantstepstowardstheimplementationoftheConvention.TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactiontheholding,asfollow-upactiontotheWorldSummitforChildren,ofaNationalSummitforChildrenandapprovalbyitofVietNam'sdraftNationalProgrammeofActionforChildren1991-2000.TheCommitteefindsofparticularimportancetheestablishmentoftheCommitteefortheProtectionandCareofChildrenatthenationallevel,aswellastheestablishmentofsuchcommitteesatprovincial,districtandcommunelevels,tomonitortheimplementationoftheConvention.(c)2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention66.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthattransitionfromacentrallyplannedtoamarketorientedeconomyinVietNamproducesnew,oraggravatesoldsocialproblemswhichhaveanegativeimpactonthesituationofchildren.OldtraditionsinremotepartsofthecountryalsocreatedifficultiesfortheapplicationoftheprovisionsoftheConvention.TheCommitteenotesthattheGovernmentofVietNamiswellawareoftheexistingdifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConventionandmuchappreciatesthefranknessandopennessofthereportinthisrespect.TheCommittee,furthermore,notesthecommitmentexpressedbytheGovernmenttodoeverything,throughnationalaswellasinternationalactions,insuchadifficultsituationtoensurethatthechildren'sproblemsaretreatedwiththehighestpossiblepriority.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern67.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernaboutthenegativeeffectsoftheeconomicreformsunderwayinVietNamonthesituationofchildren.Itisalsoconcernedaboutthesituationofchildrenbelongingtothevariousminoritygroups,especiallythoselivinginthemountainareasofthecountry.TheCommitteenotesthatlongperiodsofimprisonmentfordelinquentchildrensetforthinnationalpenallegislationarenotinconformitywiththeprovisionsofarticle37oftheConventionandthateverychildallegedtohaveoraccusedofhavinginfringedthepenallawshouldhavetheguaranteesenvisagedinarticle40oftheConvention.TheCommitteealsoexpressesitsconcernattheperpetuationofprejudicesinsomeregionsofthecountryresultingindiscriminationagainstwomenandgirls.Thesituationofchildreninruralareasisageneralconcern,forexample,regardinghealthandeducationalpossibilities.Thegrowingnumberofchildrenlivingand/orworkingonthestreet,childprostitutionandpornographyarealsomattersofconcern,asisthelackofadequatetrainingofthelawenforcementofficialsasfarastheimplementationoftheConventionisconcerned.(e)2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations68.2 .2TheCommitteeconsidersittobeparticularlyimportantfortheGovernmentofVietNamtotakeallnecessarysteps,bothnationallyandalsousinginternationalassistanceandcooperation,tominimizethenegativeimpactthattheeconomicreformsmayhaveonthemostvulnerablegroup,i.e.childrenoftheVietnamesesociety.Particularattentionshouldbepaidtotheprotectionofchildrenbelongingtodifferentminoritygroups,childrenlivinginruralareasandchildreninurbanareaswholiveand/orworkonthestreet.Inthelattercase,thereseemstobeaneedtofurtherstudytherootcausesofthisphenomenonanddevelopappropriatestrategiestoresolvethisproblem.̇69.2 .2TheappropriateamendmentsshouldbemadetothePenalCodeinordertoadequatelyreflecttheprovisionscontainedinarticles37,39and40oftheConventionaswellastherelevantprovisionsoftheCodeofConductforLawEnforcementOfficialsandotherinternationalstandardsinthisfieldsuchastheBeijingRules,theRiyadhGuidelinesandtheUnitedNationsRulesfortheProtectionofJuvenilesDeprivedoftheirLiberty.InthisconnectiontheCommitteerecommendsthatatrainingcourseforlawenforcementpersonnelbeorganizedbytheCentreforHumanRightsinVietNam.70.2 .2ThetextoftheConventionshouldbetranslatedintothelanguagesofallminoritygroupsanddisseminatedaswidelyaspossibleinordertosensitizepublicopinionwithrespecttotheprotectionoftherightsofthechild.Theyouthandnon-governmentalorganizationscouldplayanactiveroleincreatingawarenessabouttheConventionalloverthecountry.71.2 .2TheCommitteeproposed,inaccordancewitharticle44,paragraph4,oftheConvention,thatadditionalinformationbeprovidedtotheCommitteewithrespecttotheadministrationofjuvenilejusticeby1June1993inordertoenabletheCommittee'spre-sessionalworkinggrouptoconsiderthatinformationandtoreportbacktotheCommitteeatitsautumnsession.ThepublicationandthewidestpossibledisseminationwithinthecountryofthereportsubmittedbytheGovernmentofVietNamtotheCommitteeandoftheCommittee'sproceedingsarerecommended.@ . 4.Concludingobservations:RussianFederation72.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportoftheRussianFederation(CRC/C/3/Add.5)atits62nd,63rdand64thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.6264),heldon21and22January1993,andadopted,atits73rdmeeting,on28January1993,thefollowingconcludingobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction73.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressessatisfactionatthetimelysubmissionoftheRussianFederation'sinitialreportandforthefrank,self-criticalandcomprehensivemannerinwhichitwasprepared.TheCommitteenoteswithappreciationthehigh-levelrepresentationsenttodiscussthereport,whichservesasanindicationoftheimportanceattachedbytheGovernmentoftheRussianFederationtoitsobligationsundertheConvention,andfortheopen,comprehensiveandconstructiveapproachthatcharacterizedthedialoguewiththedelegation.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects74.2 .2TheCommitteeisencouragedbytheGovernment'swillingnesstodefineandappreciatetheproblemsimpedingtheimplementationoftherightsprovidedforintheConventionandtosearchforadequatesolutionstofacethem.Inthisregard,theCommitteenoteswithsatisfactiontheprogressbeingmadeinintroducinglegislativemeasurestoimprovetheapplicationoftheConventionaswellastheproposedestablishmentofjuvenileandfamilycourts.Equally,itrecognizestheimportanceofthestepsbeingtakentodevelop:theinvolvementoflocalandregionalauthoritiesintakingresponsibilityforimplementingtherightsofthechild;theparticipationofnon-governmentalorganizationsinprogrammestoimplementtherightsofthechild;thetrainingofsocialandotherworkersdealingdirectlywithchildrenandfamilyrelatedproblems;theawarenessoftheimportanceofthefamilyandequalparentalresponsibilities;andthedisseminationofinformationontherightsofthechild.75.2 .2TheCommitteealsonoteswithsatisfaction,inthelightofarticle4oftheConvention,theallocationoffurtherresourcesforthebenefitofchildrenasaconsequenceoftheeconomiceffectsofdisarmament.76.2 .2AtatimeofcriticalchangeintheStatepartyandinviewoftheinformationprovidedbythedelegation,theCommitteerecognizestheimportanceaccordedbytheStatepartytointroducingpositivechangesforthebenefitofchildrenandtocontinuingtopursuepoliciesthattakeintoaccounttheneedsofchildreninaperiodofstructuraladjustment.(c)2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention77.2 .2TheCommitteerecognizesthedifficultiesfacingtheRussianFederationinthisperiodofpoliticaltransitioninaclimateofsocialchangeandeconomiccrisis.Similarly,theCommitteerecognizesthelegacyofcertainattitudeswhichhampertheimplementationoftherightsofthechild.Theserelateto,interalia,theinstitutionalizationofchildcare,thedisabledandfamilyresponsibilities.78.2 .2Whilerecognizingtheimportanceofthevariousreformsmentionedbythedelegation,theCommitteenotes,however,thatitisunableatthisstagetoassesstheimpactofthenewandproposedlegislativeandotherchangesonthesituationofchildren.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern79.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheeffectsonchildrenoftheeconomiccrisis.Inthisconnection,theCommitteeisparticularlyconcernedastowhetheradequateandappropriatemeasuresarebeingtakentoprotectchildrenfrombeingthevictimsofeconomicreforminthelightofarticles3and4oftheConvention.80.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedthatsocietyisnotsufficientlysensitivetotheneedsandsituationofchildrenfromparticularlyvulnerableanddisadvantagedgroups,suchasthedisabled,inthelightofarticle2oftheConvention.81.2 .2TheCommitteeconsiderstheseriousproblemsoffamilylifeintheRussianFederationtobeanareaofpriorityconcern.TheCommitteenoteswithparticularconcernthetendencytowardsthebreakdownoffamilycultureasregardsabandonedchildren,abortion,thedivorcerate,thenumberofadoptions,thenumberofchildrenbornoutofwedlockandrecoveryofmaintenanceobligations.82.2 .2Similarly,theCommitteeisconcernedaboutthepracticeoftheinstitutionalizationinboardingschoolsofchildrenwhoaredeprivedofafamilyenvironment,particularlyincasesofabandonmentorwherechildrenareorphaned.83.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernastotheproblemsencounteredintheimmunizationprogramme,thelevelofantenatalcare,familyplanningprogrammesandthetrainingoflocalcommunityhealthworkers.TheCommitteealsoexpressesitsconcernatthefrequentrecoursetoabortionaswhatappearstobeamethodoffamilyplanning.̇84.2 .2Asregardstheimplementationofarticle28oftheConvention,theCommitteeexpressesitsconcernastothesituationofthegirlchildinruralareas.85.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernastothecompatibilityofjuvenilejusticeandpenitentiaryinstitutionswitharticle37oftheConventionandhowtherightsofthechildtoleisureandcontactswiththefamilyandthebestinterestsofthechildareprotectedinsuchsituations.TheCommitteealsoexpressesconcernatthepresentorganizationofthesystemofadministrationofjusticeaditscompatibilitywitharticle37oftheConventionandotherstandardsrelatingtojuvenilejustice.86.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithconcerntheincreasingcrimerateamongchildrenandthevulnerabilityofchildrentosexualabuse,drugabuseandalcoholism.(e)2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations87.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatinaperiodofstructuraladjustmentitisparticularlyimportanttomonitorregularlytheeffectsofeconomicchangeonchildren.TheCommitteealsoemphasizestheappropriatenessofidentifyingandusingindicatorstofollowtheGovernment'sprogressintheimplementationoflegislativeandothermeasuresfortherightsofthechild.88.2 .2TheCommitteeproposesthattheGovernmentconsidertheestablishmentofaNationalStateCommitteeoranysimilarstructurewiththepurposeofcoordinatingtheimplementationoftheConventionandthemonitoringthereof.TheCommitteerecommendsthatsupportshouldbegiventolocalandothernon-governmentalorganizationsforthemobilizationofworkontherightsofthechild.TheCommitteealsorecommendstheactiveparticipationofnon-governmentalorganizationsaswellaschildrenandyouthgroupsinchangingandinfluencingattitudesforthebetterimplementationoftherightsofthechild.89.2 .2TheCommitteeconsidersthatgreatereffortsshouldbemadetoprovidefamilylifeeducation,toorganizediscussionsontheroleofthefamilyinsocietyandtodevelopawarenessoftheequalresponsibilitiesofparents.90.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatalternativestoinstitutionalizationinboardingschools,suchasfostercare,shouldbeactivelysought.TheCommitteealsorecommendsthefurthertrainingofpersonnelinallinstitutionssuchassocial,legaloreducationalworkers.Animportantpartofsuchtrainingshouldbetoemphasizethepromotionandprotectionofthechild'ssenseofdignityandtheissueofchildneglectandmaltreatment.Mechanismstoevaluatetheongoingtrainingofpersonneldealingwithchildrenarealsorequired.91.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheprimaryhealthcaresystembeimprovedregardingtheeffectivenessof,interalia,antenatalcare,healtheducation,includingsexeducation,familyplanningandimmunizationprogrammes.Asregardsproblemsrelatingspecificallytotheimmunizationprogramme,theCommitteesuggeststhattheGovernmentshouldlooktointernationalcooperationforsupportintheprocurementandmanufacturingofvaccines.92.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheoccurrenceofmaltreatmentandcrueltytowardschildreninandoutsidethefamilyandsuggeststhatproceduresandmechanismsbedevelopedtodealwithcomplaintsbychildrenoftheirmaltreatmentorofcrueltytowardsthem.93.2 .2TakingintoaccountthepositivestepsbeingtakentorevisethePenalCodeandlegislationinthisfield,theCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyundertakecomprehensivejudicialreformasregardstheadministrationofjuvenilejusticeandthattheinternationalstandardsinthisfield,suchastheBeijingRules,theRiyadhGuidelinesandtheUnitedNationsRulesfortheProtectionofJuvenilesDeprivedoftheirLiberty,shouldserveasaguideinthisrevision.Asregardsalternativeapproachestoinstitutionalization,particularattentionshouldbepaidtorehabilitationmeasures,psychologicalrecoveryandsocialreintegrationinlinewitharticle39oftheConvention.94.2 .2TheCommitteealsosuggeststhatpartofthetrainingoflawenforcementofficers,judgesandotheradministrationofjusticeofficialsbedevotedtoanunderstandingofinternationalstandardsonjuvenilejustice.95.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizesthatmoredeterminedstepsneedtobetakentocombatchildprostitution;forexample,thepoliceforcesshouldaccordhighprioritytotheinvestigationofsuchcasesandthedevelopmentofprogrammestoimplementtheprovisionscontainedinarticle39oftheConvention.@ . 5.Concludingobservations:Egypt96.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofEgypt(CRC/C/3/Add.6)atits66thto68thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.6668),heldon25and26January1993,andadopted,atits73rdmeeting,on28January1993,thefollowingconcludingobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction97.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthetimelysubmissionoftheinitialreportofEgypt,whichwasoneofthefirstStatestobecomepartytotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.ItalsocomplimentstheStatepartyonitstimelyreport,whichfollowedtheCommittee'sguidelines.Inadditiontogivingtherelevantlawsandregulations,thereportcontainsinformationonactualpracticesandfactorsanddifficultiesaffectingtheimplementationoftheConvention.98.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationfortheadditionalinformationprovidedbythehigh-leveldelegation,whichendeavouredtoanswerallquestionsfromtheCommitteeinanopenway,admittingtheexistenceofproblems.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects99.2 .2TheCommitteetakesnoteofeffortsmadebytheGovernmentofEgypttosecureimplementationoftheConvention'sprovisionsthroughoutthecountry.TheCommitteewelcomestheestablishment,inJanuary1989,oftheNationalCouncilforChildhoodandMotherhood.ItregardsasimportantfeaturestheformulationofageneralpolicyandstrategyforthedevelopmentofEgyptianchildhoodandtheinclusionofthechildhoodandmotherhoodcomponentsinthefive-yearStateplan1992/93-1997/98.TheCommitteealsonoteswithsatisfactiontheactivitiesoftheSupremeConstitutionalCourtinsofarastheimplementationoftheConventionisconcerned.Furthermore,theCommitteenotestheintentionoftheNationalCounciltosystematizethecollectionofstatisticalandotherdataasabasisforfurthereffortsintheimplementationoftheConvention.Indicationsaboutresearchintoproblemsrelatingtochildreninespeciallydifficultcircumstancesarealsowelcomed.Takentogether,thesenotabledevelopmentsindicatethattheGovernmentofEgypttakesveryseriouslyitsobligationsundertheConventionandismovingtowardsestablishingafirmlegalbasisfortherealizationoftherightscontainedtherein.(c)2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention100.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthatstructuraladjustmentpolicieshavecreateddifficultiesinthefullapplicationoftherightsguaranteedbytheConventionandhavehadaspecificimpactonthesituationofchildren,inparticularchildreninlow-incomecategoriesandinruralareas.TheCommittee,however,takesthisopportunitytorecallthat,underarticle4oftheConvention,StatespartiesarecalledupontoimplementtheConventiontothemaximumextentoftheiravailableresources.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern101.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthat,althoughEgyptianlawsandregulationsguaranteeequalitybetweenthesexes,thereisinrealitystillapatternofdisparitybetweenboysandgirls,inparticularasfarasaccesstoeducationisconcerned.102.2 .2OfspecialconcerntotheCommitteehasalsobeenthesituationofchildreninruralareasandofdisabledchildren.Inregardtothelatter,theCommitteeexpressesconcernovertheverylownumberofdisabledchildrenwhoareenrolledinschools,whichmightreflectaninsufficientsensitivenessofthesocietytothespecificneedsandsituationofthosechildren.103.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthesituationofchildreninconflictwiththelawand,inparticular,ofchildrenservingcustodialsentencesinsocialcareinstitutions.Concernisexpressed,ingeneral,astothecompatibilitywitharticles37and40oftheConventionofthejuvenilejusticeinstitutionsandtheadministrationofjusticesysteminsofarasitrelatestojuvenilejustice.104.2 .2Specificconcernisalsoexpressedregardingtheverylargenumberofchildrenbetween6and14yearsofagewhoareenrolledinthelabourforceandthereforelack,whollyorpartly,thepossibilityofgoingtoschool.Althoughchildrenmaytoacertainextentcontributetoseasonalactivities,careshouldalwaysbetakenthatprimaryeducationisavailabletothemandthattheyarenotworkinginhazardousconditions.105.2 .2Thequalityofeducationinschoolsalsogivescauseforconcernandmaybeanexplanationforhighdrop-outrates;theproblemrelatestopedagogicalmethods,curriculaandthelackofadequateeducationalmaterial.106.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernastotheneedformeasurestoimprovethehealthofchildren,inparticularthoseintheschool-agegroup.(e)2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations107.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizesthattheprincipleofnon-discrimination,asprovidedforunderarticle2oftheConvention,mustbevigorouslyapplied.Amoreactiveapproachshouldbetakentoeliminatingdiscriminationagainstcertaingroupsofchildren,inparticulargirlchildrenandchildreninruralareas.Withregardtothegapinliteracyandschoolenrolmentmentionedinthereport,obstaclesfacinggirlsshouldbeadequatelyaddressedsothattheycanenjoytheirrighttogotoschool;furthermeasuresmightbetakentoincreasetheawarenessofparentsinthisregard.108.2 .2Stepsshouldbeundertakentoaffordadequateprotectiontodisabledchildrenincludingthepossibility,inparticularthrougheducation,ofintegratingthemintosocietyandraisingtheawarenessoftheirfamiliesabouttheirspecificneeds.Effortsfortheearlydetectionoftheincidenceofhandicapareimportant.109.2 .2Adequateprotectionshouldalsobeaffordedtochildreninconflictwiththelaw.TheCommitteerecommendsthattheappropriateamendmentsbemadetotheJuvenilesActNo.31of1974toadequatelyreflecttheprovisionsoftheConventionaswellasotherinternationalstandardsinthisfield,suchastheBeijingRules,theRiyadhGuidelinesandtheUnitedNationsRulesfortheProtectionofJuvenilesDeprivedoftheirLiberty.InthatregarditissuggestedthatgeneralprinciplesunderlyingtheConvention,suchasconsiderationofthebestinterestanddignityofthechildanditsroleintosociety,betakenintoaccount.Deprivationoflibertyshouldalwaysbeenvisagedastheverylastresort,andparticularattentionshouldbepaidtorehabilitationmeasures,psychologicalrecoveryandsocialreintegration.Furthermore,deprivationoflibertyinsocialcareinstitutionsshouldberegularlymonitoredbyajudgeoranindependentbody.110.2 .2TherecommendationsofthestudiesonchildlabourundertakenwiththeassistanceoftheInternationalLabourOrganizationontheproblemofchildemploymentshouldbeimplementedandEgyptianlegislationonminimumageshouldberevised.Inthatregard,considerationshouldbegiventothepossibilityofaccedingtoILOConventionNo.138andotherconventionsonminimumageofemploymentrelatingtotheprotectionofchildrenandyoungpersonsatwork.111.2 .2ThetextoftheConventionshouldbedisseminatedaswidelyaspossibleamongthepublicatlargeand,inparticular,amongjudges,teachersandmembersofotherprofessionsworkingwithchildren.Furthermore,specifictrainingcoursesshouldbeorganizedforlawenforcementpersonnelandthepersonnelincorrectionalfacilitiesaswellasforthoseworkingwithfamilieswithpsychologicalproblems.112.2 .2StatisticalinformationandotherindicatorsnecessaryforevaluatingprogressachievedintheimplementationoftheConventionshouldbeincludedinthesecondperiodicreportoftheStateparty.@ . 6.Preliminaryobservations:Sudan113.2 .2TheCommitteebeganconsiderationoftheinitialreportoftheSudan(CRC/C/3/Add.3)atits69th,70thand71stmeetings(CRC/C/SR.6971),heldon26and27January1993.DuetothecomplexityofthesituationandtheproblemsfacingchildrenintheSudan,theCommitteedecidedtocontinueconsiderationoftheinitialreportoftheSudanatitsfourthsession,scheduledtobeheldfrom20Septemberto8October1993.Inthisconnection,theCommitteerequestedtheStatepartytoprovideitwithwrittenanswerstoquestionswhich,duetotimeconstraints,remainedunanswered.Equally,theCommitteerequestedtheStatepartytoprovideitwithadditionalinformation,inaccordancewithrule69ofitsprovisionalrulesofprocedureandarticle44,paragraph4,oftheConvention,onparticularareasofconcernidentifiedbytheCommitteeandontheresultsofanyrecentsurveysundertaken.TheCommitteerecommendedthattheinformationrequestedbesubmittedtotheCommitteeby15May1993.Atits73rdmeeting,heldon28January1993,theCommitteeadoptedthefollowingpreliminaryobservations.*(a)2 .2Introduction114.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressessatisfactionattheStateparty'searlyratificationoftheConventionwithoutanyreservationsandforthetimelysubmissionofitsinitialreport.However,theCommitteefeelsthatinthelightoftheadoptedguidelinesfurtherinformationwouldberequired,interalia,onspecialprotectionmeasuresandonthepoliciesandstrategiesrequiredtorealizehealthcareandeducationgoals.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects115.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomesthecommentsmadebytheStatepartyonthemeritsofestablishingaconstructiveandusefuldialoguewiththeCommitteeandonthepositiveroletheCommitteeshouldfulfil,inthisregard,inprovidingadviceandassistancetotheStatepartyonhowtoimplementtheConvention.116.2 .2TheCommitteetakesnoteofthestatementmadebythedelegationoftheSudanthattheConventionhasbeenincorporatedintonationallegislation.TheCommitteealsonotesthewillingnessshownbytheGovernmentoftheSudantotakeintoaccounttherecommendationsmadebytheCommitteewithaviewtoreviewingexistinglegislationinordertobringitintoconformitywiththeConventionandtochangingattitudestotraditionalpracticesprejudicialtothehealthofchildren,includingfemalegenitalmutilation.117.2 .2Inaddition,theCommitteetakesnoteofthedecisionoftheGovernmentoftheSudantomakeavailableforpublicdistributioninonedocumentboththereportofSudantotheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildandtheresultsofthedialoguewiththisCommittee.(c)2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention118.2 .2TheCommitteetakesnoteoftheproblemswhichhavehamperedtheimplementationoftheConventionintheStateparty.Theyinclude:civilwar,structuralreadjustmentmeasures,infrastructuralinadequacies,desertification,droughtandfamine.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern119.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthenon-compatibilityofcertainareasofnationallegislationwiththeprovisionsandprinciplesoftheConvention,includingthepunishmentofflogging.120.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithconcerntheproblemsofputtingintoeffectarticle4oftheConventionasitrelatestomattersofinternationalcooperationtofacilitatetheimplementationoftheConvention.121.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesconcernastotheeffectsofarmedconflictonchildren,includingtheprovisionofhumanitarianassistanceandreliefandprotectionofchildreninsituationsofarmedconflict.Inemergency________________________2 .2* .Seealsosection10below,Concludingobservations:Sudan.situations,allpartiesinvolvedshoulddotheirutmosttofacilitatehumanitarianassistancetoprotectthelivesofchildren.122.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedatthesituationofinternallydisplacedchildrenandrefugeeandneglectedchildren.123.2 .2Inaddition,theCommitteeexpressesitsconcernastotheissuesofcriminalresponsibilityandtheadministrationofjuvenilejustice.124.2 .2TheCommitteealsoexpressesitsconcernregardingtheissuesofforcedlabourandslavery.125.2 .2TheCommitteerequestsadditionalinformationontheseandotherconcernsraisedduringitsdialoguewiththedelegationandrequestsclarificationastothedefinitionofthechild,thesituationofdisabledchildrenandchildren'saccesstoeducation.̀7.Preliminaryobservations:Indonesia126.2 .2TheCommitteebeganconsiderationoftheinitialreportofIndonesia(CRC/C/3/Add.10)atits79th,80thand81stmeetings(CRC/C/SR.79-81),heldon22and23September1993.InviewofthefactthattherewasnotsufficienttimeduringthesessiontofullyclarifyanumberofquestionsbothinwrittenandoralformrelatingtotheimplementationoftheConvention,theCommitteedecidedtocontinueitsconsiderationofthereportatafuturesessionandadoptedatthe103rdmeeting,heldon8October1993,thefollowingpreliminaryobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction127.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomestheStateparty'scommitmenttothepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechildasreflectedbyitsearlyratificationoftheConventionandthetimelysubmissionofitsinitialreportunderarticle44oftheConvention.However,theCommitteefeelsthatonthebasisoftheinformationprovidedintheinitialreportandthedialogueensuingfromitsconsideration,existinglegislationisnotsufficienttoensuretheimplementationoftheConvention.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects128.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactiontheimportanceIndonesiaattachestotheCommittee'sadviceandassistanceonmeasurestobetakentoimprovetheimplementationoftherightsofthechildandwelcomestheStateparty'scommitmenttocooperatingwiththeCommitteeandotherUnitedNationsbodiesandagencieswithaviewtoreviewinganddevelopingpoliciesandprogrammestoenhancethesituationofchildren.129.2 .2TheCommitteetakesnoteofthewillingnessexpressedbytheStatepartytoreviewitsnationallegislationinthelightofitsobligationsundertheConventionandasreflectedinthe"Beijingconsensus"ofAugust1992.ItalsowelcomestheStateparty'scommitmenttoreviewthereservationsithasmadetotheConventionwithaviewtoconsideringwithdrawingthem.130.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotesthestepstakentogivehigherprioritytochildren'sconcerns,especiallywithinthecontextofdevelopmentstrategies.(c)2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention131.2 .2TheCommitteetakesnoteofthedifficultiesimpedingtherapidimplementationoftheConventionintheStateparty,particularlytheexistenceof360ethnicgroups,thedispersalofthepopulationthroughouttheIndonesianarchipelago,aswellastheeconomicproblemsstillfacingtheStatepartyingeneralandsectorsoftheIndonesianpopulation,inparticular.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern132.2 .2TheCommitteeisdeeplyconcernedattheextentofthereservationsmadetotheConventionbytheStateparty.TheCommitteefeelsthatthebroadandimprecisenatureofthesereservationsraisesseriousconcernastotheircompatibilitywiththeobjectandpurposesoftheConvention.133.2 .2WhiletheCommitteetakesnoteofthedelegation'sstatementthattherightsofthechildascontainedintheConventionarenotincontradictionwiththeConstitution,itisconcernedthatnationallegislationdoesnotappeartoensurethatallchildren,includingnon-nationals,areprotectedbytherightsguaranteedintheConvention.134.2 .2TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedthattherightscontainedinarticle14oftheConventionarenotfullyprotected,inspiteofthefactthattheyarenon-derogable.135.2 .2ItisalsoaconcernoftheCommitteethatnationallegislationwithrespecttotheageatwhichachildmaymarrymaynotbecompatiblewiththenon-discriminationprovisionsoftheConvention,asreflectedinitsarticle2.136.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernattheinsufficienteffortsundertakentomaketheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionwidelyknowntochildren.137.2 .2TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedatthelackofparticipationofnon-governmentalorganizations,particularlyofhumanrightsgroups,inthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild,aswellasattheabsenceofeffortstoprovidetrainingabouttherightsofthechildtopersonnelworkingdirectlywithchildren.138.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedthatinsufficientattentionisgiventotheimplementationofthegeneralprinciplesoftheConvention,particularlyitsarticles2,3and12.TheCommitteewishestoemphasizethattheimplementationoftheseprinciplesisnottobemadedependentonbudgetaryresources.139.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedatthesmallproportionofthebudgetdevotedtothesocialsectors,particularlyprimaryhealthcareandprimaryeducation.Inthisconnection,theCommitteedrawstheStateparty'sattentiontotheneedtorespecttheprovisionsofarticle4oftheConvention,whichemphasizethateconomic,socialandculturalrightsshouldbeimplementedtothemaximumextentofavailableresources.TheCommitteeemphasizesthatsuchactionisrequired,regardlessoftheeconomicmodelfollowedbytheStateparty.140.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernasregardstheimplementationofarticle14oftheConvention,asitrelatestofreedomofreligion.TheCommitteedeemsitimportanttounderlinethefactthatlimitingofficialrecognitiontocertainreligionsmaygiverisetopracticesofdiscrimination.141.2 .2TheCommitteeregretsthatthewritteninformationrequestedonspecialprotectionmeasureswasnotprovidedandalsoexpressesitsconcernatthelackofcompatibilityofthesystemofadministrationofjuvenilejusticewitharticles37,39and40oftheConventionandotherUnitedNationsstandardsrelatingtojuvenilejustice.142.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernattheabsenceofareplyfromtheGovernmentofIndonesiatoitsurgentcommunicationofNovember1991relatingtoexcessiveuseofviolencebysecurityforcesagainstdemonstratingchildreninSantaCruz,Dili.Inthisregard,theCommitteedrawstheattentionoftheGovernmentofIndonesiatoitsrequestforinformationaboutthesafeguards,establishedinaccordancewiththeprovisionsofarticles37and40oftheConvention,toensurethatsuchviolationswouldnotoccuragain.TheCommitteealsorequestsinformationonthestrategiesformulatedandfacilitiesprovidedtorehabilitatethevictimsofserioushumanrightsviolations,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofarticle39oftheConvention.143.2 .2TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedatthelackofinformationprovidedaboutthesituationofchildlabourandthesituationofchildrenwho,tosurvive,areforcedtoworkorliveinthestreet(oftenknownas"streetchildren").(e)2 .2Furtheraction144.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragestheGovernmentofIndonesiatoundertakeareviewofthechild-relatedlawssoastoensuretheirconformitywiththeprovisionsoftheConventionand,inthisregard,drawsattentiontotheactivitiesdevelopedbytheprogrammeofadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistanceoftheUnitedNationsCentreforHumanRights.Intheforegoingconnection,theCommitteewelcomesthedelegation'sinvitationtomembersoftheCommitteetovisittheStateparty.TheCommitteerequestsinformationinwritingontheconcernsraisedduringitsdialoguewiththedelegation(seesection(d)above).TheCommitteealsorequeststhatthiswritteninformationbeforwardedtothesecretariatby31December1993withaviewtotheCommitteeformulatingitsconcludingobservationsontheinitialreportofIndonesiabySeptember/October1994.@ .H 8.Concludingobservations:Peru145.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofPeru(CRC/C/3/Add.7)atits82nd,83rdand84thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.8284),heldon23and24September1993,andadoptedatthe103rdmeeting,heldon8October1993,thefollowingconcludingobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction146.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithappreciationthetimelysubmissionoftheinitialreportofPeru,whichwasoneofthefirstStatestobecomeapartytotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.TheCommitteeregrets,however,thattheinformationprovidedinthereportwasinmanyrespectsvagueandincompleteanddidnotfollowtheCommittee'sguidelines.Furthermore,thelackofinformationinthereportonfactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationofthevariousrightsrecognizedbytheConventionpreventedtheCommitteefromgainingaclearideaoftherealsituationofchildren'srightsinthecountry.147.2 .2However,thedialoguewiththeStateparty'sdelegationenabledtheCommitteetounderstandbetterthesituationofchildreninthecountry.TheCommitteethereforeexpressesitsappreciationtotheStateparty'sdelegationforthevaluableinformationsupplementingthereport.&  (b)2 .2Positiveaspects'  148.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactiontheconsiderableprogressachievedduringtheperiodunderreviewinbringingdomesticlawintolinewiththeConvention,throughtheenactmentofnewlawsandcodesandtheestablishmentandstrengtheningofinstitutionsandprocessesaimedatpromotingandprotectingtherightsofthechild.AmongtheselegislativeachievementsaretheadoptionofaCodeonChildrenandAdolescentsandtheapprovalofaNationalPlanofActionforChildren.TheestablishmentoftheDefensoradelNioandthepossibilityforindividualstoinvoketheprovisionsoftheConventionbeforePeruviancourtsareotherwelcomedevelopments.TheCommitteealsonoteswithinterestthedecisiontakenbythePeruvianGovernmenttoestablishaNationalWeekfortheRightsoftheChildaswellasNationalMonitoringCommitteesontheRightsoftheChild.Thesemeasureshaveapositiveimpactonthepromotionofpopularparticipationintherealizationoftherightsofthechild.(c)2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention149.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthatpoliticalviolenceandterrorismhavehadaconsiderablenegativeimpactonthesituationofchildreninPeru.Manychildrenhavebeensubjectedtovariousformsofviolationsandhavebeenobligedtofleeareasaffectedbysuchviolence.150.2 .2TheCommitteefurthernotesthateconomicfactors,includingahighlevelofexternaldebt,haveadverselyaffectedthesituationofchildren.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern151.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsdeepconcernatthecontinuedviolencewhichhasalreadycausedthousandsofkillings,disappearancesanddisplacementsofchildrenandparents.ItisthereforenecessarythattheGovernmentofPeruandPeruviansocietyadoptanurgent,effectiveandfairresponsetoprotecttherightsofthechild.152.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedthat,duetotheinternalviolence,severalregistrationcentreshavebeendestroyed,adverselyaffectingthesituationofthousandsofchildrenwhoareoftenleftwithoutanyidentitydocument,thusrunningtheriskoftheirbeingsuspectedofinvolvementinterroristactivities.153.2 .2TheCommitteedeploresthat,underDecree-LawNo.25564,childrenbetween15and18yearsofagewhoaresuspectedofbeinginvolvedinterroristactivitiesdonotbenefitfromsafeguardsandguaranteesaffordedbythesystemofadministrationofjuvenilejusticeundernormalcircumstances.154.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernthatstringentbudgetarymeasuresamountingtodecreasesintheresourcesallocatedforsocialexpenditureshaveentailedhighsocialcostsandhaveadverselyaffectedtherightsofthechildinPeru.Vulnerablegroupsofchildren,includingchildrenlivinginareasaffectedbytheinternalviolence,displacedchildren,orphans,disabledchildren,childrenlivinginpovertyandchildrenlivingininstitutions,areparticularlydisadvantagedintheiraccesstoadequatehealthandeducationalfacilitiesandaretheprimaryvictimsofvariousformsofexploitation,suchaschildprostitution.Furthermore,thelong-termconsiderationsembodiedinthestructuraladjustmentpolicieshavenotadequatelytakenintoaccountthespecificneedsofthechildrenand,accordingly,dramaticcutshavebeenmadeinmanysocialexpendituresinrecentyears,tothedetrimentofchildren.Inthisrespect,theCommitteenoteswithconcernthat47percentoftheNationalPlanofActionforChildrenremainstobefinanced.155.2 .2TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedattheextentofviolencewithinthefamily;atthehighnumberofabandonedandinstitutionalizedchildrenduetowidespreadfamilyproblems;andaboutthefactthattheCodeonChildrenandAdolescentsisnotcompletelyinconformitywiththerelevantprovisionsoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandrelevantconventionsoftheInternationalLabourOrganization,especiallywithregardtominimumagesforadmissiontoemployment.156.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedattheserioussituationofchildrenwho,inviewofincreasingpovertyandmiseryaswellasofsituationsofabandonmentorviolencewithinthefamily,areforcedtoliveandworkinthestreets,evenatanearlystageoftheirlives.Forthesereasonschildrenoftenbecomevictimsofdifferentformsofexploitationandabuse.157.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithconcerntheabsenceintheNationalPlanofActionofstrategiesandtargetstosecurethecivilrightsofchildren.(e)2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations158.2 .2TheCommitteeacknowledgesthefactthat,sincetheCodeonChildrenandAdolescentsandtheNationalPlanofActionforChildrenwereadoptedonlyrecently,therehasnotbeensufficienttimetoimplementthemortoevaluatetheireffectiveness.Inthosecircumstances,theCommitteedecidestorequesttheGovernmentofPerutosubmitinformationonmeasurestakeninresponsetoconcernsexpressedandrecommendationsmadeinthepresent"concludingobservations".Itwishestoreceivethatinformationbeforetheendof1994.159.2 .2TheCommitteesuggeststhatcoordinationbetweenthevariousgovernmentalagenciesandnon-governmentalorganizationsinvolvedintheimplementationoftheConventionandthemonitoringthereofbestrengthened.160.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatinvestigationsbeconductedintocasesofextrajudicialexecutions,disappearancesandtorturewhicharecarriedoutinthecontextoftheinternalviolenceprevailinginseveralpartsofthecountry.Thoseaccusedofsuchabusesshouldbetriedand,whenfoundguilty,punished.Furthermore,specialmeasuresshouldbetakentoensurethatchildrenareprotectedagainsttheoccurrenceofsuchhumanrightsviolationsandthattheybenefitfromrecoveryandreintegrationprogrammesinanenvironmentwhichfostersthedignityandtheself-confidenceofthechild.161.2 .2Specificmeasuresshouldbeundertakentoprovideundocumentedchildrenfleeingzonesaffectedbyinternalviolencewithadequateidentitydocuments.162.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendsthattheprovisionsofDecree-LawNo.25564dealingwiththeliabilityofchildrensuspectedofbeinginvolvedinterroristactivitiesberepealedoramendedinorderforchildrenbelow18yearsofagetoenjoyfullytherightssetforthinarticles37,39and40oftheConvention.163.2 .2TheCommitteeurgestheGovernmentofPerutotakeallthenecessarystepstominimizethenegativeimpactofthestructuraladjustmentpoliciesonthesituationofchildren.Theauthoritiesshould,inthelightofarticles3and4oftheConvention,undertakeallappropriatemeasurestothemaximumextentoftheiravailableresourcestoensurethatsufficientresourcesareallocatedtochildren.Inthatregard,particularattentionshouldbepaidtotheprotectionofchildrenlivinginareasaffectedbyinternalviolence,displacedchildren,disabledchildren,childrenlivinginpovertyandchildrenlivingininstitutions.TheCommitteerecognizes,inthatregard,thatinternationalassistancewillalsobeneededtoaddressmoreeffectivelythechallengeofimprovingthesituationofthesechildren.164.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheCodeonChildrenandAdolescentsbeamendedalongthelinessuggestedbytheMinisterofLabourofPeruinMay1993,followingcommentsmadetothateffectbytheInternationalLabourOffice.165.2 .2TheCommitteeunderlinesthattheprovisionsoftheConventionshouldbewidelypublicizedamongthegeneralpublicand,inparticular,amongjudges,lawyers,teachersandmembersofotherprofessionswhoareconcernedwiththeimplementationoftheConvention.Particularlyimportantinthisregardisthetrainingoflawenforcementofficialsandthestaffincorrectionalfacilities.Inviewoftheextentofdomesticviolenceinthecountry,aspecificcampaignofeducationforpeace,toleranceandrespectforhumanrightsmayalsobeenvisaged.@ . 9.Concludingobservations:ElSalvador166.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofElSalvador(CRC/C/3/Add.9)atits85th,86thand87thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.8587),heldon27and28September1993,andadoptedatthe103rdmeeting,heldon8October1993,thefollowingconcludingobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction167.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressessatisfactionattheStateparty'searlyratificationoftheConventionandforthetimelysubmissionofitsinitialreport.TheCommitteeregrets,however,thatsubstantiveandfactualinformation,particularlyinreplytothelistofissuesthatwastransmittedtotheGovernmentofElSalvadorwellinadvanceoftheCommittee'ssession,couldnotbeprovidedintimefortheconsiderationofthereport.Inaddition,theCommitteenotesthattheGovernmentofElSalvadorhadnotincludedinthedelegationanyonedirectlyinvolvedintheimplementationoftheConventionatthenationallevel.Atthesametime,theCommitteetakesnoteofthecommitmentmadebytherepresentativeofElSalvador,onbehalfofhisGovernment,toprovideinwritingthesubstantiveinformationrequestedbytheCommittee,evenduringthepresentsession.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects168.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomesthefrankandcriticalapproachtakenbytheStatepartyinpreparingthereportand,inparticular,thereferencethereintothemaindifficultiesencounteredbytheGovernmentofElSalvadorinensuringtheimplementationoftheConvention.169.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthatpublicinstitutionshavebeenestablishedrecentlyfortheprotectionandimprovementoflivingconditionsofchildren.Legalmeasuresadoptedorenvisagedtobetterprotecttherightsofthechild,suchasthenewFamilyCodependingadoptionbyParliament,alsoappeartobeencouraginginitiatives.Inaddition,theCommitteeappreciatestheGovernment'sintentiontoratifyInternationalLabourConventionNo.138andotherinstrumentsrelatingtotheminimumageforemployment.170.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomestheaboveinitiatives,particularlyinviewofthefactthatmeasurestoprotectchildrenarenecessaryandurgentattheendofalongperiodofviolenceandinternalconflictinElSalvador,whichhascausedseveredamagetothenationaleconomyanddeeplyaffecteditssociety.IthopesthatthemeasuresenvisagedbytheGovernmentwillbeeffectivelytranslatedintoreality.(c)2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention171.2 .2TheCommitteetakesnoteofthedifficulteconomicandsocialsituationofElSalvador,compoundedbypersistentpovertyand12yearsofinternalconflictandviolence.TheGovernmentrecognizestheneedfornationaleffortstosolvemanyoftheproblemsresultingfromtheconflictandtocreateguaranteesforthefullrespectoftheprovisionsoftheConvention.TheCommitteehopesthatthedemocraticinstitutionsofthecountry,aswellasitspolicyofsocialreconciliation,willbeconsolidatedsoon.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern172.2 .2TheCommitteeregretsthattheGovernmentofElSalvadorhasnottakendueconsiderationoftheprovisionsofarticle4oftheConventionandthatrestrictionsinthenationalbudgetaffectingsocialprogrammeshavebeendetrimentaltotheprotectionoftherightsofchildren.173.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotesthelackofcoordinationbetweenpublicandprivatebodiesandorganizationsdealingwiththerightsofthechild.174.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesconcernattheconceptofchildrenin"irregularsituations"inSalvadorianlaw.Clarificationisneededwithregardtothecriteriausedtodefinethisconcept,aswellasthepossibleapplicabilityofpenallawtosuchchildren.175.2 .2Inaddition,theCommitteefeelsthatthereisaneedtoconsiderseriouslyquestionsrelatingtothelegaldefinitionofthechild,inparticulartheminimumageformarriage,employment,militaryserviceandtestimonybeforeacourt.Itappearsthattheseprovisionsdonotsufficientlytakeintoconsiderationtheprinciplesofthebestinterestofthechildandnon-discrimination.176.2 .2TheCommitteeisalarmedatthelargenumberofchildrenwhohavebeenabandoned,displacedorhavebecomeorphansasaresultofthearmedconflict,aswellasthosewho,inordertosurvive,areforcedtoliveandworkinthestreet.177.2 .2TheCommitteeisalsopreoccupiedbythewidespreaddiscriminatoryattitudestowardsgirlsanddisabledchildren,aswellasbytheexistenceonalargescaleofchildabuseandviolencewithinthefamily.178.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithconcernthelackoftrainingofprofessionalgroupsworkingwithandforchildren.&  (e)2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations179.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatinaccordancewitharticle44,paragraph4,'  oftheConventionandrule69ofitsprovisionalrulesofprocedure,additionalinformationberequestedfromtheGovernmentofElSalvadorinordertorespondtothequestionsandconcernsexpressedbytheCommitteeduringitsconsiderationoftheinitialreport.Suchinformationshouldbesubmittedbytheendof1994.TheCommitteealsosuggeststhatElSalvadorsubmitits"coredocument"(seeHRI/1991/1)asreferredtoinparagraph5oftheCommittee'sadoptedguidelinesconcerningtheinitialpartofStatepartyreportstobesubmittedunderthevariousinternationalhumanrightsinstruments(CRC/C/5).180.2 .2TheCommitteewouldalsoliketoreceiveinformationwithregardtotheactualimplementationofthelegislationandtheimpactoftheactionplannedbytheGovernmenttoimproverespectfortherightsofchildren.TheGovernmentshouldprovide,inparticular,clarificationonthestatusoftheConventioninthedomesticlegislationofElSalvadorandthepossibilityofinvokingtheprovisionsoftheConventiondirectlyincourt.181.2 .2Inrelationtotheadverseimpactoftheinternalconflictonchildrenwholiveinexceptionallydifficultsituations,theCommitteewishestoreceivepreciseinformationwithregardtorehabilitationprogrammesforaffectedchildrenandtheprogressofsuchprogrammes,aswellasstatisticaldatawithregardtodisplacedchildrenwithinthecountry.182.2 .2TheCommitteeisalsointerestedinbeinginformedaboutthedistributionofchildcareservicesinruralandurbanareasandthetrainingofrelevantpersonnel.183.2 .2Strategiesandeducationalprogrammesalongwiththeadequatedisseminationofinformationshouldbeundertakeninordertocountercertainprejudiceswhichaffectchildrennegatively,suchasgender-baseddiscrimination(knownasmachismo)anddiscriminationagainstdisabledchildren(especiallyinruralareas),andtoenhancetheparticipationofchildren,inparticularwithinthefamily.184.2 .2InthelightofthediscussionsandtakingintoaccountthesituationofchildreninElSalvador,theCommitteerecommendsthaturgentmeasuresbeadoptedfortheprotectionofchildrenbelongingtovulnerablegroups,inparticulardisplacedandrefugeechildren,disabledandhomelesschildren,aswellaschildrensubjecttoabuseorviolencewithinthefamily.Suchmeasuresshouldencompasssocialassistanceandrehabilitationprogrammesorientedtowardsthosegroupsofchildrenandbeundertaken,withthecooperationandsupportoftherelevantUnitedNationsagenciesandinternationalorganizations,inthespiritofarticle45(b)oftheConvention.@ . 10.Concludingobservations:Sudan185.2 .2TheadditionalinformationsubmittedbytheStatepartyinresponsetotherequestbytheCommittee(seepara.113above)iscontainedindocumentCRC/C/3/Add.20.TheCommittee,havingcontinueditsconsiderationoftheinitialreportoftheSudanandhavingexaminedtheadditionalinformationatits89thand90thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.89-90),heldon29September1993,adoptedatthe103rdmeeting,heldon8October1993,thefollowingconcludingobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction186.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomesthecontinuationofthedialoguewiththerepresentativeoftheGovernmentoftheSudan.ItnotestheeffortsundertakenthusfarbytheGovernmenttofollowupontheconcernsraisedpreviouslybytheCommitteeasregardstheseriousnessofthesituationofchildreninthatcountry.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects187.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthewillingnessshownbytheGovernmentoftheSudantotakeintoaccounttherecommendationsmadebytheCommitteewithaviewtoreviewingexistinglegislationinordertobringitintoconformitywiththeConvention.Inthisregard,theCommitteewelcomestheStateparty'sdecisiontoestablishacommitteetoreviewnationallawspertainingtochildrenandthatitspreliminaryobservationintheareaoftheabolitionofthepunishmentofflogging(seepara.119above)hasbeentakenintoaccountbythereviewingcommittee.188.2 .2Additionally,theCommitteenoteswithsatisfactiontheinitialstepstakenbytheStatepartytodevelopmonitoringandfollow-upmechanismsfortheimplementationoftheConvention.189.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomesthepositivestepstakenrecentlybytheGovernmenttoimproveitscooperationwithinternationalintergovernmentalandnon-governmentalorganizations.TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactiontherecentagreementsconcludedbetweenthepartiesconcernedwithaviewtoimprovingtheprovisionofhumanitarianassistance.190.2 .2TheCommitteeacknowledgesthecontributionmadebytheSudanesepeopleinacceptingandofferingrefugetopersons,includingchildren,comingfromneighbouringcountries.(c)2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention191.2 .2TheCommitteerecognizesthatnaturalandman-madedisastershavehadanegativeimpactoneffortsbytheStatepartytoensurefullimplementationoftheConvention.Inthisregard,theCommitteenotestheproblemscausedbycivilwarinthesouthoftheSudanandthatthedifferentgroupsinvolvedinthisconflicthaveoftendisregardedthebestinterestsofthechild.192.2 .2TheCommitteetakesnoteoftheseriousnessoftheeconomicsituationfacingtheSudanandthedebilitatingeffectthishashadonthesituationofchildren.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern193.2 .2TheCommitteeconsidersthatseveraloftheconcernsitraisedpreviouslywithregardtotheimplementationoftheConventionintheStateparty(seeCRC/C/15/Add.6)stillremaintobeaddressedeffectively.Inthisregard,theCommitteeemphasizesthatitremainsverymuchconcernedaboutthenon-compatibilityofSudaneselegislationrelatingtotherightsofthechildwiththeprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention.194.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedatthelackoftrainingontherightsofthechildgiventopersonnelworkingwithchildren.195.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsdeepconcernattheinsufficientattentionpaidtotheimplementationofthegeneralprinciplesoftheConvention,namelyitsarticles2,3,6and12andtheirrelationshiptotheimplementationofallthearticlesintheConvention,includingthoserelatingtothecivilandpoliticalrightsofchildren.196.2 .2TheCommitteenotestheseriousnessofthegeneralhealthconditionsprevailingintheSudanandtheirdetrimentaleffectonchildren.Itexpressesitsseriousconcernatthecontinuanceoftraditionalpracticesharmfultothehealthofwomenandchildren,particularlythepracticeoffemalegenitalmutilation.Inaddition,theCommitteedrawsattentiontotheplightofdisabledchildren,inviewoftheirparticularvulnerability,andtheneedforeffectivemeasurestoimprovetheirsituation.197.2 .2TheCommitteecontinuestobeseriouslyalarmedattheeffectsofemergencysituationsonchildren,aswellasattheproblemsfacedbyhomelessandinternallydisplacedchildren.ReportsontheforcedlabourandslaveryofchildrengivecausefortheCommittee'sdeepestconcern.198.2 .2TheCommitteeisoftheopinionthatthesystemofadministrationofjuvenilejusticeintheSudanisnotfullycompatiblewitharticles37,39and40oftheConventionandotherrelevantUnitedNationsstandards.(e)2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations199.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragesthedevelopmentofmechanismstomonitorandfollowuptheimplementationoftheConvention.200.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesthehopethatthereviewofchild-relatedlawswillresultinthetotalabolitionofflogging.201.TheCommitteerecommendsthatthereviewofnationallegislationcontinuestotakeintoaccountconcernsexpressedbytheCommitteewithregardtothedefinitionofthechildandtheageofcriminalresponsibility.Inaddition,theCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyconsiderintroducingenforcementmeasurestoensurethatofficialsresponsiblefortheimplementationoftheConventionfulfiltheirdutieseffectively.202.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendsthattrainingaboutchildrightsshouldbeprovidedtorelevantprofessionalgroupssuchasjudges,teachersandsocialworkers.203.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragestheGovernmenttocontinueitscooperationwithintergovernmentalandnon-governmentalorganizationswithaviewtoimprovingtheeffectivenessofmeasurestoalleviatethesufferingofchildren.204.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatthegeneralprinciplesoftheConventionasexpressedinitsarticles2,3,6and12guidethereviewofnationallegislationandthedevelopmentofpoliciesandstrategiesforensuringtheeffectiveenjoymentbychildrenofalltheirrights.205.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendsthatfurthereffortsbeundertakentoraiseawarenessinordertoeradicatetraditionalpracticesharmfultothehealthofwomenandchildren.TheCommitteesuggeststhattheGovernmentandreligiousandcommunityleaderstakeanactiveroleinsupportingeffortstoeliminatethepracticeoffemalegenitalmutilation.206.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherrecommendsthatattentionbegiventoextendingtheprovisionofprimaryhealthcareandprimaryeducationinordertoimprovethegeneralhealthandnutritionalandeducationalstatusofchildren.Inaddition,theCommitteerecommendsthatfuturedevelopmentplansshouldaccordprioritytothesituationofdisabledchildren.207.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizestheneedforfurtherurgenteffortstoimprovetheprotectionandpromotionoftherightsofinternallydisplacedchildren.208.2 .2TheCommitteealsoemphasizestheneedtopayurgentanddueregardtothereportsofforcedlabourandslaveryofchildren.TheCommitteebelievesthatinternationalcooperation,particularlytechnicalassistanceandadvice,couldbeusedtothatend.209.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatthesystemofadministrationofjuvenilejusticebereviewedinordertoensureitscompatibilitywitharticles37,39and40oftheConventionandotherrelevantUnitedNationsstandards.210.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesthehopethatimprovementsintheimplementationoftheConventionwillbeforthcomingandappreciatesthewillingnessoftheStatepartytokeepitregularlyinformedofrelevantdevelopments.@ . 11.Concludingobservations:CostaRica211.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofCostaRica(CRC/C/3/Add.8)atits91st,92ndand93rdmeetings(CRC/C/SR.91-93),heldon30Septemberand1October1993,andadoptedatthe103rdmeeting,heldon8October1993,thefollowingconcludingobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction212.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactiontheearlyratificationoftheConventionandthetimelysubmissionoftheinitialreportofCostaRica.Inparticular,theCommitteeappreciatesthecomprehensivenessofthereport,whichcontainsself-criticismanddefinesareasforpriorityaction.TheCommittee,however,noteswithregretthelackofinformationrelatingtospecialprotectionmeasures,withparticularreferencetothesystemofadministrationofjuvenilejustice.213.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtothedelegationwhichpresentedthereportforprovidinghelpfuladditionalinformationandforfacilitatinganopenandconstructivedialogue.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects214.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomesthecommitmentshownbytheGovernmentofCostaRicainundertakingitsobligationsundertheConvention.ThatcommitmentisreflectedintheeffortsoftheGovernmenttoestablishimplementationmechanisms,toevaluatetheexistingsituationandtoidentifyfactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention.Inparticular,theCommitteewelcomestheestablishmentofspecialentitiesaimedatcoordinatingpoliciesandactivitiesforchildren.ThisshouldhopefullyfacilitatethecollectionofrelevantdataandpotentiallyfosteramoreintegratedanddynamicapproachtotheimplementationoftheConvention.215.2 .2TheCommitteealsonoteswithsatisfactioneffortstocreategreaterpublicawarenessoftheConvention;theimportanceattachedtochildren'srightsadvocacyandtrainingforprofessionalgroupsworkingwithchildren;andeffortstoeducatechildrenwithrespecttotheConventionandencouragetheirparticipationintheimplementationprocess.&  (c)2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention'  216.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthatowingtoeconomicfactors,includingpressuresresultingfromexternaldebt,therehasbeenarestructuringoftheGovernment'sbudgetwiththeresultthatfewerresourceshavebeenavailableforsocialwelfareprogrammes.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern217.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernatthefactthatlegislationrelevanttotheapplicationoftheConventionisnotonlydispersed,butsometimescontradictory.Similarly,therearemanyprogrammesfocusedonspecificareasoftheConventionthatarenotyetcoordinated.Thisinadequatelegalharmonizationandpolicycoordinationhasresultedinalimitedcapacitytoenforceexistingmeasures.218.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernattheimpactofeconomicadjustmentpolicies.Inparticular,theCommitteenotesthat,withthecutsinallocationsinthesocialsector,thebasicwelfareofthechildrenwhoaremostvulnerable,suchasabandonedchildren,childrenlivinginextremepovertyandchildrenofdisadvantagedgroups,maynotbeadequatelyprotected.Asaconsequence,manyofCostaRica'spastachievementsintheareasofhealth,education,welfareandsocialstabilitywouldappeartobeseriouslythreatened.219.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthattherehavebeenalarmingtendenciesinrecentyearsofincreasingproblemsconcerningvulnerablechildren,suchasdiscriminationagainstthegirlchildandsexualabuse,includingincest,andotherformsofviolenceperpetratedagainstchildren.Inthisconnection,theCommitteenotesthattherehasnotalwaysbeenadequateenforcementofexistinglegislationnorhavepubliceducationactivitiesbeensufficientlyfocusedonthoseproblems.220.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthehighnumberofdomesticandinternationaladoptionsofCostaRicanchildren.Italsonotesthehighnumberofteenagepregnanciesasaresultofearlysexualactivity,whichissymptomaticofunderlyingsocialproblems.(e)2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations221.2 .2InordertoapplymoreeffectivelyalloftheprovisionsoftheConvention,theCommitteerecommendsthatlawsandregulationsconcerningtherightsofthechildbeharmonized.222.2 .2InformationandstatisticaldatatobeusedforevaluatingprogressinimplementingtheConventionshouldbestandardizedandcompiledsystematically.223.2 .2Withrespecttoeconomicadjustmentpolicies,theCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmentundertakeathoroughreviewoftheimpactofthesepolicieswithaviewtoidentifyingwaystoensureadequateprotectionforchildren,inparticularthedisadvantagedandvulnerableones,inthelightofarticles2,3and4oftheConvention.Necessarysupportshouldbegiventostrengthenthefamilyenvironmentforsuchchildren.224.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizesthatthebestinterestsofthechildmustbetheguidingprincipleintheapplicationoftheConvention,especiallywithregardtolabourlegislationandadoption.Intheframeworkoftheadoptionprocess,dueconsiderationshouldbegiventotheprovisionsofarticle12asregardsrespectfortheviewsofthechild.225.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatmeasuresshouldbetakeninconformitywiththeUnitedNationsGuidelinesforthePreventionofJuvenileDelinquency(TheRiyadhGuidelines)andthatactioninthisregardshouldbefocusedespeciallyatthecommunityandfamilylevels.Inthisconnection,theCommitteealsoemphasizesthenecessityofensuringadequatetrainingforlawenforcementofficials,socialworkersandotherprofessionalswhoworkwithvulnerablechildrenandyouthatrisk.Acomprehensivesystemfortheadministrationofjuvenilejusticeshouldbedevelopedinaccordancewitharticles39and40oftheConventionandthesafeguardsrequiredundertheConventionconcerningchildreninconflictwiththelawshouldbeassured.226.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragestheGovernmenttointensifyitsinformationandadvocacycampaignsatthecommunityandfamilylevels.TheCommitteethereforesuggeststhateffortsshouldbemadetowideneducationalcampaignstofocusongenderdiscriminationandtheroleofparents,particularlywithrespecttothepreventionofviolenceandabuseinthefamilyandtheproblemsassociatedwithearlymarriageandearlypregnancy.̀12.Preliminaryobservations:Rwanda227.2 .2TheCommitteebeganconsiderationoftheinitialreportofRwanda(CRC/C/8/Add.1)atits97thand98thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.97-98),heldon5October1993,andadoptedatthe103rdmeeting,heldon8October1993thefollowingpreliminaryobservations.228.2 .2TheCommitteeappreciatesthewillingnessoftheGovernmentofRwandatopresentareporttotheCommitteeandtoengageinadialoguewithit,especiallyinviewoftheseriousdifficultiesfacedbytheStatepartyinrecentyears.TheCommittee,havingconsideredtheinformationcontainedintheinitialreportandtheoralrepliestothequestionsraised,decidestorecommendtotheStatepartythatitprepareanewandmorecomprehensiveinitialreport,inaccordancewiththeCommittee'sguidelinesonreporting(CRC/C/5)andthecomprehensivelistofissuespreviouslytransmittedtotheStateparty.TheCommitteealsosuggeststhatthenewreportshouldtakeintoaccountthepointsraisedduringitsdialoguewiththedelegation.229.2 .2TheCommitteewishestodrawattentiontotheprovisionsofarticle45(b)oftheConventionrelatingtotechnicaladviceandassistanceinthecontextofthepreparationofthereportbytheStateparty.230.2 .2TheCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyconsiderestablishinganationalcoordinatingcommitteeorsimilarmechanismcomposedofmembersofdifferentministriesandbodiesdealingwithmattersrelatingtotheimplementationoftherightsofthechild,includingbudgetaryresources,whichcouldalsoassistinthepreparationofthereport.231.2 .2InviewofrecentdevelopmentsinRwanda,theCommitteewouldwelcomethepreparationofthenewreportinthelightofthechangingrealities.TheCommitteeconsidersthatsuchareportwouldpermitittoengageinamoreconstructiveandfruitfuldialoguewiththeStatepartyandrequeststhatthereportbesubmittedtoitwithinoneyearwithaviewtotheresumptionoftheCommittee'sdialoguewithrepresentativesoftheStateparty.&  @ . 13.Concludingobservations:Mexico'  232.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofMexico(CRC/C/3/Add.11)atits106thand107thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.106107),heldon11January1994,andadoptedatthe130thmeeting,heldon28January1994,thefollowingconcludingobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction233.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactiontheearlyratificationoftheConventionandthetimelysubmissionoftheinitialreportofMexico.Inparticular,theCommitteeappreciatesthecomprehensivenessofthereport,whichcontainsdetailedinformationonthelegalframeworkwithinwhichtheConventionisimplemented.TheCommittee,however,noteswithregretthelackofinformationonthefactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationofthevariousrightsrecognizedintheConvention,aswellastheinsufficiencyofinformationontheconcreteeffectsofmeasuresadopted.234.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomesthewritteninformationprovidedbytheGovernmentinreplytothequestionssetoutinthelistofissues(CRC/C/4/WP.3),whichwerecommunicatedtoitbeforethesession.Furthermore,thesupplementaryinformationprovidedbythedelegationanditsknowledgeofmattersconnectedwiththeConventionmadeitpossibletoengageinanopenandconstructivedialogue.TheCommitteealsonoteswithappreciationthefactthatrepliestoanumberofquestionsraisedduringthedialogueweresentinwritingtotheCommitteeshortlyaftertheconsiderationofthereport.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects235.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomestheeffortsmadebytheStatepartyinbringingdomesticlawintolinewiththeConvention,throughtheenactmentofnewlaws,theamendmentoftheConstitutionandtheadoptionofprogrammesspecificallyaimedatpromotingandprotectingtherightsofthechild.Amongtheseachievementswastheadoption,followingtheWorldSummitforChildrenin1990,oftheNationalProgrammeofAction,whichfocusedontheareasofhealth,education,basicsanitationandassistancetominorsinespeciallydifficultcircumstancesaswellastheperiodicalevaluationoftheNationalProgrammeofAction.OtherwelcomedevelopmentsaretheadoptionoftheLawontheTreatmentofJuvenileOffendersandtheincorporationintheConstitutionoftherightofeveryonetoeducationthroughtheamendmentofitsarticles3and31.TheCommitteealsonoteswithinterestthevariousactivitiesundertakenbytheNationalHumanRightsCommissioninthefieldofchildren'srightsaswellastheadoptionoftheNationalDevelopmentPlanandtheSolidarityProgrammeaimedatsolvingtheseriouseconomicandsocialproblemsencounteredbythecountry.236.2 .2TheCommitteealsonoteswithsatisfactiontheseriouseffortsundertakentoinformchildrenwithrespecttotheConventionandtoencouragetheirparticipationintheimplementationprocessthroughvariousinnovativemeans.(c)2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention237.2 .2TheCommitteetakesnoteoftheexistingdisparitiesinthecountryandthedifficulteconomicandsocialsituationofMexico,characterizedbyahighlevelofforeigndebt,theinadequacyofbudgetaryresourcesearmarkedforessentialsocialservicesbenefitingchildrenandtheunequaldistributionofthenationalwealth.Thesedifficultiesseverelyaffectchildren,particularlythoselivinginpovertyandchildrenbelongingtominoritygroupsorindigenouscommunities.TheCommitteealsonotesthatthehighlevelofviolenceinthesocietyandwithinthefamilyandtherecentpoliticalviolenceconnectedwiththeuprisingintheStateofChiapashaveaconsiderablenegativeimpactonthesituationofchildreninMexico.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern238.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernatthefactthatlawsandregulationsrelevanttotheenforcementoftherightsofthechildarenotalwayscompatiblewiththeprovisionsoftheConvention.Itregretsthatthereisnoprovisioninthenationallegislationrelatingtothebestinterestsofthechildortheprohibitionofdiscriminationagainstchildren.MerereferenceinthereporttotheConventionasbeingthe"SupremeLawoftheLand",pursuanttoarticle133oftheConstitution,shouldnotprecludetheGovernmentfromtakingthenecessarystepstofullyharmonizenationallegislationwiththeprovisionsoftheConvention,namelyinthelightofarticle4oftheConvention.Similarly,theNationalProgrammeofActionadoptedin1990anditsenforcementmachinery,basedonthetargetsidentifiedbytheWorldSummitforChildren,donotfullytakeintoaccounttheparticularitiesoftheConvention.Furthermore,similarlytotheNationalProgrammeofActionadoptedin1990anditsenforcementmachinerybasedonthetargetsidentifiedbytheWorldSummitforChildren,amonitoringmechanismshouldbeestablishedtofollowtheimplementationoftheConvention.239.2 .2Thenationallegislationandpracticeshouldtakeintofullconsideration,inthelightofarticle5oftheConvention,thecapacityofthechildtoexercisehisorherrights,namely,inthefieldofcitizenship.240.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernattheunequaldistributionofthenationalwealthinthecountryandthedisparitiesanddiscrepanciesintheenforcementoftherightsprovidedforundertheConventionbetweenthedifferentregionsofthecountry,tothedetrimentofruralchildrenandchildrenbelongingtominoritiesorindigenouscommunities.241.2 .2TheCommitteeistroubledbythegreatnumberofcomplaintsofill-treatmentofchildrenattributedtothepoliceandsecurityormilitarypersonnelandisdisturbedbythefailuretotakeeffectivestepstopunishthosefoundguiltyofsuchviolationsortomakepubliceventualpunishments;thismayleadtoafeelingonthepartofthepopulationthatimpunityprevailsandthatitisthereforeuselessordangeroustobringcomplaintsbeforethecompetentauthorities.TheCommitteeisalsopreoccupiedbytheexistenceonalargescaleofchildabuseandviolencewithinthefamily.242.2 .2TheCommitteeisworriedatthelackofimplementation,inpractice,oftheprovisionsoftheConventionanddomesticlegislationrelatingtotheadministrationofjuvenilejusticeandthetreatmentofyoungoffenders.243.2 .2TheCommitteeisalarmedatthelargenumberofchildrenwhohavebeenforced,inordertosurvive,toliveand/orworkinthestreets.Theexploitationofchildrenasmigrantworkersisalsoofdeepconcern.DomesticlawanditsapplicationinpracticedonotappeartobeinconformitywiththeprovisionsoftheConventionandrelevantconventionsoftheInternationalLabourOrganizationrelatingtotheemploymentofminors.244.2 .2Alargepercentageofchildrenlivingindifficultcircumstances,inparticularchildrenbelongingtominoritiesorindigenouscommunities,appeartohaveleftschoolwithouthavingbeenabletocompletetheirprimaryeducation.245.2 .2TheCommitteealsonoteswithconcernthehighnumberofinternationaladoptionsofMexicanchildren.(e)2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations246.2 .2TheGovernmentmusttakeallnecessarysteps,inallareas,toensuretherespectandactualimplementationoftheprovisionscontainedinnationallegislationrelatingtotherightsofthechild.Furthermore,theCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartytakenecessarystepstofullyharmonizefederalandStatelegislationwiththeprovisionsoftheConvention.Principlesrelatingtothebestinterestsofthechildandtheprohibitionofdiscriminationinrelationtochildrenshouldbeincorporatedintodomesticlaw,anditshouldbepossibletoinvokethembeforethecourts.Relevantmechanismsshouldalsobesetup,paralleltothosederivingfromtheNationalProgrammeofAction,tomonitortheimplementationoftheConventionatthefederal,stateandlocallevels.Coordinationbetweenthevariouslevelsoftheadministration,aswellascooperationwithnon-governmentalorganizationsinvolvedintheimplementationoftheConventionandthemonitoringthereof,shouldbestrengthened.247.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizesthatthebestinterestsofthechildmustbeaguidingprincipleintheapplicationoftheConventionandthattheauthoritiesshouldundertakeallappropriatemeasurestothemaximumextentoftheiravailableresourcestoensurethatsufficientresourcesareallocatedtochildren,particularlychildrenlivingand/orworkinginthestreets,childrenbelongingtominoritygroupsorindigenouscommunitiesandothervulnerablechildren.248.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyshouldintensifyitsactionagainstallviolenceresultingincasesofill-treatmentofchildren,inparticularwhencommittedbymembersofthepoliceforceandsecurityservicesandthemilitary.TheStatepartyshouldensurethatcasesofcrimescommittedagainstchildrenbymembersofthearmedforcesorthepolicearetriedbeforeciviliancourts.249.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthaturgentmeasuresbeadoptedtocombatdiscriminationagainstchildrenbelongingtothemostvulnerablegroups,inparticularchildrensubjecttoabuseorviolencewithinthefamily,childrenlivingand/orworkinginthestreetsandchildrenbelongingtoindigenouscommunities,includingmeasurestoeliminateandpreventdiscriminatoryattitudesandprejudicessuchasthosebasedongender.Intheframeworkoftheadoptionprocess,dueconsiderationshouldbegiventotheprovisionsofarticle12oftheConvention.Furthermore,intercountryadoptionshouldbeconsideredinthelightofarticle21,namely,asameasureoflastresort.250.2 .2Finally,theCommitteerecommendsthattheprovisionsoftheConventionshouldbewidelypublicizedamongthegeneralpublicand,inparticular,amongteachers,socialworkers,lawenforcementofficials,thestaffincorrectionalfacilities,judgesandmembersofotherprofessionswhoareconcernedwiththeimplementationoftheConvention.TheCommitteefurtherrecommendsthat,inthelightofarticle44,paragraph6,oftheConvention,thereportsubmittedbytheGovernmentbemadewidelyavailabletothepublicatlarge,includingnon-governmentalorganizations,andthatthepublicationofthereportbeconsidered,alongwiththerelevantsummaryrecordsandtheconcludingobservationsthereonadoptedbytheCommittee.@ . 14.Concludingobservations:Namibia251.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofNamibia(CRC/C/3/Add.12)atits109thand110thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.109-110),heldon13January1994,andadoptedatits130thmeeting,heldon28January1994,thefollowingobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction252.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomestheratificationoftheConventionbytheGovernmentofNamibia.TheCommitteealsowishestoexpressitsappreciationtotheStatepartyfortheparticularlydetailedandcomprehensivereportpreparedandforthefrankandconstructivedialoguewiththedelegation.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects253.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomesthepoliticalcommitmentwithinthecountrytoimprovethesituationofchildren.TheCommitteealsowishestoexpressitsappreciationasregardstheGovernment'swillingnesstobeself-criticalandtosearchforcreativeandinnovativeapproachestoaddresstheproblemsfacingchildreninsociety.TheCommitteetakesparticularnoteofthefollowinginitiatives:theactivitiesundertakentopromotegreaterpublicawarenessoftherightsofthechild,includingamongchildrenthemselves;theencouragementofcooperationwiththelocal,nationalandinternationalcommunitiesineffortstopromoteandprotecttherightsofthechild;theEarlyChildhoodProtectionandDevelopmentProgramme;the"streetchildren"programme;theDisciplinefromWithinProgrammeintheschools;andthedevelopmentofYouthCouncils.Withregardtothelasttwoprogrammes,theCommitteeunderlinestheirimportanceinrespectofthepossiblemeasurestobetakentomakearealityofvariousprovisionsoftheConvention,particularlyitsarticle12.254.2 .2TheCommitteealsonoteswithinterestthesuggestionthatmorevocationalschoolsbeestablishedtotrytoreducethelevelofschooldrop-outs.(c)2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention255.2 .2TheCommitteetakesnotethatNamibiabecameanindependentStatein1990havingsufferedtheconsequencesofcolonialadministration,apartheidandwar.TheCommitteerecognizesthatthesefactors,combinedwiththeproblemsofpoverty,havehadaconstraininginfluenceontheimplementationoftheprovisionsoftheConvention.Inparticular,theCommitteedrawsattentiontothelegacyoflawsfromthepre-independenceperiodthatarecontrarytotheprovisionsofinternationalinstrumentsandtheNamibianConstitution.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern256.2 .2TheCommitteeobservesthatNamibiaisnotyetaStatepartytoallthemajorinternationalhumanrightsinstrumentsandisconcernedthatthereformofmuchnationallegislationremainstobeundertakentobringitintoconformitywiththeprovisionsoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.Inthisconnection,theCommitteenotesthecontradictionstobefoundinnationallegislationwithrespecttothedefinitionofthechild.257.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedattheextentofdiscriminationonthegroundofgenderaswellasagainstchildrenbornoutofwedlockandchildreninespeciallydifficultcircumstances.Italsoexpressesconcernatthediscriminationpractisedagainstchildrenwithdisabilities.258.2 .2Certainphenomenathatmayhaveapossiblenegativeimpactorconsequenceonthesituationofchildren,suchasteenagepregnancies,thehighincidenceofhouseholdsheadedbyasinglepersonandtheapparentlackofwidespreadunderstandingamongparentsoftheirjointparentalresponsibilities,areofconcerntotheCommittee.259.2 .2TheCommitteealsotakesnoteoftheproblemsinvolvedwithimprovingthequalityofeducation.260.2 .2Equally,theCommitteeisconcernedatthesituationofchildreninespeciallydifficultcircumstances,includingtheincidenceofchildlabour,particularlyonfarmsandintheinformalsector,andthenumberofchildrendroppingoutofschool.261.2 .2AsregardsthesystemofjuvenilejusticeinplaceinNamibia,theCommitteeisconcernedastoitsconformitywiththeConventionontheRightsoftheChild,namelyitsarticles37and40,aswellaswithrelevantinternationalinstrumentssuchastheBeijingRules,theRiyadhGuidelinesandtheUnitedNationsRulesfortheProtectionofJuvenilesDeprivedoftheirLiberty.(e)2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations262.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatconsiderationbegiventothepossibilityofNamibiabecomingapartytoallthemajorinternationalhumanrightsinstruments,andsuggeststhattheStatepartymaywishtorequestassistancefromtheUnitedNationsCentreforHumanRightsinthisregard.263.2 .2Equally,theCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyfullyintegratetheConventionontheRightsoftheChildintothenationallegalframeworkandintonationalplansofactionfortheimplementationoftherightsofthechild.Moreover,theCommitteerecommendstheearlyadoptionofanewChildren'sActthatwilltakefullyintoaccounttheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandobservationsmadebytheCommitteeduringitsdialoguewiththeStateparty.264.2 .2WhilenotingwithsatisfactiontheestablishmentofanOmbudsman'sOfficewhichhasamandatetodealwithcomplaintsofhumanrightsviolations,includingthoserelatingtochildren,theCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyevaluatetheworkofthepresentOmbudsman'sOfficetoprotecttherightsofthechildwithaviewtodeterminingwhetheranyfurthermeasureswouldberequiredtosupporttheOfficeinitsendeavourstocontributetotheimplementationoftherightsofthechild.265.2 .2TheCommitteenotestheimportantrolebeingplayedbycommunityleadersineffortstoimprovetheimplementationoftherightsofthechild,particularlyinordertoovercomethenegativeinfluencesofcertaintraditionsandcustomswhichmaycontributetodiscriminationagainstthegirlchild,childrensufferingfromdisabilitiesandchildrenbornoutofwedlock.TheCommitteealsoencouragestheStatepartytocontinuetofullyinvolvecivilsocietyandnon-governmentalorganizationsinactivitiestopromoteandprotecttherightsofthechild.266.2 .2Concerningtheimplementationoftherightsofchildrentoparticipateandexpresstheirviews,theCommitteeisinterestedinreceivingmoreinformationintheStateparty'snextreportonthefunctioningoftheYouthandSchoolCouncilsandontheirinvolvementinanyinitiativestoaddressproblemsfacingchildrenandyouth.267.2 .2TheCommitteenotestheclearrecognitionbytheStatpartyoftheproblemsfacingchildreninthefamilysituationandtheneedtodevelopprogrammes,suchasthetrainingofsocialworkers,educationinfamilyplanningandtheestablishmentofanalcoholanddrugabusecentre,toaddresstheseproblems.Italsosuggeststhatresearchbeundertakenontheissueofsexualabusewithinthefamilycontext.268.2 .2Withregardtoeducationalmatters,theCommitteeencouragesthedevelopmentoftheinitiativetoprovidemoretrainingtoschoolteachersasameanstoimprovethequalityofeducationandprovideanopportunitytoraiseawarenesswithinthisprofessionoftherightsofthechild.269.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatthestudyonmarginalizedgroupsofchildrenbeundertakenasamatterofpriority.270.2 .2TheCommitteeisoftheopinionthatthesystemoftheadministrationofjuvenilejusticeintheStatepartymustbeguidedbytheprovisionsofarticles37and40oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildaswellasrelevantinternationalstandardsinthisfield,includingtheBeijingRules,theRiyadhGuidelinesandtheUnitedNationsRulesfortheProtectionofJuvenilesDeprivedoftheirLiberty.Moreover,itissuggestedthatmeasuresbetakentotrainlawenforcementofficials,judges,personnelworkingindetentioncentresandcounsellorsofyoungoffendersaboutinternationalstandardsfortheadministrationofjuvenilejustice.TheCommitteeunderlinestheneedfortechnicalassistanceprogrammesinthelightoftheserecommendationsandencouragestheStatepartytocontinueitscooperationwiththeCentreforHumanRights,theCrimePreventionandCriminalJusticeBranchoftheUnitedNationsSecretariatandUNICEFinthisregard.271.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendsthattheStatepartyensurethatitspolicyandlegislationontheissueofchildlabourisinconformitywiththeprovisionsoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandrelevantILOconventions.272.2 .2Furthermore,theCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyundertakemeasuresandprogrammestoeducatethegeneralpubliconparentalresponsibilitiesandtoconsiderthepossibilityofprovidingcounsellinginthisregard.Inaddition,theCommitteerecommendsthattheStateparty,initseffortstofurtherdisseminateawarenessoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,makewidelyavailable,byappropriatemeans,theStatepartyreport,thesummaryrecordsandtheconcludingobservationsoftheCommittee.&  @ . 15.Preliminaryobservations:Colombia273.2 .2TheCommitteebeganconsiderationoftheinitialreportofColombia'  (CRC/C/8/Add.3)atits113th,114thand115thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.113-115),heldon17and18January1994.InviewofthefactthatitwasnotpossibleduringthesessiontofullyclarifyanumberofseriousconcernsabouttheimplementationoftheConvention,theCommitteedecidedtocontinueconsiderationoftheinitialreportofColombiaatafuturesessionandadoptedatthe130thmeeting,heldon28January1994,thefollowingpreliminaryobservations.Inthisconnection,theCommitteerequeststheStatepartytoprovideitwithwrittenanswerstothequestionssetoutinthelistofissues(CRC/C.5/WP.2)whichhadbeenformallytransmittedtotheStateparty.Equally,theCommitteerequeststheStatepartytoprovideitwithadditionalinformationonparticularareasofconcernidentifiedbytheCommittee,assetoutinsection(d)below.TheCommitteerecommendsthattheinformationrequestedbesubmittedby28February1994.(a)2 .2Introduction274.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheStatepartyforthesubmissionofitsinitialreportandtakesnoteoftheinformationcontainedinthereport,particularlywithregardtothestepstakentoprovidealegislativeframeworkfortheimplementationoftheConvention.TheCommitteeregardsitspreliminarydialoguewiththeStatepartytohavebeenfruitfulandasonewhichwasundertakeninacooperativespirit.TheCommittee,however,regretsthatitwasnotgivensufficientinformationregardingtheactualsituationofchildreninColombiaoronspecificmeasuresbeingtakenatpresenttoprotectvulnerablegroupsatgraverisk.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects275.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomesthemajorlegislativeinitiativesadoptedwithaviewtoprovidingalegalframeworkfortheimplementationoftheConvention,namelytheadoptionoftheMinors'CodeandthereferencestotherightsofthechildcontainedintherevisedConstitution.TheCommitteealsowelcomesthestepstakenbytheGovernmenttowardscreatingspecialmechanismsfortheimplementationoftheConvention,suchastheInter-AgencyCommitteefortheDefence,ProtectionandPromotionoftheHumanRightsofChildrenandYoungPeopleandtheOfficeofthePresident'sProgrammeforYouth,WomenandtheFamily.TheCommitteealsowelcomesinthisconnectiontheeffortsmadetofacilitatetheparticipationofnon-governmentalorganizationsintheimplementationprocess.276.2 .2TheCommitteenotestheprogresswhichhasbeenmadeoverthelast10yearsinloweringtheinfantmortalityrate.TheCommitteealsowelcomestheformulationbytheStatepartyofaNationalPlanofActionandthesettingofconcretegoalsasafollow-uptotheWorldSummitforChildren.(c)02 .2Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationofthe .Convention277.2 .2TheCommitteetakesnotethatColombiaisgoingthroughadifficulteconomictransitionperiodandisfacingseriouspoliticalproblemsstemmingfromdrug-relatedterrorism,violenceandpoverty.TheCommitteetakesnoteofthedisparitiesexistinginthecountryattheeconomicandsociallevels.&  (d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern278.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernoverthesignificantgapbetweenthelawsadoptedtopromoteandprotecttherightsofthechildandthepractical'  applicationofthoselawstotheactualsituationofagreatnumberofchildreninColombia.TheCommitteeisconcernedatthelackofsufficientcoordinationofthevariouseffortstoimplementtheConvention.TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedaboutdiscriminatoryandadversesocialattitudes,particularlyamonglawenforcementofficials,towardsvulnerablegroupsofchildren.279.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsgraveconcernoverthelife-threateningsituationfacedbyanalarmingnumberofchildreninColombia,particularlythosewho,inordertosurvive,areworkingand/orlivinginthestreets.Manyofthosechildrenaresubjecttoarbitraryarrestandtortureandotherinhumanordegradingtreatmentbyauthorities.Theyarealsosubjecttocoercion,disappearance,traffickingandmurderbycriminalgroups.280.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsgraveconcernoverthelargeproportionofColombianchildrenwhocontinuetoliveinextremepovertydespitethefactthatColombiahasoneofthemostfavourableeconomicgrowthratesandoneofthelowestamountsofpercapitaforeignindebtednessintheregion.ManychildreninColombia,includingalargeproportionofruralandindigenouschildren,havebeeneconomicallyandsociallymarginalizedandhavelimitedornoaccesstoadequateeducationorhealthcareservices.281.2 .2Therulesontheminimumageofemploymentarebelowinternationalstandardsandeventhenarenotenforced.Hazardouschildlabour,includinginmines,isamatterofthedeepestconcern.(e)2 .2Preliminarysuggestions282.2 .2TheCommitteesuggeststhatfirmmeasuresbetakenurgentlytoensuretherighttosurvivalforallchildreninColombia,includingthosefromvulnerablegroups.Suchmeasuresshouldincludeaquickresponsetoreportsofandcomplaintsfromchildrenwhoarevictimsofviolence,disappearance,assassinationorallegedorgantrafficking.Thoroughandsystematicinvestigationshouldbecarriedoutandseverepenaltiesappliedincasesinvolvingviolenceagainstchildren.Theoutcomeofinvestigationsandcasesofconvictionsshouldbewidelypublicizedinordertodeterfutureoffences.283.2 .2TheCommitteesuggeststhat,inordertoincreasethecoverageandqualityofservicesforchildrenandtoincludethosefromvulnerablegroups,moresubstantialbudgetaryallocationsbeprovidedtoservicesforchildren,particularlyintheareasofeducationandhealth,namelyinthelightofarticles2and3oftheConvention.284.2 .2TheCommitteesuggeststhatreliablequantitativeandqualitativeinformationbesystematicallycollectedandanalysedtomonitorcloselythesituationofmarginalizedchildren,particularlythosefromindigenousgroups,inordertoguidefurthereffortstoimprovetheirsituation.285.2 .2Inregardtotheproblemsofworkingchildren,theCommitteesuggeststhatColombiaratifyILOConventionNo.138concerningtheminimumageforadmissiontoemploymentandreviewallrelevantlegislationwithaviewtobringingituptominimuminternationalstandards.Childlabourlawsshouldbeenforced,complaintsshouldbeinvestigatedandseverepenaltiesimposedforviolations.TheCommitteesuggeststhattheGovernmentmoreactivelyenlistthesupportofNGOsandotherprivatesectororganizationsinraisingpublicawarenessoftheproblemandinmonitoringenforcementofthelaws.286.2 .2Inthefieldoftheadministrationofjuvenilejustice,greatereffortsshouldbemadetoensurerespectforthestandardsandlegalsafeguardscontainedintheConvention,inparticularinthelightofarticles37,39and40andtakingintodueconsiderationotherrelevantinternationalinstrumentsadoptedinthisfieldbytheUnitedNations.Furthermore,theCommitteesuggeststhatallchildrendeprivedoftheirlibertyshouldberegisteredandcloselymonitoredinordertoensurethattheyareaffordedtheprotectionprovidedbytheConvention.287.2 .2TheCommitteesuggeststhatstepsbetakentostrengthentheeducationalsystem,particularlyintheruralareas.Thequalityofteachingshouldbeimprovedandthehighnumberofschooldrop-outsshouldbereduced.Counsellingservicesforyouthshouldbedevelopedasapreventivemeasureaimedatloweringthehighincidenceofteenagepregnanciesandstemmingthedramaticriseinthenumberofsinglemothers.Educationalcampaignsshouldbeundertakentoreduceviolenceinsocietyandinthefamilyandtocombatprejudiceonthebasisofgender.288.2 .2ToassesstheimplementationoftheConventionandtonarrowthegapbetweenthelawanditspractice,theCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyestablishamechanismtomonitortheactualsituationofchildren,particularlythosefromvulnerablegroups.Giventheseriousnessoftheproblem,theCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyseekclosercooperationwithinternationalagencieswhichmaybeabletoprovideassistanceandexpertiseandtoembarkuponmajorreformintheproblemareasidentifiedbytheCommittee.TheCommitteesuggeststhatanewattitudeandapproachbedeveloped,particularlyasregardsthepoliceandthemilitary,inordertoenhancerespectforallchildren,regardlessoftheirsocial,economicorotherbackground,andtoreaffirmtheirvalue.Inthisconnection,informationandtrainingprogrammesshouldbestrengthenedatthelevelofthecommunityandthefamily.FurthermeasuresshouldbeenvisagedtostrengthencooperationwithNGOsaimingatgreatersocialmobilizationonbehalfoftherightsofthechild.@ . 16.Concludingobservations:Romania289.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofRomania(CRC/C/3/Add.16)atits120thto122ndmeetings(CRC/C/SR.120-122),heldon20and21January1994andadoptedatits130thmeeting,heldon28January1994,thefollowingconcludingobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction290.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheStatepartyforsubmitting,priortothesession,writtenrepliestoitslistofissues(CRC/C.4/WP.5)andforengaginginafruitfuldialoguewiththeCommittee.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects291.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomesmeasuresundertakenbytheGovernmentofRomania,sincetheentryintoforceoftheConventionin1990,inordertopromoteandprotectchildren'srights.ItnotestheestablishmentofsuchgovernmentalagenciesastheCentralCommitteefortheOrientationandCoordinationofActivitiesonBehalfofMinors,theCommitteefortheSupportofChild-careInstitutionsandtheRomanianAdoptionCommittee.Ofparticularimportancewasthecreation,inFebruary1990,oftheRomanianNationalCommitteeforUNICEFandin1993oftheNationalCommitteefortheProtectionoftheChild.TheCommitteealsonoteswithsatisfactionthatanumberoflawshavebeenamendedorsupplementedandthatnewlegislationhasbeendraftedinordertobringdomesticlawsintoconformitywiththeprovisionsoftheConvention.292.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthattheGovernmentofRomaniahascommitteditselftoapolicyofbringinginstitutionalizedchildrenintoafamilyenvironment.Effortshavebeenmadetoprotectthevalueofthechildallowance.Aprogrammefortheeducationofsocialworkershasbeeninitiated.293.2 .2TheGovernmenthasdemonstratedwillingnessandreadinesstocooperatewithvariousintergovernmentalandnon-governmentalorganizationsactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild.(c)FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention294.2 .2Thereformofcertainlaws,policiesandinstitutionsinplacebeforetheratificationoftheConventionhadtobeundertakeninordertoallowforitseffectiveimplementation.Difficultieshavealsobeencausedbyprejudices,intoleranceandotherpopularattitudesincontradictionwiththegeneralprinciplesoftheConvention.TheCommitteefurthernotestheproblemsrelatedtothetransitioneconomyandthatthesituationofchildrenhasworsenedasaconsequenceofgrowingpovertyandincreasingunemployment.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern295.2 .2TheCommitteeisworriedabouttheeffectonchildrenofthedifficulteconomicsituationprevailinginthecountry.Inthisconnection,theCommitteeisparticularlyconcernedastowhetherthereareadequatemeasurestoprotectchildrenfrombeingthevictimsofeconomicreform,inthelightofarticles3and4oftheConvention.Therightsandbasicneedsofallchildreninthecountryshouldalsobetakenintoaccountduringtheprocessofdecentralizationandprivatization.296.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheinsufficientstepstakenintheframeworkoflegalreformtobringexistinglegislationintofullconformitywiththeConvention,includinginthelightofthebasicprinciplesoftheConvention,inordertoovercomeexistingdiscrepanciessuchastheonereflectedinthepresentlawonmarriageage.TheCommitteeisequallyconcernedaboutexistinglacunaeinnationallegislationthatmayhampereffortstoimplementtheConvention.Thevariouslegislativeandadministrativemeasuresundertakentoensureimplementationseemnottohavebeensufficientlycoordinatedandstreamlined.297.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedattheoccurrenceofchildabuseandneglectwithinthefamilyandthedisruptionoffamilyvalues,whichinsomecasesleadtochildrenbeingabandonedorrunningaway.Childreninsuchfamiliesarevulnerabletosexualabuse,drugabuseandalcoholism.Thegrowingnumberofchildrenlivingand/orworkinginthestreetsisamatterofdeepconcern.298.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthesituationofchildrenofminorities,especiallywithinthecontextofarticles2,28,29and30oftheConvention.ThelowschoolattendanceoftheRoma(gypsy)groupofchildrenisaseriousproblem.Inmoregeneralterms,theCommitteefindsthatthereisaneedformoreeffectivemeasurestocombatprejudicesagainstthisminority.̇299.2 .2TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedatthelackofadequatetrainingofsocialworkers,lawenforcementofficialsandjudicialpersonnelontheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention.(e)2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations300.2 .2TheGovernmentshouldregularlymonitortheimpactofthestructuraladjustmentprogrammesonchildrenandtakeadequatemeasuresfortheirprotection.301.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendsthatamorecoherentapproachbetakenbytheGovernmentinimplementingtheConvention,particularlyinassuringbettercoordinationbetweenthevariousmechanismsandinstitutionsalreadyinplacetodealwithpromotionandprotectionoftherightsofchildren.Ofgreatimportance,inthatcontext,istheestablishmentofanappropriatestructureatthelocallevelandthecoordinationofeffortsundertakenatthelocalandnationallevels.302.2 .2SpecialeffortsshouldbemadetobringtheexistinglegislationfullyintolinewiththeprovisionsoftheConventionandtherebytakeintoaccounttheprinciplesofnon-discrimination,thebestinterestsofthechild,andrespectfortheviewsofthechild,asinthecaseoflabourlegislation.TheFamilyCodeof1954needstoberevisedinthelightoftheConvention.303.2 .2TheCommitteeconsidersthatgreatereffortsshouldbemadetoprovidefamilyeducation,todevelopawarenessoftheequalresponsibilitiesofparentsandtodisseminatewidelyknowledgeaboutmodernmethodsoffamilyplanningandtherebyreducethepracticeofabortion.304.2 .2TheCommitteesuggeststhatresearchbeundertakenontheissueofchildabuseandneglectwithinthefamily.305.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatpersonneldealingwithchildrenbeprovidedwithadequatetraininginthebasicprinciplesandnormscontainedintheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.Specialtrainingshouldbegiventosocialworkersinrecognitionoftheimportanceofthisprofession.306.2 .2Thelegislationonadoptionshouldbefurtheramendedandenforcedtoeffectivelyprevent,inparticular,intercountryadoptionsinviolationofthespiritandletteroftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandtakingintoaccounttheHagueConventiononProtectionofChildrenandCooperationinRespectofIntercountryAdoptionof1993,namely,inviewofthestatementmadebythedelegationoftheGovernmentofRomaniaastoitsintentiontoratifythisConvention.307.2 .2Furthereffortsarerecommendedtocreateabetterunderstandingamongthepublicaboutthesituationofchildrenwithdisabilities.Thepromotionoftheirrightsshouldbefurtheradvancedthrough,forinstance,supporttoparents'organizationsandasustainedprogrammeformovingchildrenfrominstitutionstoagoodfamilyenvironment.308.2 .2Thesystemofadministrationofjuvenilejusticeshouldbeguidedbytheprovisionsofarticles37and40oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildaswellasotherrelevantinternationalstandardssuchastheBeijingRules,theRiyadhGuidelinesandtheUnitedNationsRulesfortheProtectionofJuvenilesDeprivedoftheirLiberty.TheCommitteesuggeststhatpartofthetrainingofthelawenforcementpersonnel,judgesandotheradministrationofjusticeofficialsbedevotedtoanunderstandingoftheseinternationalstandardsofjuvenilejustice.309.2 .2TheGovernmentshouldadoptanactivenon-discriminationpolicywithrespecttochildrenofminorities.Thiswouldalso,particularlyinrelationtotheRomapopulation,requireproactivemeasurestoencourageparticipationandbreakaviciouscircleofwidespreadprejudicesresultinginhostilityorneglect.TheproblemoflowschoolattendanceamongchildrenfromtheRomaminorityshouldbeurgentlyaddressed.310.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecommendsthatthereportsubmittedbytheStateparty,thesummaryrecordsofitsconsiderationandtheconcludingobservationsoftheCommitteebedisseminatedaswidelyaspossiblewithinthecountry.ThesedocumentsmightalsoservethediscussionaboutfurtherstepstowardssystematicmechanismstomonitorandpromotetheimplementationoftheConvention.311.2 .2TheStatepartyisencouragedtocontinueitscooperationwiththeCentreforHumanRightsinthefieldofadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistanceandwiththesupportoftheinternationalcommunitytostrengthenfurtherthechildrightscomponentinsuchprogrammes,andtothatenddueaccountshouldbetakenoftherecommendationsandsuggestionscontainedintheseobservations.@ . 17.Concludingobservations:Belarus312.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofBelarus(CRC/C/3/Add.14)atits124thto126thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.124-126),heldon25and26January1994,andadoptedatthe130thmeeting,heldon28January1994,thefollowingconcludingobservations.(a)2 .2Introduction313.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomestheratificationoftheConventionbytheGovernmentofBelarus.TheCommitteeappreciatestheopportunitytoengageinadialoguewiththeStatepartyanditseffortstoprovidefurtherinformationtothatcontainedintheinitialreportofBelarussubmittedundertheConvention.(b)2 .2Positiveaspects314.2 .2TheCommitteeobservesthatBelarusisaStatepartytoallthemajorinternationalhumanrightsinstruments.NoteisalsotakenoftherecentadoptionbytheStatepartyoftheRightsoftheChildActandotherlegislativeandadministrativemeasuresinanefforttoaddresstheproblemsfacingchildren,whichserveasanindicationoftheimportancetheStatepartyattachestoitsobligationsundertheConvention.315.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotestheStateparty'swillingnesstoseekadviceandtechnicalassistanceindevelopingappropriatemechanismstoimplementtherightsofthechild.(c)2 .2FactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationoftheConvention316.2 .2TheCommitteerecognizesthattheStatepartyisfacingseriousobstaclesinimplementingtheprovisionsoftheConvention.Itnotesthatsignificantpoliticalchangeshavehadanimpactonthelegislativesystemandonsocietyingeneral.TheCommitteefurthernotestheproblemsrelatedtothetransitioneconomyandthatthesituationofchildrenhasworsenedasaconsequenceofgrowingpovertyandincreasingunemployment.TheCommitteealsorecognizesthattheStatepartyisexperiencingmajordifficultiesincounteringthenegativeconsequencesoftheChernobylnuclearplantdisasterontheenvironmentandonthehealthofthepopulation,includingchildren.(d)2 .2Principalsubjectsofconcern317.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernastothefullcompatibilityofnationallegislation,measuresandprogrammeswiththeprovisionsandprinciplesoftheConvention,especiallyasregardssuchmattersaschildrenasthesubjectsofrights,familyeducationandequalparentalresponsibilities.Moreover,theCommitteeisconcernedaboutanapparentdiscrepancyinthelegislationbetweentheageforcompletionofmandatoryeducation,whichis15,andtheminimumageforlabour,whichis16.318.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedastowhetherthemostdisadvantagedgroupsofchildreninthesocietyhavebeenidentifiedandprogrammestargetedaccordinglytoensurethatadequatesafetynetsareinplacetopreventadeteriorationoftherightstheyareentitledtoundertheConvention.Thesituationofruralchildrenisalsoamatterofgeneralconcern.319.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthecontinuationofthepracticeoftheinstitutionalizationofchildreninspiteofthepolicyadoptedtothecontraryandaboutthenumberofintercountryadoptions,which,thoughstillcomparativelylow,isontheincrease.320.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernatthehealthstatusofchildren,particularlyintheaftermathoftheChernobylnucleardisaster,theapparentprioritygiventocurativehealthcareratherthandecentralizedpreventivehealthcare,thelowprevalenceofbreast-feedingandthehighnumberofabortions.321.2 .2Asregardschildrenrequiringspecialprotectionmeasures,thesituationinrelationtotheadministrationofjuvenilejusticeisamatterofgeneralconcerntotheCommittee.TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedthatadequatemeasuresarenotbeingtakentoprotectchildrenfromexploitationthroughlabour,theappearanceoftheproblemofsexualexploitationofchildrenandtheproblemofdrugabuse.(e)2 .2Suggestionsandrecommendations322.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyconsiderthepossibilityofestablishingapermanentbodytocoordinatetheimplementationandmonitoringoftherightsofthechild.ItisalsorecommendedthattheStatepartyprepare,asamatterofpriority,anationalplanofactionforchildren.TheCommitteewouldliketoseetheprovisionsandprinciplesoftheConventionfullyintegratedintothisplan,particularlyitsarticles2,3,4,6and12.323.2 .2TheCommitteewouldalsoliketoseeaconsiderablystrongerinvolvementofnon-governmentalorganizationsintheworkofprotectingandpromotingtherightsofthechild.324.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesthehopethattheStatepartywillbecomeapartytotheHagueConventiononProtectionofChildrenandCooperationinRespectofIntercountryAdoptionof1993,aswellastheHagueConventionontheCivilAspectsofInternationalChildAbductionof1980.Equally,theCommitteerecommendstheearlyadoptionoftheFamilyandMarriageLawandthatittakeaccountoftheneedtoundertakeappropriatemeasurestoaddresstheseriousproblemsoffamilybreakdownintheStateparty.325.2 .2TheCommitteewouldliketoseeastrongeremphasisplacedonprimaryhealthcareactivities,whichwouldincludethedevelopmentofeducationalprogrammestocoversuchmattersasfamilyeducation,familyplanning,sexeducationandthebenefitsofbreast-feeding.Equally,theCommitteeencouragesthetrainingofcommunityhealthcareworkerstodevelopawarenessofthesesubjectsamongthegeneralpublic,includingchildren.Inaddition,theCommitteerecommendsthatprogrammesofrehabilitationandreintegrationforemotionallydisturbedortraumatizedchildrenbedeveloped.326.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyevaluatetheadequacyofthemeasuresithastakentoprovidesocialsecurityforthebenefitofchildren.Itisalsosuggestedthatprogrammesbecarefullytargetedtotheneedsofbothruralandurbanchildrenandthatadequatesocialsafetynetsbeputinplaceforthemostdisadvantagedgroupsofchildren.327.2 .2Inviewofthesignificantriskoftheexploitationofchildrenthroughlabour,particularlyinthelightofrecentchangestonationallegislation,theCommitteesuggeststhatthismatterbeurgentlyaddressedandthatthenecessaryactionbetakeninlinewiththeConventionandinparticularitsarticle3asitrelatestothebestinterestsofthechild.328.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStateparty,initseffortstodevelopgeneralpublicawarenessoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,makeavailabletheStateparty'sreport,thesummaryrecordsandtheconcludingobservationsoftheCommittee.329.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragestheinternationalcommunitytoprovidetechnicalassistanceandadvicetotheStatepartyinitsefforts,interalia,toharmonizenationallegislationandmeasureswiththeConventionontheRightsoftheChild,todevelopacoordinatingbodyonchildren'srightsandtodeterminethetargetingofprogrammes,themajorthrustofpoliciesandthemobilizationofresourcesfortherightsofthechild.ItissuggestedthattechnicalassistancebesoughtfromUNICEF,WHO,theCentreforHumanRightsandotherinterestedorganizations.TheCommitteealsoencouragesinternationalsupportformeasurestocopewiththeaftermathoftheChernobylnucleardisaster.@ .` IV.OVERVIEWOFTHEOTHERACTIVITIESOFTHECOMMITTEE@ .A.Independenceofexperts330.2 .2InthelightoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,namelyitsarticle43,aswellasofitsprovisionalrulesofprocedure(CRC/C/4),inparticularrules11,14and15,themembersoftheCommitteeemphasized,atthesecondsession,theimportancetheyattachtothequestionoftheindependenceofexperts.TheyrecalledtheprovisionoftheConventionwhichstatesthatmembersshallserveintheirpersonalcapacity;theyreaffirmedthattheirmandatederivesfromtheprovisionsandprinciplesoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandthattheCommitteemembersaresolelyaccountabletothechildrenoftheworld.Itwaspointedoutthat,althoughelectedbyStatesparties'representatives,membersdonotrepresenttheircountry,Governmentoranyotherorganizationtowhichtheymaybelong.Inviewoftherelevanceofthisconsideration,andinordertoensuretheprincipleofimpartiality,themembersoftheCommitteereiteratedthedesirabilityofnotparticipatingintheCommittee'sdiscussionsduringtheexaminationofthereportssubmittedbytheirownGovernments.Theyalsorecognizedthat,whenactingintheframeworkoftherightsofthechild,thereisaneedtoclearlydistinguishbetweentheirpersonalorprofessionalroleandtheirroleasmembersoftheCommittee.@ .6B.Methodsofwork@ .<1.Organizationofwork882 331.2 .2Atitsfortyseventhsession,theGeneralAssemblyadoptedresolution47/112of16December1992inwhich,interalia,itapprovedtheorganizationoftheworkoftheCommitteeonthebasisoftwosessionsperyear,eachofuptothreeweeks'duration,andtheestablishmentofapresessionalworkinggroup,ashadbeenrequestedbytheCommitteeatitsfirstsession. R   ׀Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteewelcomedthedecisionoftheGeneralAssembly,whilerecognizingthatinspiteofthisadditionaltimegiventotheCommittee,inviewofthenumberofStatespartiestotheConvention(128)andthenumberofreportstobesubmittedinthelightofarticle44oftheConvention,furthermeasureswouldsoonbeneeded.332.2 .2Tofacilitatetheconsiderationofsuchmeasures,theCommitteeentrustedoneofitsmemberswiththepreparationofaworkingpaperreflectingdifferentpossibleoptionsfortheorganizationofworkoftheCommittee,inthelightofthetasksentrustedtoit.TheworkingpaperwasreproducedasannexVIIItothereportofthethirdsession(CRC/C/16)foritsfurtherconsiderationbytheCommittee.333.2 .2Atitsfourthsession,theCommitteereaffirmeditsconcernatitsincreasinglyheavyworkloadand,recognizingtheneedtoadopturgentandadequatesolutionstodealwiththissituation,decidedtoconveneaspecialsessionoftheCommitteein1994,tobeprecededbyameetingofitsestablishedworkinggroup,toconductapreliminaryreviewofreportssubmittedunderarticle44oftheConventionandtoconsiderquestionsrelatingtotechnicalassistanceandinternationalcooperationpursuanttoarticle45oftheConvention(seechap.I.A,fourthsession,recommendation1).̇334.2 .2Atitsfifthsession,theCommitteereaffirmedtheurgencyofholdingsuchaspecialsession,aswellasthemeetingofthepresessionalworkinggroup,inordertofaceitsworkloadinaneffectiveandexpeditiousmanner,inthelightoftherecommendationadoptedinthatregardbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights(ibid.,fifthsession,recommendation2).335.2 .2Alsoatitsfifthsession,stressingtheunprecedentedextentofratificationstotheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandofthesubsequentsubmissionofStatespartiesreports,andconvincedthathavinganadequateamountoftimeforthemeetingsoftheCommitteeisavitalfactorinensuringitscontinuedeffectivenessinfutureyears,theCommitteedecidedtorequesttheSecretaryGeneraltoconveneaMeetingoftheStatesPartiestotheConvention,inadvanceoforduringthecourseofthefortyninthsessionoftheGeneralAssembly,withaviewtoreviewing,pursuanttoparagraph10ofarticle43oftheConvention,thedurationofthemeetingsoftheCommittee,andtorequestStatespartiestodeterminethatthenumberofannualsessionsoftheCommitteeasfrom1995,aswellasthenumberofsessionsofitspresessionalworkinggroupbeincreasedtothree,subjecttotheapprovaloftheGeneralAssembly(ibid.,recommendation1).336.2 .2Moreover,theCommittee,recallingtheimportanceofdealingwithStatespartiesreportswithoutdelayinordernottodashtheexpectationscreatedbytheConvention,andrecognizingtheimportanceofpayingdueattentiontothefieldoftechnicalassistanceandinternationalcooperation,pursuanttoarticle45oftheConvention,decided,atitsfourthsession,torequesttheSecretaryGeneraltostrengthenthesupporttotheCommitteeandtoprovideitwithaminimumoftwoadditionalProfessionalandoneadditionalGeneralServiceposts(seechap.I.B).@ .2.Informalmeetings337.2 .2Atitsfirstsession,theCommitteediscussedtheimportanceoforganizinginformalmeetingsoutsideGenevasoastoprovideagreaterawarenessofitswork,aswellasamorecomprehensiveunderstandingoftheactualsituationofchildreninthevariousregionsoftheworld.TheCommitteeexpressedthehopethatsuchinformalmeetingscouldbeorganizedwiththeassistanceandsupportofUnitedNationsagenciesandorgansandothercompetentbodiesactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild,andrequesteditsChairperson,aswellasMr.BambaranGastelumendi,oneofitsViceChairpersons,toworktowardstherealizationofaproposaltoholdaseminarontherightsofthechildinLatinAmericain1992incooperationwithUNICEFandotherpossiblesponsors. S   338.2 .2Atitssecondsession,theCommitteereaffirmedtherelevanceandusefulnessoforganizingsuchinformalmeetingsindifferentregionsoftheworldandexchangedviewsonthefirstregionalmeeting,heldintheLatinAmericanandCaribbeanregionatQuitoinJune1992.339.2 .2Thepurposesofthemeeting,organizedbyUNICEFwiththecooperationoftheCentreforHumanRightsandsupportandassistancefromUnitedNationsagenciesandbodiesandothercompetentbodiesactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild,were:(a)toprovideanopportunitytopromote,attheregionallevel,agreaterawarenessoftheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionandoftheroleandfunctionsoftheCommitteeinmonitoringtheimplementationoftherightsofthechild;(b)toenhanceinternationalcooperationandjointeffortsbetweenthevariousbodieswhichhavearoleintheimplementationoftherightsrecognizedbytheConvention;and(c)toenablemembersoftheCommitteetoacquireabetterknowledgeandunderstandingofrealitiesthroughdirectlyobservinginsitutheactualsituationofchildrenintheregion.340.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteewereextensivelybriefedabouttheeconomicandpoliticalsituationinLatinAmericaandtheCaribbeanasitaffectsthelivingconditionsandrightsofchildren.Variousthemesrelatingtothesituationofchildrenwerediscussed,includinghealthandnutrition,education,childlabour,refugeechildrenandthelegislativestatusofminors.Theavailabilityofadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistanceinthefieldofhumanrightswasalsoreviewed.InformationwasprovidedonnationalprogrammesofactionelaboratedbyGovernmentsinresponsetotheWorldSummitforChildren.Around-tablediscussiontookplacewiththeparticipationofvariousnon-governmentalorganizationsactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild.Childrenrepresentingchildren'sorganizationsalsoparticipatedinthedebateandoutlinedsomeoftheproblemstheywerefacing.FieldtripstodifferentpartsofthecountrygavemembersoftheCommitteetheopportunitytovisitvariouscommunityprojectsinthefieldsofhealth,nutrition,education,waterandsanitation,aswellasprojectsrelatingtostreetchildren.341.2 .2Inassessingtheresultsofthemeeting,theCommitteeexpresseditsgratitudetoUNICEFandtotheGovernmentofEcuadorandconsideredthattheobjectivesoftheconsultationhadbeenfullyachieved.Thewidecoverageofthemeetingbylocal,nationalandregionalmassmediahadprovidedanopportunityforagreatmobilizationofpublicopinioninfavouroftherightsofthechild.ThemeetinghadalsobeentheoccasionforavaluableexchangeofviewsbetweenCommitteemembersandintergovernmentalandnon-governmentalbodiesonhowbesttosecurecooperationanddialogueamongallthevariousbodiesconcernedwiththepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild.Finally,theregionalmeetinghadenabledCommitteememberstoobserveandassessthesituationofchildrenintheregionthroughdirectcontactswithchildrenandtheirlivingenvironment,whichhadshedlightonfactorsanddifficultiesencounteredandprogressachievedinpracticeinimplementingtherightsrecognizedintheConvention.342.2 .2Takingintoaccountthepositiveresultsofthisfirstinformalregionalconsultation,theCommitteeexpressedthehopethatsimilarinformalmeetingswouldbeorganizedinthefutureinotherregionsandthattheywouldbecomearegularfeatureofitsactivities(seechap.I.C,secondsession,recommendation1).343.2 .2Furthermore,theCommitteedecidedtobringtotheattentionofthefourthmeetingofpersonscharingthehumanrightstreatybodiestheinnovativeexperienceofholdinginformalmeetingsattheregionallevelinviewofitsrelevanceasameanstopromotegreaterawarenessoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildanditssystemofimplementation,andtoprovidetheCommitteewithadeeperknowledgeandbetterunderstandingoftherealitiesofaregion(seechap.I.H,secondsession,recommendation5A).344.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteereaffirmedtheimportanceoftheseregionalinformalmeetingsasacontributiontoawiderpromotionoftherightsofthechildanddecidedthatitssecondinformalregionalmeeting,tobeorganizedinclosecooperationwithUNICEF,shouldbeheldatBangkokduringthemonthofMay1993.345.2 .2Atitsfourthsession,theCommitteestressedthedecisiveroleinformalregionalmeetingscouldplaytoachievetheuniversalratificationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,aswellasitseffectiveimplementation,asrecommendedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights(seechap.I.C,fourthsession,recommendation3).346.2 .2TheCommitteealsohadanextensiveexchangeofviewsontheinformalmeetingthathadbeenheldintheAsianregionfrom23to29May1993.347.2 .2Thepurposesofthatmeeting,againorganizedbyUNICEFwithsupportandassistancefromtheCentreforHumanRights,otherUnitedNationsagenciesandbodiesandothercompetentbodiesactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild,wereasfollows:2 .2(a) .Topromote,attheregionalandsubregionallevel,greaterawarenessandunderstandingoftheprinciplesoftheConvention,increasedmobilizationfortheimplementationofitsprovisionsandbetterknowledgeoftheroleandfunctionsoftheCommitteeinmonitoringtheimplementationoftherightsofthechild;2 .2(b) .ToenhancecooperationandintegratedeffortsbetweenthevariousorgansandbodieswhichhavearoletoplayintheimplementationoftherightsprovidedforintheConventionattheinternational,regional,nationalandcommunitylevels;2 .2(c) .ToprovideanopportunityforthemembersoftheCommitteetoobservedirectlyandthusbetterassess,throughon-sitevisitsandcontacts,therealityfacingchildreninaspecificregion.348.2 .2DuringtheirstayatBangkok,membersoftheCommitteewerebriefedextensivelyaboutthepolitical,economic,socialandculturalsituationinAsiaandthePacificasitaffectstheimplementationoftherightsofthechild.ThroughdiscussionswithUNICEFregionaladvisers,representativesofUnitedNationsagenciesandorgans,representativesofinternationalandnationalnon-governmentalorganizationsactiveinthefieldofchildrights,aswellaspresentationsmadebychildreninespeciallydifficultcircumstances,variousissuesrelatingtothesituationofchildrenintheregionwereoutlined,includingtherapidchangesinsocietalstructuresandthehighrateofurbanizationandindustrializationandtheireffectsonchildren.349.2 .2Themajorproblemsfacedbychildrenintheregionwerestressed.Theseincludedpoverty,thesocialcostofeconomictransition,thedisruptionoffamilystructuresandthegrowingnumberoffemale-headedhouseholds,thewidegendergapinthefieldofbasicservicessuchashealth,nutritionandeducation,theshortcomingsinthefieldoftheadministrationofjuvenilejustice.Specificreferencewasmadetochildreninneedofspecialprotection,includingthegirlchild,childrenaffectedbyarmedconflicts,workingchildrenincludingthoselivinginthestreet,childrenwhoarevictimsofsexualabuseandexploitation,drug-addictedchildrenorchildrenusedindrugtrafficking,disabledchildren,HIV-infectedchildren,childrenbornoutofwedlockandchildrenbelongingtominorities.350.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteewerealsoprovidedtheopportunitytoexplaintothevariousparticipantsandtothemediathemainprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionaswellasthepurposeandworkoftheCommittee.ParticipantswerealsogivenabriefoverviewoftheactivitiesoftheCentreforHumanRightsinsupportoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.̇351.2 .2On25May1993,themembersoftheCommitteeweredividedintothreegroupsandproceededtofieldtripsinthreedifferentcountriesoftheregion(thePhilippines,ThailandandVietNam),whichprovidedthemwithanopportunity,throughmeetingswithgovernmentalandnon-governmentalrepresentatives,membersofthejudiciaryandparliamentarians,representativesoflocalgovernmentandcommunityleadersandmembers,foranexchangeofviewsonhowbesttoensuretheimplementationoftheConvention.Duringfieldvisits,membersoftheCommitteealsovisitedvariousgovernmentalandnon-governmentalcommunityprojectssuchasyouthandrehabilitationcentreswithinthesystemofadministrationofjustice,healthandmultipurposecentresforchildrenlivingandworkinginthestreet,rehabilitationprogrammesforchildprostitutes,educationprogrammesforchildrenatrisk,homesforworkingchildren,centresfordisabledchildrenandincome-generatingprogrammes.ThefactthatthefieldvisitstookplaceincountriesexpectedshortlytosubmittheirreportsontheimplementationoftheConvention,aswasthecaseforThailandandthePhilippines,gavetheCommitteetheopportunitytocreategreaterawarenessofthereportingsystemanditsdecisiveimportanceinencouragingpopularparticipationandameaningfulnationaldebateonthesituationoftherightsofthechild.352.2 .2Ontheotherhand,thevisittoVietNamwasaneffectivefollow-uptothediscussionoftheinitialreportoftheStateparty,givingwaytoanimportantevaluationoftheimpactofthedialoguewhichtheCommitteehadhadatthecountrylevelandreaffirminginanencouragingmannerthespiritofcooperationandassistanceprovidedforbythereportingsystem.Inthisregard,itshouldberecalledthatthevisitprovidedanoccasionforVietnameseofficialstoformulatearequestfortheadvisoryservicesoftheCentreforHumanRightsinthefieldoftheadministrationofjuvenilejustice,ashadbeensuggestedbytheCommitteeduringitsconsiderationoftheinitialreportofVietNaminJanuary1993.353.2 .2Inassessingtheresultsofthemeeting,membersoftheCommitteeexpressedtheopinionthattheinformalregionalmeetingandfieldvisitshadprovidedanopportunityforincreasedadvocacyandawareness-raisingontherightsofthechildatvariouslevels;ithadalsoencouragedbettercoordinationandintegrationofeffortsofvarioussectorsandcalledforthebuildingorstrengtheningofthenationalcapacitythroughadequatemechanismsforchildrightsimplementation.Finally,theregionalmeetingenabledtheCommitteetobetteridentifyandexplainitsroleasacatalystforbetterimplementation,attheregionalandnationallevels,oftheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention.354.2 .2InclosecooperationwithUNICEF,theCommitteeconsideredtheorganizationin1994ofaninformalregionalmeetinginAfrica.TheCommitteeemphasizedthattheholdingofsuchameetingandthepossibilityoforganizingfieldvisitstodifferentcountrieswouldbeanimportantstepinachievinguniversalratificationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildby1995,aswellasitseffectiveimplementationintheAfricanregion.@ . 3.ExaminationofStatespartiesreports(a)2 .2Countryfiles355.2 .2Atitsfirstsession,theCommitteeadoptedarecommendationrequestingthesecretariattoorganizecountryfilesandtoprepareananalyticalstudyofavailableinformationconcerningeachStatepartywhosereportistobeconsideredbytheCommittee,takingintoaccountboththereportingguidelinesanddataemergingfromreportsthathavebeensubmittedbythesameStatepartybeforeothertreatybodies. T   356.2 .2Atitssecondsession,theCommitteereiteratedtheimportanceofmaintainingfilesofinformationoneachStateparty,andrequestedthesecretariattocontinueorganizingcountryfilesoneachStatepartywhosereportisduetobeconsideredbytheCommittee.ThecountryfilesshouldincluderelevantmaterialcompiledfromreportssubmittedbytheStatepartytoothertreatybodies,relevantreportssubmittedtotheCommissiononHumanRightsandtheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinorities.Thesamewouldapplytothematerialreceivedfromthespecializedagencies,UNICEFandUnitedNationsandothercompetentbodies;tothispurposetheCommitteerecognizedtheneedtoinformthosebodiesinadvanceofthescheduleofconsiderationofStatepartyreports.(b)2 .2Presessionalworkinggroup357.2 .2Atitsfirstsession,theCommitteeagreedthattherewouldbeaneedforapresessionalworkinggrouptofacilitateitsworkunderarticles44and45oftheConvention,primarilybyreviewingStatepartyreportsandidentifyinginadvancethemainquestionsthatwouldneedtobediscussedwiththerepresentativesofthereportingStates.ThatwouldfacilitatethetaskofStatespartiesbyprovidingadvancenoticeoftheprincipalissuesarisingfromtheexaminationoftheirreportsandwouldsignificantlyimprovetheefficiencyofthereportingsystem.Itwouldalsopermittheconsiderationofquestionsrelatingtotechnicalassistanceandinternationalcooperation.Forthispurpose,theCommitteehighlightedtheneedforestablishingatechnicaladvisorygroupinwhichUnitedNationsbodies,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodieswouldberepresentedinordertoassisttheCommitteeinitstasks,inthespiritofarticle45oftheConvention.Itwasenvisagedthattheworkinggroupwouldnormallymeetapproximatelytwomonthsinadvanceofeachsessionasfrom1993.358.2 .2ThemainpurposeofthepresessionalworkinggroupwastoidentifyinadvancethemainquestionsthatwouldneedtobefurtherdiscussedwithrepresentativesofthereportingStates.Suchaprocedure,asrecognizedbytheCommitteeatitssecondsession(CRC/C/10,para.39),wouldincreasetheefficiencyofthereportingprocessandfacilitatethetaskofStatespartiesbyprovidingtheminadvancewithalistofthemainissueswhichmightberaisedduringtheconsiderationoftheirreports.Inthesamespirit,theCommitteedecidedtoencourageStatespartiestoprovideitinadvancewithwrittenanswerstothislistofissues.(c)2 .2Concludingobservations359.2 .2Atitssecondsession,theCommitteedecidedtodevoteatleasttwomeetingstoeachStatepartyreport.ItexpressedthehopethatthereportingStateswouldsendhighlevelrepresentativestoattendthosemeetingsinordertoenableaneffectiveandconstructivedialoguetotakeplacebetweentheStatespartiesandtheCommittee,inthelightofrule68oftheprovisionalrulesofprocedure.360.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatitwouldissue,attheendoftheconsiderationofeachreport,concludingobservationsreflectingthemainpointsofdiscussionandindicatingissuesthatwouldrequireaspecificfollowup.TheseconcludingobservationswouldserveasastartingpointfortheperiodicreportstobesubmittedbyStatespartiesatalaterstage.361.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizedtheimportanceofprovidingtheStateparty,followingtheexaminationofitsreport,withsuchanauthoritativestatementconveyingtheviewsoftheCommitteeontheimplementationoftheConventionbythatStateparty.Itrecalled,inthatperspective,therecentprocedurefollowedbytheHumanRightsCommitteetoensurethattheconcludingobservationswouldfollowacommonstructure,includinganintroductionofageneralnature,achapteronprogressachieved,anotheronfactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheapplicationoftheConvention,oneontheprincipalsubjectsofconcern,andafinaloneincludingsuggestionsandrecommendationstobeaddressedtotheStateparty.(d)2 .2Importanceofthereportingsystem362.2 .2Atitsfourthsession,theCommitteewelcomedtheunprecedentednumberofratificationsandaccessionstotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,whichconstitutedameaningfulrecordinthehistoryofthehumanrightsinstrumentsadoptedbytheUnitedNations.Itemphasizedtheimportanceofthiswidepoliticalcommitmenttopromoteandprotecttherightsofthechild,acommitmentwhichtheWorldConferenceonHumanRightshadrecentlyconfirmed.363.2 .2TheCommitteereaffirmedinthisregardtherelevanceofensuringeffectiveimplementationoftheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention,includingofitsreportingsystem.ItrecalleditsfirmbeliefthattheprocessofpreparingareportofferedanimportantoccasionforconductingacomprehensivereviewofthevariousmeasuresundertakenbyeachStatepartytoharmonizenationallawandpolicywiththeConventionandtomonitorprogressmadeintheenjoymentoftherightssetforthbytheConventionaswellastoencourageandfacilitatepopularparticipationandpublicscrutinyofgovernmentpolicies.364.2 .2Forthisreason,theCommitteestressedthatthesubmissionofreportsshouldbeaccomplishedinathoroughandtimelymannerandinaccordancewithitsadoptedguidelines.Failuretoreportasrequiredconstitutedaviolationofaninternationalobligationinaccordancewitharticle44oftheConvention.365.2 .2TheCommitteedecided,inthelightofrule67ofitsprovisionalrulesofprocedure,tosendaremindertoallStatespartieswhosereportsshouldhavebeensubmittedin1992.ItalsodecidedtoremindStatespartiesoftheactivitiesdevelopedwithintheprogrammeofadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistanceoftheCentreforHumanRightsandtheassistanceitcouldprovideinthepreparationofreportsunderhumanrightstreaties.(e)2 .2FollowuptothesubmissionofStatespartiesreports366.2 .2Atitsfourthsession,theCommitteerecalledtheimportanceattachedbytheConventionontheRightsoftheChildtothereportingsystemasadynamicandcontinuousprocess.Infact,theCommittee,basedoninformationreceivedpursuanttoarticles44and45oftheConvention,maymakesuggestionsandrecommendationsontheimplementationoftheConventionbythereportingState.(Seealsorule71oftheCommittee'sprovisionalrulesofprocedure.)367.2 .2Havingthisinmind,theCommitteehadestablishedthepracticeofadopting,followingtheconsiderationofeachStatepartyreport,concludingobservationsreflectingthemainpointsofthediscussionandindicatinginthechapteronsuggestionsandrecommendationsissuesthatwouldrequireaspecificfollow-up.TheseconcludingobservationsaremadepublicwiththeadoptionoftheCommittee'sreportandaddressedtotheStatepartyconcerned.368.2 .2Inaccordancewitharticle45(b)oftheConvention,theCommitteemayalsoaddressthequestionoftechnicaladviceorassistanceinthesectiononsuggestionsandrecommendationsofitsconcludingobservations.Andinordertoencourageinternationalcooperation,itwilltransmit,asitconsidersappropriate,thereportoftheStatepartyandtheCommittee'sobservationstocompetentUnitedNationsbodiesincludinginternationalfinancialinstitutions,specializedagencies,UNICEFandothers.369.2 .2Inthisregard,theCommitteerecognizedtheimportanceofperiodicallyreviewingtheimplementationbyStatespartiesofitssuggestionsandrecommendations,aswellasthefollow-upgiventoanyprogrammeoftechnicaladviceorassistanceitmighthaveproposed.Tothatpurpose,theCommitteedecided:(a)toindicateintheconcludingobservations,whenevernecessary,atime-limitwithinwhichrelevantinformationwouldberequiredfromtheStateparty(rule71ofitsprovisionalrulesofprocedure);and(b)torequestthesecretariattoincludeinthenoteitpreparesonthestatusofsubmissionofreportsareferenceinallcaseswhereafollow-upwassuggestedbytheCommittee.AtableindicatingthefollowuptotheconsiderationofStatepartyreportsasat28January1994,theclosingdateofthefifthsessionoftheCommittee,iscontainedinannexVItothepresentreport.370.2 .2TheCommitteealsorecalledinthiscontextarticle44,paragraph6,oftheConventionandthecommitmenttherebyundertakenbyStatespartiestomaketheirreportswidelyavailabletothepublicintheirowncountries.RecognizingtheimportanceofthismeasuretoencouragepopularparticipationandtoachieveacomprehensivenationalapproachtotheimplementationprocessoftheConvention,asemphasizedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,theCommitteedecidedtoencourageStatespartiestoinformitaboutthestepstakentoensurethewidespreaddisseminationoftheresultsofthedialoguewiththeCommittee.371.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherrecognizedthattheundertakingofavisitbyatreatybody,orbysomeofitsmembers,toaStatepartycouldalsoperformaveryvaluablefollow-upfunction.InthisframeworktheCommitteerecalledthemeaningfulvisittoVietNam,organizedinthecontextoftheAsianinformalregionalmeeting,somemonthsaftertheconsiderationoftheinitialreportofVietNam.@ .4.Urgentactionprocedure372.2 .2Atitssecondsession,theCommitteeemphasizedtheimportanceofurgentprocedureswithintheframeworkofitsactivitiesasatreatybody,andtheneedforestablishingsomecriteriatobetakenintoconsiderationwhenanurgentactionisenvisaged.ItrecognizedinthisframeworkthaturgentactionswouldonlybeconsideredbytheCommitteeincasesrelatingtotherightsofthechildsetforthintheConvention.Moreover,theywouldonlybetakenupwhenoccurringunderthejurisdictionofaStatepartytotheConvention.373.2 .2Inordertoascertaininwhichcasessuchaprocedurewouldapply,theCommitteeemphasizedthatthesituationshouldbeserious,i.e.,therewouldbeariskthatfurtherviolationsmightoccur,andadeteriorationofthesituationshouldbeprevented.ItwasunderlinedthatanydecisiontodealwiththesituationwithoutdelayshouldbetakenupinthespiritofdialoguewhichistoprevailintherelationsbetweentheCommitteeandtheStatespartiestotheConvention,andnotinanaccusatoryapproach.Thus,itshouldbebasedonthemeritsofthespecificsituationandnotpursuedforpoliticalmotivations.ThesituationsjustifyingtheurgentprocedurewouldeitherbebroughttotheattentionoftheCommitteebyUnitedNationsbodiesandothercompetentbodies,ortakenupexofficiobytheCommittee.Itwouldrelyonaccurateandcredibleinformation.TheCommitteewouldthereforeconsidersuchreliableinformationandassesswhetherthecriteriaforanurgentprocedurearemet.Ifthisisthecase,theCommitteewouldtransmitittotheStatepartyconcerned.374.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizedthatitconsideredtheurgentprocedureasapartofthereportingprocessestablishedbytheConvention.Itrecalledthat,inthelightofarticle44,whenanurgentactionistakenupandaddressedtoaparticularStateparty,theCommitteemayenvisagerequestingfromtheStatepartyconcernedareportontheimplementationofspecificprovisionsoftheConventionoradditionalinformationrelevanttotheimplementationoftheConvention.TheCommitteemayalsosuggestavisittothecountryconcerned.BothinitiativesareintendedtoenabletheStatepartytoprovidetheCommitteewithacomprehensiveunderstandingoftheimplementationoftheConvention,particularlyofthoseprovisionswhereaspecificconcernwasexpressed.375.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizedtheimportanceforsuchurgentactionstobegivenpublicity,namelybytheirinclusioninthereportsoftheCommittee.Italsorecalledtherelevanceofthisprocedureintheframeworkoftheactionofothertreatybodies.ItwasthereforesuggestedthatwhenevertheurgentandseriouscasestakenupbytheCommitteewouldbeofrelevancetothesphereofcompetenceofanyothertreatybody,theywouldbebroughttotheconsiderationofthatsamebody.376.2 .2Moreover,inviewofthefactthatthemeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodieswouldsoontakeplace,theCommitteerecommendedthatthisimportantinitiativebebroughttoitsattention.Finally,reiteratingtheimportanceofmaintaininganeffectivedialogueandcooperationwithotherhumanrightsbodies,theCommitteedecidedtoinformthesebodiesoftheurgentandseriouscasesithadconsidered.377.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteenotedtheimportantrecommendationadoptedbythemeetingofchairpersonsinsupportoftheproposalthatwaysshouldbeexploredofempoweringtheSecretaryGeneralandexperthumanrightsbodiestobringmassiveviolationsofhumanrightstotheattentionoftheSecurityCouncil. U   378.2 .2TheCommitteewasextremelyencouragedbythefactthatthisrecommendationreflectedthesameconcernastheurgentactionprocedureithadadoptedatitssecondsession,bothbeingadequatemeasurestopreventthedeteriorationofasituationandtoensureanappropriateconsiderationofseriousviolationsofhumanrights,andbothencouragingthebringingofsuchcasestotheconsiderationofrelevantbodiesaccordingtotheirrespectivespheresofcompetence.379.2 .2Atitsfourthsession,theCommitteecontinueditsconsiderationoftheurgentprocedureithadadoptedatitssecondsession.Itrecalledinthisregardtherolesuchproceduresmightplayasanearlywarningtopreventthedeteriorationofthesituationortolimitthescaleofexistingviolationsofchildren'srights.ItfurtherreaffirmedthattheurgentprocedureshouldbeenvisagedinthelightofthespiritofdialogueandcooperationwhichguidestheCommittee'swork.380.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedtoestablishaworkinggroupcomposedofsomeofitsmemberstostudywaysandmeanstoensurethattheseurgentprocedures,wheneveradopted,arepursuedeffectively.Itthereforedecidedtoappointoneofitsmembersasthefocalpointforthatpurpose.381.2 .2TheCommitteewasprovidedwithaworkingpaperontheurgentprocedure,whichwouldconstitutethebasisforfutureconsiderationofthisimportantmatter.@ .5.Studies382.2 .2Duringitssecondsession,andinthelightofrule76ofitsprovisionalrulesofprocedure,theCommitteerecalledthat,atitsfirstsession,ithadenvisagedthepossibilitytorequest,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofarticle45(c)oftheConvention,theundertakingonitsbehalfofstudiesonspecificissuesrelatingtotherightsofthechild,andtoaddresssuchrequestseithertotheSecretaryGeneral,throughtheGeneralAssembly,ortootherbodies,includingspecializedagencies,UNICEFandothercompetentbodies.SuchstudieswouldcontributetoanincreasedawarenessandbetterunderstandingoftheprovisionsoftheConventionandtheirimplementationthroughouttheworld.383.2 .2Duringthediscussion,varioustopicsweresuggestedaspossiblethemesforfuturestudies.TheimportantcontributionthatUnitedNationsbodies,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodies,includingresearchinstitutesandindividualexperts,couldprovideinthisregardwasemphasized,aswastheroleofcatalystthattheCommitteecouldplayindevelopingtheagendaforresearchandstudyontherightsofthechildattheinternationallevel.TheCommitteerecognizedtheimportanceofbeingawareofstudiesrelevanttoitsworkalreadycarriedoutorenvisagedbyvariousorganizationsandbodies.Tothatend,theCommitteerecommendedthatalistoftopicstowhichitattachedparticularinterestshouldbetransmittedtothosesameorganizationsandbodies.Atthesametime,theCommitteerecognizedtheimportanceofthissysteminfacilitatingtheorganizationofabibliographicalnetworkconcerningtherightsofthechild.Itthereforesuggestedthatthesecretariatalsobeentrustedwiththistask.384.2 .2Followingitsdiscussiononthisitem,theCommitteeconsideredatitsthirdsessionthenotepreparedbythesecretariatcontainingapreliminarylistoftopicsidentifiedbytheCommitteeaspossiblesubjectsforstudyontherightsofthechild.TheCommitteefurtherconsideredthecompilationofthelistofdocuments,reportsandotherpublishedmaterialannexedtothatnote,whichconstitutedausefulbasisfortheorganizationofabibliographicalnetworkinthisfield,identifyingtheareasalreadycoveredbyexistingstudiesandresearchactivitiesdevelopedbyvariousorganizations.385.2 .2TheCommitteereaffirmedtheimportanceitattachedtotheundertakingofstudiesinthisfieldasameansofincreasingawarenessandbetterunderstandingoftheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention,aswellasofimprovingitssystemofimplementation.386.2 .2TheCommitteestressedtheneedtoidentifypriorityareasforstudiesandtheimportantcatalyticroletheCommitteecouldplayindevelopingresearchactivitiesattheinternationallevel.Itthereforedecidedtoprepareanexplanatorynoteonthelistofpossiblesubjectsforstudiesinwhichithadaparticularinterest,underliningthereasonsforthatinterestandthewayinwhichsuchstudiescouldbeofassistancetotheCommitteeinitsfuturework.387.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedthatthisexplanatorynotewouldbesenttothevariousrelevantUnitedNationsbodies,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodies,includingresearchinstitutes.388.2 .2FollowingthegeneraldiscussionatthesecondsessionoftheCommitteeonchildreninarmedconflicts,andinviewoftheoutstandingimportanceofthisissueinthecontextofthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild,theCommitteeconcludedthatamajorUnitedNationsstudyshouldbeundertakeninthisfield.389.2 .2TheCommitteethereforedecided,inthelightofarticle45(c)oftheConvention,torecommendtotheGeneralAssemblythatatitsfortyeighthsessionitrequesttheSecretaryGeneraltoundertakeastudyonwaysandmeansofimprovingtheprotectionofchildrenfromtheadverseeffectsofarmedconflicts(seechap.I.J,thirdsession,recommendation1andannexVtothepresentreport).@ . 6.Systemofdocumentationandinformation390.2 .2TheCommitteehasoftenreaffirmed,atitsdifferentsessions,thataccesstoallrelevantsourcesofinformationpertainingtoitsfunctionsisessentialtoensureaneffectiveperformingofitsactivities.Forthispurpose,theCommitteetookdecisionsinthefollowingareas:(a)2 .2Informationfromthesecretariatontheactiontakenpursuanttodecisions2 .2adoptedbytheCommittee391.2 .2Atitssecondsession,theCommitteedecidedtorequestthesecretariattoreportatthebeginningofeachsessionontheactiontakenpursuanttodecisionsadoptedbytheCommittee(seechap.I.D,secondsession,recommendation2).(b)2 .2Resourceroom392.2 .2Atitsfirstsession,theCommitteerequestedtheSecretaryGeneraltoestablish,asproposedbythesecondandthirdmeetingsofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies,acommitteeresourceroomforthepurposeofgatheringandfacilitatingaccesstothevarioussourcesofinformationthatareindispensablefortheeffectivefunctioningoftheCommittee.393.2 .2Atitssecondsession,theCommitteewasinformedofdifficulties,includingthelackofspaceandresources,facedbytheCentreforHumanRightsinthisconnection.StressingtheneedforsucharesourceroomwheredocumentationfromthevariousUnitedNationshumanrightsorgans,includingthetreatybodies,couldbekeptandconsultedbymembersofthosebodies,theCommitteeexpressedthehopethattheCentrewouldgivethismatterthepriorityconsiderationitdeserved,andadoptedanewrecommendationinthisregard(ibid.).&  (c)2 .2Workinggrouponasystemofinformationanddocumentation,includingthe2 .2questionofcomputerization394.2 .2'  Atitssecondsession,theCommitteedecidedtoestablishaworkinggroupamongitsmemberstoconsiderthequestionofthesystemofinformationanddocumentationrelevanttoitswork,includingthequestionofcomputerization,incooperationwiththeCentreforHumanRights,UnitedNationsbodiesandothercompetentbodies(ibid.).395.2 .2Furthermore,theCommitteedecidedtobringitsconcernsanddecisionstotheconsiderationofthefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies.Inthisregard,itreaffirmedthat,whilerecognizingthataccesstoallrelevantsourcesofinformationpertainingtothefunctionsoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildwasessential.Itencouragedthefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiestogiveparticularconsiderationtothisrealityandtoenvisagetheadoptionofadequateandurgentrecommendationsasamatterofpriority.396.2 .2Onthequestionofcomputerizationoftheworkoftreatybodies,theCommitteewasalsoinformed,atitssecondsession,aboutdevelopmentsrelatingtotheestablishmentofacomputerizeddatabaseandthatStatesMembersoftheUnitedNations,inparticularthosewhichwerepartiestoUnitedNationshumanrightsinstruments,hadbeeninvitedtomakegenerousvoluntarycontributionstocovertheinitialcostofinstallingthedatabase.TheCommitteereiteratedtheneedforthepromptestablishmentintheCentreforHumanRightsofsuchacomputerizeddatabase,whichwouldgreatlycontributetoincreasingtheefficiencyofthetreatybodies.Itnotedwithregrettheslowpaceofthecomputerizationandthefactthat,atthepresentstage,theappealtoMemberStatestocontributetotheinstallationofthedatabasewasfarfromhavingachieveditsgoal.ItwasstressedthattheCommitteeshouldendeavourtoidentifyitsspecificneedsandthevarioussourcesofinformationwhichwouldbeofdirectrelevancetoitswork.Theimportanceofselectingacomputerizedsystemwhichwouldbecompatiblewithalreadyexistinginformationsystemswithinspecializedagenciesorregionalandnongovernmentalorganizationswasalsoemphasized(ibid.)397.2 .2Duringthesamesession,theCommitteevisitedtheInternationalLabourOffice,whereithadaworkingsessioninordertofamiliarizeitselfwiththecomputerizedsystemusedbythatagency.Thismeetingenabledapositiveexchangeofviewsonthepossibilitiesaffordedbysuchasystem,inordertogetupdatedinformationontherealityofeachcountry,namelyatthelevelofnationallegislation,andontheimportantstepstakenbyILOwithintheframeworkofitsmandate.TheCommitteeemphasizedtheimportanceofmaintainingclosecooperationwithUnitedNationsbodiesandothercompetentbodiesinthefieldofhumanrightsinordertoestablishacomputerizednetworkofinformation.398.2 .2Inviewoftheimportanceitattachestobuildinganetworkofinformationanddocumentationrelevanttoitswork,aswellastodevelopingasystemofcomputerization,incooperationwiththeCentreforHumanRights,UnitedNationsbodiesandothercompetentbodies,includingnongovernmentalorganizations,theCommitteeestablishedfurthercontactswithbodiesactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechildatitsthirdsession.Inthisframework,aworkingsessionwasorganizedattheOfficeoftheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforRefugees(UNHCR),whereaninterestingexchangeofviewstookplaceonthecomputerizedsystemusedbyUNHCRandonthepossibilitiesaffordedbythissystem.399.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoinformedofthestepstakenwiththesupportoftheUNICEFInternationalChildDevelopmentCentreatFlorence,Italy,toestablishanetworkofinformationandadatabasesystemontherightsofthechild.Inthisconnection,membersoftheCommitteereiteratedtheirconvictionthatfurthercooperationandcoordinationwiththerelevantbodiesactiveinthisfieldshouldbeensured.TheCommitteestressedtheneedtobuildacooperativespiritofwork,basedonanaturaldivisionoflabourshapedbytherespectiveareasofactivityofthedifferentbodiesinvolvedandleadingtoasystemofmutualassistanceandsharingofinformation.ItwasdecidedthattheworkinggroupoftheCommitteeondocumentationandinformationwouldpursueitstasks,particularlywithaviewtoidentifyingtheprioritiesfortheworkoftheCommittee,namelythespecificareastobecoveredbythesystemofcomputerizationoftheworkofthetreatybodies,inauserorientedperspective.400.2 .2Atitsfourthsession,theCommitteeheldaworkingmeetingattheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)andwasinformedabouttheimportantstepstakenbyWHOtomonitorprogressintheimplementationoftheGlobalStrategyforHealthforAllbytheYear2000,aswellasabouttheinformationnetworkinthefieldofhealth,includingnationallegislation.401.2 .2TheCommitteereaffirmedtheimportanceofmaintainingclosecooperationwithUnitedNationsbodiesinthefieldofchildren'srightsinordertobettermonitorthesituationofchildren,asrecommendedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights.Suchcooperationinthefieldofinformationwouldbeadecisivesteptowardstheestablishmentofacomprehensivecomputerizednetwork.402.2 .2Atitsfifthsession,theCommittee,inthelightoftheimportanceofbuildinganetworkofinformationanddocumentationinthefieldofchildren'srights,reaffirmedthatsuchanetworkshouldbeestablishedinclosecooperationwithUnitedNationsorgans,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodies,humanrightsmonitoringtreatybodies,aswellasotherrelevantmechanismsactiveinthefield,includingtheSpecialRapporteuroftheCommissiononHumanRightsonsaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornographyandtheWorkingGrouponContemporaryFormsofSlaveryoftheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinorities.403.2 .2Moreover,theCommitteeemphasizedtheimportanceofensuringasystematicinteractionandameaningfuldialoguewithallthesebodiesactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild,pavingthewayforathematicandintegratedapproach.404.2 .2TheCommitteewasinformed,bythememberswhohadparticipatedinit,abouttheconsultativemeetingonindicatorsandinformationsystemsforchildren'srights,organizedon9October1993inclosecooperationwithUNICEF.Thereportgiventhereonreflectedtheemphasisputontheimportanceofameaningfulspiritofcooperationbetweenalltheentitiesrepresentedthere-theCentreforHumanRights,UnitedNationsorgansandspecializedagencies,non-governmentalorganizationsandtheCommitteeitself.Suchaspiritwouldbeessentialtobuildingupanetworkofinformationandensuringaccesstocomprehensive,accurateandupdateddata.405.2 .2TherehadbeenadeepinterestatthemeetingintheConventionontheRightsoftheChildanditssystemofimplementation,recognizedascrucialfortheconsiderationanddevelopmentofnewstepsinthisarea.Forthisreason,themembersoftheCommitteehadtheopportunityofexplainingindetailtheproceduresfollowedintheirwork,aswellasthevalueoftheirguidelinesforthethematicapproachtheyensuredtothedifferentareascoveredbytheConvention.406.2 .2Inthelightofalltheseimportantdevelopments,theCommitteetooknotewithparticularinterestoftheinvitationaddressedtoitbytheCentreforHumanRightstoparticipate,on19January1994,inaconsultativemeetingonaninformationanddocumentationsystemtosupporttheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,ameetingwhichwouldinfactconstituteafollowuptothatof9October1993.407.2 .2RepresentativesofvariousUnitedNationsbodiesandothercompetentbodieswerepresentatthemeeting,reaffirmingonceagaintheirinterestinbuildingupanintegratedsystemofinformationanddocumentationandcooperatingtoachievethatpurpose.408.2 .2Duringthemeeting,theCommitteewasabletopresentitsexpectationsinthisregard,underliningitsprioritiesinthelightoftheworkloaditfacesindealingwiththelargenumberofStatepartyreports,resultingfromthefactthattheConventionontheRightsoftheChildisthemostwidelyratifiedinstrumentinthefieldofhumanrights.409.2 .2Inthisframework,referencewasalsomadetothereportandrecommendationsofthetaskforceappointedbytheCommissiononHumanRightstostudythequestionofthecomputerizationoftheworkofthetreatybodies, V   ׀whichlistedtheneedsofthecommitteesestablishedbythedifferenthumanrightsconventions,reflectingthecommonareasofinterestfortheinformationsystemwhichnaturallyarealsosharedbytheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild.410.2 .2TheparticipatingUnitedNationsbodies,aswellastherepresentativesofnon-governmentalorganizations,presentedthedifferentcomputerizedsystemstheyhavedevelopedwithintheirorganizations,whichhadinfactalreadybeenshowntotheCommitteeatprevioussessions.Furthermore,theyidentifiedtheareaswherecooperationcouldbeforeseen,aswellasthefieldswhereassistancecouldbeprovidedtotheCentreforHumanRightsingeneral,andtotheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildinparticular.Inviewoftheurgentnatureofthesemeasures,theparticipantsdecidedtoestablishaworkingcommitteetoplanthestepstobeundertakeninthenearfutureandtheprioritiestobedefined.411.2 .2TheCommitteeexpresseditswillingnesstocontinuetobeassociatedwithalltheseeffortsinordertoensurethattheactionstobedevelopedinthefuturewouldtaketheuser'sperspectiveandneedsintodueconsideration.Furthermore,itstressedthatitwasparticularlyencouragingtoseethattherightsofthechildhadpavedthewayforaconstructivedialoguebetweenthedifferentbodiesoftheUnitedNationssystem,non-governmentalorganizationsandtheCommitteeinsuchadecisivefieldasthatofinformation.Children'srightshadalsocreatedtheoccasionforeffortstobebroughttogether,inaspiritofinteractionandcomplementarity,andtogiveanewimpetustotheactionspreviouslyinitiatedwithintheCentreforHumanRights.TheCommitteefurtherreaffirmedthatitwasconfidentthatthestepstobeundertakentosupporttheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildwouldalsobeextremelybeneficialtotheworkandcomputerizationofalltheothertreatybodies.(d)2 .2Documentationunitontherightsofthechild412.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteestressedonceagaintheimportanceofhavingaccesstoallrelevantsourcesofinformationpertainingtoitsfunctionsinordertobeeffective.Itrecalledtheimportantstepsalreadyundertakenforthispurpose,namelytheclosecooperationwithUnitedNationsbodies,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodies,includingnongovernmentalorganizations,inordertobuildanetworkofinformationontherightsofthechild,aswellastheorganizationofcountryfilesandthepreparationofananalyticalstudyofavailableinformationconcerningeachStatepartywhosereportistobeconsideredbytheCommittee.413.2 .2Atthesametime,theCommitteeregrettedthatithadnotyetbeenpossibletoestablishacommitteeresourceroomwithaviewtogatheringandfacilitatingaccesstothevarioussourcesofinformationontherightsofthechild.414.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithparticularinteresttherecommendationadoptedbythefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiesthatacentralizedinformationanddocumentationunitshouldbecreatedwithintheCentreforHumanRights,asameansofensuringaneasierandwideraccesstorelevantinformationinthisfield. W   415.2 .2Withthesameconcern,andinviewoftheimportanceofensuringeffectiveinteractionandameaningfulandsystematicdialoguewithotherbodiesactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild,andofcloselyfollowingactivitiesrelevanttoitswork,theCommitteedecidedtorecommendthat,asapreliminarysteptowardsthecreationofacentralizedinformationanddocumentationunitwithintheCentreforHumanRights,considerationbegiventotheestablishmentofadocumentationunitontherightsofthechild(seechap.I.F,thirdsession,recommendation4).416.2 .2Suchaunit,guidedbyathematicapproach,wouldconstituteafocalpointinthisarea,bringingtogethertheactivitiesdevelopedbytheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,theSpecialRapporteuroftheCommissiononHumanRightsonthesaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornography,aswellastheWorkingGrouponContemporaryFormsofSlaveryoftheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinorities.(e)2 .2Indicatorsasameansofassessingprogressintherealizationofthe2 .2rightsofthechild417.2 .2Duringitssecondsession,theCommitteeexpressedtheviewthattheuseofappropriateindicatorscouldcontributetoabetterassessmentofhowtherightscoveredbytheConventionwereguaranteedandimplementedandtoanevaluationofprogressachievedovertimetowardsthefullrealizationofthoserights.ItwasstressedthattheConventioncoveredawholerangeofcivilandpolitical,aswellaseconomic,socialandculturalrightsandthattherewasthereforeaneedforarightbyrightapproachinordertodeterminewhatkindofindicatorswouldberelevantforeachoftherightssetoutintheConvention.IndicatorsconstitutedanimportantcomponentofferingtheCommitteethepossibilitytoassesstheprogressachievedbyStatesparties.However,indicatorswerenotentirelysufficienttoensuresuchapossibility,mainlywhentherewasaneedtoemphasizehowtherightssetforthintheConventionwereindividuallyenjoyed.Indicatorsshouldmeetsomebasicrequirementssuchasvalidity,objectivity,sensitivity,comparability,accuracyanddisaggregation.ItwassaidthattheCommitteeshouldbenefitfromtheexperienceacquiredinthecollectionofstatisticaldataanduseofindicatorsbytheUnitedNationsChildren'sFund,variousUnitedNationsbodies,specializedagenciesandnon-governmentalorganizations.TheCommitteewelcomedtheconvening,inDecember1992,ofthemeetingofexpertsonappropriateindicatorstomeasureachievementsintheprogressiverealizationofeconomic,socialandculturalrights,inwhichitwouldparticipate,andexpressedthehopethatthisseminarwouldcontributetodetermininghowbesttoincorporatetheuseofindicatorsintothemonitoringactivitiesoftheCommittee(seechap.I.G,secondsession,recommendation4).418.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteedecidedtocontinuetheconsiderationofthisimportantissueandrecalledthatithadentrusteditsworkinggrouponinformationanddocumentationwiththetaskofstudyingthequestionoftheuseofappropriateindicatorstobetterassesshowtherightsofthechildrecognizedbytheConventionareenjoyedandimplemented,andtoevaluatetheprogressachieved.419.2 .2Theworkinggroupfollowedtheconsiderationofthisimportantfield,inparticularwithaviewtopreparingtheparticipationoftheCommitteeintheseminaronappropriateindicatorstomeasureachievementsintheprogressiverealizationofeconomic,socialandculturalrights,takingplaceatGenevafrom25to29January1993.420.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedtoexaminethereportoftheseminaratitsfourthsessionandtoconsiderthefollowupmeasuresinthelightoftheconclusionsandrecommendationsoftheseminar.421.2 .2TheCommitteereaffirmedtheimportanceofdevelopingindicatorsfollowingarightbyrightapproach.ItalsorecalledtheneedtoenhanceitscooperationwithUnitedNationsbodiesandothercompetentbodies,includingresearchinstitutes,andtobenefitfromtheirexperienceinthisimportantarea,particularlyinordertoassisttheCommitteeinitsconsiderationofarightbyrightapproach,inthelightofthestructureprovidedbytheguidelinesadoptedbytheCommittee(CRC/C/5).422.2 .2Atitsfourthsession,theCommitteereiterateditsdecisiontocontinuetostudythequestionoftheuseofappropriateindicators,namelythroughtheworkinggroupestablishedatitssecondsession(seechap.I.D,secondsession,recommendation2).423.2 .2ArepresentativeoftheCommitteehadparticipatedintheexpertseminaronappropriateindicators.TheCommitteetooknoteofthereportoftheseminar X   ׀anddecidedtorequestitsworkinggrouptoconsidertheconclusionsandrecommendationsproposedtherein,toreportbacktotheCommitteeandtoproposepossiblefollowupmeasures.TheCommitteealsotooknoteoftheconsiderationgivenbytheCommissiononHumanRights,initsresolution1993/14of26February1993,totheconclusionsoftheexpertseminar,aswellasoftherequesttotheSecretaryGeneraltopreparebasicpolicyguidelinesonstructuraladjustmentandeconomic,socialandculturalrightswhichwouldserveasabasisforacontinueddialoguebetweenhumanrightsbodiesandtheinternationalfinancialinstitutions.424.2 .2Atitsfifthsession,theCommitteewasinformedabouttheconsultativemeetingonindicatorsandinformationsystemsforchildren'srights,organizedon9October1993inclosecooperationwithUNICEF,andittooknoteoftheimportantprojectsdevelopedbyUnitedNationsbodiesandnongovernmentalorganizationsconcerningtheestablishmentofaneffectivesystemofmonitoringtheimplementationoftheConventionandtheuse,inthatregard,ofappropriateindicatorstoassessexistingtrendsandevaluatetheprogressachieved.TheCommitteefeltthatitwasextremelyencouragingtoseetheresultsalreadyachievedinthisimportantarea,whichconstitutesanessentialtoolforevaluatingthewaychildrenenjoytheirfundamentalrights.̀C.Publicinformationactivitiesandeducationoǹchildren'srights425.2 .2Atitssecondsession,theCommitteewasinformedthatasregardsthequestionoftheavailabilityofthedocumentsoftheCommitteeintheUnitedNationsinformationcentres,themeetingsofheadsofsuchcentresandtheBulletinissuedthereonhadbeenusedtoalertthecentresabouttheavailabilityandaccessibilityoftreatybodydocuments.TheCommitteeemphasizedthatitwasimportanttoensurefreeavailabilityofdocumentsforgeneraldistributionatthecountrylevel.426.2 .2Atthesamesession,theCommitteeinvitedStatespartiestopayparticularattentiontotheneedfortranslatingandpublishingtheConventioninthevariouslocallanguagesandtoensurethattheprinciplesandprovisionsthereofaremadewidelyknown,byappropriateandactivemeans,toadultsandchildrenalike(seechap.I.E,secondsession,recommendation3).427.2 .2InviewoftheimportanceofdisseminatinginformationontheConventionontheRightsoftheChildanditsmonitoringmechanisminordertoenhanceimplementationoftheConvention,theCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildalsorequestedtheSecretaryGeneraltomakedocumentsoftheCommitteeclassifiedinthegeneraldistributioncategoryfreelyavailable,onaroutinebasis,intheUnitedNationsinformationcentresor,inthecountrieswherecentresdonotexist,inthecountryofficesoftheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme;andencouragedhimtoconsiderprovidingtrainingandassistancetothenationalinstitutionsactinginthefieldoftherightsofthechild,withinthetechnicalassistanceandadvisoryservicesprogramme(seechap.I.H,secondsession,recommendation5C).428.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteereaffirmedtheimportanceofenhancingawarenessoftheConventionanditssystemofimplementation.429.2 .2Inthisframework,andinordertoensureawideavailabilityoftheCommittee'sdocumentsforgeneraldistributionandeasieraccesstothematthecountrylevel,theCommitteerecommendedthat,followingitsexaminationofeachStatepartyreport,acompilationbepreparedcontainingthereport,thesummaryrecordsrelevanttoitsconsiderationbytheCommitteeandtheconcludingobservationsadoptedthereonbytheCommittee.430.2 .2ThiscompilationwouldbemadefreelyavailableonaroutinebasisattheUnitedNationsinformationcentreinthecountryconcernedor,ifthereisnosuchcentre,attheUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgrammecountryoffice.431.2 .2SuchaninitiativewouldatthesametimebeaneffectivemeansofassistingStatespartiesintheirendeavourstoensure,inthelightofarticle44,paragraph6,oftheConvention,thattheirreportsaremadewidelyavailabletothepublicintheirowncountry(seechap.I.E.,thirdsession,recommendation2).432.2 .2Atitsfourthsession,theCommitteedecided,inordertofacilitateeasieraccesstoandensurebetterunderstandingofitswork,toissue,asoneofitsdocuments,ananalyticalcompilationoftheconclusionsandrecommendationsadoptedbytheCommitteeatitsprevioussessions;itrecognizedtheimportanceofkeepingsuchacompilationuptodate(seeCRC/C/19).433.2 .2TheCommitteerecognizedtheroleofpublicinformationactivitiesinachievingthegoal,setbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,ofuniversalratificationoftheConventionbytheyear1995.434.2 .2Havingthisinmind,theCommitteedecidedtoreaffirmitsrequesttotheSecretaryGeneraltoconsidertheinclusionintheManualonHumanRightsReportingofachapterontheworkoftheCommittee,thecompletionandissuanceofthetravauxprparatoiresandthecommentaryontheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,andthepreparationanddisseminationofpublicationsspeciallyaddressedtochildren.435.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherdecidedtorequesttheSecretaryGeneraltoconsiderthepreparationofanewFactSheetontheimplementationprocessoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.SuchapublicationwouldenableabetterunderstandingandconsiderationbyStatesofthecomprehensivenationalapproachtakenbytheCommitteeinthefulfilmentofitstasksasatreatymonitoringbody.436.2 .2Atitsfifthsession,theCommitteetooknotewithparticularinterestoftheletteraddressedtoitbytheAssistantSecretary-GeneralforHumanRightsinvitingtheCommitteetoexpressitsviewsandgiveitssuggestionsonhowtoensureeffectivepromotionandprotectionofhumanrightseducation,trainingandpublicinformation,inthelightoftheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofActionadoptedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights.437.2 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildhasoftenreaffirmedthedecisiveimportanceitattachestothefieldsofeducationandinformationasessentialelementsofaneffectiveoverallhumanrightsstrategy,andinparticularinordertocreateawareness,topromoterespectforandeffectiveprotectionoftherightsofthechild,andtopreventtheviolationofthoserights.ItrecalledinthisregardtheemphasisplacedbytheWorldConferenceontheneedtoincludehumanrightsasasubjectinthecurriculaofalllearninginstitutions,informalandnon-formalsettings.ItwasthebeliefoftheCommitteethatthisapproachofferedanencouragingopportunityforconsideringtheinclusionoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildinschoolcurriculaandasaninspiringinstrumentintheareaofnon-formaleducation.438.2 .2TheCommitteethereforestressedtherelevanceofeducationtoensurethedevelopmentofthechild'spersonality,talentsandmentalandphysicalabilitiestotheirfullestpotential,todevelopthechild'srespectforhumanrightsandtopreparethechildforaresponsiblelifeinafreesociety,inthespiritofunderstanding,peaceandtolerance.439.2 .2TheCommitteealsoexpressedtheviewthatthefieldofeducationshouldbeenvisagedinthelightofthenewvisionpromotedbytheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,basedontheenjoymentofrightsbyallchildrenwithoutdiscrimination,theprimaryconsiderationofthebestinterestsofthechild,andtheneedtoensuresurvivalanddevelopmentofchildrentothemaximumextentandtoencouragerespectfortheviewsofchildrenandtheiractiveparticipationinsociety.Theeducation,informationandtrainingofchildreninthefieldofhumanrightswasthereforeseenasapriority.440.2 .2RecallingtheholisticapproachoftheConventiontochildren'srights,theCommitteefurtherunderlinedthefactthatprogrammesaimedatenhancingtherighttoeducationshouldtakeintoaccountalltheotherrightsrecognizedbytheConventionandformpartofanoverallintegratedapproach.Inaddition,havinginminditsexperienceintheconsiderationofStatepartyreports,theCommitteeemphasizedtheimportancefortraininginhumanrightsingeneral,andchildren'srightsinparticular,tobeaddressedtoteachers,lawenforcementofficials,membersofthejudiciary,socialworkers,membersofthemedicalprofessionandhealthworkers,journalists,employersandlabourinspectors.441.2 .2InordertoenhanceinternationalcooperationinthefieldofeducationandtoenvisagewaysofimprovingthesystemofimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildinthisarea,theCommittee,representedbysomeofitsmembers(Mrs.HodaBadran,Mrs.AkilaBelembaogoandMrs.MartaSantosPais),heldaninformalmeetingwithrepresentativesofUNESCOinParisinNovember1993.442.2 .2Thisinformalmeetingwasanimportantoccasiontoconsiderareasofcommonconcern,suchasinformation-sharing,programmesoftechnicalassistanceandtheorganizationofconferencesandstudiesinthefieldofeducationforchildren.Theexchangeofviewsmadeitpossibletoaddressspecificfieldsforfuturecooperation.443.2 .2Inthisregard,theparticipationofUNESCOinthemeetingsofthepre-sessionalworkinggroupsoftheCommitteewasstressedasbeingofparticularimportance,namelyfortheopportunityitwouldprovidefortheCommitteetohaveaccesstorelevantinformationgatheredforthatpurposebyafocalpointwithinthatorganization.Itmightatthesametimeenableacommonapproachtoprogrammesoftechnicaladviceorassistancetobelaunchedatthenationalorregionallevels.444.2 .2Furthermore,UNESCOexpresseditswillingnesstocontributetomakingtheConventionbetterknown,throughtheorganizationanddisseminationofschoolversionsofitstextpreparedbychildren,aswellasthroughtrainingprogrammesforteachersandotherprofessionalgroups.Inthisconnection,referencewasmadetothe1993WorldPlanonEducationforHumanRightsandDemocracy,whichwouldincludeimportantsectionsonchildren'srights.445.2 .2Moreover,UNESCOrecognizedthatpilotinformationandparticipationcampaignscouldalsobeundertakenthroughtheAssociatedSchoolsnetworkorUNESCOclubsasasteptowardstheconsiderationoftheConventionwithinschoolcurricula.̀D.InternationalcooperationandsolidarityforthèimplementationoftheConventionontheRights̀oftheChild@ .l1.ReviewofdevelopmentsrelevanttotheworkoftheCommittee446.2 .2Atitsfirstsession,theCommitteehadrequestedthesecretariattoreport,atthebeginningofeachsession,ontheactiontakenpursuanttodecisionsadoptedbytheCommitteeatitsprevioussession.Accordingly,atitssecondsessiontheCommitteewasprovidedwithinformalnotespreparedbytheSecretariatcontainingsummariesofactiontakenbytheGeneralAssemblyatitsforty-sixthsession,theCommissiononHumanRightsatitsforty-eighthsession,andtheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinoritiesatitsforty-fourthsession,onthequestionoftherightsofthechildandrelatedmatters.TheCommitteealsohadbeforeitinformalnotesbythesecretariatcontainingacompilationofinternationalinstrumentsrelatingtotheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandacompilationofthegeneralcommentsandgeneralrecommendationsadoptedbythevarioushumanrightstreatybodies. Y   447.2 .2Followingadecisiontakenatthefirstsession,theRapporteurmadeacomprehensiveoralreportonthedevelopmentsrelevanttotheworkoftheCommitteethathadoccurredsincetheprecedingsession.Inthispresentation,particularemphasiswasputonactiontakenwithintheframeworkoftheGeneralAssembly,theCommissiononHumanRights,theSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinorities,includingSpecialRapporteursandWorkingGroups,aswellasbythedifferenttreatybodies,whichwereofinterestfortheconsiderationbytheCommitteeofquestionsrelatingtoitsmethodsofworkandtothestudyofissuesofathematicnature.448.2 .2InviewoftheimportancetheCommitteeattachestocloselyfollowingandmaintainingeffectivecommunicationwiththeotherhumanrightstreatybodies,italsoconsideredtheimportantdevelopmentswhichhadoccurredwithinthesebodiesthroughpresentationsmadebythemembersoftheCommitteehavingbeendesignatedforthatpurpose.449.2 .2TheCommitteethereforedecidedtomaintaintheconsiderationofthisitemonceayear,basedonthepresentationbytheRapporteurandtheinformationprovidedbytheliaisonmemberstothedifferenttreatybodies.Tothisend,theCommitteerequestedthesecretariattoprepareadocumentsummarizingtheimportantstepstakenbytherelevantUnitedNationsbodies.450.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoencouragedbythefactthat,attheregionallevel,thedifferentactionsundertakeninthefieldofthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechildhadshowntheimportantcatalysingroletheConventionhadplayed.TheCommitteethereforeencouragedtheSecretariattoincludeinthedocumenttobepreparedonthedevelopmentsrelevanttoitsworkareferencetotheessentialactivitiesundertakenattheregionallevel,particularlybytheintergovernmentalorganizations.ThemembersoftheCommitteewouldalsoprovidetheSecretariatwithrelevantinformationofwhichtheymightbeaware.451.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteewasprovidedwithinformalnotespreparedbythesecretariatcontainingsummariesofactiontakenbytheGeneralAssemblyatitsfortyseventhsession,theCommissiononHumanRightsatitsfortyninthsessionandtheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinoritiesatitsfortyfifthsessiononthequestionoftherightsofthechildandrelatedmatters.452.2 .2TheRapporteurmadeacomprehensiveoralreportonthedevelopmentsrelevanttotheworkoftheCommitteewhichhadoccurredsincetheprecedingsession.Inthispresentation,particularemphasiswasputonactiontakenwithintheframeworkoftheGeneralAssembly,theCommissiononHumanRightsandtheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinorities,includingspecialrapporteursandworkinggroups,aswellasbythedifferenttreatybodies,whichwasofinterestfortheconsiderationbytheCommitteeofquestionsrelatingtoitsmethodsofworkandtothestudyofissuesofathematicnature.SpecificmentionwasmadeoftheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsandtheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofAction,inparticularinthelightofrecommendationsconcerningtherightsofthechildandtheworkoftheCommitteeasatreatymonitoringbody.̀2.CooperationwithUnitedNationsbodiesandother̀competentbodies(a)2 .2CooperationwithUnitedNationsbodiesandtreatybodies453.2 .2AtitsfirstsessiontheCommitteehadrecognizedthattheConventionprovidedaparticularlyvaluableframeworkforthespecializedagencies,UNICEF,UnitedNationsorgansandothercompetentbodiestoguideactivitiesandprogrammesaffectingchildren.Additionally,ithadbeennotedthattheConventionservedasausefulbasisforameaningfulcooperationanddialogueamongallthevariousbodiesconcerned. Z   454.2 .2Atthatsession,theCommitteehadrequestedthesecretariattosubmittoitacompilationofinternationalinstrumentsrelevanttotheworkoftheCommittee,takingintoaccountinstrumentsadoptedbythevariousUnitedNationsorgansandspecializedagenciesaswellasrelevantrecommendationsandresolutions,asappropriate;ithadalsorequestedthesecretariattoprovideitwithacompilationofthegeneralcommentsandgeneralrecommendationsadoptedbythevarioushumanrightstreatybodies. [   455.2 .2Atitssecondsession,theCommitteewelcomedthepossibilityofholdingfuturemeetingswiththeUnitedNationsbodiesactinginthefieldoftherightsofthechild,includingeachofthetreatybodies,withaviewtodiscussingmattersofcommoninterest;decidedtofollow,asappropriate,themeetingsandactivitiesofotherhumanrightstreatybodies,aswellasotherUnitedNationsmeetingsrelevanttoitswork;welcomedtheopportunitytoparticipateinthemeetingofexpertsontheapplicationofinternationalstandardsconcerningthehumanrightsofdetainedjuveniles,tobeorganizedatGenevainMarch1993,followingaproposalbytheSecretaryGeneralendorsedbytheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinoritiesinitsresolution1992/25of27August1992,inwhichtheSubcommissionalsoexpressedthewishthattheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildberepresentedatthemeetingofexperts;expressedthehopethatadequateresourceswouldbeprovidedtoenabletheCommitteetodevelopeffectivecommunicationanddialoguewithotherhumanrightsbodiesandtoparticipateinUnitedNationsmeetingsrelevanttoitswork;invitedspecialrapporteursoftheCommissiononHumanRightsandtheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinoritiesandworkinggroupsestablishedbytheCommissionandtheSubcommissiontotaketheConventionontheRightsoftheChildintoconsiderationwithintheframeworkoftheirrespectivemandates;andwelcomedtheopportunityprovidedbyitssecondsessionforstartingaconstructiveandmeaningfuldialoguewiththeSpecialRapporteuronthesaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornography,andonquestionsofcommonconcern,namely,thequestionofchildsoldiers,andexpresseditswillingnesstopursuethatdialogueatitsfuturesessions(seechap.I.G,secondsession,recommendation4).456.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteerecalledtheemphasisputbythefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiesonthepromotionofinteractionamongtreatybodiesandreaffirmedthedecisionsandrecommendationsadoptedatitsprevioussessionsontheissueofeffectiveinteractionandcooperationwithotherUnitedNationsandtreatybodiesactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild.ItstressedtheneedforprovidingtheCommitteewithadequateresourcestoenableittodevelopeffectivecommunicationanddialoguewithotherhumanrightsbodiesandtoparticipateinUnitedNationsmeetingsrelevanttoitswork;reaffirmeditsinterestandwillingnesstoparticipateintheproposedmeetingofexpertsontheapplicationofinternationalstandardsconcerningthehumanrightsofdetainedjuveniles,andrecalledtheimportantframeworkestablishedbytheConventionontheRightsoftheChildinthatfield;decidedtofollowcloselythepreparatoryprocessoftheInternationalYearoftheFamilyand,withinthatframework,tostrengthenitscooperationwiththeCentreforSocialDevelopmentandHumanitarianAffairs,inparticularwithaviewtobeingassociatedwiththateventandhavingaccesstotherelevantdocumentsandstudies;andrequestedtheSpecialRapporteuroftheCommissiononHumanRightsonthesituationofhumanrightsintheterritoryoftheformerYugoslaviatotaketheConventionontheRightsoftheChildintofullconsiderationinthefulfilmentofhismandateandinhisfuturereports(ibid.,thirdsession,recommendation3).457.2 .2Atitsfourthsession,theCommitteereaffirmedtheimportanceofensuringeffectiveinteractionandcooperationwithUnitedNationsbodiesactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild.ItfurthermorerecognizedthegreatimportancethattheConventionattachestotheareaoftechnicaladviceandassistance.458.2 .2TheCommitteealsotooknoteoftheemphasisgivenbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRightstotheachievementofprogressinhumanrightsendeavoursthroughanincreasedandsustainedeffortofinternationalcooperationandsolidarity,aswellasofitsrecommendationthatthehumanrightsandthesituationofchildrenberegularlyreviewedandmonitoredbyallrelevantorgansandmechanismsoftheUnitedNationssystem.459.2 .2InthisregardtheCommitteedecidedtoholdameetingwithspecializedagenciesatitsnextsession.460.2 .2TheCommitteealsoreaffirmeditsdecisiontofollowcloselythedevelopmentsrelatedtotheInternationalYearoftheFamily,theInternationalConferenceonPopulationandDevelopmentandtheWorldSummitforSocialDevelopment.Atthesametime,recognizingtheimportanceofbeingassociatedwiththepreparatoryprocessfortheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,totakeplaceatBeijingin1995,itdecidedtodevoteoneofitsfuturemeetingstotheconsiderationofitscontributiontothisevent(ibid.,fourthsession,recommendation4).461.2 .2Atthesamesession,theCommitteewasinformedthattheSecretaryGeneralhadsubmittedtotheCommitteethedraftoptionalprotocoltotheConventionagainstTortureandOtherCruel,InhumanorDegradingTreatmentorPunishmentand,inaccordancewithCommissiononHumanRightsresolution1993/34,wasinvitedtosubmititsobservationsthereon.462.2 .2TheCommitteerecognizedtheimportanceofanystepstakentoprotectanypersonagainsttheuseoftortureorothercruel,inhumanordegradingtreatmentorpunishment,aswellastopreventitsoccurrence.Inthisperspective,itwelcomedtheprogressachievedatthefirstsessionoftheworkinggrouponthedraftoptionalprotocolestablishedbytheCommission.463.2 .2IntheCommittee'sview,itwouldbeimportanttobringrelevantprovisionsoftheConventiontotheattentionoftheworkinggroupandtosuggestthattheybetakenintoconsiderationinitswork.TheCommitteethereforedecidedtotransmititssuggestionstotheworkinggroupandtocontinuetofollowitsdevelopments.464.2 .2Inanotherdevelopment,theCommitteewelcomedthedecisionoftheGeneralAssemblytodeclare17OctoberInternationalDayfortheEradicationofPoverty.TheCommitteedecidedtoassociateitselfwiththecommemorationofthisinternationaldayandtoissueamessagetothiseffect(seeCRC/C/20,annexIV).465.2 .2Atitsfifthsession,theCommitteetooknoteoftheadoptionbytheGeneralAssemblyofresolution48/156of20December1993ontheneedtoadoptefficientinternationalmeasuresforthepreventionofthesaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornography.Italsotooknoteoftheconcernexpressedthereinonthepersistenceintheworldofsituationsofthesaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornography,aswellasthevalueattachedinthisframeworktotheConventionontheRightsoftheChildanditseffectiveimplementationatthenationallevel,asanessentialmeanstopreventandcombatsuchsituations.466.2 .2TheCommitteenotedthatthepoliticalcommitmentexpressedbytheinternationalcommunityingeneral,andStatespartiestotheConventioninparticular,toensuretherealizationoftherightsofthechild,topromoteinternationalcooperationandsolidarityandtointegratetheConventionintonationalactionplanswouldundoubtedlycontributetopreventingandcombatingsituationsofexploitationofchildrensuchasthesaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornography.467.2 .2TheCommitteefurthernotedthattherewereencouragingsignsatthepresenttimeofachievingthataim.ItwasimportanttorecalltheundeniabletrendfortheuniversalratificationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildby1995,asrecommendedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,theconstructivedialogueestablishedbetweentheCommitteeandStatespartiesintheframeworkofthereportingsystemestablishedbytheConvention,aswellasthecloseandfruitfulcooperationdevelopedwiththeSpecialRapporteuroftheCommissiononHumanRightsonsaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornography.Thisclosecooperationonquestionsofsharedconcern,oftenreaffirmedbytheCommittee,hadbeenshownonceagaintobecrucialduringtheCommittee'sfourthsession,whenitorganizedageneraldiscussionontheeconomicexploitationofchildren,inwhichtherealitiesofthesaleofchildren,childpornographyandchildprostitution,interalia,wereconsidered.TheSpecialRapporteurtookpartintheextensiveconsiderationgiventothisimportantsubjectonthatoccasion(seeCRC/C/20,paras.186-196).Inthelightoftheimportanceattachedtothisquestion,andtakingintoaccounttheexchangeofviewsduringthegeneraldiscussionontheeconomicexploitationofchildren,theCommitteedecidedtoorganizeacomprehensivedossiercontainingtherelevantinstrumentsadoptedinthisfield,namelythetwoProgrammesofActionadoptedbytheCommissiononHumanRights,togetherwithanextendedrecordofthethemeday,aswellastoadoptasetofrecommendationsdesignedtoimprovethesystemofprevention,protectionandrehabilitationregardingchildreninsituationsofeconomicexploitation,asdecisivemeasurestoeradicatesuchsituations.468.2 .2TheCommitteealsotooknoteoftheletteraddressedtoitbytheAssistantSecretaryGeneralforHumanRightsconcerningthemandateofSpecialRapporteuroftheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinoritiestoupdatethereportofMr.AbdelwahabBoudhibaontheexploitationofchildlabour \   ׀andtoextendthestudytotheproblemofdebtbondage.469.2 .2Inthisframework,theCommitteerecalledthatithaddevotedonedayofitsfourthsessiontoageneraldiscussionontheeconomicexploitationofchildren,thusreflectingtheimportanceitattachedtothisissueintheframeworkofthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild.470.2 .2Furthermore,theCommitteerecalledthatissuesrelevanttotheProgrammeofActionfortheEliminationoftheExploitationofChildLabourweretakenintoaccountwhenitconsideredreportssubmittedbyStatespartiesunderarticle44oftheConvention,asreflectedintheconcludingobservationsadoptedbytheCommitteeattheendofitsdialoguewithStatesparties.471.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedtoinformtheSpecialRapporteuroftheSubcommissionaboutallthestepsithadtakeninthatregardandtoexpressitsinterestinmaintainingclosecooperationwithher.472.2 .2TheCommitteealsotooknoteoftheletteraddressedtoitbytheAssistantSecretaryGeneralforHumanRightsconcerningthemandateoftheSpecialRapporteuroftheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinoritiesonhumanrightsandtheenvironment.473.2 .2TheCommitteerecalledthat,inthelightoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,Statespartiesarerequestedtoproviderelevantinformationonmeasurestaken,factorsanddifficultiesencounteredandprogressachievedinimplementingtheprovisionsoftheConvention,includingmeasurestocombattherisksofenvironmentalpollution(art.24,para.2(c));toensurethatallsegmentsofsocietyareinformed,haveaccesstoeducationandaresupportedintheuseofenvironmentalsanitation(art.24,para.2(e));andtoensurethatthechild'seducationshallbedirectedtothedevelopmentofrespectforthenaturalenvironment(art.29,para.1(e)).TheinformationprovidedshouldalsoreflecttheinterdependenceandindivisibilityoftherightsofthechildandtakeintoaccountthegeneralprinciplesreflectedintheConvention,namelynondiscrimination,thebestinterestsofthechild,thechild'srighttosurvivalanddevelopmentandrespectfortheviewsofthechild.474.2 .2TheCommitteenotedwithappreciationthattheSpecialRapporteuronhumanrightsandtheenvironmenthadincludedinhersecondprogressreport ]   relevantinformationfromStatepartyreportsindicatingtheirconcernforchildrenandthestateoftheenvironment.Inthisspirit,andinviewoftheinterestitattachestothefieldoftheenvironment,theCommitteedecidedtoinformtheSpecialRapporteuraboutthespecificmeasuresbroughttoitsattentionintheframeworkofStatesparties'initialreports.TheCommitteealsoexpresseditsinterestinbeinginformedofrelevantrecentdevelopmentsbroughttotheattentionoftheSpecialRapporteur.̇475.2 .2Atthesamesession,theCommitteedecidedtofollowcloselythegeneraldiscussionstobeheldbytheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsin1994ontheroleofsocialsafetynetsasameansofprotectingeconomic,socialandculturalrights,withparticularreferencetosituationsinvolvingmajorstructuraladjustmentand/ortransitiontoafreemarketeconomyandonhumanrightseducationandpublicinformation(seechap.I.G,fifthsession,recommendation3).(b)2 .2Cooperationwithothercompetentbodies476.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteerecognizedtheimportanceofenhancingitscooperationwithothercompetentbodies,withaviewtoensuringabetterimplementationoftheConvention.ItalsorecognizedtherelevantroleplayedbynongovernmentalorganizationsincreatingawarenessoftheConventionandparticipatingintheprocessofmonitoringitsimplementation.Inthisframework,theCommitteetooknotewithinterestoftheLatinAmericanmeetingofnongovernmentalorganizations,heldatLimainDecember1992.AttentionwasalsocalledtotheDeclarationthenadopted,reflectinganimportantcommitmenttowardstherealizationoftherightsofthechild.TheCommitteedecidedtodistributetheLimaDeclarationinoneofitsdocuments(CRC/C/14).477.2 .2Atitsfourthsession,theCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildrecalledtherecognitionbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsoftheimportantroleplayedbynongovernmentalorganizationsintheeffectiveimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.478.2 .2Itrecalledinthisframeworkthatthetreatybodies,intheircommonrecommendationtotheWorldConference,hadsuggestedthataNonGovernmentalOrganizationLiaisonUnitbeestablishedwithintheCentreforHumanRightsinordertofacilitateeffectiveaccessbythetreatybodiestonongovernmentalorganizations.479.2 .2TheCommitteeheldaworkingmeetingwiththeCoordinatoroftheNon-GovernmentalOrganizationGroupontheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildtodiscusstheimportantcontributionnationalcoalitionsmightmakeinthatregardandotherissuesofcommoninterestinthefieldofinternationalcooperation.480.2 .2Atthesamesession,therepresentativeofTheHagueConferenceonPrivateInternationalLawreportedtotheCommitteeontherecentlyadoptedConventiononProtectionofChildrenandCooperationinRespectofIntercountryAdoption.481.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomedthissignificantdevelopmentandtheroletheConventionontheRightsoftheChildhadplayedinthedraftingofthenewinstrument,inparticulartheparamountimportanceoftheprincipleofthebestinterestsofthechildandthesubsidiarynatureofintercountryadoption.482.2 .2Moreover,theCommitteewasinformedbytherepresentativeofEpochWorldwideoftheresearchdevelopedbythatorganizationontheuseofcorporalpunishmentagainstchildren.Inthatcontext,mentionwasmadeofthechild'srighttobeprotectedfromallformsofviolence,neglectorabuse,asreferredtoinarticle19oftheConvention.483.2 .2TheCommitteerecognizedtheimportanceofthequestionofcorporalpunishmentinimprovingthesystemofpromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechildanddecidedtocontinuetodevoteattentiontoitintheprocessofexaminingStatepartyreports.̇484.2 .2Atitsfifthsession,followingafirstmeetingorganizedduringitssecondsession,theCommitteeheldanexchangeofviewswiththeStandingWorkingPartyonOffencesagainstMinorsoftheInternationalCriminalPoliceOrganization(Interpol),tofurtherdiscussmattersofmutualconcerninthefieldoftherightsofthechildandenvisagefutureareasofcooperation.485.2 .2Forthatpurpose,InterpolhadsubmittedadocumentcontainingtheconclusionsoftheFirstInternationalSymposiumonOffencesagainstChildrenandYoungPersons,aswellasaproposalforaplanofactionforcooperationwiththeUnitedNationsintheareaoftrainingoflawenforcementofficials.486.2 .2TherepresentativesofInterpolstressedtheimportanceitsStandingWorkingPartyattachedtotheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandtotheworkoftheCommittee,inparticularinthefieldsofsexualexploitationofchildren,theinstrumentaluseofchildrenincriminalactivitiesandthesaleandtraffickingofchildren,aswellasintheareaoftherightsandinterestsofchildrenthroughoutthepoliceinvestigationprocess.TheyfurtheremphasizedthattheapproachoftheStandingWorkingPartyhadbeeninspiredbytheprincipleofthebestinterestsofthechildtobetakenasaprimaryconsideration;itenvisagedthechildasthevictimandnottheperpetratoranditencouragedmultidisciplinarycooperationinthepoliciestobeadopted.487.2 .2TheCommitteerecalledthat,duringitsrecentgeneraldiscussionontheeconomicexploitationofchildren,referencehadbeenmadetotheworkofInterpolinthoseareas.ForthatreasontheCommitteehadincludedaspecificrecommendationinthepublicstatementithadmadeontheoutcomeofthegeneraldiscussion(CRC/C/20,annexVI),encouragingtheadoptionofinitiativestocombatcorruptionwithinpoliceforces.488.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherstressedthat,intheexaminationofStatepartyreports,thequestionoftrainingoflawenforcementofficialsonhumanrightsingeneral,andchildren'srightsinparticular,hadbeenraisedandwasreflectedintherecommendationsaddressedtotheStatespartiesconcerned.Inthatspirit,theCommittee'sconcludingobservationshadoftenencouragedtheorganizationofinformationandeducationcampaignsontherightsofthechildtostrengthenthepreventionofcrimescommittedagainstchildren,aswellasoftrainingcoursesincooperationwiththeprogrammeofadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistanceoftheCentreforHumanRights.Somestepshadalreadybeentakenbythatprogrammeinthisparticulararea.489.2 .2Theprocessofadvocacyandtraining,recognizedasongoing,wasacommonareaofconcernandcould,infact,contributetoenhancingrespectforthedignityofthechild,preventinganykindofdiscrimination,fullyprotectingthechildasthevictimagainstallformsofabuse,includingill-treatment,andensuringtherightofthechildfreelytoexpresshisorherviewsinalllegalproceedings,includingduringapoliceinvestigation.490.TheCommitteethereforedecidedtocontinuetopayattentiontothisimportantquestionandtoplantheactionstobedevelopedinthefutureatthenationalorregionallevelsinclosecooperationwiththeCentreforHumanRights,UnitedNationsbodiesandorgans,suchastheCrimePreventionandCriminalJusticeBranch,Interpolandothercompetentbodiesactiveinthefield.Fortheirpart,reaffirmingtherelevanceofclosecooperationwiththeUnitedNationsandtheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,therepresentativesofInterpolinvitedtheCommitteetoberepresentedatthemeetingofitsStandingWorkingPartyinApril1994,whichcouldconstituteafirststepintheplanningoffutureconcertedefforts.̇@ . &  3.WorldConferenceonHumanRights491.'  2 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildhadalreadystarteddiscussingtheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsatitsfirstsession,andhadadoptedasetofrecommendationsonthatissue. ^   492.2 .2AttheCommittee'ssecondsession,theChairpersonsummarizeddevelopmentsconcerningpreparatoryactivitiesrelatingtotheWorldConference.Sheunderlinedthedifficultiesfacedduringthepreparatoryprocess,inparticularwithregardtotheinclusionofspecificitemsintheprovisionalagendafortheWorldConference.WithrespecttotheroleandcontributionofthehumanrightstreatybodiestotheworkoftheConference,theChairpersonreferredtotheprovisionsofrule65ofthedraftrulesofprocedurefortheWorldConference,accordingtowhichthechairpersonorotherdesignatedmembersofhumanrightstreatybodiesmayparticipateasobserversinthedeliberationsoftheConference.493.2 .2TheCommitteeendorsedthesuggestionpresentedtothefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies,aimingattheestablishmentofaspecialworkinggroupduringthedeliberationsofthePreparatoryCommitteeandtheWorldConferenceitself,toexaminetheissuesrelevanttotheimplementationofexistinghumanrightsstandardsandinstruments,evaluatetheeffectivenessofUnitedNationsmethodsandmechanismsandformulateconcreterecommendationsforimprovingtheireffectiveness.ItwasnotedthatthetreatybodiescouldcommunicatetheirexperiencesandrecommendationstotheWorldConferencethroughspecificcontributionstobepresentedtothePreparatoryCommitteeatitsfourthsession.Themembersrecalledthattheyhadrecommended,attheirprevioussession,theinclusionofanitemontheagendaoftheWorldConferencewhichwouldspecificallydiscusstheissueoftherightsofthechild,aswellastheconveningofameetingofmembersofhumanrightstreatybodies,aspartofthepreparatoryprocess,inordertofacilitateacomprehensiveevaluationoftheworkofthosebodieswithaviewtomakingrecommendationsfortheimprovementoftheirfunctioning(recommendation5).TheCommitteeexpressedsatisfactionattheinclusion,intheprovisionalagendafortheforthcomingfourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies,ofthequestionofcommentsandrecommendationstothePreparatoryCommitteefortheWorldConferenceonHumanRights.494.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteetooknoteoftherecentdevelopmentsinthepreparatoryprocessoftheWorldConferenceonHumanRights.495.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherconsideredtherecommendationsadoptedbythefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiesinrelationtotheWorldConferenceanditspreparatoryprocess.Itrecalledtheimportanceattachedtothefullparticipationofthetreatybodies'representativesinallfuturemeetingsandintheConferenceitself,totherecognitionofthegroupofchairpersonsasaspecialadvisorybodytotheWorldConferenceandtotheestablishmentattheConferenceofaspecialworkinggroupentrustedwiththetaskofexaminingissuesrelevanttotheimplementationofexistinghumanrightsstandardsandinstruments,evaluatingtheeffectivenessofUnitedNationsmethodsandmechanismsandformulatingconcreterecommendations.496.2 .2TheCommitteereaffirmedtheimportanceitattachedtotheWorldConferenceasamajoreventcapableofcontributing,inadecisiveway,totheenhancementofawarenessandtostrengtheningthepromotionandprotectionofhumanrightsworldwide,whilereinforcingtheroleoftheUnitedNationsinthefield.ItthereforedecidedtofollowcloselyandcontributeactivelytothepreparatoryprocessandtheWorldConferenceitself.497.2 .2Inthisrespect,theCommitteereaffirmeditsreadinesstoensureitsfullparticipationintheConference.ItfurtherdecidedtoberepresentedbytwoormoreofitsmembersatthefourthsessionofthePreparatoryCommittee,tobeheldinApril1993,duringwhichthequestionofthefinaloutcomeoftheWorldConferencewastobetakenup.TheCommitteedecidedthatitwouldberepresentedbyitsChairpersonanditsRapporteur.498.2 .2TheCommitteealsoexpresseditsreadinesstoberepresentedattheregionalmeetingtobeorganizedinAsia,whileregrettingthatithadnotbeenpossibleforittoparticipateinthemeetingsheldatTunisandSanJos,CostaRica.499.2 .2Moreover,theCommitteedecidedtoparticipateinthesatellitemeetingoftheConference,organizedatStrasbourgbytheCouncilofEurope,from28to30January1993.TheCommitteedesignatedasitsrepresentativesMrs.MartaSantosPaisandMr.ThomasHammarberg.500.2 .2TheCommitteewasinformedbytheSecretariatofthestageofpreparationofthesix"prototype"studiestobesubmittedtotheWorldConference,aswellasofthe12substantivecontributionspreparedbydifferentUnitedNationsbodies.501.2 .2TheCommitteerecalledtherelevanceofthisdocumentation,particularlyinviewofthefactthatoneoftheobjectivesidentifiedintheannotationstothestudieswastoreviewandassessprogressachievedwithregardtothehumanrightsofchildrenandtotakeintoconsiderationtheConventionontheRightsoftheChild, _   ׀whileotherobjectivesincludedconsiderationofthesystemofimplementationofexistinghumanrightsinstruments,includingthereportingobligationsandwaystoimprovetheworkofhumanrightstreatybodies.502.2 .2TheCommitteetooknoteoftheprovisionalagendafortheWorldConference,whichillustratedtheimportanceaffordedtothecontemporarytrendsinandnewchallengestothefullrealizationofallhumanrightsofwomenandmen,includingthoseofpersonsbelongingtovulnerablegroups.503.2 .2ItrecalleditspreviousrecommendationtothePreparatoryCommitteefortheWorldConferenceonHumanRightstoorganizetheagendaoftheConferenceinsuchawayastoensurethattherightsofthechildwouldbegivendueemphasis.504.2 .2InviewofthefactthatthePreparatoryCommitteewouldconsideratitsfourthsessionthequestionofthefinaloutcomeoftheWorldConference,theCommitteedecidedtorecommendtheconsiderationofthequestionof"Childreninarmedconflicts"asanillustrationofachallengetothefullrealizationofallhumanrightsofwomenandmen,includingthoseofpersonsbelongingtovulnerablegroups(seechap.I.I,recommendationtothePreparatoryCommittee).&  Ԁ4.Fourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumaǹrightstreatybodies'  505.2 .2AtitssecondsessiontheCommitteewelcomedtheholdingofthemeetingsofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiesonabiennialbasis.Whilewelcomingthefactthatitwasgoingtoparticipate,forthefirsttime,insuchameeting,theCommitteedecidedtobring,interalia,thefollowingissuestotheattentionofthefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies:2 .2(a) .Theinnovativeexperienceofholdinginformalmeetingsattheregionallevel;2 .2(b) .TheessentialaccesstoallrelevantsourcesofinformationpertainingtothefunctionsoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild.Inthisframework,theCommittee,recognizingthehighpriorityofthecomputerizationoftheworkofthetreatymonitoringbodies,encouragedthefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiestogiveparticularconsiderationtothisrealityandtoenvisagetheadoptionofadequateandurgentrecommendations;2 .2(c) .ThedisseminationofinformationontheConventionontheRightsoftheChildanditsmonitoringmechanisminordertoenhanceimplementationoftheConvention;2 .2(d) .TheissueofreservationsanddeclarationsthattheCommitteehadtackledatthatsamesession(seesect.Dbelow;seealsochap.I.G,secondsession,recommendation4,andchap.I.H,secondsession,recommendation5).506.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteewasinformedbytheChairpersonabouttheimportantdecisionstakenandrecommendationsmadebythemeetingofchairpersons,heldatGenevafrom12to16October1992,pursuanttoGeneralAssemblyresolution46/111of17December1991andCommissiononHumanRightsresolution1992/15. `   507.2 .2ParticularemphasiswasputontheconsiderationgivenbythatmeetingtotheissuestheCommitteehaddecidedtobringtoitsattention(seeCRC/C/10,recommendation5).TheCommitteewasencouragedbytheresultsachievedontheseandotheressentialquestions.508.2 .2ItwelcomedtherecommendationadoptedbythechairpersonsemphasizingthevalueofholdingmeetingsofthetreatybodiesoutsideGeneva,NewYorkandViennaandrequestingtheSecretaryGeneraltoexploreinnovativewaysandmeanswhichwouldincreasethelikelihoodofsuchmeetingsbeingorganized.509.2 .2TheCommitteewasalsoextremelyencouragedbytheseriousconsiderationgivenbythemeetingofchairpersonstothequestionofreservations(seesect.Ebelow),aswellasbythepositiveconsiderationgiventoactivitieswhichithadalreadyimplementedtoimproveitsmethodsofwork,namelytheorganizationbytheSecretariatofacomprehensivecountryfileoneachStatepartywhosereportwastobeconsidered8/andthecompilationofgeneralcommentsandgeneralrecommendationsofthevarioustreatybodies,13/ameasurewhichtheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildhadrequestedatitsfirstsession.8/510.2 .2Moreover,theCommitteenotedtheimportantrecommendationadoptedbythemeetingofchairpersonsinsupportoftheproposalthatwaysshouldbeexploredofempoweringtheSecretaryGeneralandexperthumanrightsbodiestobringmassiveviolationsofhumanrightstotheattentionoftheSecurityCouncil.9/511.2 .2TheCommitteewasextremelyencouragedbythefactthatthisrecommendationreflectedthesameconcernastheurgentactionprocedureithadadoptedatitssecondsession,bothbeingadequatemeasurestopreventthedeteriorationofasituationandtoensureanappropriateconsiderationofseriousviolationsofhumanrights,andbothencouragingthebringingofsuchcasestotheconsiderationofrelevantbodiesaccordingtotheirrespectivespheresofcompetence.@ .5.Technicaladviceandassistanceandadvisoryservices(a)02 .2Technicalassistanceoradvice512.2 .2AtitssecondsessiontheCommitteerecognizedthattheexchangeofviewsestablishedwiththedifferentUnitedNationsbodiesandothercompetentbodiesprovideditwithinformationonimportantprogrammessetupatthecountryandregionallevelsinrelationtotherightsofthechild.ItwasclearthattheConventionhadbecomeabasicframeworkandfocalpointwhenplanningandimplementingsuchprogrammes.Moreover,theindivisibilityoftherightsofthechildhadgivenwaytoaninteractionbetweendifferentagenciesandcompetentbodieswhenconsideringprogrammesoftechnicalassistance,eitheratthelevelofimplementationorinthefieldofadvocacyandtraining.SuchactivitieswouldnotonlyassistinthedisseminationofinformationontheConventionbutalsoraiseawarenessinthisregardatthenationalandlocalcommunitylevels.513.2 .2Inthecourseofthediscussion,itbecameclearthatacommonconcernexistedontheneedtoorientalltheseactionsinordertobuildanddevelopacapacityatthenationalleveltodealwiththerightsofthechild.Particularinterestwaspaidtothesystemofevaluationandfollowupofthelaunchedprogrammesoftechnicalassistanceandadvice,theCommitteehavingbeeninformedonthepracticefollowedbyUnitedNationsbodies.514.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteeemphasizedtheimportanceitattachedtoareaswheretechnicalassistancewouldseemappropriateinaparticularcountry,asarisingfromtheconsiderationofaStateparty'sreport,andinthelightofarticle45(b)oftheConvention.515.2 .2ItreaffirmedthevalueofcooperationwiththedifferentUnitedNationsbodiesandothercompetentbodiesactiveintherelevantareasofimplementationoftheConvention.Inthisframework,itparticularlystressedtheneedtobeinformedaboutexistingspecificprogrammesoftechnicalassistanceatthecountrylevelandaboutthedifficultiesfacedinareaswhereanadditionaleffortisrequiredtobuildanddevelopthecapacityatthenationallevel.516.2 .2TheCommitteerecognizedthatthepresessionalworkinggroupshouldbeaspecialfocalpointforsuchanevaluation,emphasizingthereforetheimportancefortherelevantbodiescooperatingwiththeCommitteeintheimplementationoftheConventiontoberepresentedintheinformaltechnicaladvisorygroupestablishedtoassisttheCommitteeinthepreliminaryconsiderationofthereportsofStatesparties.517.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherrecognizedthat,inthelightoftheprovisionsofarticle45(b)oftheConvention,itwouldbeimportanttoindicatetheareasofparticularconcernortoprovideguidancefortheimplementationofongoingorproposedprogrammes,inordertoensurethatthesystemofinternationalcooperationisfullyconsistentwiththerealneedsandaspirationsofchildrenandinconformitywiththespiritoftheConvention.518.2 .2Forthispurpose,theCommitteedecidedtoindicate,wheneverappropriate,suchconsiderationsinitsconcludingobservationsoneachcountry.519.2 .2Italsodecided,inacasewheretheneedforaspecificprogrammeoftechnicaladviceorassistancewasidentified,toencouragetheconveningofameetingbetweenthegovernmentaldelegationandtherelevantUnitedNationsorothercompetentbodiesinthespiritofdialogueandcooperationenvisagedbytheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,withaviewtohavingapreliminarydiscussionofthesuggestedprogramme.(b)2 .2Advisoryservices520.2 .2Atitssecondsession,theCommitteeconsideredthedifferentactivitiesdevelopedwithinthisprogramme,aswellastheopportunitiesitprovidedinordertoreinforcetheawarenessandimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.TheCommitteerecalledtheopportunityitwouldbegiven,followingtheexaminationofStatespartiesreports,tomakeconcretesuggestionsandproposalsforspecificactivitiestobeconsideredandimplementedbythetechnicalassistanceandadvisoryservicesprogramme.Inthisregard,referencewasmadetotheneedtoensureanevaluationofsuchimplementationandactivities.521.2 .2MembersoftheCommitteereiteratedtheimportanceofthetechnicalassistanceandadvisoryservicesprogrammeinrelationtotherightsofthechild;theystressedthenecessitytoincreaseawarenessamongStatespartiesthatmightfacedifficultiesinthepreparationandsubmissionofreportsorintheimplementationoftheConventionontheavailabilityofthisprogramme,andthepossibilitytoobtainfromitadequatesupportfortheimplementationoftheConvention.522.2 .2TheCommitteerequestedtheSecretaryGeneraltostrengthen,intheframeworkofthetechnicalassistanceandadvisoryservicesprogrammeoftheCentreforHumanRights,thetrainingactivitiesrelatedtotheimplementationoftheConvention,aswellastheorganizationofseminarsandworkshopsatthenationalandlocallevelsforthepurposeoftrainingthoseinvolvedinthepreparationofStatepartyreportsinaccordancewiththeadoptedreportingguidelines(CRC/C/10,recommendation3,para.4).ItalsoencouragedtheSecretaryGeneraltoconsidertheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildasaprioritymatterwithinthefellowshipprogramme(seeCRC/C/10,recommendation3,para.6).523.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteecontinuedtodiscussissuesrelatedtotheprogrammeofadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistance.ItwasstressedthatincaseswhereadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistancefromtheCentreforHumanRightswererequestedbyaStateparty,ameetingwithofficialsfromtheCentrewouldbeencouragedinordertopermitapreliminaryassessmentofavailablepossibilitiesofsupport,particularlywithaviewtostrengtheningawarenessoftheConventionandensuringtrainingactivitiesforthoseinvolvedwithitsimplementationorassistanceindraftingadequatelegislation.524.2 .2AtableindicatingareasinwhichtheneedfortechnicaladviceandassistanceandadvisoryserviceshasbeenidentifiedinthelightoftheconcludingobservationsadoptedbytheCommitteeatitsthirdtofifthsessionsiscontainedinannexVIItothepresentreport.@ .E.Reservations525.2 .2Atitssecondsession,theCommitteehadbeforeitthelistofreservations,declarationsandobjectionsmadetotheConvention(CRC/C/2/Rev.1),aswellasaninformalnotepreparedbytheSecretariatonthequestionofreservationsmadebyStatespartiestotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,followingarequestmadebytheCommitteeatitsfirstsession.MembersoftheCommitteestressedtheimportanceofcontributingtothemeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodiesandexpressedtheviewthatthequestionofreservationsanddeclarationswasanissueofcommonconcernandinteresttothosebodies(seechap.I.H,secondsession,recommendation5D).526.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizedthattheunprecedentednumberofStatesthathadsorapidlyratifiedoradheredtotheConventionontheRightsoftheChildclearlyillustratedtheuniversalsupportfortheprinciplesenshrinedthereinandthepoliticalwillandcommitmentofStatespartiestoimplementitsprovisions.527.2 .2ItwasnotedthatsomeofthereservationsanddeclarationsmadetotheConventioncontributedtoreinforcingthestandardsitsetforth.Suchwasthecase,forexample,ofreservationsanddeclarationsenteredbysomeStatespartiestotheprovisionsofarticle38,bywhichthoseStatesareraisingtheminimumageofrecruitmentintothearmedforces.Somereservationsanddeclarations,ontheotherhand,couldexpressarestrictiveinterpretationoftheprovisionsoftheConvention.TheCommitteerecognizedtheneedtokeepasitsprimaryconsiderationthespiritofunderstandingandconsensusderivingfromtheConvention,andnottorefertothequestionofreservationsanddeclarationsasadividingfactorwhichwouldunderminethisspirit.528.2 .2ItwasalsostressedthattheConventionhadintroducedaholisticapproachtotherightsofthechild,whichwereallinterrelated.Thefactthateachrightwasfundamentaltothedignityofthechildandhadanimpactontheenjoymentofotherrightswastobetakenintoconsiderationdealingwiththeissueofreservationsanddeclarations.529.2 .2TheCommitteerecognizedtheimportanceoftacklingthequestionofreservationsanddeclarationsinthecourseofitsconsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatesparties.InitsdialoguewiththereportingStates,itshouldencouragethosewhohadenteredreservationsanddeclarationstoconsiderwhethersuchreservationsanddeclarationswerestillneededorcouldeventuallybewithdrawn.StatespartiesshouldalsoberequestedtoprovidetheCommitteewithinformationonthewayinwhichreservationsanddeclarationstheyhadenteredwerereflectedandappliedintheirnationallegislations,takingintoaccountthefactthatinallactionsconcerningchildrenthebestinterestsofthechildshallbeaprimaryconsideration.530.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteewasextremelyencouragedbytheseriousconsiderationgivenbythemeetingofchairpersonsheldinGenevafrom12to16October1992tothequestionofreservations,whichisrecognizedtobeacauseforalarminviewofthenumber,natureandscopeofthereservationsmadetotheprincipalhumanrightstreaties.Ittooknoteoftherecommendationmadeinrelationtoreservationsthatgiverisetosignificantquestionsintermsoftheirapparentincompatibilitywiththeobjectandpurposeofthetreaty,accordingtowhichtherespectivetreatybodyshouldconsiderrequestingtheEconomicandSocialCouncilortheGeneralAssembly,asappropriate,torequestanadvisoryopinionontheissuefromtheInternationalCourtofJustice. a   531.2 .2TheCommitteerecalledtheconsiderationithadgiventothequestionofreservationsanddeclarationstotheConventionontheRightsoftheChildatitssecondsessionandemphasizedtheneedtopursuethisissuefurther.ItemphasizedtheimportanceofsystematicallyraisingthisquestioninthecourseofitsconsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatesparties,aninitiativewhichthemeetingofchairpersonshadfullyencouraged.532.2 .2Atitsfourthsession,theCommitteecontinuedtotacklethequestionofreservationstotheConventionwithintheframeworkofitsconsiderationofStatepartyreports.533.2 .2ItrecalledinthisconnectiontheattentionpaidbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRightstothisimportantquestion,inparticulartheappealaddressedtoStatestoconsiderlimitingtheextentofreservations,ensuringthattheyareformulatedaspreciselyandnarrowlyaspossibleandthattheyarenotincompatiblewiththeobjectandpurposeoftheConventionorcontrarytointernationaltreatylaw.534.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedtopursueitsdialoguewithStatespartiesonthisissueinordertoencouragethemtoconsiderwithdrawingsuchreservations.@ . F.Generalthematicdiscussions535.2 .2Inaccordancewithrule75ofitsprovisionalrulesofprocedure,theCommitteehaddecided,atitsfirstsession,todevoteoneormoremeetingsofitsregularsessionstoageneraldiscussionononespecificarticleoftheConventionorrelatedsubjectinordertoenhanceadeeperunderstandingofthecontentandimplicationsoftheConvention.@ . 1.Childreninarmedconflicts536.2 .2Atitsfirstsession,theCommitteehaddecidedtodevoteadayofitssecondsessiontotheconsiderationofthetopic"Childreninarmedconflicts".Thedecisiontoconsiderthistopicwasbasedon:2 .2(a) .Theoutstandingimportanceofthisissueinthecontextofthepromotionandprotectionofchildren'srightsandtheroletheConventioncanplayinthatrespect;2 .2(b) .Thefactthat,inrecentyears,agrowingnumberofconflictshaveoccurred(morethan150sincetheSecondWorldWar),usingmoresophisticatedandbrutalweaponsandfightingmethodsandaffectingagrowingnumberofcivilians,particularlychildren;2 .2(c) .Theurgencyofcreatingawareness,raisingconcernandencouragingadequateaction;2 .2(d) .Theneedtounderlinethecomplexityofthequestionofchildreninarmedconflicts,whichshouldnotbesimplyreducedtotheconsiderationofasingleprovisionoftheConvention,namelyarticle38.537.2 .2IntheconsiderationofthetopicinlightoftherelevantprovisionsoftheConvention,concernsofadifferentnaturemightberaised.Amongthemare:2 .2(a) .Therelevanceandadequacyofexistinginternationalinstruments,includinginternationalhumanitarianlaw,andtheadvisabilityofenvisagingnewstandardsettingactivities;2 .2(b) .Theneedtoreinforcetheadoptionofpreventivemeasures,designedeithertopreventconflictsortopreventchildrenfromtakingdirectorindirectpartinthehostilitiesorsufferingitseffects;2 .2(c) .Theneedtoensureeffectiveprotectionofchildreninaperiodofarmedconflict,intheoverallframeworkoftherealizationofalltherightsofthechild,inherenttohisorherdignityandessentialtothefullandharmoniousdevelopmentofhisorherpersonality;2 .2(d) .Theneedtoensurethepromotionofthephysicalandpsychologicalrecoveryandsocialreintegrationofanychildwhoisavictimof,orhasbeenaffectedby,anarmedconflict,inanenvironmentwhichfostersthehealth,selfrespectanddignityofthechild.538.2 .2Duringitssecondsession,theCommitteedevotedits38thand39thmeetings,on5October1992,toageneraldiscussionon"Childreninarmedconflicts".Relevanceandadequacyofexistingstandards539.2 .2Referencewasmadetothedifferentprovisionsapplicableintheframeworkofchildreninarmedconflicts,includingthefourGenevaConventions,theadditionalProtocols,theDeclarationontheProtectionofWomenandChildreninPeriodsofEmergencyandArmedConflicts,theDeclarationontheRightsoftheChildandtheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.MentionwasalsomadeofotherUnitedNationsstandards,suchastheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRightsandGeneralComment17adoptedbytheHumanRightsCommitteeonarticle24ofthatCovenant.540.2 .2Itwaspointedoutthatthereweresomesituationsinwhichchildrendidnotbenefitfromtheprotectionofexistingstandards,aswasveryoftenthecaseininternalstrife.Therewasthereforeaneedtoconsiderasetofminimumhumanitarianstandardstobeapplicableinallsituationstoallchildren,withoutdiscrimination,inaperiodofarmedconflict,thusfillinganypossibleexistinggaps.541.2 .2WhenbasingtheconsiderationofthequestionofchildreninarmedconflictsontheConventionitself,itwasrecalledthatStatespartieshaveundertakentorespectandensurealltherightssetforththereintoallchildrenwithintheirjurisdiction(art.2).Statespartieshavealsomadeacommitmenttoadoptallappropriatemeasuresinordertoachievesuchapurpose(art.4)andtoensurethat,inallactionstaken,thebestinterestsofthechildshallbeaprimaryconsideration(art.3).Noneofthesegeneralprovisionsadmitaderogationintimeofwaroremergency.542.2 .2ItwasfurtherrecalledthattheConvention,underitsarticle41,invitesStatespartiesalwaystoapplythenormswhicharemoreconducivetotherealizationoftherightsofthechild,containedeitherinapplicableinternationallaworinnationallegislation.Finally,attentionwasdrawntothefactthatStatespartiesmayalsomakedeclarationswhenratifyingoraccedingtotheConvention,expressingtheircommitmentbeforetheinternationalcommunitytoapplymoreconducivestandardsthanthosedirectlyderivingfromtheConvention,namelybynotrecruitingchildrenunder18yearsofageintothearmedforces.543.2 .2Thisframeworkledtotheconsiderationofdifferentneededactions:(a)ratificationof,oraccessionto,existingrelevantinternationalinstruments;(b)effectiveimplementationofsuchstandards;and(c)improvementoftheexistingnormativeframework.Reinforcementofpreventivemeasures544.2 .2Generalmeasuresdesignedtopreventtheoccurrenceofconflictswerediscussed.Emphasiswasputontherolethateducationcanplay:2 .2(a) .Educationinaspiritofunderstanding,solidarityandpeace,asageneralandcontinuousprocess,asreflectedinarticle29oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild;2 .2(b) .Educationandtrainingforthemilitaryandforgroupsworkingwithandforchildren;2 .2(c) .Educationanddisseminationofinformationspecificallyforchildren.Attentionwasalsodrawntotheneedforcreatingawarenessofthepoliticalgroundsfortheexistenceofconflicts;suchanattitudemaycontributetotheconsiderationofsolutionsofmediationorconciliationdesignedtopreventtheconflictorattenuateitseffects.545.2 .2Importancewasalsogiventothequestionofarmsexpenditures,thesaleofarmsandtheadvisabilityofconsideringanadequatemonitoringmechanismofthisreality.Asageneralpreventivemeasure,referencewasalsomadetothepreventionofchildabuseandneglect,whichcouldcontributetothepreventionoffutureuseofviolence.546.2 .2Specificpreventivemeasuresdesignedtopreventtheinvolvementofchildreninarmedconflictswerealsodiscussed:mentionwasmadeoftheinterdictionofrecruitmentintothearmedforcesunderacertainage,aswellasoftheadoptionofmeasuresensuringthatchildrenwillnottakepartinhostilitiesorsuffertheireffects.Ensuringeffectiveprotectiontochildreninsituationsofarmedconflict547.2 .2Itwasrecalledthat,apartfromarticle38,theoverallframeworkoftherealizationoftherightsofthechildsetforthbytheConventionshouldbeensured.Thisframeworkwasveryoftenalsoreflectedintheprovisionsthatrelatetoprotectingthefamilyenvironment;ensuringtheprovisionofessentialcareandassistance;ensuringaccesstohealth,foodandeducation;prohibitingtorture,abuseorneglect;prohibitingthedeathpenalty;andtheneedtopreservethechildren'sculturalenvironment,aswellastheneedforprotectioninsituationsofdeprivationofliberty.Particularemphasiswasalsoputontheneedtoensurehumanitarianassistanceandreliefandhumanitarianaccesstochildreninsituationsofarmedconflict.Inthisrespect,specialattentionwaspaidtoimportantmeasures,suchasdaysoftranquillityandcorridorsofpeace.Promotionofphysicalandpsychologicalrecoveryandsocialreintegration548.2 .2Considerationwasparticularlygiventoarticle39oftheConvention.DifferentexperiencesandprogrammeswerebroughttotheattentionoftheCommitteeconcerningtheneedforresourcesandgoods(namely,foodandmedicine).Moreover,emphasiswasputontheneedtoconsideracoherentplanforrecoveryandreintegration,tobeplannedandimplementedinacombinedeffortbyUnitedNationsbodiesandnon-governmentalorganizations.Attentionshouldbepaidto(a)theimplementationandmonitoringofadequatestrategiesand(b)theneedtoreinforcetheinvolvementofthefamilyandthelocalcommunityinthisprocess.Followuptothegeneraldiscussion549.2 .2Inviewofthedifferentcontributionsmadeandtheproblemsconsidered,theCommitteerecognizedthattherewasaneedforacontinuousresponsetotheoutstandingandcomplexquestionofchildreninarmedconflicts,intheframeworkofitsmandate.Itthereforeenvisageddifferentmeasureswhichitcouldtaketofacethisproblem:2 .2(a) .Developmentofmorespecificguidelinesfortheimplementationofthemorerelevantprovisions,namelyarticles38and39;2 .2(b) .Draftingofasetofrecommendations;2 .2(c) .Considerationofapreliminarygeneralcomment;2 .2(d) .Realizationofgeneralstudiesoncertainaspectsoftheproblem;2 .2(e) .PreliminarydraftingofafutureoptionalprotocoltotheConventionontheRightsoftheChildraisingtheageofrecruitmentofchildrenintothearmedforcesto18yearsofage.550.2 .2Toconsiderthesedifferentmeasures,inthelightofthegeneraldiscussion,theCommitteedecidedtoestablishaworkinggroupcomposedofsomeofitsmembers,tobeentrustedwiththetaskofsubmittingfinalproposalsatthenextregularsessionoftheCommittee,scheduledforJanuary1993.551.2 .2Furthermore,theCommitteehighlightedthat,inthetaskofexaminingStatespartiesreports,itcouldenvisage:2 .2(a) .WelcomingthedeclarationmadebysomeStatespartiesonthedecisiontheyhadtakennottorecruitchildrenundertheageof18years;2 .2(b) .EmphasizingtheneedforinformationonthelegislationandpracticeofStatesparties,asfarastheapplicationofarticle38isconcerned;2 .2(c) .Seekinginformation,inlightofarticle41,onwhetherthemostconducivenormsareapplied,orencouragingtheadoptionofmoreprotectiveprovisionsatthenationallevel;2 .2(d) .EncouragingStatespartiestoconsider,whenrecruitmentintothearmedforcesisadmittedundertheageof18years,howthissituationtakesthebestinterestsofthechildasaprimaryconsideration;2 .2(e) .EmphasizingandencouragingStatespartiestoconsider,intheircontinuousprocessofmonitoringprogress,whetherallnecessaryandappropriatemeasureshavebeenadoptedtoensurethefullrealizationoftherightsofthechild,toallchildrenundertheirjurisdiction.552.2 .2Atthethirdsession,theworkinggroupentrustedwiththetaskofsubmittingproposalsforthefollowuptothediscussionpresentedanoralreporttotheCommitteeonitsactivities,reflectingtheconsiderationithadgiventothepluralityofpossiblemeasurestobeundertakeninthisrespect,includingthelevelofprioritytheymightdeserve.Itemphasizedonceagaintherelevanceofthegeneraldiscussionforthestudyandthedeeperunderstandingofthisoutstandingrealityandfortheestablishmentofanimportantframeworkforitsfutureactivities.553.2 .2TheCommitteerecognizedtheneedtoensurecontinuousattentiontothisproblemandtobenefitfromtheexperienceofitsexaminationofStatesparties'reportstoenvisagefurthersteps,inparticularfortheconsiderationofageneralcommentorthedraftofasetofrecommendationsorspecificguidelines.554.2 .2TheCommitteeenvisagedtheadoptionofthefollowingprioritymeasures:2 .2(a) .Torecommend,inviewoftheseriouswayinwhicharmedconflictsaffecttheenjoymentbychildrenoftheirbasicrightsandinordertofocusgreaterattentiononthisreality,totheGeneralAssemblythatitrequestatitsfortyeighthsessiontheSecretaryGeneraltoundertake,inthelightofarticle45(c)oftheConvention,astudyonwaysandmeansofimprovingtheprotectionofchildrenfromtheadverseeffectsofarmedconflicts(seechap.I.J,thirdsession,recommendation1andannexVtothepresentreport);2 .2(b) .ToentrustoneofitsmemberswiththetaskofpreparingapreliminarydraftofanoptionalprotocoltotheConventionraisingto18yearstheagementionedinarticle38oftheConvention.ThispreliminarydraftistobefoundasannexVIIItothepresentreport.Inthisframework,theCommitteeencouragedStatespartiestogiveconsiderationtotheadoptionofpossiblemeasuresaimedatraisingtheagementionedinarticle38to18years;2 .2(c) .ToaddresstheissueoftheinvolvementofchildreninarmedconflictsinarecommendationtobesubmittedtothefourthsessionofthePreparatoryCommitteefortheWorldConference(seechap.I.I.andCRC/C/16,annexV);2 .2(d) .ToincludeinthelistoftopicsidentifiedbytheCommitteeaspossiblesubjectsforstudythequestionofrecoveryandreintegration,inthelightofarticle39oftheConvention.555.2 .2Finally,theCommitteewelcomedthedecisiveandimportantcontributionmadetothegeneraldiscussiononchildreninarmedconflictsbythedifferentbodiesinvited,theSpecialRapporteuroftheCommissiononHumanRightsonthesaleofchildren,UnitedNationsorgans,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodies,includingnon-governmentalorganizations,whichhadensuredalivelydialogue,in-depthconsiderationofthedifferentareascoveredandanoverallapproachtothisreality,intheframeworkoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.556.2 .2TheCommitteethereforedecidedtosendalettertothosewhohadparticipatedinthegeneraldiscussiontothankthemfortheircontributionandtoinformthemaboutthefollow-upmeasuresadoptedbytheCommittee.557.2 .2TheCommitteeconsidered,intheframeworkofthegeneraldiscussiononchildreninarmedconflicts,theserioussituationofchildrenintheformerYugoslaviaandthereportsofviolationsoffundamentalhumanrights,includingallegationsofrapeofgirlsandwomeninBosniaandHerzegovina.558.2 .2TheCommitteerecalledinthisperspectivetheratificationbyYugoslaviaoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildinJanuary1991.ItalsotooknoteoftheconsiderationbytheHumanRightsCommitteeofthesituationinCroatia,BosniaandHerzegovinaandYugoslavia.Inviewofthegravityofthesituationandtheneedtoenvisagewaystoalleviatetheplightoftheaffectedchildrenandtoensurethefullrespectandprotectionoftheirrights,theCommitteedecidedtobringitsconcernstotheattentionoftheSpecialRapporteurappointedbytheCommissiononHumanRightstofollowthesituationofhumanrightsintheterritoryoftheformerYugoslavia.TheCommitteefurthermoreinvitedtheSpecialRapporteurtotakepartinitsdiscussionsonthequestionofchildreninarmedconflicts.Throughsuchadialogue,theCommitteewouldhaveexpectedtoraiseawiderawarenessofthewayinwhicharmedconflictsaffectchildren,particularlywhentheyareevenusedasatargetformilitarystrategy,andtoencouragetheconsiderationofmeasuresguidedbythebestinterestsofthechild.ItwouldhavealsohopedthattheseconcernsmightbereflectedinthereportstobesubmittedbytheSpecialRapporteurtotheCommissiononHumanRights.Sinceitwasnotpossibletobenefitfromhispresence,theCommitteedecidedtoaddressarecommendationtotheSpecialRapporteur,requestinghim,infulfillinghismandateandpreparinghisfuturereports,totaketheConventionontheRightsoftheChildintofullconsideration(seechap.I.G,thirdsession,recommendation3).ItfurtherexpresseditswillingnesstomeettheSpecialRapporteuratoneofitsfuturemeetings,inordertopursuetheconsiderationofthisissue.559.2 .2Atitsfourthsession,theCommittee,takingnoteoftherequestaddressedtoitbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRightstostudythequestionofraisingtheminimumageofrecruitmentintoarmedforces,requestedtheSecretary-GeneraltotransmittotheCommissiononHumanrightsatitsfiftiethsessionthepreliminarydraftoptionalprotocoltheCommitteehadpreparedonthisissueatitsthirdsession. b   ׀@ . 2.Economicexploitationofchildren560.2 .2Atitssecondsession,theCommitteedecidedtodevoteadayofitsfourthsessiontothegeneraldiscussionofthetopicof"Economicexploitationofthechild".561.2 .2Atitsthirdsession,theCommitteeentrustedsomeofitsmemberswiththetaskofdraftinganoutlineidentifyingthemainareasofconcernoftheCommitteeinthisregard(seeCRC/C/16,annexIII).562.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherdecidedtosendthisoutlinetospecializedagencies,otherrelevantUnitedNationsbodies,includingtheCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,theHumanRightsCommitteeandtheSubcommission'sWorkingGrouponContemporaryFormsofSlavery,non-governmentalorganizationsandothercompetentbodies,invitingthemtoparticipateinthisgeneraldiscussionandtosubmitwrittencontributionsinadvance.563.2 .2Atitsfourthsession,theCommitteedevotedits95thand96thmeetings,on4October1993,tothegeneraldiscussionontheeconomicexploitationofchildren.Thedecisiontoconsiderthistopicreflectedtheimportanceoftheissueintheframeworkofthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild,theurgencyofcreatingawarenessandraisingconcernatthegrowingnumberofchildreninsituationsofeconomicexploitation,theneedforintegratedandconcertedactionbyGovernments,UnitedNationsbodiesandothercompetentbodiesactiveinthefieldoftherightsofthechild,aswellasthedecisiveroletheConventionontheRightsoftheChildcouldplayinthatregard.564.2 .2TheCommitteehadbeenprovidedwithsomeimportantbackgrounddocuments,inadditiontothetwoProgrammesofActionadoptedbytheCommissiononHumanRightsfortheEliminationofChildLabourandforthePreventionoftheSaleofChildren,ChildProstitutionandChildPornography.565.2 .2TheCommitteetooknoteofthestepstakeninthatregardbytheSubcommissiononPreventionofDiscriminationandProtectionofMinorities,namelyitsdecision,containedinresolution1993/5of20August1993,toappointaSpecialRapporteurtoupdatethereportofMr.AbdelwahabBoudhibaontheexploitationofchildlabour.16/566.2 .2TheSpecialRapporteuronthesaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornographyalsosubmittedadocumentconcerningthestepshehastakenwithintheframeworkofhismandateandmadeastatementbeforetheCommittee.567.2 .2ThegeneraldiscussionwasameaningfuloccasionforafruitfulexchangeofviewsbetweenthemembersoftheCommitteeandUnitedNationsbodies,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodies,inparticularnon-governmentalorganizations.568.2 .2Situationsofchildlabour,includingthequestionofdomesticservants,childprostitutionandpornographyandsaleofchildren,wereconsideredbytheparticipants.Duringthediscussion,whichwasintroducedbymembersoftheCommittee(Mrs.MartaSantosPais,Mr.ThomasHammarbergandMrs.AkilaBelembaogo;seeCRC/C/20(annexV),particularemphasiswasputontheneedforthechildtobeputatthecentreofallpolicies,whethertheyareadoptedbyinternationalfinancialinstitutions,developmentagenciesorGovernments.Attentionwasalsodrawntotheneedtorespectthedignityofthechild,whileenhancingthevaluesofsolidarity,participationandequity.569.2 .2Thediscussionmadecleartheneedforacomprehensiveandconcertedactionforprevention,protectionandrehabilitation.Theneedtostrengthenpreventiveactionwasstressedandeducationwasreferredtointhatregardasanessentialtool.Recommendationswerealsomadeinthefieldoftheprotectionoftherightsofthechild,includingtheestablishmentofanOmbudspersonwhomightinterveneandassistthechildvictimofeconomicexploitation.Theimportantroleofrecoveryandsocialreintegrationofchildvictimsofanyformofeconomicexploitationwasrecognized.Atalllevelsofaction,effectivecoordinationwasstressedasanessentialaspecttotheachievementofprogress,bothatthenationalandtheinternationallevels.570.2 .2ThediscussionemphasizedtherelevanceofthegeneralprinciplesoftheConventiontoassessthereality,designadequatepoliciesandimplementeffectiveplansofactiontocombattheplightofexploitedchildrenandensuretheeffectiveenjoymentoftheirrighttochildhood.571.2 .2Inviewofthecontributionsmadeandtheimportanceoftheproblemsconsidered,theCommitteerecognizedthattherewasaneedforacontinuousresponsetothisurgentquestion.Itthereforedecided(a)tomakeapublicstatementontheoutcomeofthegeneraldiscussionday(seeCRC/C/20,annexVI);(b)toestablishaworkinggroupamongitsmemberstoprepare,inthelightofthediscussionandoftheprovisionsoftheConvention,asetofrecommendationstobeconsideredatitsregularsessionscheduledforJanuary1994;(c)toconsiderissuingapublicationbasedonthegeneraldiscussionontheeconomicexploitationofchildren.572.2 .2AttheCommittee'sfifthsession,inthelightoftheabove-mentionedmandate,theworkinggroupmadetwoproposalswhichwereendorsedbytheCommitteeatitsfifthsession:2 .2(a) .Thecompilationofadossier,puttingtogetheranextendedrecordofthethemeday,containingthestatementsmadeonbehalfoftheCommittee(ibid.,annexesVandVI),thesummaryrecordsofthediscussionreflectingthestatementsmadebytheparticipantsinthemeeting,includingtheSpecialRapporteuroftheCommissiononHumanRightsonsaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornography,aswellasbasicdocumentsadoptedwithintheframeworkoftheUnitedNationssysteminthefieldoftheprotectionofchildrenagainsteconomicexploitation,namely,thetwoProgrammesofActionadoptedbytheCommissiononHumanRightsfortheEliminationoftheExploitationofChildLabour(resolution1993/79,annex),andforthePreventionoftheSaleofChildren,ChildProstitutionandChildPornography(resolution1992/74,annex).Thisdossier,tobeproducedanddistributedinclosecooperationwiththeInternationalLabourOrganization,shouldbebroughttotheattentionofallStatesparties,UnitedNationsorgansandspecializedagencies,financialinstitutionsanddevelopmentagencies,andotherbodiescompetentinthefield,includingInterpolandthenon-governmentalorganizationcommunity(seeCRC/C/24,annexIV);2 .2(b) .Theadoptionofthefollowingsetofrecommendationsforfollow-upinitiatives,designedtoimprovethesystemofprevention,protectionandrehabilitationregardingchildreninsituationsofeconomicexploitation:@ . Recommendationsconcerningeconomicexploitation@ .ofchildren02 .2 .TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,recognizingtheimportanceoftheproblemsconsideredduringitsgeneraldiscussionontheeconomicexploitationofchildren,namely,relatingtochildlabour,includingintheinformalsectorasisthecaseofdomesticservants,thesaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornography,andinthelightofthefruitfulexchangeofviewsbetweentheCommitteeandUnitedNationsorgans,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodies,inparticularnon-governmentalorganizations,decidedtocontinuetopayattentiontothisrealityintheframeworkofitsactivitiesandtoadoptasetofrecommendationsinthisarea.@ .Introduction02 .21. .ThegeneraldiscussionontheeconomicexploitationofchildrenreflectedtheimportantholisticapproachtothehumanrightsofchildrenstressedintheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.Inthisspirit,theCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildrecallsthatalltherightsareindivisibleandinterrelated,eachandallofthembeinginherenttothehumandignityofthechild.TheimplementationofeachrightsetforthintheConvention,asisthecaseoftherighttobeprotectedfromeconomicexploitation,shouldthereforetakeintoaccounttheimplementationof,andrespectfor,alltheotherrightsofthechild.02 .22. .TheCommitteefurtherrecallsthat,undertheConvention,Statespartieshaveundertakentorespectandensurealltherightsrecognizedthereintoallchildrenundertheirjurisdiction,withoutdiscriminationofanykind(art.2),toadoptallappropriatemeasuresinordertoachievethatpurpose(art.4)and,inallactionstaken,toregardthebestinterestsofthechildastheirprimaryconsideration(art.3).Moreover,inallmattersaffectingthechild,theviewsofthechildshouldbegivendueweightandthechildgiventheopportunityofparticipatinginanydecision-makingprocessaffectinghisorherlife(art.12).02 .23. .Thisgeneralframeworknaturallyappliesalsoinsituationsofeconomicexploitationofchildren.Here,aselsewhere,theConventioncallsuponStatespartiestotakeactionthroughtheestablishment,inconformitywithitsprinciplesandprovisions,ofanadequatelegalframeworkandnecessarymechanismsofimplementation.02 .24. .Suchmeasureswillstrengthenthepreventionofsituationsofeconomicexploitationandoftheirdetrimentaleffectsonthelivesofchildren,shouldbeaimedatreinforcingthesystemofchildren'sprotectionandwillpromotethephysicalandpsychologicalrecoveryandsocialreintegrationofchildrenvictimsofanyformofeconomicexploitation,inanenvironmentwhichfostersthehealth,self-respectanddignityofthechild.02 .25. .Throughitsreportingsystem(seepartIIoftheConvention),theConventionalsostressestheimportanceforStatespartiestoensureaperiodicassessmentandevaluationofprogressachievedintheimplementationoftheConvention.ThismonitoringactivitywillenableStatespartiestoreviewtheirlawsandpoliciesonaregularbasisandtofocusonareaswherefurtherorotheractionisrequired.TheCommitteethereforerecallstherelevanceofthereportingsystemtoimprovethesituationofchildrenandinvitesStates,UnitedNationsorgans,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodiestoconsider,inthespecificframeworkoftheprotectionofthechildfromeconomicexploitation,therecommendationssetoutbelow.02 .26. .TheCommitteerecognizesthatonlythroughcomprehensiveandconcertedactionbyallrelevantentitiesinthefieldoftherightsofthechildwillitbepossibletoimproveandensurethesuccessofpoliciesofprevention,protectionandrehabilitationregardingeconomicallyexploitedchildren.Forthisreason,itstressestheimportanceof,andtheneedfor,coordination,atboththenationalandinternationallevels.02 .27. .TheCommitteerecommendsinthisregardtheestablishmentofanationalmechanismforcoordinatingpoliciesandmonitoringtheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,havingspecificcompetenceintheareaofprotectionfromeconomicexploitation.Suchacoordinatingmechanism(asisthecaseofaNationalCommitteeorNationalCommissionontheRightsoftheChild),beingcomposedofthevariouscompetententitiesatthecountrylevel,isinapositiontoensureaglobalandmultidisciplinaryapproachtotheimplementationoftheConventionandtopromoteeffectiveinteractionandcomplementarityoftheactivitiesdeveloped.Furthermore,itmayfacilitatethegatheringofallrelevantinformation,enableasystematicandaccurateevaluationoftherealityandpavethewayfortheconsiderationofnewstrategiesforthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild,includinginthefieldofprotectionfromeconomicexploitation.02 .28. .Thecoordinatingmechanismwillalsobeanimportantreferencefocalpointfortheworkofnon-governmentalorganizations,includingworkers'andemployers'organizations,whosecooperationshouldbeencouraged.Infact,astheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsrecognized,suchorganizationsplayanimportantroleintheeffectiveimplementationoftheConvention,namelyinthefieldsofadvocacy,education,trainingorrehabilitation-areaswhicharealsoofcrucialimportanceinprotectingchildrenfromanyformofeconomicexploitation.02 .29. .TheCommitteerecallstheessentialroleattachedbytheConventionontheRightsoftheChildtointernationalcooperation.ItfurtherrecallsthattheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsrecognizedtheneedforinternationalcooperationandsolidaritytobepromotedtosupporttheimplementationoftheConvention,andthattherightsofthechildshouldbegivenapriorityintheUnitedNationssystem.02 .210. .TheCommitteethereforeencouragesStatestoconsiderwaysofstrengtheningtheircooperationandsolidarityforthepromotionoftherightsofthechild,namelyatthebilateralandregionallevels.02 .211. .TheCommitteealsoencouragestherelevantUnitedNationsorgansandspecializedagencies,internationalfinancialinstitutionsanddevelopmentagenciestoenhancethecoordinationandinteractionoftheiractivities,includingintheareaoftheprotectionofchildrenagainstanyformofeconomicexploitation.02 .212. .TheCommitteefurtherencouragesUnitedNationsorgansandspecializedagenciesregularlytoreviewandmonitorthehumanrightsandthesituationofchildren,inaccordancewiththeirmandates.Inthisframework,theCommitteerecallsthedecisiverelevanceoftheConventionasaninspiringandlegalframeworkforprogrammesoftechnicaladviceandassistanceandreaffirmsthecatalyticroletheCommitteeintendstocontinuetoplayasafocalpointontherightsofthechildwithinUnitedNationssystem-wideaction.02 .213. .TheCommitteestressestheessentialimportanceofinformationandeducationtoensurethepreventionofsituationsofeconomicexploitation,aswellastoprotectandrehabilitatechildrenaffectedthereby.02 .214. .TheCommitteerecallsinthisframeworkthatStatespartiesundertaketomaketheprinciplesandtheprovisionsoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildwidelyknown,byappropriateandactivemeans,bothtoadultsandchildren(art.42).02 .215. .Forthispurpose,theCommitteerecommendsthatStatespartieslaunchwideinformationcampaignsontheConventionspecificallyaddressedtochildren,inorderforthemtobecomeawareoftheirrights(includingtherightstostudy,toplayandtotakerest),ofthemeasuresofprotectiontheycanbenefitfromandoftheriskstheyfacewhentheyareinvolvedinsituationsofeconomicexploitation-asinthecaseofactivitiesharmfultotheirhealth,preventingtheirharmoniousdevelopment,interferingwiththeireducation,orinvolvingthemincriminalactivities.02 .216. .Similarly,informationcampaignsaimedatthepublicingeneral,includingatthefamilyandcommunitylevelsandaddressedtoworkersandemployers,shouldbeenvisagedinordertoraiseconsciousnessandadeeperunderstandingoftheConvention,inparticulartoensurerespectforthedignityofthechild,topreventdiscriminatoryattitudes,andtoachieveeffectiveprotectionofchildrenagainstsituationsofeconomicexploitation.Trainingforspecialprofessionalgroupsworkingwithorforchildren,includingteachers,lawenforcementofficials,judgesandsocialworkers,shouldalsobeorganizedandwillcontributetopreventingdiscriminationandthemarginalizationandstigmatizationofthechild,aswellasencouragingthetakingofthechild'sperspectiveintodueaccount.02 .217. .Allthesedifferentactivities,whichshouldbedevelopedinclosecooperationbetweengovernmentalandnon-governmentalentities,andinwhichthemediahaveanimportantroletoplay,willcontributetobringingtolightsituationsofeconomicexploitation,oftenillicitandclandestine,aswellastoovercomingpublicapathyandindifferencetowardsthosesituations.Suchactionwill,furthermore,permitanunderstandingoftheextentofexistingproblemsandconsiderationoftheadoptionofthemeasuresnecessarytofacethem.02 .218. .TheCommitteestressestheimportanceofeducationasanessentialpreventivemeasuretocountersituationsofeconomicexploitationofchildren.Itthereforerecommendsthateducationbegivendueweight,namelybymakingprimaryeducationcompulsoryandfreeforallchildren.Furthermore,educationshouldbeenvisaged,asrecognizedbytheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,asadecisivetooltoensurethefulldevelopmentofthechild'spersonality,talentsandabilities,theoccasiontogivethechildanopportunitytoexperiencechildhoodwhilepreparinghimorherforaresponsiblelifeinsociety,benefitingfromequalopportunitiestomakefreeandinformedchoices.02 .219. .TheCommitteealsorecommendsthattheConventionbeconsidered,withintheframeworkofschoolcurricula,asameaningfulillustrationofeducationforhumanrights,aswellasanincentivetoencouragetheparticipationofchildreninschoolandsociallife,includingthroughtheestablishmentoformembershipinchildren'sorganizations.Inthecaseofchildrenlegallyemployed,andinthelightofarticle32oftheConvention,aflexiblesystemofeducationshouldbeimplemented.02 .220. .Intheareaoftheprotectionofthechildfromeconomicexploitation,theCommitteeconsidersthechildasapersonwhoshouldbegiventhebenefitofrespectandsolidaritywithinthefamilyandsociety.02 .221. .Inthecaseofsexualexploitationorexploitationthroughwork,theCommitteeconsidersthechildasavictimwhoshouldbegiventhebenefitofspecialprotectionintermsofhealth,educationanddevelopment.02 .222. .Inanyevent,thefollowingmustbestrictlyforbidden:02 .2 .(a) . Activitiesjeopardizingthedevelopmentofthechildorcontrarytohumanvaluesanddignity;02 .2 .(b) .  .  .  . Activitiesinvolvingcruel,inhumanordegradingtreatment,thesaleofchildrenorsituationsofservitude;02 .2 .(c) .  .  .  . Activitiesthataredangerousorharmfultothechild'sharmoniousphysical,mentalandspiritualdevelopmentorareliabletojeopardizethefutureeducationandtrainingofthechild;02 .2 .(d) .  .  .  . Activitiesinvolvingdiscrimination,particularlywithregardtovulnerableandmarginalizedsocialgroups;02 .2 .(e) .  .  .  . Allactivitiesundertheminimumagesreferredtoinarticle32,paragraph2,oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandinparticularthoserecommendedbyILO;02 .2 .(f) .  .  .  . Allactivitiesusingthechildforlegallypunishablecriminalacts,suchastraffickingindrugsorprohibitedgoods.02 .223. .Inaccordancewitharticle32oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,everychildhastherighttobeprotectedfromeconomicexploitation.Takingintoconsiderationthebestinterestsofthechild,Statespartiesmustformulatestandardsorreviselegislationinforcewithaviewtoensuringthelegalprotectionofthechildfromanyformofexploitation.Statespartiesareinvitedtotakealllegislative,administrativeandothermeasuresaimedatensuringtheprotectionofthechild,takingaccountofallformsofemployment,includingemploymentwithinthefamilyandintheagriculturalsectorandinformalemployment.02 .224. .Statespartiesmustalsotakemeasurestoensuretherehabilitationofchildrenwho,asaresultofeconomicexploitation,areexposedtoseriousphysicalandmoraldanger.Itisessentialtoprovidethesechildrenwiththenecessarysocialandmedicalassistanceandtoenvisagesocialreintegrationprogrammesfortheminthelightofarticle39oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.2 .2 .3.Roleofthefamilyinthepromotionoftherightsof󀀀thechild573.2 .2TheCommitteedecidedatitsfourthsessiontodevoteitsfuturedayofgeneraldiscussion,tobeheldduringtheInternationalYearoftheFamily,tothetheme"Roleofthefamilyinthepromotionoftherightsofthechild"(CRC/C/20,para.18).(Seealsointhisconnectionchap.I.G,thirdsession,recommendation3,andfourthsession,recommendation4.)Atitsfifthsession,theCommitteedecidedthatthegeneraldiscussionwouldtakeplaceon10October1994.574.2 .2Topreparethethematicdiscussion,theCommitteeestablishedaworkinggroupamongitsmembersentrustedwiththetaskofformulatinganoutlineidentifyingthemainissuestoberaisedduringthediscussionofthetopic.Thetextofthisoutline(seeCRC/C/24,annexV)emphasizestherelevanceofthegeneralprinciplesoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandidentifiestwobasicareasofconcern:̇2 .2(a) .Evolutionandimportanceofthefamily;2 .2(b) .Civilrightsandfreedomswithinthefamily.575.2 .2Recallingitsexperienceintheorganizationofthematicdiscussions,andtakingintoconsiderationthespiritofarticle45oftheConvention,theCommitteealsodecidedtosendthisoutlinetoUnitedNationsorgans,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodies,includingnon-governmentalorganizations,researchandacademicinstitutions.576.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherstressedtheimportanceofensuringafollowuptoarecommendationadoptedatitsfirstsession c   andaddressedaninvitationtotheHumanRightsCommittee,theCommitteeonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRightsandtheCommitteeontheEliminationofDiscriminationagainstWomentoparticipateinthegeneraldiscussion,andinthatframeworktodiscussmattersofmutualconcern.577.2 .2Moreover,theCommitteewelcomedthereportsubmittedbyUNHCRonitspreparationfortheInternationalYearoftheFamily,envisagedasaspecialopportunityforbetterplanningandmoreeffectiveimplementationofprogrammeswithrefugeesaspartners.88 <p@ .ANNEXI@ .` StatesthathaveratifiedoraccededtotheConvention@ . ontheRightsoftheChildasat28January1994̀ . < .<Dateofreceipt . < .<ofinstrument . < .<ofratification/p .pDateofentrỳStates . 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2July1993< .<13August1993p .p12September1993Finlandl .l 26January1990< .<20June1991p .p20July1991Francel .l 26January1990< .<7August1990p .p6September1990Gambial .l 5February1990< .<8August1990p .p7September1990Germanyl .l 26January1990< .<6March1992p .p5April1992Ghanal .l 29January1990< .<5February1990p .p2September1990Greecel .l 26January1990< .<11May1993p .p10June1993Grenadal .l 21February1990< .<5November1990p .p5December1990Guatemalal .l 26January1990< .<6June1990p .p2September1990Guineal .l < .<13July1990a/p .p2September1990GuineaBissaul .l 26January1990< .<20August1990p .p19September1990Guyanal .l 30September1990< .<14January1991p .p13February1991HolySeel .l 20April1990< .<20April1990p .p2September1990Hondurasl .l 31May1990< .<10August1990p .p9September1990Hungaryl .l 14March1990< .<7October1991p .p6November1991Icelandl .l 26January1990< .<28October1992p .p27November1992Indial .l < .<11December1992a/p .p11January1993Indonesial .l 26January1990< .<5September1990p .p5October1990Irelandl .l 30September1990< .<28September1992p .p28October1992Israell .l 3July1990< .<3October1991p .p2November1991Italyl .l 26January1990< .<5September1991p .p5October1991Jamaical .l 26January1990< .<14May1991p .p13June1991Jordanl .l 29August1990< .<24May1991p .p23June1991̀l .l < .<Dateofreceiptp .pl .l < .<ofinstrumentp .pl .l < .<ofratification/p .pDateofentrỳStatesl .l Dateofsignature< .<accessiona/p .pintoforceKenyal .l 26January1990< .<30July1990p .p2September1990Kuwaitl .l 7June1990< .<21October1991p .p20November1991LaoPeople's̀Democratic̀Republicl .l < .<8May1991a/p .p7June1991Latvial .l < .<14April1992a/p .p14May1992Lebanonl .l 26January1990< .<14May1991p .p13June1991Lesothol .l 21August1990< .<10March1992p .p9April1992Liberial .l 26April1990< .<4June1993p .p4July1993LibyanArab̀Jamahiriyal .l < .<15April1993a/p .p15May1993Lithuanial .l < .<31January1992a/p .p1March1992Madagascarl .l 19April1990< .<19March1991p .p18April1991Malawil .l < .<2January1991a/p .p1February1991Maldivesl .l 21August1990< .<11February1991p .p13March1991Malil .l 26January1990< .<20September1990p .p20October1990Maltal .l 26January1990< .<30September1990p .p30October1990MarshallIslandsl .l 14April1993< .<4October1993p .p3November1993Mauritanial .l 26January1990< .<16May1991p .p15June1991Mauritiusl .l < .<26July1990a/p .p2September1990Mexicol .l 26January1990< .<21September1990p .p21October1990Micronesià(Federated̀Statesof)l .l < .<5May1993a/p .p4June1993Monacol .l < .<21June1993a/p .p21July1993Mongolial .l 26January1990< .<5July1990p .p2September1990Moroccol .l 26January1990< .<21June1993p .p21July1993Myanmarl .l < .<15July1991a/p .p14August1991Namibial .l 26September1990< .<30September1990p .p30October1990Nepall .l 26January1990< .<14September1990p .p14October1990NewZealandl .l 1October1990< .<6April1993p .p6May1995Nicaragual .l 6February1990< .<5October1990p .p4November1990Nigerl .l 26January1990< .<30September1990p .p30October1990Nigerial .l 26January1990< .<19April1991p .p19May1991Norwayl .l 26January1990< .<8January1991p .p7February1991Pakistanl .l 20September1990< .<12November1990p .p12December1990Panamal .l 26January1990< .<12December1990p .p11January1991PapuaNewGuineal .l 30September1990< .<1March1993p .p31March1993Paraguayl .l 4April1990< .<25September1990p .p25October1990Perul .l 26January1990< .<4September1990p .p4October199088l <Ӏl .l < .<Dateofreceipt .l .l < .<ofinstrument .l .l < .<ofratification/ .DateofentrỳStatesl .l Dateofsignature< .<accessiona/ .intoforcePhilippinesl .l 26January1990< .<21August1990 .20September1990Polandl .l 26January1990< .<7June1991 .7July1991Portugall .l 26January1990< .<21September1990 .21October1990RepublicofKoreal .l 25September1990< .<20November1991 .20December1991RepublicofMoldoval .l < .<26January1993a/ .25February1993Romanial .l 26January1990< .<28September1990 .28October1990RussianFederationl .l 26January1990< .<16August1990 .15September1990Rwandal .l 26January1990< .<24January1991 .23February1991SaintKittsand̀Nevisl .l 26January1990< .<24July1990 .2September1990SaintLucial .l < .<16June1993a/ .16July1993SaintVincentand̀theGrenadinesl .l 20September1993< .<26October1993 .25November1993SanMarinol .l < .<25November1991a/ .25December1991SaoTomeand̀Principel .l < .<14May1991a/ .13June1991Senegall .l 26January1990< .<31July1990 .2September1990Seychellesl .l < .<7September1990a/ .7October1990SierraLeonel .l 13February1990< .<18June1990 .2September1990Slovakiab/l .l < .< .1January1993Sloveniab/l .l < .< .25June1991Spainl .l 26January1990< .<6December1990 .5January1991SriLankal .l 26January1990< .<12July1991 .11August1991Sudanl .l 24July1990< .<3August1990 .2September1990Surinamel .l 26January1990< .<1March1993 .31March1993Swedenl .l 26January1990< .<29June1990 .2September1990SyrianArab̀Republicl .l 18September1990< .<15July1993 .14August1993Tajikistanl .l < .<26October1993a/ .25November1993Thailandl .l < .<27March1992a/ .26April1992TheformerYugoslav̀Republicof̀Macedoniab/l .l < .< .2December1993Togol .l 26January1990< .<1August1990 .2September1990TrinidadandTobagol .l 30September1990< .<5December1991 .4January1992Tunisial .l 26February1990< .<30January1992 .29February1992Turkmenistanl .l < .<20September1993a/ .19October1993Ugandal .l 17August1990< .<17August1990 .16September1990Ukrainel .l 21February1991< .<28August1991 .27September1991UnitedKingdomof̀GreatBritainand̀NorthernIrelandl .l 19April1990< .<16December1991 .15January1992UnitedRepublic̀ofTanzanial .l 1June1990< .<10June1991 .10July1991̀l .l < .<Dateofreceipt .l .l < .<ofinstrument .l .l < .<ofratification/ .DateofentrỳStatesl .l Dateofsignature< .<accessiona/ .intoforceUruguayl .l 26January1990< .<20November1990 .20December1990Vanuatul .l 30September1990< .<7July1993 .6August1993Venezuelal .l 26January1990< .<13September1990 .13October1990VietNaml .l 26January1990< .<28February1990 .2September1990Yemenl .l 13February1990< .<1May1991 .31May1991Yugoslavial .l 26January1990< .<3January1991 .2February1991Zairel .l 20March1990< .<27September1990 .27October1990Zambial .l 30September1990< .<5December1991 .5January1992Zimbabwel .l 8March1990< .<11September1990 .11October1990򀀀882 2 .2a/ .Accession.2 .2b/ .Succession.@ .\ANNEXII@ .Agendasofthesecond,third,fourthandfifthsessionsofthe@ . CommitteeontheRightsoftheChild@ .hA.Secondsession882^ 882 2 .2Atits28thmeeting,on28September1992,theCommitteeadoptedtheprovisionalagendasubmittedbytheSecretary-General(CRC/C/9).Theagendaofthesecondsession,asadopted,wasasfollows:2 .21. .Adoptionoftheagenda.2 .22. .Fillingofvacancy.2 .23. .SolemndeclarationbyanewlyappointedmemberoftheCommittee.2 .24.0 .ReviewofdevelopmentsrelevanttotheworkoftheCommittee,including:2 .2 .(a) . ActionbytheGeneralAssemblyatitsforty-sixthsession;2 .2 .(b)0 . ActionbytheCommissiononHumanRightsatitsforty-eighthsession;2 .2 .(c) . Developmentsinotherhumanrightstreatymonitoringbodies.2 .25.0 .PreparatoryactivitiesrelatingtotheWorldConferenceonHumanRights.2 .26.0 .SubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesinaccordancewitharticle44oftheConvention.2 .22 .27. .Systemofdocumentationandinformation.2 .22 .28.0 .MattersrelatingtothemethodsofworkoftheCommitteeandthepre-sessionalworkinggroupinrespectoftheconsiderationofreportstobesubmittedbyStatespartiesinaccordancewitharticle44oftheConvention,including:2 .22 .2 .(a) . Considerationofthequestionoftechnicaladviceorassistance;2 .2 .(b)0 . Considerationofthequestionofaninformaltechnicaladvisorygroup.2 .22 .29.0 .Considerationofinformationrequiredundereachsectionofthereportingguidelines.2 .22 .210. .Generaldiscussiononchildreninarmedconflicts.2 .22 .211. .Questionofurgentappeals.2 .22 .212. .Futurestudies.2 .22 .213. .Futuremeetings.2 .22 .214. .Othermatters.@ .B.Thirdsession2 .2Atits47thmeeting,on11January1993,theCommitteeadoptedtheprovisionalagenda(CRC/C/13).Theagendaofthethirdsession,asadopted,wasasfollows:2 .21. .Adoptionoftheagenda.2 .22.0 .InformationbythesecretariatonactiontakenpursuanttodecisionsadoptedbytheCommittee.2 .23.0 .SubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesunderarticle44oftheConvention.2 .24.0 .Reportofthefourthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies.2 .25.0 .PreparatoryactivitiesrelatingtotheWorldConferenceonHumanRights.2 .26. .Considerationofthequestionofindicators.2 .27. .Follow-uptothegeneraldiscussiononchildreninarmedconflicts.2 .28. .MattersrelatingtothemethodsofworkoftheCommittee.2 .29. .Systemofdocumentationandinformation.2 .210. .Futurestudies.2 .211.0 .ConsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatespartiesunderarticle44oftheConvention.2 .212. .FuturemeetingsoftheCommittee.2 .213. .Othermatters.@ .hC.Fourthsession2 .2Atits75thmeeting,on20September1993,theCommitteeadoptedtheprovisionalagenda(CRC/C/17).Theagendaofthefourthsession,asadopted,wasasfollows:2 .21. .OpeningofthesessionbytherepresentativeoftheSecretary-General.2 .22. .SolemndeclarationbythenewlyelectedmembersoftheCommittee.2 .23. .ElectionoftheofficersoftheCommittee.2 .24. .Adoptionoftheagenda.2 .25. .Organizationalandothermatters.2 .26. .ReviewofdevelopmentsrelevanttotheworkoftheCommittee.2 .27.0 .SubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesinaccordancewitharticle44oftheConvention.2 .28.0 .ConsiderationofreportssubmittedbyStatespartiesunderarticle44oftheConvention.2 .29. .WorldConferenceonHumanRights.2 .210. .Questionofindicators.2 .211.0 .Generaldiscussiononprotectionofthechildagainsteconomicexploitation.2 .212. .MethodsofworkoftheCommittee.2 .213. .Systemofdocumentationandinformation.2 .214. .FuturemeetingsoftheCommittee.2 .215. .Othermatters.@ .D.Fifthsession2 .2Atits105thmeeting,on10January1994,theCommitteeadoptedtheprovisionalagenda(CRC/C/21).Theagendaofthefifthsession,asadopted,wasasfollows:2 .21. .Adoptionoftheagenda.2 .22. .Organizationalandothermatters.2 .23.0 .InformationbythesecretariatontheactiontakenpursuanttodecisionsadoptedbytheCommitteeatitsprevioussessions.2 .24.0 .SubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesinaccordancewitharticle44oftheConvention.2 .25. .ConsiderationofreportsofStatesparties.2 .26. .Systemofdocumentationandinformation.2 .27. .Questionofindicators.2 .28.0 .Follow-uponthegeneraldiscussiononprotectionofthechildagainsteconomicexploitation.2 .29. .CooperationwithotherUnitedNationsbodiesandspecializedagencies.2 .210. .MethodsofworkoftheCommittee.2 .211. .Futuremeetings.2 .212. .Othermatters.2 .213. .BiennialreportoftheCommitteeonitsactivities.@ .*ANNEXIII@ .` MembershipoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild@ .(19931995)̀Name# .CountryofnationalityMrs.HodaBADRAN*# .EgyptMr.LuisA.BAMBARENGASTELUMENDI**# .lPeruMrs.AkilaBELEMBAOGO**# .BurkinaFasoMrs.FloraC.EUFEMIO*# .PhilippinesMr.ThomasHAMMARBERG**# .SwedenMr.YouriKOLOSOV**# .RussianFederationMissSandraPrunellaMASON**# .BarbadosMr.SwithunTachionaMOMBESHORA*# .ZimbabweMrs.MartaSANTOSPAIS*# .PortugalMrs.MariliaSARDENBERGZELNERGON ALVES*# .Brazil________________________2 .2* .Termexpireson28February1997.̀** .Termexpireson28February1995. 0    \R'3\ X  H (  X d  @0 .ANNEXIV@0 . STATUSOFSUBMISSIONOFREPORTSBYSTATESPARTIESUNDERARTICLE44OF@0 ..THECONVENTIONONTHERIGHTSOFTHECHILD@0 ."A.Initialreportsduein1992*gh d,C<< , << ,K << ,<< ,<< +  )ii)ЀStateparty ii ЀDateofentrỳintoforce ii ЀInitialreport:̀datedue ii Dateofsubmission ii ЀSymbol ";x"Bangladesh  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Barbados  8November1990  7November1992     ";x"Belarus  31October1990  30October1992  12February1993  CRC/C/3/Add.14 ";x"Belize  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Benin  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Bhutan  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Bolivia  2September1990  1September1992  14September1992  CRC/C/3/Add.2 ";x"Brazil  24October1990  23October1992     ";x"BurkinaFaso  30September1990  29September1992  7July1993  CRC/C/3/Add.19 ";x"Burundi  18November1990  17November1992     ";x"Chad  1November1990  31October1992     ";x"Chile  12September1990  11September1992  22June1993  CRC/C/3/Add.18 ";x"CostaRica  20September1990  20September1992  28October1992  CRC/C/3/Add.8 "x"DemocraticPeople'sRepublicofKorea  21October1990  20October1992     ";x"Ecuador  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Egypt  2September1990  1September1992  23October1992  CRC/C/3/Add.6 ";x"ElSalvador  2September1990  1September1992  3November1992  CRC/C/3/Add.9 ";x"France  6September1990  5September1992  8April1993  CRC/C/3/Add.15 ";x"Gambia  7September1990  6September1992     ";x"Ghana  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Grenada  5December1990  4December1992     ";x"Guatemala  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Guinea  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"GuineaBissau  19September1990  18September1992     ";x"HolySee  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Honduras  9September1990  8September1992  11May1993  CRC/C/3/Add.17 "x"Indonesia  5October1990  4October1992  17November1992  CRC/C/3/Add.10andCRC/C/3/Add.26 ";x"Kenya  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Mali  20October1990  19October1992     ";x"Malta  30October1990  29October1992     ";x"Mauritius  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Mexico  21October1990  20October1992  15December1992  CRC/C/3/Add.11 ";x"Mongolia  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Namibia  30October1990  29October1992  21December1992  CRC/C/3/Add.12 ";x"Nepal  14October1990  13October1992     ";x"Nicaragua  4November1990  3November1992  12January1994  CRC/C/3/Add.25 ";x"Niger  30October1990  29October1992     ";x"Pakistan  12December1990  11December1992  25January1993  CRC/C/3/Add.13 ";x"Paraguay  25October1990  24October1992  30August1993  CRC/C/3/Add.22 "x"Peru  4October1990  3October1992  28October1992  CRC/C/3/Add.7andCRC/C/3/Add.24 ";x"Philippines  20September1990  19September1992  21September1993  CRC/C/3/Add.23 ";x"Portugal  21October1990  20October1992     ";x"Romania  28October1990  27October1992  14April1993  CRC/C/3/Add.16 ";x"RussianFederation  15September1990  14September1992  16October1992  CRC/C/3/Add.5 "x"SaintKittsandNevis  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Senegal  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Seychelles  7October1990  6October1992     ";x"SierraLeone  2September1990  1September1992     "x"Sudan  2September1990  1September1992  29September1992  CRC/C/3/Add.3andCRC/C/3/Add.20 ";x"Sweden  2September1990  1September1992  7September1992  CRC/C/3/Add.1 ";x"Togo  2September1990  1September1992     ";x"Uganda  16September1990  15September1992     ";x"Uruguay  20December1990  19December1992     ";x"Venezuela  13October1990  12October1992     "x"VietNam  2September1990  1September1992  30September1992  CRC/C/3/Add.4andCRC/C/3/Add.21 ";x"Zaire  27October1990  26October1992     "x"Zimbabwe  11October1990  10October1992     &x&B.Initialreportsduein1993 ";x"Angola  4January1991  3January1993     ";x"Argentina  3January1991  2January1993  17March1993  CRC/C/8/Add.2 ";x"Australia  16January1991  15January1993     ";x"Bahamas  22March1991  21March1993     ";x"Bulgaria  3July1991  2July1993     ";x"Colombia  27February1991  26February1993  14April1993  CRC/C/8/Add.3 ";x"C=ted'Ivoire  6March1991  5March1993     ";x"Croatia  7November1991  6November1993     ";x"Cuba  20September1991  19September1993     ";x"Cyprus  9March1991  8March1993     ";x"Denmark  18August1991  17August1993  14September1993  CRC/C/8/Add.8 ";x"Djibouti  5January1991  4January1993     ";x"Dominica  12April1991  11April1993     ";x"DominicanRepublic  11July1991  10July1993     ";x"Estonia  20November1991  19November1993     ";x"Ethiopia  13June1991  12June1993     ";x"Finland  20July1991  19July1993     ";x"Guyana  13February1991  12February1993     ";x"Hungary  6November1991  5November1993     ";x"Israel  2November1991  1November1993     ";x"Italy  5October1991  4October1993     ";x"Jamaica  13June1991  12June1993  25January1994  CRC/C/8/Add.12 ";x"Jordan  23June1991  22June1993  25May1993  CRC/C/8/Add.4 ";x"Kuwait  20November1991  19November1993     "x"LaoPeople'sDemocraticRepublic  7June1991  6June1993     ";x"Lebanon  13June1991  12June1993     ";x"Madagascar  18April1991  17May1993  20July1993  CRC/C/8/Add.5 ";x"Malawi  1February1991  31January1993     ";x"Maldives  13March1991  12March1993     ";x"Mauritania  15June1991  14June1993     ";x"Myanmar  14August1991  13August1993  21September1993  CRC/C/8/Add.9 ";x"Nigeria  19May1991  18May1993     ";x"Norway  7February1991  6February1993  30August1993  CRC/C/8/Add.7 ";x"Panama  11January1991  10January1993     ";x"Poland  7July1991  6July1993  11January1994  CRC/C/8/Add.11 ";x"RepublicofKorea  20December1991  19December1993     ";x"Rwanda  23February1991  22February1993  30September1992  CRC/C/8/Add.1 ";x"SanMarino  25December1991  24December1993     "x"SaoTomeandPrincipe  13June1991  12June1993     ";x"Spain  5January1991  4January1993  10August1993  CRC/C/8/Add.6 ";x"SriLanka  11August1991  10August1993     "x"TheformerYugoslavRepublicofMacedonia  17September1991  16September1993     ";x"Ukraine  27September1991  26September1993  13October1993  CRC/C/8/Add.10 "x"UnitedRepublicofTanzania  10July1991  9July1993     ";x"Yemen  31May1991  30May1993     "x"Yugoslavia  2February1991  1February1993     &x&@0 ."C.Initialreportsduein1994 ";x"Albania  28March1992  27March1994     ";x"Austria  5September1992  4September1994     ";x"Azerbaijan  12September1992  11September1994     ";x"Bahrain  14March1992  14March1994     ";x"Belgium  15January1992  14January1994     "x"BosniaandHerzegovina  6March1992  5March1994     ";x"Cambodia  14November1992  15November1994     ";x"Canada  12January1992  11January1994     ";x"CapeVerde  4July1992  3July1994     "x"CentralAfricanRepublic  23May1992  23May1994     ";x"China  1April1992  31March1994     ";x"CzechRepublic  1January1993  31December1994     ";x"EquatorialGuinea  15July1992  14July1994     ";x"Germany  5April1992  4May1994     ";x"Iceland  27November1992  26November1994     ";x"Ireland  28October1992  27October1994     ";x"Latvia  14May1992  13May1994     ";x"Lesotho  9April1992  8April1994     ";x"Lithuania  1March1992  28February1994     ";x"Slovakia  1January1993  31December1994     ";x"Slovenia  5August1992  5August1994     ";x"Thailand  26April1992  25April1994     ";x"TrinidadandTobago  4January1992  3January1994     ";x"Tunisia  29February1992  28February1994     "x"UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland  15January1992  14January1994     "x"Zambia  5January1992  4January1994     &x&@0 ."D.Initialreportsduein1995 ";x"Algeria  16May1993  15May1995     ";x"AntiguaandBarbuda  4November1993  3November1995     ";x"Armenia  23July1993  5August1995     ";x"Cameroon  10February1993  9February1995     ";x"Comoros  22July1993  21July1995     ";x"Congo  13November1993  12November1995     ";x"Fiji  12September1993  11September1995     ";x"Greece  10June1993  9June1995     ";x"India  11January1993  10January1995     ";x"Liberia  4July1993  3July1995     "x"LibyanArabJamahiriya  15May1993  14May1995     ";x"MarshallIslands  3November1993  2November1995     "x"Micronesia(FederatedStatesof)  4June1993  3June1995     ";x"Monaco  21July1993  20July1995     ";x"Morocco  21July1993  20July1995     ";x"NewZealand  6May1993  5May1995     ";x"PapuaNewGuinea  31March1993  31March1995     ";x"RepublicofMoldova  25February1993  24February1995     ";x"SaintLucia  16July1993  15July1995     "x"SaintVincentandtheGrenadines  25November1993  24November1995     ";x"Suriname  31March1993  31March1995     "x"SyrianArabRepublic  14August1993  13August1995     ";x"Tajikistan  25November1993  24November1995     ";x"Turkmenistan  20October1993  19October1995     )iKx)Vanuatu i 6August1993 i 5August1995 i  i п  UK     \R3'\ X      + 8  8 C<6X9`(CourierC(  $(j882^   882 @ .\ANNEXV*@ .Childreninarmedconflicts:recommendationtotheGeneralAssembly1.2 .2Inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofarticle45(c)oftheConvention,theCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildmayrecommendthattheGeneralAssemblyrequesttheSecretaryGeneraltoundertake,onitsbehalf,studiesonspecificissuesrelatingtotherightsofthechild.2.2 .2AtitssecondsessionheldinSeptember/October1992,theCommitteedevotedonedaytoageneraldiscussiononthetopic"Childreninarmedconflicts".Themainissuesdiscussedincludedtherelevanceandadequacyofexistingstandardsapplicableintheframeworkofchildreninarmedconflicts,themeasurestoensureeffectiveprotectiontochildreninsituationsofarmedconflictandthepromotionofphysicalandpsychologicalrecoveryandsocialreintegration.ThereportoftheCommitteeonitssecondsession(CRC/C/10,paras.61-77)andthesummaryrecordsofits38thand39thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.38and39)reflectthediscussionoftheissuesattheCommittee'ssecondsession.TheCommitteefurtherdiscussedtheseproblemsatitsthirdsession(11-29January1993).3.2 .2TheCommitteeconcludedthatinordertofocusgreaterattentionontheseriousproblemofchildreninarmedconflicts,amajorUnitedNationsstudyshouldbeundertaken.Itisclearthatchildrensufferbadlyincurrentarmedconflicts;humanitarianlawstandardsarefrequentlyviolatedordonotcoverallrelevantsituations.Attemptstoorganize"corridorsofpeace"or"daysoftranquillity"forthesakeofhumanitarianneedshavenotalwaysbeenwelcomedbythepartiesinvolved.Thereisthereforeaneedtoreviewtheinternationalresponsetotheseurgentproblemsanddiscussnewapproachestotheirsolution.Accordingly,theCommitteerecommendstotheGeneralAssembly,inaccordancewitharticle45(c)oftheConvention,thatitrequesttheSecretaryGeneraltoundertakeastudyonwaysandmeansofimprovingtheprotectionofchildrenfromtheadverseeffectsofarmedconflicts.Forthispurpose,theSecretaryGeneralmightwishtoinvitethecooperationofrelevantspecializedagencies,otherUnitedNationsorgans,non-governmentalorganizationsandtheInternationalCommitteeoftheRedCross.4.2 .2TheCommitteerequeststheSecretaryGeneraltobringthisrecommendationtotheattentionoftheGeneralAssemblyforconsiderationatitsforty-eighthsession.________________________2 .2* .SeealsoCRC/C/16,annexVI. 0    \R'3\ X  H (  X k  @0 .ANNEXVI@0 . FollowuptotheconsiderationofinitialreportsbyStatespartiestothe@0 .ConventionontheRightsoftheChild*mn d,<< ,R<<",1<<",<<<",<< ,w<<",<< +  )iiT)_o3 Ha`$2Line Printer 16.67cpi_Stateparty ii Initialreport ii Summaryrecordofdiscussion(CRC/C/SR...) ii ObservationsbytheCommittee(CRC/C/15/Add...) ii Followupmeasuresrequested ii Deadline ii Additionalinformation "x"Bolivia  CRC/C/3/Add.2  5254(fourthsession)  1  Para.13Delegation'scommitmenttosendfurtherinformation.     "x"Colombia  CRC/C/8/Add.3  113115(fifthsession)  15(preliminary)  Para.1Writtenanswerstolistofissuesandconcernsexpressedinparas.1016.  28February1994   "x"ElSalvador  CRC/C/3/Add.9  8587(fourthsession)  9  Para.14Additionalinformationonquestionsandconcernsexpressed.Submissionofcoredocument.Para.15Informationonimplementationoflegislationandimpactofactionplanned.  December1994   "Ax"Indonesia  CRC/C/3/Add.10  7981(fourthsession)  7(preliminary)  Para.19Writteninformationonquestionsandconcernsexpressedinparas.718,withaviewtoCRCformulatingitsconcludingobservationsbySeptember/October1994.  December1993  CRC/C/3/Add.26 "x"Peru  CRC/C/3/Add.7  8284(fourthsession)  8  Para.14InformationonmeasurestakeninresponsetoconcernsexpressedandrecommendationsmadeinCRC'sconcludingobservations.  Beforetheendof1994  CRC/C/3/Add.24 "x"Rwanda  CRC/C/8/Add.1  9798(fourthsession)  12(preliminary)  Paras.2and5Submissionofanewandmorecomprehensiveinitialreport.  September/October1994   "x"Sudan  CRC/C/3/Add.3  6971(thirdsession);8990(fourthsession)  6(preliminary)10(concluding)  CRC/C/15/Add.6:Para.1AdditionalinformationonareasofconcernidentifiedbyCRC.CRC/C/15/Add.10:Para.27WillingnessoftheGovernmenttokeepCRCregularlyinformedofrelevantdevelopments.  15May1993  CRC/C/3/Add.20 )iDx)VietNam i CRC/C/3/Add.4 i 5961(thirdsession) i 3 i Para.10Additionalinformationontheadministrationofjuvenilejustice. i June1993 i CRC/C/3/Add.21C<6X9`(CourierC@0 .nANNEXVII@0 . AreasidentifiedbytheCommitteefortechnicaladviceandassistance@0 .andadvisoryservices*pq d,<< ,<< ,<<",<< +  )ii)Stateparty ii Initialreport ii ObservationsbytheCommittee(CRC/15/Add...) ii Areasidentifiedfortechnicalassistanceandadvisoryservices "x"Belarus  CRC/C/3/Add.14  17  Para.18AssistancefromUNICEF,WHO,theCentreforHumanRightsandotherinterestedorganizations,for,interalia,harmonizationofthelegislationandmeasureswithCRC,developmentofacoordinatingbodyonchildren'srights,determiningthetargetingofprogrammes,themajorthrustofpoliciesandthemobilizationofresourcesfortherightsofthechild.InternationalassistanceformeasurestocopewiththeaftermathofChernobylnucleardisaster. "x"Colombia  CRC/C/8/Add.3  15  Para.16ClosercooperationwithrelevantinternationalagenciestoassesstheimplementationoftheConventionandnarrowthegapbetweenlawandpractice. "x"Indonesia  CRC/C/3/Add.10  7(preliminary)  Para.19LawreformstoensureconformitywiththeConvention.ActivitiesdevelopedbytheprogrammeofadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistanceoftheCentreforHumanRights. "x"Namibia  CRC/C/3/Add.12  14  Para.12ConsiderationtobegiventothepossibilityofNamibiabecomingapartytoallmajorinternationalhumanrightsinstruments(assistancefromtheCentreforHumanRights).Para.20Administrationofjuvenilejustice(continuedcooperationwiththeCentreforHumanRights,theCrimePreventionandCriminalJusticeBranchandUNICEF). "x"Peru  CRC/C/3/Add.7  8  Para.19Internationalassistancetoaddressmoreeffectivelythechallengeofimprovingthesituationofchildreninespeciallydifficultcircumstances. "x"Romania  CRC/C/3/Add.16  16  Para.23ContinuedcooperationwiththeCentreforHumanRightsinthefieldofadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistanceandsupportfromtheinternationalcommunityinthefieldofchildrights. "x"RussianFederation  CRC/C/3/Add.5  4  Para.20Internationalcooperationforsupportintheprocurementandmanufactureofvaccines. "x"Rwanda  CRC/C/8/Add.1  12(preliminary)  Para.3Technicaladviceandassistanceforthepreparationofthereport(art.45(b)oftheConvention). "x"Sudan  CRC/C/3/Add.3  10  Para.20Continuedcooperationwithintergovernmentalandnon-governmentalorganizationstoimprovemeasurestoalleviatethesufferingofchildren. )ix)VietNam i CRC/C/3/Add.4 i 3 i Para.8Administrationofjuvenilejustice(trainingcoursetobeorganizedbytheCentreforHumanRights).  UK     \R3'\ X      + 8  8 C<6X9`(CourierC(  $(r882^   @ .ANNEXVIII@ . Preliminarydraftoptionalprotocoloninvolvementof@ .childreninarmedconflicts2 .2TheStatesPartiestothepresentProtocol,2 .2EncouragedbythefactthatanunprecedentednumberofStateshavetodatebecomepartiestotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,therebydemonstratingthewidespreadcommitmentthatexiststostriveforthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild,2 .2Reaffirmingthattherightsofchildrenrequirespecialprotectionandcallforcontinuousimprovementofthesituationofchildrenallovertheworld,aswellasfortheirdevelopmentandeducationinconditionsofpeaceandsecurity,2 .2ConsideringthattofurtherimplementtherightsrecognizedintheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,thereisaneedtostrengthentheprotectionofchildreninvolvedinarmedconflicts,2 .2Believingthattheinvolvementinhostilitiesofpersonswhohavenotattainedtheageofeighteenyearsisharmfulforthemphysicallyandpsychologicallyandaffectsthefullimplementationoftherightsofthechild,includingtherighttolife,2 .2Notingthatarticle1oftheConventionrecognizeseveryhumanbeingbelowtheageofeighteenyearstobeachild,unlessunderthelawapplicabletothechild,majorityisattainedearlier,2 .2Recognizingthatarticle38oftheConventionadmitsrecruitmentofpersonsintoarmedforcesandtheirdirectparticipationinhostilitiesaftertheattainmentoftheageoffifteenyears,2 .2TakingintoaccountthatmanyStatesPartiestotheConventionhaveexpressedtheirdetermination,includingthroughunilateraldeclarationsuponsignatureorratification,nottorecruitintotheirarmedforcespersonsbelowtheageofeighteenyears,2 .2ConvincedthatanoptionalprotocoltotheConvention,raisingtheageofpossiblerecruitmentofpersonsintoarmedforces[andtheirdirectparticipationinhostilities]toeighteenyears,willcontributeeffectivelytotheimplementationoftheprinciplethatthebestinterestsofthechildaretobeaprimaryconsiderationinallactionsconcerningchildren,whilegivingStatesPartieswhichfindthemselvesinapositiontodosothepossibilitytoadheretosuchaprotocol,2 .2Haveagreedasfollows:@ .*Article12 .2StatesPartiesshalltakeallfeasiblemeasurestoensurethatpersonswhohavenotattainedtheageofeighteenyearsdonottakepartinhostilities.@ .*Article22 .2StatesPartiesshallrefrainfromrecruitinganypersonwhohasnotattainedtheageofeighteenyearsintotheirarmedforces.@ .*Article32 .2NothinginthepresentProtocolshallbeconstruedsoastoprecludeprovisionsinthelawofaStatePartyorininternationalinstrumentsandinternationalhumanitarianlawwhicharemoreconducivetotherealizationoftherightsofthechild.@ .*Article42 .2NoreservationisadmissibletothepresentProtocol.@ .*Article52 .2TheStatesPartiestothepresentProtocolshallincludeinthereportstheysubmittotheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,inaccordancewitharticle44oftheConvention,informationonthemeasuresthattheyhaveadoptedtogiveeffecttothepresentProtocol.@ .*Article62 .2TheprovisionsofthepresentProtocolshallapplytotheStatesPartiesinsteadofarticle38,paragraphs2and3,oftheConvention.@ .*Article7882 2 .21. .ThepresentProtocolisopenforsignaturebyanyStatewhichisapartytotheConventionorhassignedit.2 .22. .ThepresentProtocolissubjecttoratificationoropentoaccessionbyanyStatewhichhasratifiedoraccededtotheConvention.InstrumentsofratificationoraccessionshallbedepositedwiththeSecretary-GeneraloftheUnitedNations.2 .23. .TheSecretary-GeneraloftheUnitedNationsinhiscapacityasthedepositaryoftheConventionandtheProtocolshallinformallStatesPartiestotheConventionandallStateswhichhavesignedtheConventionofthedepositofeachinstrumentofratificationoraccessiontotheProtocol.@ .*Article82 .21. .ThepresentProtocolshallenterintoforcethreemonthsafterthedepositofthetenthinstrumentofratificationoraccession.2 .22. .ForeachStateratifyingthepresentProtocoloraccedingtoitafteritsentryintoforce,thepresentProtocolshallenterintoforceonemonthafterthedateofthedepositofitsowninstrumentofratificationoraccession.@ .*Article92 .2AnyStatePartymaydenouncethepresentProtocolatanytimebywrittennotificationtotheSecretary-GeneraloftheUnitedNations,whoshallthereafterinformtheotherStatesPartiestotheConventionandallStateswhichhavesignedtheConvention.DenunciationshalltakeeffectoneyearafterthedateofreceiptofthenotificationbytheSecretary-GeneraloftheUnitedNations.@ .Article102 .21. .ThepresentProtocol,ofwhichtheArabic,Chinese,English,French,RussianandSpanishtextsareequallyauthentic,shallbedepositedinthearchivesoftheUnitedNationstogetherwiththeConventionontheRightsoftheChild.2 .22. .TheSecretary-GeneraloftheUnitedNationsshalltransmitcertifiedcopiesofthisProtocoltoallStatesPartiestotheConventionandallStateswhichhavesignedtheConvention.9422142(E)@ .132