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C)  @ 8  8 882   @ .$    ڄ C)  @ 8  8 882  @ .$    ڄ C)  @ 8  8 882   @ .$    ڄ J'  @ (  X 882   j=oYIEz| p @@j H"  ^882   C@<6X9`(CourierC@X .    ڄ dTable_A C)  @ 8  8 882   @ .$    ڄ  5u{13Right-Aligned Paragraph NumbersI.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)3|d) `CG Timesc PE37P<6X9`(Courierd6X@`7@) `CG Times PE37P* `CG Timesxx PE37xP* `CG Times PE37P) `CG TimesO PE37P(j$USUS.,'F` X'lll  # e37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)q)h)$ wj!USUS.,'F` X'lll   [  $$$$Z%A/53/41=]TD@z 8 X ` @@ELOOLO߈     d l UnitedNations      #aPddx x d^x x xxReportoftheCommitteeontheRights  oftheChild^d  x^xd  ^d#dPaPGeneralAssembly    d^  OfficialRecords^l ^l^l l^  ԀFiftythirdSession   SupplementNo.41(A/53/41)    E) `CG TimesE    M A/53/41    E) `CG TimesEReportoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild#dPE^* `CG TimesEGeneralAssembly  OfficialRecordsE) `CG TimesEE^* `CG TimesEԀFiftythirdSessionSupplementNo.41(A/53/41) * b=`QA=z (  ` @@b - UnitedNationsE) `CG TimesEE^* `CG TimesEԀNewYork,1998  E) `CG TimesERl 4  4    @.. NOTESymbolsofUnitedNationsdocumentsarecomposedofcapitalletterscombinedwithfigures.MentionofsuchasymbolindicatesareferencetoaUnitedNationsdocument. #/ @..ISSN1020-1823#dd ? UK     \R3'\ X      + 8  8 C@<6X9`(CourierCS A $ 1.(a)(i) a.(1)(a) i) a)Sa882     #..[Original:English]#..[7July1998]@..\CONTENTS 88tt..tParagraphs󀀀Page   , )8 8 ") .I.0 .CONCLUSIONSANDRECOMMENDATIONSADOPTEDBYTHE . .COMMITTEEONTHERIGHTSOFTHECHILDATITSTWELFTH . .TOSEVENTEENTHSESSIONS.........................................." .h"1 . .A. .Organizationofwork........................................." .h"1 . .B. .CooperationwithotherUnitedNationsorgansandother . . .competentbodies............................................." .h"2 .II. .ORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS..................... .<17" .h"4 . .A. .StatespartiestotheConvention................ . .1" .h"4 . .B. .SessionsoftheCommittee....................... . .2" .h"4 . .C. .MembershipoftheCommittee..................... . .<36" .h"4 . .D. .Adoptionofthereport.......................... . .7" .h"5 .4III. .REPORTSBYSTATESPARTIESUNDERARTICLE44OFTHE . .CONVENTION.......................................... . .<81340" .h"6 . .A. .Submissionofreports........................... . .<810" .h"6 . .B. .Considerationofreports........................ . .111340" .h"6 .IV. .OVERVIEWOFTHEOTHERACTIVITIESOFTHECOMMITTEE... .13411428" .!182 . .A. .Methodsofwork................................. .13411362" .!182 . .B. .Internationalcooperationandsolidarityforthe . . .implementationoftheConvention................ .13631382" .!186 . .C. .Generalthematicdiscussions.................... .13831428" .!189@ .Annexes .I. .StatesthathaveratifiedoraccededtotheConventiononthe . .RightsoftheChildasat23January1998........................" .!202 .II. .MembershipoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild..........." .!207 .4III. .StatusofsubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesunder . .article44oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildasat . .23January1998.................................................." .!208 ? UK     \R3'\ X      +C@<6X9`(CourierCS A $ 1.(a)(i) a.(1)(a) i) a)Sb882       ؀I.CONCLUSIONSANDRECOMMENDATIONSADOPTEDBYTHÈCOMMITTEEONTHERIGHTSOFTHECHILDATITS̀TWELFTHTOSEVENTEENTHSESSIONS@ .<A.Organizationofwork@ . 1.Sixteenthsession,recommendation2 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2Havingconsideredthereportoftheeighthmeetingofpersonschairingthehumanrightstreatybodies, d   2 .2Agreesonthefollowing:2 .21. .Inviewofthespecificitiesofeachofthesixhumanrightstreaties,theconsolidationofreportstothesixhumanrightstreatybodiesintoasinglereportwouldnotbeconducivetotheimplementationoftherightsenshrinedineachtreaty,includingtheConventionontheRightsoftheChild; f   2 .22. .ThesuggestiontoconveneanextraordinarythreedaymeetingofthechairpersonsinFebruary1998iswelcomedasitwouldprovideanopportunitytofurtherexploretheissueofpossiblereformsdesignedtoenhancetheeffectivenessandefficiencyofthetreatybodysystem;2 .23. .WhiletakingdueaccountofthegeneralguidelinesregardingtheformandcontentsofperiodicreportsadoptedbytheCommitteeatitsthirteenthsession, g   ׀theStatespartiestotheConventionontheRightsoftheChildshouldfocusonalimitedrangeofissuesintheirperiodicreports,inparticularthoseissuesidentifiedintheconcludingobservationsadoptedbytheCommitteeinrelationtothepreviousreport.@ . 2.Seventeenthsession,recommendation12 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2HavingconsideredtheorderofconsiderationofthereportssubmittedtoitbytheStatespartiestotheConvention,2 .2Agreesonthefollowing:2 .21. .AlthoughtheConventionontheRightsoftheChilddoesnotrequirethepresenceoftherepresentativesoftheStatespartiesatthemeetingsduringwhichtheirrespectivereportsareexaminedbytheCommittee,suchapresenceishighlydesirable;2 .22. .Rule68oftheprovisionalrulesofprocedureoftheCommitteeestablishesthat"representativesoftheStatespartiesshallbeinvitedtoattendthemeetingsoftheCommitteewhentheirreportsareexamined".TheintentionunderlyingthisruleistoenableaneffectiveandconstructivedialoguebetweentheCommitteeandthereportingStates,whichcanbefacilitatedbytheattendanceofhighlevelrepresentativesoftheStatesparties;2 .23. .Notwithstandingthedesirabilityofsuchadialogue,theCommitteemayuseitsrighttoexaminereportsevenintheabsenceofapositivereactiononthepartofaStatepartytotheinvitationtoattendthemeetingsoftheCommittee.SuchanapproachisdeemednecessaryinordertoenabletheCommitteetomeetitsmandateandheavyworkloadexpeditiouslyandefficiently.̀B.CooperationwithotherUnitedNationsorgans̀andothercompetentbodies@ . Seventeenthsession,recommendation22 .2TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,2 .2WelcomingtheprogressmadebythePreparatoryCommitteeontheEstablishmentofanInternationalCriminalCourtinpreparingadraftconsolidatedtextofaconventionontheestablishmentofaninternationalcriminalcourt,2 .2WelcomingalsoGeneralAssemblyresolution52/160of15December1997,inwhichtheAssemblydecided,interalia,thattheUnitedNationsDiplomaticConferenceofPlenipotentiariesontheEstablishmentofanInternationalCriminalCourtshallbeheldinRomefrom15Juneto17July1998,withaviewtofinalizingandadoptingaconventionontheestablishmentofsuchacourt,2 .2Emphasizingtheimportanceofensuringthat,increatingapermanentmechanismforthepreventionandpunishmentofseriouscrimesofconcerntotheinternationalcommunityasawhole,thestatuteoftheinternationalcriminalcourtdulytakeintoaccounttheneedtoprotecttherightsofchildren,bothasvictimsandpossibleperpetratorsofthesaidcrimes,inaccordancewiththeprinciplesandprovisionssetforthbytheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,22 .2Consideringthat,inthisrespect,specialattentionshouldbedevotedtotheissuesofdefinitionofwarcrimes,ageofcriminalresponsibility,aggravatingandmitigatingcircumstancesofthecrimesandtheprotectionoftherightsofthechildwithinthecourt'sjurisdiction,2 .2Recallingthat,underarticle43,paragraph1,oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,theCommitteewasestablished"forthepurposeofexaminingtheprogressmadebyStatespartiesinachievingtherealizationoftheobligationsundertaken"intheConvention,2 .21. .RecommendstoallStatespartiestoandsignatoriesoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildtooperate,inthePreparatoryCommitteeontheEstablishmentofanInternationalCriminalCourtandatthe1998RomeDiplomaticConferenceofPlenipotentiaries,withaviewtoensuringthattheprovisionsofthecourt'sstatutebeinlinewiththeprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildwithrespecttothevariousaspectsoftheprotectionofchildren'srights;2 .22. .Furtherrecommendsthatspecialattentionbedevoted,inthiscontext,totherightsofthechildintheareasofdefinitionofwarcrimes,ageofcriminalresponsibility,aggravatingandmitigatingcircumstancesofthecrimesandtheprotectionoftherightsofthechildvictimwithinthecourt'sjurisdiction.@ . II.ORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS@ . A.StatespartiestotheConvention1.2 .2Asat23January1998,theclosingdateoftheseventeenthsessionoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,therewere191StatespartiestotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.TheConventionwasadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyinresolution44/25of20November1989andopenedforsignatureandratificationoraccessioninNewYorkon26January1990.Itenteredintoforceon2September1990,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofitsarticle49.AlistofStatesthathavesigned,ratifiedoraccededtotheConventioniscontainedinannexItothepresentreport.@ .BB.SessionsoftheCommittee2.2 .2TheCommitteehasheldsixsessionssincetheadoptionofitspreviousbiennialreport.ThereportsoftheCommitteeonitstwelfth,thirteenth,fourteenth,fifteenth,sixteenthandseventeenthsessionsarecontainedindocumentsCRC/C/54,CRC/C/57,CRC/C/62,CRC/C/66,CRC/C/69andCRC/C/73,respectively.@ .T C.MembershipandofficersoftheCommittee3.2 .2Inaccordancewitharticle43oftheConvention,theSixthMeetingoftheStatespartiestotheConventionwasconvenedon18February1997atUnitedNationsHeadquarters.ThefollowingfivemembersoftheCommitteewereelectedforatermoffouryearsbeginningon28February1997:Mr.FrancescoPaoloFulci,Mrs.NafsiahMboi,Mrs.EstherMargaretQueenMokhuane,Mr.GhassanSalimRabahandMrs.MariliaSardenberg.ThelistofthemembersoftheCommittee,withanindicationoftheirtermofoffice,appearsinannexIItothepresentreport.4.2 .2Inaccordancewitharticle43,paragraph7,oftheConventionandrule14oftheCommittee'sprovisionalrulesofprocedure,Mrs.AkilaBelembaogoandMr.ThomasHammarberginformedtheCommitteeoftheirdecisiontoceasetofunctionasmembersoftheCommittee.Bynotesverbalesdated8Apriland28April1997,respectively,theGovernmentsofBurkinaFasoandSwedeninformedtheSecretaryGeneraloftheappointmentofMrs.AwaN'DeyeOuedraogoandMrs.LisbethPalmeasexpertsoftheCommitteefortheremainderofthetermsofMrs.BelembaogoandMr.Hammarberg.Atthestartofthesession,theCommitteeapprovedtheappointmentofMrs.OuedraogoandMrs.Palmebysecretballot,inaccordancewithrule14ofitsprovisionalrulesofprocedure.5.2 .2TheofficerselectedbytheCommitteeatitsninthsessioncontinuedtoholdofficeattheeleventh,twelfth,thirteenthandfourteenthsessions.TheywereMrs.AkilaBelembaogo(BurkinaFaso),Chairperson;Mrs.FloraC.Eufemio(Philippines),Mr.ThomasHammarberg(Sweden)andMrs.MariliaSardenberg(Brazil),ViceChairpersons;andMrs.MartaSantosPais(Portugal),Rapporteur.6.2 .2Atits372ndand373rdmeetings,on20May1997,theCommitteeelectedthefollowingofficersforatermoftwoyearsinaccordancewithrule16ofitsprovisionalrulesofprocedure:&  2 .2Chairperson:Ms.SandraPrunellaMason(Barbados)2 .2ViceChairpersons:Mrs.JudithKarp(Israel)̀2 .2 . . Mr.YuryKolosov(RussianFederation)'  2 .2 . . Mr.GhassanSalimRabah(Lebanon)2 .2Rapporteur:Mrs.NafsiahMboi(Indonesia)@ .D.Adoptionofthereport7.2 .2Atits453rdmeeting,on23January1998,theCommitteeconsideredthedraftofitsfourthbiennialreport,coveringitsactivitiesatthetwelfthtoseventeenthsessions.ThereportwasadoptedunanimouslybytheCommittee.ǀIII.REPORTSBYSTATESPARTIESUNDERARTICLE44̀OFTHECONVENTION@ . A.Submissionofreports8.2 .2ThestatusofsubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesunderarticle44oftheConventionasat23January1998,theclosingdateoftheseventeenthsessionoftheCommittee,appearsinannexIIItothepresentreport.9.2 .2Asat23January1998theCommitteehadreceived113initialreportsand8periodicreports.Atotalof82reportshadbeenexaminedbytheCommittee.10.2 .2Duringtheperiodunderconsideration,theCommitteereceivedfromanumberofStatespartiesadditionalinformationsubmittedinaccordancewiththerecommendationsmadebytheCommitteeinitsconcludingobservations,ortransmittinginformationandviewsofStatespartieswithrespecttotheobservationsmadebytheCommittee(seeCRC/C/54,para.19,CRC/C/57,para.19,CRC/C/62,paras.18and19,CRC/C/66,paras.2225,CRC/C/69,paras.1921,andCRC/C/73,paras.2022).@ .tB.Considerationofreports11.2 .2Duringitstwelfthtoseventeenthsessions,theCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportsofAlgeria,Australia,Azerbaijan,Bangladesh,Bulgaria,China,Cuba,Cyprus,theCzechRepublic,Ethiopia,Ghana,Guatemala,Ireland,theLaoPeople'sDemocraticRepublic,Lebanon,theLibyanArabJamahiriya,Mauritius,Micronesia(FederatedStatesof),Morocco,Myanmar,Nepal,NewZealand,Nigeria,Panama,Paraguay,Slovenia,theSyrianArabRepublic,TrinidadandTobago,Togo,Uganda,theUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland:dependentterritories(HongKong),UruguayandZimbabwe.12.2 .2Thefollowingsection,arrangedonacountrybycountrybasisaccordingtothesequencefollowedbytheCommitteeinitsconsiderationofreportsatitstwelfthtoseventeenthsessions,containsconcludingobservationsreflectingthemainpointsofthediscussionandindicating,wherenecessary,issuesthatwouldrequireaspecificfollowup.13.2 .2MoredetailedinformationiscontainedinthereportssubmittedbytheStatespartiesandinthesummaryrecordsoftherelevantmeetingsoftheCommittee.@ . 1.Concludingobservations:Lebanon14.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofLebanon(CRC/C/8/Add.23)atits289thto291stmeetings,on20and21May1996(CRC/C/SR.289291),andatits314thmeeting,on7June1996,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.2 .2(a) .Introduction15.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithappreciationthesubmissionoftheinitialreportofLebanonandthedialogueheldwiththeStateparty.WhiletheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationforthesupplementalwritteninformationprovidedbythedelegation,itregretsthattheStatepartydidnotsubmitwrittenrepliestothelistofissuespreviouslysubmittedbytheCommitteetotheGovernment.̇2 .2(b)0 .Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationof02 .20 .theConvention16.2 .2TheCommitteenotestheseveredifficultiesfacingLebanonasaresultofalmost20yearsofwarandforeigninterventionwhichhasresultedinwidespreaddestructionofitsphysicalinfrastructureandpublicworks.TheCommitteealsotakesnoteofthedifficultiescausedbythefactthatLebanonhashostedagreatnumberofrefugeesforseveraldecades.TheCommitteealsonotestheinsufficientinternationalsupportforcopingwiththeabovementionedproblemsandfacilitatinganeffectivereconstructionofinfrastructureandsocialservices.2 .2(c) .Positiveaspects17.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomestheestablishmentoftheHigherCouncilforChildhood,administeredbytheMinistryofSocialAffairs,whichservesasanindependentintermediarybodybetweenrelevantgovernmentministriesandwithnon-governmentalorganizationstoinitiateandcoordinateprogrammesandpolicies.TheCommitteealsowelcomesthedecisionoftheHigherCounciltoundertakeastudyonthelegalsituationinLebanonwithrespecttotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,whichitregardsasapotentiallyimportantstepinthedevelopmentofamorecomprehensiveapproachtotheimplementationoftheConvention.18.2 .2TheCommitteealsowelcomestheestablishmentoftheParliamentaryCommitteefortheProtectionofChildhoodaswellastheNationalCommitteefortheDisabled,bothofwhichcouldbeimportantintheendeavourstoimplementtheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.19.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthedecisiontoestablishasystemforhealthinspectionsinschoolsandpre-schoolinstitutions.20.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomestheadoptioninSeptember1995oftheNationalPlanofActionforChildSurvival,ProtectionandDevelopment,whichfocusesonprogrammesrelatedtohealthandeducation.21.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomesthereportfromthedelegationthatthestigmatizinglabelof"illegitimate"willbeabolishednotonlyfromidentitycardsbutalsofromthebirthregistryandallotherofficialdocuments.22.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomestheroundtablesandtrainingcourses,someofthemincooperationwiththeUnitedNationsChildren'sFund,toeducateandtrainteachers,aswellasplanstotrainpolice,socialworkersandotherprofessionalsabouttherightsofthechild.TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactiontheagreemententeredintobytheStatepartywiththeUnitedNationsDevelopmentProgrammetoundertakeastatisticaloverviewof7,000familiesrepresentingthedifferentregionsofLebanononrelevantsocialmatterssuchaseducation,illiteracy,unemploymentandchildlabour.Itfurtherwelcomestheplannedstudyonthehealthofmothersandchildren,andlooksforwardtoreceivingacopyoftheresultsfromthetwostudiesoncetheyarecompleted.2 .2(d) .Principalsubjectsofconcern23.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedattheinsufficientmeasuresadoptedtoensureapermanentandeffectivecoordinatingandmonitoringmechanismtoensureimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.TheCommitteealsonotestheinsufficientmeasurestosystematicallygatherreliablequantitativeandqualitativedataonallareascoveredbytheConventionandinrelationtoallgroupsofchildren,andtoevaluateprogressachievedandassesstheimpactofpoliciesadoptedonchildren,inparticularinrelationtoeducation,health,juvenilejusticeandchildrenwithdisabilities.24.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheinsufficientmeasurestakentoensurethattheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionaremadewidelyknowntochildrenandadults.25.2 .2Asregardstheimplementationofarticle4oftheConvention,theCommitteenoteswithconcerntheinadequacyofmeasurestakentoensuretheimplementationofchildren'seconomic,socialandculturalrightstothemaximumextentofavailableresources.TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedthatinsufficientresourcesareallocatedtohumandevelopmentprojectsandbytheemerginggapsdevelopingbetweenthosewhocanaffordprivateeducationandmedicalcareandthosewhocannot.26.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthatdespitethefactthattheprovisionsofinternationaltreatiestowhichLebanonisapartysupersededomesticlegislation,lawscontinuetoexistwhichareinconsistentwiththeprovisionsoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandofotherinternationaltreaties.27.2 .2TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedthatthebasicprinciplesoftheConvention,inparticulartheprovisionsofarticles2,3and12,havenotbeenadequatelyreflectedinlegislation,policiesandprogrammes.28.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheapparentdiscriminationinthegrantingofnationalitytoachildofparentsofmixednationality;nationalitymayonlybeobtainedbyachildfromherorhisLebanesefatherbutnotfromthemotherand,inthecaseofunmarriedparents,onlyiftheLebanesefatheracknowledgesthechild.29.2 .2TheCommitteeisworriedaboutthewidespreadpracticeofearlymarriageandtherelatedconsequenceofhighchildmortalityratesandthenegativeimpactonthehealthofgirlsbearingchildrenatanearlyage.Itisalsoconcernedaboutconsanguineousmarriage.30.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernthattheprovisionofsocialservicesappearstobeconcentratedinBeirut,tothedisadvantageofthepopulationlivingoutsidethecapital.TheCommitteealsonotestheapparentshortageinthenumberofsocialworkers.31.2 .2TheCommitteenotestheneedforfurtherreformintheschoolsectortoimprovethequalityofeducationandpreventstudentsfromdroppingout.Specificneedsappeartoexistinthefieldsofhealtheducationand,asrecognizedbythedelegation,teachingaboutvaluesandtheenvironment.32.2 .2TheCommitteenotestheneedforfurtherreformsinthefieldofjuvenilejusticeandtreatmentofyoungoffenderstoensurefullimplementationofarticles37,39and40oftheConvention.Problemsappeartoexistinrelationtothelowageofcriminalresponsibility,non-separationofchildrenfromadultdetainees,thelackofavailablehealthandeducationalfacilitiesforyoungdetainees,theexistenceandlengthofpre-trialcustodyandthenon-availabilityoflegalassistance.33.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedbyreportsaboutchildrenworkingonthestreetorindomesticservice,includingchildrenfromothercountries.34.2 .2TheCommitteenotestheneedforspecialeffortstoprotecttherightsofchildreninespeciallydifficultcircumstances,includingabandonedandstatelesschildren.2 .2(e) .Suggestionsandrecommendations35.2 .2ThoughwelcomingtheestablishmentoftheHigherCouncilforChildhood,theCommitteerecommendsareviewofthevariouscentralandlocaladministrativestructuresinordertoensuretheeffectivecoordinationofpoliciesandprogrammesonmattersofchildrightsandchildwelfare.36.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomestheinitiativeforacomprehensivereviewoflegislationinthelightoftheprinciplesandstandardsoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.Inthisregard,theCommitteerecommendsthattheminimumageofcriminalresponsibility,formarriageandforchildlabourbereviewed.37.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatapermanentandmultidisciplinarymechanismbedevelopedforcoordinationandmonitoringoftheimplementationoftheConvention,atbothnationalandlocallevels,inurbanandruralareas.TheCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytogivefurtherconsiderationtotheestablishmentofanombudspersonforchildrenoranyequivalentindependentcomplaintandmonitoringmechanism.TheCommitteefurtherencouragesthepromotionofclosercooperationforthispurposewithLebanesenon-governmentalorganizations,towhichitexpressesitsappreciationforthevaluableworktheyperforminthefieldoftherightsofthechild.38.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatfurtherstepsbetakenbytheStatepartytodefinechildrelatedsocialindicatorsandtodevelopsystematicmeansofgatheringdataonanongoingbasistofacilitateacomparisonofprogresswithregardtochildrelatedinitiativesoveraperiodoftime.39.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmentstrengthenitseffortsaimedatpromotingadvocacyandcreatingawarenessandunderstandingoftheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventioninthelightofarticle42.InthespiritoftheUnitedNationsDecadeforHumanRightsEducation,theCommitteefurtherencouragestheGovernmenttogiveconsiderationtotheincorporationoftherightsofthechildinschoolcurricula.TheCommitteealsosuggeststhattheGovernmentdeveloppubliccampaignswithaviewtoaddressingeffectivelytheproblemofpersistentdiscriminatoryattitudes,inparticulartowardsgirls.40.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatfurtherprogrammesbeaimedattrainingpersonnelworkingwithchildren,suchassocialworkers,police,publichealthworkersandlegalandjudicialofficers.41.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragestheGovernmenttopursueitseffortstoensurefullcomplianceofitsnationallegislationwiththeprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention,includingnon-discrimination(art.2),thebestinterestsofthechild(art.3)andrespectfortheviewsofthechild(art.12).Inthelightofarticles2and3,theCommitteestronglyrecommendsthatlegislativemeasuresbeadoptedwithaviewtoensuringrespectfortherightsofgirls,especiallyinrelationtopreventingearlymarriage.42.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartystrengthentheexistingoverallprioritywhichisgiveninthenationalbudgettochildrelatedprogrammesinaccordancewitharticle4oftheConvention.43.2 .2Concerningthegrowingroleofprivateeducationalandhealthinstitutions,theCommitteerecommendsthatastrongeremphasisbeplacedonpubliceducationandthesocialwelfaresystembytheGovernmentwithaviewtoensuringthatallchildrensubjecttothejurisdictionoftheStatepartyenjoythesefundamentalrights,aswellastopreventanyriskofdiscrimination.44.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthedevelopmentofamorecomprehensivesocialpolicywhichwouldincludetheimplementationoftheNationalPlanofActionforChildSurvival,ProtectionandDevelopment.Suchapolicywouldemphasizetheimportanceofhumandevelopment.TheCommitteerecommendsthatfurtherstepsbetakentowardsdecentralizationofsocialservicessoastoaffordchildrenoutsidethecapitalopenandeasyaccesstobasicsocialservicesandeducation.45.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomesthestepstakentoreformtheschoolsystemandtoimprovethequalityofeducation,includingathoroughreviewofthecurricula.ItrecommendsmeasurestofullyrealizetheprovisionsoftheConventionrelatingtofreeandcompulsoryprimaryeducationforallchildren.46.2 .2Inviewoftheprinciplescontainedinarticle29,paragraph1(d),oftheConvention,whichstipulatesthattheeducationofthechildshallbedirectedto"thepreparationofthechildforresponsiblelifeinafreesociety,inthespiritofunderstanding,peace,tolerance,equalityofsexes,andfriendshipamongallpeoples,ethnic,nationalandreligiousgroupsandpersonsofindigenousorigin",theteachingofvaluesisanimportantdimensionthatshouldbeincorporatedinthecurriculaatalllevelsofschooling.Schoolcurriculamaterialsshouldberevisedaccordingly.47.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatthebanonthecommercialmarketingofinfantformulabeimplementedandthatbreastfeedingbepromotedamongmothersinhealthfacilities.Itfurthersuggeststhatahealthinsurancecardbeissuedforchildrenwhoseparentsarenotentitledtosocialsecuritybenefits.48.2 .2TheCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyundertakeacomprehensivestudytoexaminetheimplicationsoftheprincipleofthe"bestinterestsofthechild"inrelationtolawsandtheirimplementationaswellastoadministrativepracticeinallrelevantfields.49.2 .2TheCommitteebelievesthatopportunitiesfortheculturaldevelopmentofchildrenarecriticalandrecommendsthatmeasuresbetakentogivechildrenaccesstochildliteratureandmedia.Theneedforplaygroundsandchildfriendlyparksshouldbeconsideredincityplanning.50.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomesthepolicyofnotallowingcorporalpunishmentinschoolsorotherofficialinstitutionsandrecommendsathoroughreviewoftheproblemofdomesticviolence,includingthepossibilityofstricterlegislationagainstallformsofabuseagainstchildreninthespiritofarticle19oftheConvention,aswellassupportivesocialmeasurestoassistfamiliesincrisis.51.2 .2TheCommitteesuggeststhatfurthereffortsshouldbeundertakentodisseminateinformationabouttherisksofconsanguineousmarriages,includingthroughthemediaandhealtheducationprogrammes.52.2 .2TheCommitteesuggeststhatspecialprogrammesbedevelopedforchildrenwithdisabilitiesinordertodefinesocial,psychological,physicalandotherneeds,aswellastoeducateparentsaboutwaysofdealingwiththem.Furthereffortsarerecommendedtoencourageschoolstoensuretheparticipationofthesechildreninallactivities.53.2 .2TheCommitteesuggeststhattheStateparty,incooperationwiththeUnitedNationsReliefandWorksAgencyforPalestineRefugeesintheNearEast,seekwaysofaddressingthesocio-economicproblemsamongPalestinianrefugeesthataffectchildrennegatively.54.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyconsiderratifyingthe1951ConventionrelatingtotheStatusofRefugeesandits1967Protocol.55.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartygivecarefulconsiderationtoplacinggreateremphasisonpsycho-socialrecoveryandreintegrationof"passivevictims"ofviolenceandthearmedconflictinLebanon.56.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatinthelightofarticle32oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,furtherstepsbetakentoprotectchildrenfromhazardouswork,includingthroughtheadoptionofstricterlegislation,ratificationofallrelevantInternationalLabourOrganizationconventionsandtheappointmentofasufficientnumberofchildlabourinspectors.57.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyenvisageundertakingacomprehensivereformofthejuvenilejusticesysteminthespiritoftheConvention,inparticulararticles37,39and40,andrelevantUnitedNationsstandardsinthisfieldsuchasthe"BeijingRules",the"RiyadhGuidelines"andtheUnitedNationsRulesfortheProtectionofJuvenilesDeprivedofTheirLiberty.Particularattentionshouldbegiventotheconsiderationofdeprivationoflibertyonlyasameasureoflastresortandfortheshortestperiodoftime,totheprotectionoftherightsofchildrendeprivedofliberty,todueprocessoflaw,andtothefullindependenceandimpartialityofthejudiciary.Trainingprogrammesontherelevantinternationalstandardsshouldbeorganizedforallthoseprofessionalsinvolvedwiththesystemofjuvenilejustice.TheCommitteewouldliketosuggestthattheGovernmentofLebanonconsiderseekinginternationalassistanceintheareaoftheadministrationofjuvenilejusticefromtheCentreforHumanRightsandtheCrimePreventionandCriminalJusticeDivisionoftheUnitedNationsOfficeatVienna.58.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatrelevantinternationalagenciesandinstitutions,aswellasotherGovernments,developcooperationwithLebaneseauthoritiesandvoluntaryorganizationsinthereconstructioneffortafterthemanyyearsofwardevastation.Displacedpersonsandrefugeesshouldbegivenpriorityinsuchinternationalcooperation.59.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthatthereportsubmittedbytheStateparty,thesummaryrecordsofitsconsiderationandtheconcludingobservationsoftheCommitteebedisseminatedaswidelyaspossiblewithinthecountry.@ . 2.Concludingobservations:Zimbabwe60.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofZimbabwe(CRC/C/3/Add.35)atits293rdto295thmeetings,on22and23May1996(CRC/C/SR.293295),andatits314thmeeting,on7June1996,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.̇2 .2(a) .Introduction61.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheStatepartyforengaging,throughahighlevelandmultidisciplinarydelegation,inanopenandfruitfuldialoguewiththeCommittee.WhilenotingtheselfcriticalapproachofthereportoftheStateparty,theCommitteeregretsthattheinformationprovidedthereindidnotfollowtheCommittee'sguidelines.2 .2(b) .Positiveaspects62.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithappreciationthestepstakenbytheGovernmenttopromotetoleranceanddemocracyinsociety,includingthroughconstitutionalprovisions.Inthisregard,itwelcomestherecentamendmentNo.14totheConstitution,whichprohibitsdiscriminationonthegroundofgender.Itfurthernotesstepstakentocreateawarenessofchildren'srightsaswellastoencouragechildren'sparticipation,includingbyorganizingachildren'sparliamentandpromotingyouthcouncilsandchildmayors.63.2 .2TheCommitteenotestheestablishmentoftheInter-MinisterialCommitteeonHumanRightsandInternationalLawtocoordinateactivitiesofrelevantgovernmentministriesanddepartmentstoimplementtheConvention.TheCommitteewelcomesthedecisionoftheGovernmenttosubmitayearlyreporttotheCabinetandParliamentonmeasurestakentoimplementtherightssetforthintheConvention.64.2 .2TheCommitteeisencouragedbythecombinedeffortsoftheGovernmentandnon-governmentalorganizationstopromotechildren'srights.65.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithappreciationtheestablishmentin1982oftheOfficeoftheOmbudsmanandwelcomesthedecisiontobroadenitsmandatetoincludetheinvestigationofallegedviolationsofchildren'srightsbymembersofthedefenceforces,thepoliceandcorrectionalofficials.66.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomesthemeasurestakenbytheGovernmenttoimprovelivingconditionsandalleviatepoverty,includingthroughtheexpansionoftheincomegeneratingcapacityofpeopleintheruralareas.67.2 .2TheCommitteewelcomestheintentionoftheGovernmenttoincorporatetheConventionintoschoolcurricula.ItfurtherwelcomestheattentionpaidbytheGovernmentto"Let'salltalkaboutit",thecampaignagainsttheacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome(AIDS)beingundertakenintheeducationalsystem.68.2 .2TheCommitteealsowelcomesthe"victimfriendlycourts"initiativeaimedatprovidingspecialcounsellingfortherehabilitationofvictimsofchildsexualabuse.2 .2(c)0 .Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationof02 .20 .theConvention69.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthatZimbabwe,priorto1980,hadanon-democraticregimewherelegislationandpoliciesadoptedandimplementedbytheauthoritiesledtoracialsegregationanddiscriminationinsociety.Thecontinuingeffectsofthatsituation,togetherwiththeburdenofexternaldebtfacedbytheStatepartyandtherecentdrought,havehamperedtheimplementationoftheConvention.&  2 .2(d) .Principalsubjectsofconcern70.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedthattheStatepartyhasnotyetundertakenacomprehensivelegalreformwithaviewtoensuringthatthenationallegislationfullyconformstotheConvention.Itnotesthattheexistenceofadualsystem'  ofcommonlawandcustomarylawcreatesadditionaldifficultiesinimplementingtheConventionandimpedeseffectivemonitoringofitsenforcement.71.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithconcernthatthelegislativemeasurestakentopreventandeliminateanyformofdiscriminationinthelightofarticle2oftheConventionareinsufficient.Itnotesinthisregardthat,accordingtosection23oftheConstitution,theprincipleofnon-discriminationdoesnotapplytoprivateprofessionalsorinstitutions;thesameprovisionallowsforderogationsinimportantareassuchasadoption,marriage,divorceandothermattersofpersonallawandprevents,interalia,girlsfromhavinginheritancerights.Inaddition,itallowsfordiscriminationonthebasisofraceinrelationtotheminimumageformarriage,inheritanceandchildrenbornoutofwedlock.TheCommitteefurthernotesinthisregardthedifferentminimumagesformarriageforgirlsandboysinthelegislation.72.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithconcernthepersistenceofbehaviouralattitudesinthesocietyaswellasculturalandreligiouspracticeswhich,asrecognizedbytheStateparty,hampertheimplementationofchildren'srights.Mentioncanbemadeinthisregardofthedifficultiesinensuringbirthregistrationinremoteareasofabandonedandrefugeechildren,aswellasofthesituationoffemalevictimsofpracticessuchasngozi(girlchildpledging),lobola(brideprice)andearlymarriage,andofdisabledchildren.73.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithconcernthelackofaneffectivemechanismtoensuresystematicimplementationoftheConventionandthemonitoringofprogressachieved.InsufficientmeasureshavebeentakentogatherreliablequantitativeandqualitativedatainallareascoveredbytheConventionandinrelationtoallgroupsofchildren,particularlythosebelongingtothemostdisadvantagedgroups.74.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedthatinsufficientattentionhasbeenpaidtotheprovisionsofarticle4oftheConventionandnotesthepersistenceofeconomicandsocialdisparitiesintheenjoymentoftherightsrecognizedbytheConvention,particularlyinrelationtochildrenlivinginruralareas,childrenoncommercialfarmsandchildrenlivinginpovertyinurbanareas.Itnotesinthisregardthat,asrecognizedbytheStateparty,theintroductionoffeesforhealthcareandeducation,aswellastheinadequatesocialassistancesystem,havenegativelyaffectedtheaccessibilityofsuchservicestolowerincomegroups.75.2 .2TheCommitteefurthernotesthatinsufficientattentionhasbeenpaidtotheprincipleofthebestinterestsofthechildbothinlegislationandinpractice,aswellastotherespectfortheviewsofthechildinschool,societyandfamilylife.Inthisregard,itisnotedthat,asrecognizedbytheStateparty,thecivilrightsandfreedomsofthechildaretobeexercisedsubjecttoparentalconsentordiscipline,thusraisingdoubtsastothecompatibilityofthispracticewiththeConvention,notablyarticles5and12.76.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedatthenumberoforphansandabandonedchildrenaswellasattheincreaseinchildheadedfamiliesasaresult,interalia,ofthehighincidenceofAIDS,attheinadequatemeasurestakentoensuretherealizationoftheirfundamentalrightsandatthelackofalternativestotheirinstitutionalization.77.2 .2TheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernattheacceptanceinthelegislationoftheuseofcorporalpunishmentinschool,aswellaswithinthefamily.Itstressestheincompatibilityofcorporalpunishment,aswellasanyotherformofviolence,injury,neglect,abuseordegradingtreatment,withtheprovisionsoftheConvention,inparticulararticles19,28,paragraph2,and37.78.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedthatprimaryeducationisneitherfreenorcompulsory.Moreover,itexpressesitsconcernatthelackoflearningandteachingfacilities,aswellasattheshortageoftrainedteachersinruralareasandinparticularoncommercialfarms.ItsharestheconcernexpressedbytheGovernmentatthelowqualityofeducation.Thecosttofamiliesofsecondaryeducationisleadingtoanincreasingdropoutrateforgirls,particularlyinruralareas.TheCommitteenoteswithconcernthegrowingdisparitywithintheeducationsystem,owingtotheparallelsystemsofprivateandpublicschools,whichresultsultimatelyinracialsegregationatschoolonthebasisoftheeconomicstatusofparents.79.2 .2Withregardtochildexploitation,theCommitteeisconcernedatthepersistenceofsituationsofchildlabour,includinginagriculture,domesticserviceandoncommercialfarms.Itnoteswithparticularconcernthelackofalegalprohibitionofchildlabour.80.2 .2TheCommitteeisconcernedatthepresentsystemofjuvenilejustice,includingthelackofaclearlegalprohibitionofcapitalpunishment,lifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofreleaseandindeterminatesentencing,aswellasattherecoursetowhippingasadisciplinarymeasureforboys.2 .2(e) .Suggestionsandrecommendations81.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyundertakeacomprehensivereviewofthenationallegalframework,withaviewtoensuringitsfullcompatibilitywiththeprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention.Particularattentionshouldbepaidtoensuringeffectiveimplementationoftheprincipleofnon-discrimination,includingbyrevisingrelevantconstitutionalprovisions,aswellasotherlegislativetextsreflectinganykindofdiscriminationsuchasonthebasisofgender,race,birthormaritalstatus.82.2 .2TheCommitteeemphasizestheimportanceofdevelopinganeffectiveandpermanentsystemofmonitoringtheimplementationoftheConventionbasedonclosecooperationbetweenalltherelevantgovernmentministriesanddepartmentsatthenationalandlocallevels,andencouragestheStatepartytopursueitseffortswithaviewtoinstitutionalizingcollaborationwithnon-governmentalorganizations.83.2 .2TheCommitteesuggeststhatthesystemofdatacollectionbeimprovedandappropriatedisaggregatedindicatorsidentifiedwithaviewtoassessingtheprogressachievedinallareascoveredbytheConventioninallpartsofthecountryandinrelationtoallgroupsofchildren.84.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragestheGovernmenttopursueitseffortsaimedatbroadeningthemandateoftheombudspersonwithaviewtoensuringthatviolationsofchildren'srightsaredulyinvestigated,includingwhencommittedbymembersofthedefenceforces,lawenforcementandcorrectionalofficials,andasameanstosupervisethesituationofchildrenplacedininstitutionsanddetentioncentres.85.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragestheGovernmenttoadoptadequatemeasurestopreventandeliminateprevailingsocialattitudesandculturalandreligiouspracticeshamperingtherealizationofchildren'srights.SystematicinformationandawarenesscampaignsshouldbelaunchedtocreateadeeperunderstandingoftheConventionandoftheneedtorespectandprotectchildren'srights.Similarly,trainingactivitiesshouldbedevelopedforprofessionalgroupsworkingwithandforchildren,includingteachers,lawenforcementandcorrectionalofficials,membersofdefenceforces,judges,socialworkersandhealthpersonnel.TheCommitteefurtherencouragestheStatepartytopursuethestepsundertakentoincludetheConventioninschoolcurriculaandtogiveconsiderationtoreflectingitinthetrainingcurricula.86.2 .2TheCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytoadoptallappropriatemeasurestoensurethebirthregistrationofallchildren,includingthoseborninruralareasandoncommercialfarms,andencourageseffortsdesignedtoestablishregistrationunitsatschoolsandclinics.87.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartypayparticularattentiontotheimplementationofarticle4oftheConventionandundertakeallappropriatemeasures,totheextentpossiblewithavailableresources,fortherealizationoftheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsofchildren.Specialattentionshouldbepaidtothesituationofthemostdisadvantagedgroupsofchildren,includingthoselivinginruralareas,poorurbanareasandoncommercialfarms,aswellasorphansorabandonedchildren,andmeasuresshouldbeadoptedwithaviewtoprovidingadequatesafetynetsforsuchchildrenandprotectingthemagainsttheadverseeffectsofreductionsinbudgetaryallocationsandoftheintroductionoffeesinhealthandeducationservices.88.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartytaketheprincipleofthebestinterestsofthechildasaprimaryconsiderationinallactionsconcerningchildren,includingthoseundertakenbycourts,publicorprivatewelfareinstitutions,administrativeauthoritiesorlegislativebodies.TheCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytoadoptappropriatemeasurestoassistparentsintheperformanceoftheirchildrearingresponsibilities.TheCommitteefurtherencouragestheStatepartytoconsiderappropriatealternativestoinstitutionalizationforchildrendeprivedofafamilyenvironment,aswellasspecialprotectionandassistanceforchildheadedfamilies.TheCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytoconsiderratifyingtheHagueConventionfortheProtectionofChildrenandCooperationinrespectofInter-CountryAdoptionof1993.89.2 .2AppropriatemeasuresshouldalsobeadoptedbytheStatepartywithaviewtoensuringrespectfortheviewsofthechildinfamily,schoolandsociallifeandtopromotingtheexerciseoftherightsofthechildinamannerconsistentwithhisorherevolvingcapacities.90.2 .2TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyadoptappropriatelegislativemeasurestoforbidtheuseofanyformofcorporalpunishmentwithinthefamilyandinschool.91.2 .2Similarmeasuresshouldbeadoptedtoprohibitchildlabourbelowaminimumageinthelightofarticle32oftheConvention.Inthisregard,theCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytoconsidertherecommendationsmadebytheInternationalLabourOrganizationinitsmissionstatementof1993and,inparticular,toprohibittheemploymentofyoungpersonsbelow18yearsofageinhazardousactivities,aswellastomakeeducationfreeandcompulsoryuptoage15.Inthisconnection,theCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytoconsiderseekingassistancefromtheInternationalLabourOrganization.92.2 .2Inthefieldofjuvenilejustice,theCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyraisetheminimumageofcriminalresponsibilityandincorporateinthelegislationaclearprohibitionofcapitalpunishment,lifeimprisonmentwithoutthepossibilityofreleaseandindeterminatesentencing,aswellasoftheuseofwhippingasadisciplinarymeasure.93.2 .2TheCommitteefurtherrecommendsthatthereportsubmittedbytheStateparty,alongwiththerelevantsummaryrecordsandtheconcludingobservationsthereon,bedisseminatedaswidelyaspossibletothepublic.TheCommitteewouldalsoliketosuggestthatthesedocumentsbebroughttotheattentionofParliamentasameansofensuringafollowuptosuggestionsandrecommendationsmadebytheCommittee.@ . 3.Concludingobservations:China94.2 .2TheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofChina(CRC/C/11/Add.7)atits298thto300thmeetings,on28and29May1996(CRC/C/SR.298-300),andatits314thmeeting,on7June1996,adoptedthefollowingconcludingobservations.2 .2(a) .Introduction95.2 .2TheCommitteenotesthattheinitialreportoftheStatepartywaspreparedinaccordancewiththegeneralguidelines.TheCommitteeappreciatestheself-criticalelementsofthereport,althoughitisnotedthatgreaterfocuswasplacedinthereportonthecontentofdomesticlegalandadministrativeprovisionsthanontheirpracticalapplication.ItalsowelcomestheStateparty'srepliestothewrittenlistofquestionsposedbytheCommittee.96.2 .2TheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthatdifferentministerialdepartmentsandotherbodieswereinvolvedinthepreparationofthereport.TheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheStatepartyforhavingensuredthatmanyofthesedepartmentswererepresentedonthedelegationpresentingthereporttotheCommittee.TheCommitteewelcomesthewillingnessoftheStatepartyanditsdelegationtoengageinaconstructivedialoguewiththeCommittee.Itappreciatesthedelegation'sfrankadmissionthatvariousdifficultiesremaintobeovercomebeforetherightsandprinciplesprovidedforintheConventionareguaranteedtoallchildreninChina.2 .2(b) .Positivefactors97.2 .2TheCommitteetakesnoteoftheconsiderableimprovementinthegeneralstandardoflivingwhichhasbeenrecordedinrecentyears.TheCommitteefurthernotestheprogrammeoutlinewhichhasbeendevisedatthenationallevelandwhichisintheprocessofbeingdevelopedinall30provincesandautonomousregionsandimplementedasafollow-uptothegoalssetintheDeclarationandPlanofActionadoptedbytheWorldSummitforChildrenin1990.Noteisalsotakenthatanoutlineisbeingpreparedasafollow-uptotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,heldinBeijing.98.2 .2TheconsiderableprogressachievedbytheStatepartyinreducingtheinfantandunder-fivemortalityrates,especiallythroughtheextensiveeffortsfocusedonsustainingimmunizationcoverage,increasingimmunizationratesandreducingtheincidenceofchildmalnutrition,istobecommended.TheStateparty'scommitmenttoprotecting,promotingandsupportingbreastfeeding,aswellastoestablishingchildren'shospitals,isalsowelcomed.99.2 .2NoteworthyalsoarethevariousactivitiesundertakenandsupportedbytheStatepartytoincreaseschoolenrolment.TheStateparty'srecognitionoftheimportanceofsupportingeducationasatoolforfosteringsocialandeconomicdevelopmentisnoted.SpecialmentionisaccordedtoProjectHope,whichisdesignedtoassistchildreninpoordistricts,aswellastotheSpringBudsSchemetopromotegirls'enrolmentorreturntoschooltocompletetheirprimaryeducation.100.2 .2TheCommitteealsonotestheinformationcontainedinthereportthatvariouslawsandadministrativeregulationsrelevanttotherightsofthechildhavebeendevelopedandintroduced.TheCompulsoryEducationAct,theProtectionofMinorsActandtheProtectionoftheDisabledActandtheworkundertakenbytheHelptheDisabledMovementarenoted.2 .2(c) .Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationof2 .2 .theConvention101.2 .2TakingintoaccountthefactthatthenumberofchildreninChinarepresentsonefifthofthechildpopulationoftheworldandthatthepopulationisspreadthroughoutthevastterritoryofthecountry,theCommitteenotesthatthetaskfacingChinainmeetingtheneedsofallchildrenunderitsjurisdictionpresentsenormouschallenges,notleastintheeconomicandsocialfields.102.2 .2AswasstatedbytheStateparty,thelegacyofcertainhistoricalfeudaltraditionsinpartsofthecountryandthepersistenceofotherharmfulattitudesareadverselyaffectingchildren'slivesandhealthygrowth.2 .2(d) .Principalsubjectsofconc