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I.CONCLUSIONSANDRECOMMENDATIONSADOPTEDBY ( THECOMMITTEEONTHERIGHTSOFTHECHILD@..ParticipationandcontributiontotheFourthWorldConference@..: onWomen:ActionforEquality,DevelopmentandPeaceb..bTheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,b..bRecognizingtheimportanceofmaintainingeffectivecommunicationandmeaningfuldialoguewithUnitedNationsbodiesactiveinthefieldofhumanrightsingeneralandchildren'srightsinparticular,b..bConsideringtheneedtoensureitsactiveparticipationinactivitiesofrelevancetoitsworkwhicharetakingplacewithintheframeworkoftheUnitedNationssystemwideaction,b..bRecallingitspreviousdecisiontoberepresentedat,andactivelycontributeto,thepreparatoryprocessoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen:ActionforEquality,DevelopmentandPeace,totakeplaceinSeptember1995inBeijing,b..bEncouragedbytherichnessofthedebateheldatitseighthsessionduringitsthematicdayofgeneraldiscussiononthegirlchild,b..bReaffirmingtheimportanceoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandofitsimplementationprocessindecisivelyimprovingthesituationofgirlsaroundtheworldandensuringthefullrealizationoftheirfundamentalrights,b..bRecallingthat,asstressedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,thehumanrightsofwomenandthegirlchildareaninalienable,integralandindivisiblepartofhumanrights,b..bRecallingalsothattheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomenhaveacomplementaryandmutuallyreinforcingnature,andrecommendingthattheyshouldbeanessentialframeworkforaforward-lookingstrategytopromoteandprotectthefundamentalrightsofgirlsandwomenanddecisivelyeradicateinequalityanddiscrimination,b..b1. .. ReaffirmsitsdecisiontoparticipateintheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen:ActionforEquality,DevelopmentandPeace,totakeplaceinSeptember1995inBeijing,andrequeststheSecretariattoadoptallnecessarymeasurestoallowforsuchparticipation;b..b2. .. Decidestotransmitthecontentofthegeneraldiscussiononthegirlchild,asreflectedinthereportofitseighthsession,tothesecretariatoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen;&  b..b3. .. RequeststhatthePlatformforActionfortheConferencereflectthroughoutitsdifferentchaptersthesituationandthefundamentalrightsofthegirlchild,namelyintheareasspecificallyaddressedduringthegeneraldiscussionoftheCommittee,asreflectedinthereportofitseighthsession;b..b4. .. AlsorequeststhattheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildbeclearlyconsideredasanessentialmechanismwithintheframeworkofthe'  internationalmachinerythatwillbeentrustedwiththetaskofmonitoringandperiodicallyreviewingtheimplementationofthePlatformforAction.@..Z II.ORGANIZATIONALANDOTHERMATTERS@.. A.StatespartiestotheConvention..1.b..bAsat27January1995,theclosingdateoftheeighthsessionoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,therewere168StatespartiestotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.TheConventionwasadoptedbytheGeneralAssemblyinresolution44/25of20November1989andopenedforsignatureandratificationoraccessioninNewYorkon26January1990.Itenteredintoforceon2September1990,inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofitsarticle49.AlistofStatesthathavesigned,ratifiedoraccededtotheConventioniscontainedinannexItothepresentreport.2.b..bThetextsofthedeclarations,reservationsorobjectionsmadebyStatespartieswithrespecttotheConventionarereproducedindocumentCRC/C/2/Rev.3.@.. B.Openinganddurationofthesession3.b..bTheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildhelditseighthsessionattheUnitedNationsOfficeatGenevafrom9to27January1995.TheCommitteeheld26meetings(184thto209th).AnaccountoftheCommittee'sdeliberationsatitseighthsessioniscontainedintherelevantsummaryrecords(CRC/C/SR.184-190,192206,and209).@..C.Membershipandattendance4.b..bAllmembersattendedtheeighthsession.Someofthememberswereunabletoattendtheentiresession.AlistofthemembersoftheCommittee,togetherwithanindicationofthedurationoftheirtermsofoffice,appearsinannexIItothepresentreport.5.b..bThefollowingUnitedNationsbodieswerealsorepresentedatthesession:UnitedNationsChildren'sFund,UnitedNationsHighCommissionerforRefugees,UnitedNationsPopulationFund,UnitedNationsDevelopmentProgramme.6.b..bThefollowingspecializedagencieswerealsorepresentedatthesession:InternationalLabourOrganization,FoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations,UnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization,WorldHealthOrganization.7.b..bArepresentativeforINTERPOLalsoattendedthesession.8.b..bRepresentativesofthefollowingnon-governmentalorganizationswerealsoinattendanceatthesession:CategoryIb..bInternationalMovementATDFourthWorld,ZontaInternational.&  CategoryII0b..bAssociatedCountryWomenoftheWorld,Caritas,DefenceforChildrenInternational,FriendsWorldCommitteeforConsultation(Quakers),'  InternationalAbolitionistFederation,InternationalAssociationofPenalLaw,InternationalCatholicChildBureau,InternationalFederationofWomeninLegalCareers,InternationalFederationTerredesHommes,InternationalServiceforHumanRights,RaddaBarnen.Others0b..bChildren'sRightsDevelopmentUnit(UK),CommitteeontheAdministrationofJustice,JamaicanCoalitionfortheRightsoftheChild,NGOGroupfortheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,OneWorldProductions,SavetheChildren(UK).@..D.Agenda9.b..bAtits184thmeeting,on9January1995,theCommitteeadoptedtheprovisionalagenda(CRC/C/35).Theagendaoftheeighthsession,asadopted,wasasfollows:b..b1. .. Adoptionoftheagenda.b..b2. .. Organizationalandothermatters.b..b0b..b3.0 .. SubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesinaccordancewitharticle44oftheConvention.b..b4. .. ConsiderationofreportsofStatesparties.b..b5.0 .. Systemofdocumentationandinformation.b..b6.0 .. Generaldiscussionon"Thegirlchild".b..b7.0 .. CooperationwithotherUnitedNationsbodies,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodies.b..b8.0 .. MethodsofworkoftheCommittee.b..b9.0 .. FuturemeetingsoftheCommittee.b..b10.0 .. Othermatters.@.. E.MeetingwiththeHighCommissionerforHumanRights10.b..bAtthe209thmeeting,on27January1995,theHighCommissionerforHumanRights,Mr.J.AyalaLasso,addressedtheCommittee.11.b..bInhisstatement,theHighCommissionerstressedtheimportanceheattachedtopromotingtherightsofthechild,whichshouldbeseenasapriorityintheUnitedNationssystem-wideactiononhumanrights.HerecalledthattheveryhighnumberofStatespartiestotheConventionmadeitpossibletoattain,bytheendof1995,thegoalofuniversalratification,andhereferredtotheprogrammeofactivitiesbeingelaboratedjointlybyUNICEFandtheCentreforHumanRightstofacilitatetheattainmentofthatgoal.HeindicatedthataplanofactiontosupporttheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildwasbeingfinalizedandwouldsoonbesubmittedtoGovernmentsforfunding.SuchaplanwouldenabletheCommitteetoreceivesubstantivesupportinordertomeetthehighexpectationscreatedbytheConventionanditsimplementationsystemandtofacetheheavyworkload.ItwouldfacilitatethepracticalrealizationoftherecommendationsoftheCommitteeaimingatabetterimplementationoftheConventionatthenationallevelwithintheframeworkofinternationalcooperation,throughtheprovisionofadvisoryservicesandtechnicalassistance.@..F.Pre-sessionalworkinggroupb..b12.b..bInaccordancewiththedecisionoftheCommitteeatitsfirstsession,apre-sessionalworkinggroupmetinGenevafrom17to21October1994.AllmembersexceptMgr.BambarenGastelumendi,Mrs.Belembaogo,Mrs.Eufemio(whowasrepresentingtheCommitteeattheSpecialCommissionoftheHagueConferenceonPrivateInternationalLawontheapplicationoftheConventionof20May1993onProtectionofChildrenandCooperationinrespectofIntercountryAdoptiontorefugeechildrenandotherdisplacedchildren,heldatTheHaguefrom17to21October1994)andMr.Mombeshoraparticipatedintheworkinggroup.RepresentativesfromUNICEF,UNHCR,theUnitedNationsDivisionfortheAdvancementofWomen,aswellasrepresentativesfromILOandWHO,participatedinthemeetingsoftheworkinggroup.TherepresentativeoftheNGOGroupfortheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,aswellasrepresentativesfromvariousnon-governmentalorganizations,werealsoinattendanceatthesession.13.b..bThepurposeofthepre-sessionalworkinggroupistofacilitatetheCommittee'sworkunderarticles44and45oftheConvention,primarilybyreviewingStatepartyreportsandidentifyinginadvancethemainquestionsthatwouldneedtobediscussedwiththerepresentativesofthereportingStates.Italsoprovidesanopportunitytoconsiderquestionsrelatingtotechnicalassistanceandinternationalcooperation.14.b..bAtits1stmeeting,heldon17October,theworkinggroup,inaccordancewithrule63.2oftheCommittee'sprovisionalrulesofprocedure,electedMrs.BadranasChairpersonandMrs.SantosPaisasRapporteur.15.b..bThepre-sessionalworkinggroupheldeightmeetings,inthecourseofwhichitexaminedlistsofissuesputbeforeitbymembersoftheCommitteerelatingtotheinitialreportsofthefollowingfourcountries:Jamaica,Nicaragua,PolandandtheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland.ThelistofissueswastransmitteddirectlytothePermanentMissionsoftheStatesconcernedwithanotewhichstated,interalia:0b..b"TheCommitteewishestoreceive,ifpossiblebefore31July1994,writtenanswerstotheissuesraisedinthelist.ThelistisnotintendedtobeexhaustiveanditshouldnotbeinterpretedaslimitingorinanyotherwayprejudgingthetypeandrangeofquestionswhichmembersoftheCommitteemightwishtopose.However,theworkinggroupbelievesthattheconstructivedialoguewhichtheCommitteewishestohavewiththerepresentativesofthereportingStatescanbefacilitatedbymakingthelistandthewrittenanswerstoitavailableinadvanceoftheCommittee'ssession."16.b..bInaddition,thepre-sessionalworkinggroupalsotooknoteofadditionalinformationwhichhadbeensubmittedtotheCommitteebytheGovernmentofElSalvador(CRC/C/3/Add.28)followingarequestmadebytheCommitteeinthecourseofitsconsiderationoftheinitialreportsubmittedbyElSalvador.TheworkinggroupalsoexaminedadditionalinformationsubmittedbytheGovernmentofColombiaanddecidedthattheCommitteewouldcontinueitsconsiderationofthereportandadditionalinformationsubmittedbyColombiainthecourseoftheCommittee'seighthsession.17.b..bOnthebasisofadecisiontakenatthepre-sessionalworkinggroupofthefifthsessionoftheCommittee,theworkinggroupestablishedinformalcontactswiththePermanentMissionsofStateswhosereportswerescheduledforconsiderationattheforthcomingsession,inordertoinformthemoftheprocedurefollowedbytheCommitteefortheconsiderationofreportsandclarifythepurposesofthedialoguewithrepresentativesoftheStatesparties.@..G.Organizationofwork18.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredtheorganizationofworkatits184thmeeting,on9January1995.TheCommitteehadbeforeitthedraftprogrammeofworkfortheeighthsession,preparedbytheSecretary-GeneralinconsultationwiththeChairpersonoftheCommittee,andthereportoftheCommitteeonitsseventhsession(CRC/C/34).@..NH.Futureregularmeetings19.b..bTheCommitteenotedthatitsninthsessionwouldtakeplacefrom22Mayto9June1995andthatitspre-sessionalworkinggroupwouldmeetfrom12to16June1995.@..III.REPORTSBYSTATESPARTIESUNDERARTICLE44OFTHECONVENTION@..A.Submissionofreports20.b..bInconnectionwiththisitem,theCommitteehadbeforeitthefollowingdocuments:(a)notesbytheSecretaryGeneraloninitialreportsbyStatespartiesduein1992(CRC/C/3),1993(CRC/C/8/Rev.3),1994(CRC/C/11/Rev.3),and1995(CRC/C/28);anotebytheSecretaryGeneralontheStatespartiestotheConventionandthestatusofsubmissionofreports(CRC/C/36);(c)anotebytheSecretaryGeneralonthefollowuptotheconsiderationofinitialreportsbyStatespartiestotheConvention(CRC/C/27/Rev.2).TheCommitteewasinformedthat,inadditiontothesixreportsthatwerescheduledforconsiderationbytheCommitteeatitspresentsession(seeparas.72244below)andthosewhichhadbeenreceivedpriortotheCommittee'sseventhsession(seeCRC/C/34,para.22),theSecretaryGeneralhadreceivedtheinitialreportsofCroatia(CRC/C/8/Add.19),Cyprus(CRC/C/8/Add.24),Finland(CRC/C/8/Add.22),Guatemala(CRC/C/3/Add.33),Iceland(CRC/C/11/Add.6),Lebanon(CRC/C/8/Add.23),Mongolia(CRC/C/3/Add.32),theRepublicofKorea(CRC/C/8/Add.21andYemen(CRC/C/8/Add.20).@..B.Considerationofreports21.b..bAtitseighthsession,theCommitteeexaminedinitialreportssubmittedbysixStatespartiesunderarticle44oftheConvention.Itdevoted17ofits26meetingstotheconsiderationofreports(CRC/C/SR.185189,192194,196-201and204206).b..b22.b..bThefollowingreports,listedintheorderinwhichtheyhadbeenreceivedbytheSecretaryGeneral,werebeforetheCommitteeatitseighthsession:Colombia(CRC/C/8/Add.3andadditionalinformation),Philippines(CRC/C/3/Add.23),Denmark(CRC/C/8/Add.8),Poland(CRC/C/8/Add.11),Jamaica(CRC/C/8/Add.12),andtheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland(CRC/C/11/Add.1).23.b..bInaccordancewithrule68oftheprovisionalrulesofprocedureoftheCommittee,representativesofallthereportingStateswereinvitedtoattendthemeetingsoftheCommitteeatwhichtheirreportswereexamined.AlltheStatespartieswhosereportswereconsideredbytheCommitteesentrepresentativestoparticipateintheexaminationoftheirrespectivereports.#..#24.b..bThefollowingsections,arrangedonacountrybycountrybasisaccordingtothesequencefollowedbytheCommitteeinitsconsiderationofthereport,containconcludingorpreliminaryobservationsreflectingthemainpointsofdiscussionandindicating,wherenecessary,issuesthatwouldrequireaspecificfollowup.25.b..bTheconcludingobservationsontheinitialreportofArgentina(CRC/C/8/Add.2),whichhadbeenconsideredbytheCommitteeatitsseventhsession,arealsocontainedbelow,inaccordancewithadecisiontakenbytheCommitteeatitsseventhsession(seeCRC/C/34,para.155).b..b26.b..bMoredetailedinformationiscontainedinthereportssubmittedbytheStatespartiesandinthesummaryrecordsoftherelevantmeetingsoftheCommittee.b..b1. .. Concludingobservations:Argentina27.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredatitsseventhsessiontheinitialreportofArgentina(CRC/C/8/Add.2)atits177thto179thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.177,178and179),heldon10and11October1994.InviewofthefactthattheadditionalreportwhichhadbeenrequestedfromtheGovernmentofArgentinatosupplementtheinformationcontainedinArgentina'sinitialreportwasreceivedjustbeforetheconsiderationofthereport,theCommitteedecidedtopostponetheadoptionofitsconcludingobservationsuntilitsnextsession.TheCommitteethereforeadopted* H   ׀atitseighthsessionthefollowingconcludingobservations:@..tA.Introduction28.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheStatepartyforengaginginadialoguewiththeCommittee.TheCommitteenoteswithregretthatthereportsubmittedbytheGovernmentofArgentinadoesnotcoverallrightsenshrinedintheConventionandthatitwasnotpreparedinaccordancewiththeCommittee'sguidelinesforthepreparationofinitialreports.Itnotesthatthereportmainlydealswiththelegalframeworkanddoesnotcontainsufficientinformation,eitheranalyticalorstatistical,ontheactualimplementationoftheprinciplesandrightssetforthintheConvention.TheextensiveadditionalinformationsubmittedbytheGovernmentcametoolatefortheCommitteememberstostudyandexaminebeforethediscussionwiththeStatepartydelegation.@..B.Positiveaspects29.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthedeclarationmadebytheStatepartyuponratificationinregardtoarticle38thataprohibitionexistsinnationallegislationontheuseofchildrenunder18inarmedconflicts.30.b..bTheCommitteealsowelcomestheestablishmentoftheNationalCouncilforChildrenandFamily,thedevelopmentofaNationalPlanofActionforChildrenaswellasthesigningofafederalPactforMothersandChildren.31.b..bTheCommitteewelcomestheeffortsundertakenbytheGovernmentoftheStatepartytopublicizetheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.32.b..bTheCommitteewelcomestheincorporationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,aswellasotherhumanrightstreatiesratifiedbyArgentina,intothedomesticlegalsystemandthehighlegalstatusattributedtothembyvirtueofwhichtheyaregivenprecedenceovernationallaws.33.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthesuccessfulimmunizationprogrammewith99percentcoverageandthehighliteracyrate95percentin1990.@.."C.Principalsubjectsofconcern34.b..bTheCommitteeisfurthermoreconcernedaboutthereservationsenteredbytheGovernmentofArgentinaupontheratificationoftheConventionwithrespecttoarticle21(b),(c),(d)and(e)duetotheirbroadnature.35.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedthatsufficientadministrativeandothermeasuresseemnottohavebeentakentofacilitateaneffectivecoordinationoftheimplementationoftheConventiononlocal,regionalandnationallevels.36.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteofthedisparityofmarriageagesforboysandgirlsinArgentinelaw,whichseemstobecontrarytotheprovisionsofarticle2oftheConvention.37.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithspecialconcernthesituationofchildrenfromvulnerableanddisadvantagedgroups,suchasdisabledchildren,abandonedchildrenandchildrenlivingand/orworkinginthestreetsaswellaschildrenbelongingtohouseholdslivinginpoverty.38.b..bTheCommitteeisalsoworriedaboutthehighnumberofsinglemothersinArgentinabetweentheagesof12and18andaboutreportsontheoccurrenceofdomesticviolenceandsexualabuse.39.b..bTheCommitteenotestheproblemsintheschools,withhighturnoverofteachersandchildrendroppingout.@.. E.Suggestionsandrecommendations40.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmentofArgentinaconsiderreviewingthereservationentereduponratificationoftheConventionwithaviewtowithdrawingit.Inthatconnection,theattentionoftheStatepartyisdrawntotheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofActionadoptedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsinJune1993whichencouragedStatestowithdrawreservationstotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.41.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthat,giventhefederalnatureoftheArgentineState,acomprehensiveapproachbetakenbytheGovernmentinimplementingtheConvention,particularlyinassuringbettercoordinationbetweenthevariousmechanismsandinstitutionsalreadyinplacetodealwiththepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofchildren.Ofimportance,inthatcontext,wouldbetheestablishmentofanappropriateinfrastructureatalllevelsandincreasedcoordinationbetweeneffortsundertakenatthelocalandprovinciallevelwiththosetakenatthenationallevel.Itisrecommendedthatemphasisalsobeputontheaspectofmonitoring,includingthroughanombudsman,andoncooperationwithnon-governmentalorganizationsworkingfortherightsofthechild.42.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhatthebudgetarymeasuresbereviewedwithaviewtoensuringthatthemaximumamountofavailableresourcesisallocatedtopromoteandprotecttherightsofthechildatthefederal,regionalandlocallevels.43.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatfurthereffortsbemadetoensurethatpersonneldealingwithchildrenbeprovidedwithadequatetrainingwhichemphasizestheprinciplesandnormsintheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.44.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhatalargerpartoftheeducationandtrainingoflawenforcementpersonnel,judgesandotheradministrationofjusticeofficialsbedevotedtoanunderstandingofinternationalstandardsonjuvenilejustice.TheCommitteealsorecommendsthatjuvenilecourtsbesetupinallprovinces.45.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyconsiderundertakinggreatereffortstoprovidefamilyeducationanddevelopingawarenessoftheequalresponsibilityofparents.Healtheducationprogrammesshouldbedevelopedtocounterthehighincidenceofteenagepregnancy.46.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyconsidersthepossibilityofintroducingmoreeffectivelegislationandfollowupmechanismstopreventviolencewithinthefamilyinthespiritofarticle19.47.b..bTheCommitteealsorecommendsthatfurthermeasuresbetakenbytheGovernmenttoreducedropoutratesinschoolsandtoensurethattheschoolsareadequatelystaffedwithqualifiedpersonnel.Itisalsorecommendedthatfurtherstepsbetakentoencouragetheactiveparticipationofchildrenintheschools,aswellasoutside,inthespiritofarticle12oftheConvention.48.b..bTheCommitteealsorecommendsthatthereportandtheadditionalinformationsubmittedbytheStateparty,thesummaryrecordsofitsconsiderationandtheconcludingobservationsoftheCommitteebedisseminatedaswidelyaspossiblewithinthecountry.b..b2.Concludingobservations:Philippines49.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofthePhilippines(CRC/C/3/Add.23)atits185th,186thand187thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.185187),heldon10and11January1995,andadopted J   ׀thefollowingconcludingobservations.@..tA.Introduction50.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithsatisfactionthesubmissionoftheinitialreportofthePhilippines,whichwasoneofthefirstStatestobecomepartytotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.TheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationthatthereportfollowedtheCommittee'sguidelinesandthatitcontaineddetailedinformationonthelegalframeworkwithinwhichtheConventionisimplementedaswellassomementionofthedifficultiesencounteredbytheState.TheCommitteewelcomesthewritteninformationprovidedbytheGovernmentinreplytothequestionssetoutinthelistofissues(CRC/C/7/WP.3),whichwascommunicatedtoitbeforethesession.TheCommittee,however,noteswithregretthelackofinformationontheconcreteeffectsofmeasuresadopted.51.b..bThesupplementaryinformationprovidedbythenumerousmembersofthedelegationofthePhilippinesandthefactthatthedelegationwascomposedofmembersinvolvedinadiversityofsectorsinvariouschildrelatedissuesmadeitpossibletosupplementinformationreceivedinwritingandtoengageinanopenandconstructivedialogue.@..B.Positiveaspects52.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteofthefirmcommitmentoftheGovernmentofthePhilippinestothepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild.TheCommitteewelcomestheeffortsmadebytheStatepartyinbringingdomesticlawintolinewiththeConvention,throughtheenactmentofnewlawsandtheadoptionofprogrammesspecificallyaimedatpromotingandprotectingtherightsofthechild.Amongtheseachievementswastheadoption,followingtheWorldSummitforChildrenin1990,ofthePhilippinePlanofActionforChildrenentitled"TheFilipinoChildren:2000andBeyond".@.. C.Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingthe " implementationoftheConvention53.b..bTheCommitteenotesthegeographicalandculturaldiversity,thedispersalofthepopulationthroughoutthe7,000islandsofthearchipelago,andthewideeconomicandsocialdisparitiesexistinginthecountry.54.b..bTheCommitteefurtherrecognizesthedifficultiesarisingfrompoliticalinstabilityinaperiodofdemocratization,includingtheadverseeffectsofthearmedconflictonchildren.55.b..bTheCommitteealsonotesthatnaturaldisastershavehadanegativeimpactonthesituationofchildren.@.."D.Principalsubjectsofconcern56.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedthatinspiteofseriouseffortsandachievementsintheareaoflegislativereform,stepsremaintobetakentobringnationallegislationintofullconformitywiththeConvention,includinginregardtotheminimumageofcriminalresponsibility,minimumageforsexualconsent,minimumageofaccesstoemployment,compulsoryschoolingagelimit,statusofchildrenbornoutofwedlock,theprohibitionoftorture,intercountryadoptionandlegislationconcerningtheadministrationofjuvenilejustice,includingdeprivationoflibertyandcriminalizationofvagrancy.57.b..bThelackofefficientmechanismstomonitorthesituationofchildrenisamatterofconcern.TheCommitteenotesinthisregardalackofreliablequalitativeandquantitativedata,ashortageofmeanstoimplementprogrammes,andalackofindicatorsandmechanismstoevaluatetheprogressandimpactofpoliciesadopted.58.b..bTheCommitteeisequallyconcernedthatinsufficientattentionseemstohavebeenpaidtotheprovisionsofarticle4oftheConventionconcerningbudgetaryallocations.ThepresentbalanceofresourceallocationsintheStatepartybetweenthesocialandothersectors,andthehighproportionofmilitaryexpenditurestothedetrimentofchildrelatedissues,arenotedwithconcern.Inthisregard,theCommitteeexpressesitsconcernattheunequaldistributionofthenationalwealthinthecountryandthedisparitiesintheenjoymentoftherightsprovidedforundertheConvention,tothedetrimentofpoorurbanchildren,childrenlivinginruralareasandchildrenbelongingtominorities(or"cultural"communities).59.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedatthedifficultiesinensuringtheregistrationofchildrenafterbirth,aswellasattheproblemsfacedbychildrenwhohavenotbeenregisteredintheenjoymentoftheirfundamentalrightsandfreedoms.60.b..bTheCommitteealsoexpressesitsconcernatthelackofpracticalmeasurestoensurethefullenjoymentoftherightsrecognizedintheConventionbycertaincategoriesofchildren,includinggirlchildren,disabledchildren,childrenofmixedmarriages,childrenofoverseasworkers,workingchildren,andchildrenaffectedbyarmedconflicts.61.b..bTheCommitteeisseriouslyalarmedbytheexistenceofchildabuse(includingsexualabuse)andneglectwithinthefamily,whichoftenleadtochildrenbeingabandonedorrunningaway,thusfacingtheadditionalrisksofviolationsoftheirhumanrights.62.b..bTheCommitteeisalsopreoccupiedbythelevelofviolenceandthehighincidenceofilltreatmentandabuseofchildren,includingcasesattributedtothepoliceormilitarypersonnel.ItnoteswithconcernthattheeffortsoftheGovernmenttocombatchildabuseandneglectareinsufficient,bothfromthepreventionandthesanctionpointofview.Thelackofrehabilitationmeasuresforsuchchildrenisalsoamatterofconcern.Thefailuretotakeeffectivestepstoprosecuteandpunishthoseresponsibleforsuchviolationsortomakepublicdecisionstakeninthisregard,includingtowardspaedophiles,mayleadtoafeelinginthepopulationthatimpunityprevailsandthatitisthereforeuselesstobringcomplaintsbeforethecompetentauthorities.63.b..bWithrespecttotherighttoeducation,theCommitteenoteswithconcernthattherehasbeenlittleprogressinfullyimplementingtherelevantprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention,inparticularwithrespecttogirlchildren,childrenlivinginruralorremoteareasandchildrenaffectedbythearmedconflict.TheCommitteeisalsoworriedbythelackofvocationaltrainingopportunities,thehighdrop-outrateinprimaryeducationandthelowrateofenrolmentinsecondaryeducation.64.b..bThelargeandgrowingnumberofchildrenwho,duetoruralexodus,extremepoverty,abandonment,aswellassituationsofviolencewithinthefamily,areforcedtoliveand/orworkinthestreets,aredeprivedoftheirfundamentalrightsandexposedtovariousformsofexploitation,isamatterofdeepconcern.65.b..bSpecificconcernisalsoexpressedaboutthepresentorganizationofthesystemofadministrationofjuvenilejusticeanditslackofcompatibilitywiththeprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionandotherinternationalstandardsrelatingtojuvenilejustice.@.. E.Suggestionsandrecommendations66.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartycontinuetoharmonizedomesticlegislationwiththeprovisionsoftheConvention.Seriousconsiderationshouldbegiventoraisingtheagelimitforsexualconsentandpenalresponsibility,toeliminatingdiscriminationtowardschildrenbornoutofwedlock,totheprohibitionoftortureandtotherevisionoflegalprovisionswithregardtotheadministrationofjuvenilejustice.TheCommitteealsosuggeststhattheStatepartyenvisageratifyingtheHagueConventiononProtectionofChildrenandCooperationinrespectofIntercountryAdoptionof1993.TheCommitteealsorecommendsthattheGovernmenttakeallnecessarystepstoensuretherespectandeffectiveimplementationoftheprovisionscontainedintheConvention.67.b..bCoordinationbetweenthevariousgovernmentalagenciesinvolvedintheimplementationoftheConventionanditsmonitoringshouldbeensured,andeffortsshouldbemadetowardsclosercooperationwithnon-governmentalorganizations.68.b..bMeasuresshouldbetakentostrengthenthemonitoringmechanismsoftheConvention.Qualitativeandquantitativedataandindicatorsforevaluatingtheprogressandefficiencyofprogrammesaimingatthefullenjoymentofchildren'srightsshouldbedeveloped.Publicityshouldalsobegiventothemonitoringreportsontheimplementationoftherightsofthechild.69.b..bTheauthoritiesshouldundertakeallappropriateeffortstothemaximumextentoftheiravailableresourcestoensurethatsufficientresourcesareallocatedtochildren,takingintospecialconsiderationtheneedsofthemostvulnerablegroups.70.b..bMorechildren'srights-orientedtrainingprogrammesshouldbeorganizedforvariousprofessionalgroupssuchasteachers,judges,socialworkersandpoliceofficials.Suchprogrammesshouldemphasizethepromotionandprotectionofthefundamentalrightsofthechildandthechild'ssenseofdignity.Greatereffortsshouldbemadetoprovidefamilylifeeducationanddevelopawarenessoftheresponsibilityoftheparents.TheCommitteeencouragesnon-governmentalorganizationsandchildrenandyouthgroupstopayattentiontotheneedtochangeattitudesaspartoftheiradvocacyaction.71.b..bTheCommitteeemphasizesthattheprincipleofnon-discrimination,asprovidedforunderarticle2oftheConvention,mustbefullyapplied.Amoreactiveapproachshouldbetakentoeliminatediscriminationagainstcertain&  groupsofchildren,inparticularchildreninremoteareas,childrenbelongingto"cultural"communities,girlchildren,disabledchildrenandchildrenbornoutofwedlock.'  72.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheStateintensifyitsactionagainstallviolencedirectedatandill-treatmentofchildren,inparticularsexualabuse.Anincreasednumberofprogrammesshouldaimatthepreventionofsexualmisbehaviourtowardschildren.Thedeepcausesofthephenomenonshouldbeseriouslylookedat.TheCommitteealsorecommendstheactiveparticipationofnon-governmentalorganizationsaswellaschildrenandyouthgroupsinchangingandinfluencingattitudesinthatregard.73.b..bTheStatepartyshouldensurethatadequateproceduresandmechanismstodealwithcomplaintsofchildill-treatmentaredeveloped,thatcasesofviolationsofchildren'srightsaredulyinvestigatedandthattheresultsofsuchinvestigationsaregivenpublicity.74.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatfurthermeasuresbetakentoimplementtheprovisionsofarticle32,includinginrelationtotheminimumageofaccesstoemployment,andthateffortsbemadetopreventandcombatchildlabourinthecountry.Particularattentionshouldbepaidtochildrenworkingintheinformalsector.TheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyseektechnicalassistancefromILOinthisarea.75.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyundertakeacomprehensivereformofthesystemofadministrationofjuvenilejusticeandthatthisreformbeguidedbytheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionaswellasotherrelevantinternationalstandardssuchastheBeijingRules,theRiyadhGuidelinesandtheUnitedNationsRulesfortheProtectionofJuvenilesDeprivedoftheirLiberty.TheCommitteesuggeststhattrainingofthelawenforcementpersonnel,judgesandotheradministrationofjusticeofficialsbeorganizedandthatpartofsuchtrainingbedevotedtotheseinternationalstandardsofjuvenilejustice.TheCommitteeunderlinestheneedfortechnicalassistanceinthisareaandencouragestheStatepartytoseeksuchassistancefromtheCentreforHumanRightsandtheCrimePreventionandCriminalJusticeBranchoftheUnitedNationsinthisregard.76.b..bTheCommitteealsorecommendsthatthereportsubmittedbytheStateparty,thesummaryrecordsofitsconsiderationandtheconcludingobservationsoftheCommitteebedisseminatedaswidelyaspossiblewithinthecountry.b..b3. .. Concludingobservations:Colombia77.b..bTheCommitteebeganconsiderationoftheinitialreportofColombia(CRC/C/8/Add.3)atits113thto115thmeetings,heldon17and18January1994.InviewofthefactthatitwasnotpossibleduringthesessiontofullyclarifyanumberofseriousconcernsabouttheimplementationoftheConvention,theCommitteedecidednottoconcludetheconsiderationofthatreportandadoptedinsteadasetofpreliminaryobservations.TheStatepartywasrequestedtoprovide,by28February1994,writtenanswerstotheCommittee'slistofissuesandinformationonparticularareasofconcernidentifiedbytheCommitteeinitspreliminaryobservations,forconsiderationbytheCommitteeatafuturesession.AfterconsideringtheadditionalinformationprovidedbytheGovernmentofColombiaatits188thand189thmeetingsheldon12January1995(CRC/C/SR.188andCRC/C/SR.189),theCommitteeconcludeditsconsiderationoftheinitialreportofColombiaandadopted K   ׀thefollowingconcludingobservations:@..tA.Introduction78.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheGovernmentofColombiaforthesubmissionofwrittenanswerstoitslistofissues,theresponsestoitspreliminaryobservationsandotheroralquestionsposedduringconsiderationofthereport,andtheadditionalinformationontheparticularareasofconcernidentifiedbytheCommittee.TheCommitteeisencouragedbythefrankandcooperativetoneofthediscussion,inwhichtherepresentativesoftheStatepartyindicatednotonlythepolicydirectionsrelativetotheConvention,butalsothedifficultiesencounteredduringimplementation.@..B.Positiveaspects79.b..bAsrecognizedinitsPreliminaryObservations,theCommitteewelcomesthemajorlegislativeinitiativesadoptedwithaviewtoprovidingalegalframeworkfortheimplementationoftheConvention.TheCommitteealsowelcomestheinitiativestakentowardscreatingspecialmechanismsfortheimplementationoftheConvention.Itparticularlywelcomestheemphasisplacedontheprotectionofhumanrightsasreflected,interalia,bytheestablishmentofaUnitonHumanRightswithintheAttorney-General'sOffice.80.b..bTheCommitteefurtherwelcomestheeffortsmadetofacilitatetheparticipationofnon-governmentalorganizations(NGOs)intheimplementationprocess.81.b..bTheCommitteenotestheprogressmadeoverthelast10yearsinloweringtheinfantmortalityrate.ItalsowelcomestheformulationbytheStatepartyofaNationalPlanofActionandthesettingofconcretegoalsasfollow-uptotheWorldSummitforChildren.TheCommitteefurtherwelcomestheGovernment'seffortstoprovideeducationtochildreninruralareasandtoimprovetheirnutritionallevel.@.. C.Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingthe " implementationoftheConvention82.b..bTheCommitteetakesnotethatColombiaisgoingthroughadifficulteconomicperiodthatadverselyaffectsthesituationofchildren.Itfurthernotestheprevailingdisparitiesexistinginthecountryattheeconomicandsociallevels.83.b..bTheCommitteealsonotestheseriousimpactonchildrenofpoliticalproblemsstemmingfromdrug-relatedterrorismandviolence.&  @.."D.Principalsubjectsofconcern84.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedatthesignificantgapbetweenthelawsadoptedtoimplementtheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandthe'  practicalapplicationofthoselawstotheactualsituationofagreatnumberofchildreninColombia.85.b..bTheCommitteealsoexpressesconcernoverthelackofsufficientcoordinationbetweenthevariousentitiesinvolvedinhumanrightsandchildren'srights,aswellasatthelackofcomprehensiveconsiderationofdifferentsectoralpoliciesaimingatthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild.86.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernattheinsufficientstepstakentogatherrelevantinformationontheimplementationoftheConventionaswellastoensureaneffectivemonitoringsystematthenational,regionalandlocallevels.87.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsgraveconcernoverthelargeproportionofColombianchildrenwhocontinuetoliveinextremepovertydespitethefactthatColombiahasoneofthemostfavourableeconomicgrowthratesandoneofthelowestamountsofpercapitaforeignindebtednessintheregion.ManychildreninColombia,includingalargeproportionofruralandindigenouschildren,havebeeneconomicallyandsociallymarginalizedandhavelimitedornoaccesstoadequateeducationorhealthcareservices.88.b..bTheCommitteeisalsoconcernedaboutdiscriminatoryandadversesocialattitudes,particularlyamonglawenforcementofficials,towardsvulnerablegroupsofchildren.TheCommitteeexpressesitsgraveconcernoverthelife-threateningsituationfacedbyanalarmingnumberofchildreninColombia,particularlythosewho,inordertosurvive,areworkingand/orlivingonthestreets.Manyofthosechildrenarevictimsof"socialcleansing"campaignsandsubjecttoarbitraryarrestandtortureandotherinhumanordegradingtreatmentbyauthorities.Theyarealsosubjecttocoercion,disappearance,traffickingandmurderbycriminalgroups.89.b..bTherulesontheminimumageofemploymentarebelowinternationalstandardsandeventhenarenotenforced.Hazardouschildlabour,includinginmines,isamatterofthedeepestconcern.@.. E.Suggestionsandrecommendations90.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartytakestepstoensuretheeffectivecoordinationbetweentheexistinginstitutionsinvolvedintheareasofhumanrightsandchildren'srightswithaviewtoestablishingamonitoringmechanismfortheimplementationoftheConventionatthenational,regionalandlocallevels,whichmayassesstheactualsituationofchildrenandnarrowthegapbetweenthelawanditspractice.91.b..bTheCommitteealsosuggeststhatreliablequantitativeandqualitativeinformationbesystematicallycollectedandanalysedtoevaluateprogressin&  therealizationoftherightsofthechildandtomonitorcloselythesituationofmarginalizedchildren,includingthosebelongingtothepoorestsectorsofsocietyandtoindigenousgroups.'  92.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheStateparty,inthelightofarticles3and4oftheConvention,undertakeallappropriatemeasurestothemaximumextentoftheavailableresourcestoensurethatsufficientbudgetaryallocationisprovidedtoservicesforchildren,particularlyintheareasofeducationandhealth,andthatparticularattentionispaidtotheprotectionoftherightsofchildrenbelongingtovulnerablegroups.93.b..bTheCommitteefurtherrecommendsthatfirmmeasuresbetakentoensuretherighttosurvivalforallchildreninColombia,includingthosewholiveinasituationofpoverty,whohavebeenabandoned,orthosewhotosurviveareforcedtoliveand/orworkinthestreets.Suchmeasuresshouldaimattheeffectiveprotectionofchildrenagainsttheoccurrenceofviolence,disappearance,assassinationorallegedorgantrafficking.Thoroughandsystematicinvestigationshouldbecarriedoutandseverepenaltiesappliedtothosefoundresponsibleforsuchviolationsofchildren'srights.Violationsofhumanrightsandchildren'srightsshouldalwaysbeexaminedbyciviliancourtsundercivilianlaw,notmilitarycourts.Theoutcomeofinvestigationsandcasesofconvictionsshouldbewidelypublicizedinordertodeterfutureoffencesandthuscombattheperceptionofimpunity.94.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhatinthefieldofadministrationofjuvenilejustice,greatereffortsshouldbemadetoensurerespectforthestandardsandlegalsafeguardscontainedintheConvention,inparticularinthelightofarticles37,39and40,andtakingintodueconsiderationotherrelevantinternationalinstrumentsadoptedinthisfieldbytheUnitedNations.TheCommitteealsosuggeststhatfurthereffortsbemadetoensurethatallchildrendeprivedoftheirliberty,whohavebeenabandonedorwhoareatriskareregisteredandtheirsituationcloselymonitoredinordertoensurethattheyareaffordedtheprotectionprovidedbytheConvention.95.b..bInregardtotheproblemsofworkingchildren,theCommitteesuggeststhatColombiaconsiderratifyingILOConventionNo.138concerningtheminimumageforadmissiontoemploymentandreviewallrelevantnationallegislationwithaviewtobringingitintoconformitywiththeConventionontheRightsoftheChildandotherinternationalstandards.Childlabourlawsshouldbeenforced,complaintsshouldbeinvestigatedandseverepenaltiesimposedforviolations.TheCommitteesuggeststhattheGovernmentconsiderseekingcooperationfromILOinthisarea.96.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhatstepsbetakentostrengthentheeducationalsystem,particularlyintheruralareas,toimprovethequalityofteachingandtoreducethehighnumberofschooldrop-outs.ConsiderationshouldbegiventointegratingtheRightsoftheChildintheschoolcurriculum,namelyintheframeworkoftheUnitedNationsDecadeonHumanRightsEducation.97.b..bEducationalcampaignsshouldbeundertakentoreduceviolenceinsocietyandinthefamilyandtocombatprejudiceonthebasisofgender.Counsellingservicesforyouthshouldbedevelopedasapreventivemeasureaimedatloweringthehighincidenceofteenagepregnanciesandstemmingthedramaticriseinthenumberofsinglemothers.TheCommitteesuggeststhattheGovernmentmoreactivelyenlistthesupportofNGOsandotherprivateorganizationsinraisingpublicawarenessoftherightsofthechildandinmonitoringenforcementofthelaws.98.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhatseriousconsiderationbegiventotrainingintherightsofthechildofprofessionalgroupsworkingwithorforchildren,includingteachers,judgesanddefensoresdefamiliaydemenores.TheCommitteebelievesthatanewattitudeandapproachshouldbedeveloped,particularlyasregardsthepoliceandthemilitary,inordertoenhancerespectforallchildren,regardlessoftheirsocial,economicorotherbackground,andtoreaffirmthevalueoftheirfundamentalrights.Inthisconnection,informationandtrainingprogrammesshouldbestrengthened,includingatthelevelofthecommunityandthefamily,andtherightsofthechildshouldbeincludedintheframeworkofthetrainingcurriculumoftheprofessionalgroupsconcerned.99.b..bFurthermeasuresshouldbeenvisagedtostrengthencooperationwithNGOsaimingatgreatersocialmobilizationonbehalfoftherightsofthechild.100.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyseekclosercooperationwithUnitedNationsbodiesandspecializedagencies,includingtheCentreforHumanRightsanditsTechnicalCooperationBranch,inordertoobtaintheassistanceandexpertiserequiredandtoembarkuponmajorreformintheareaswhereaconcernhasbeenidentifiedbytheCommittee.101.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhatinthelightofarticle44,paragraph6,theStatepartywidelypublicizeitsreport,thesummaryrecordsofthediscussionandtheconcludingobservationsadoptedthereon.b..b4. .. Concludingobservations:Poland102.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofPoland(CRC/C/8/Add.11andHRI/CORE/1/Add.25)atits192ndto194thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.192194),heldon16and17January1995andadopted L   ׀thefollowingconcludingobservations:@..tA.Introduction103.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheStatepartyforitsreportandforengaging,throughahighrankingdelegation,inaconstructiveandfrankdialoguewiththeCommittee.TheCommitteewelcomesthewritteninformationprovidedbytheGovernmentofPolandinreplytothequestionssetoutinthelistofissues(CRC/C/8/WP.4)whichwerecommunicatedtoitbeforethesession.@..B.Positiveaspects104.b..bTheCommitteewelcomestheformaladoptionofthereportbytheCouncilofMinisters.105.b..bTheCommitteefurtherwelcomestheintentionexpressedbythedelegationtoreviewthecontentsofthereservationsanddeclarationsmadeatthemomentoftheratificationoftheConventionwithaviewtoconsideringtheirpossiblewithdrawal.106.b..bTheCommitteeisencouragedbytheGovernment'swillingnesstoidentifyandaddressthevariousproblemsimpedingtheimplementationoftherightsprovidedforintheConventionandtoseekappropriatesolutions,particularlyintheareaofchildhealthcare.107.b..bTheCommitteewelcomesmeasuresadoptedbytheGovernmenttopromoteawarenessofchildren'srights.ItalsowelcomesthepublicationofthetextoftheConventionbythePolishCommitteeforUNICEFandtheCommitteefortheProtectionofChildren'sRights,aswellastheorganizationofseveralworkshopsandseminars.ItisencouragedbystepstakenwithregardtothetrainingofteachersintherightsandprinciplesoftheConventionaswellassimilaractivitiesundertakenforthebenefitofjudges.108.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithappreciationtheactivitiesundertakenbytheCommissionerfor .. CivilRightsandtherecentdecisiontoreestablishtheOfficeoftheGovernmentPlenipotentiaryforWomenandFamilyAffairsfortheprotectionofhumanrightsandfundamentalfreedoms,includingchildren'srights.109.b..bTheCommitteeappreciatesthatPoland,despiteitspresentfinancialdifficulties,isparticipatingininternationalcooperationactivities,includingintheareaofeducationofstudentsfromdevelopingcountries.110.b..bTheCommitteerecognizestheimportanceaccordedbytheStateparty,atatimeofcriticalpoliticalandeconomicchangeinthecountry,tointroducingpositivechangesforthebenefitofchildrenandtopursuepoliciesthattakeintoaccounttheneedsofchildren.Inthatconnection,itparticularlywelcomestheassurancesgivenbythedelegationthattheCommittee'sconcludingobservationswillbebroughttotheattentionoftheCouncilofMinistersforappropriateaction.  C.Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingthe # implementationoftheConvention111.b..bTheCommitteenotesthedifficultiesfacingPolandinthepresentperiodofpoliticaltransitionandinaclimateofsocialchangeanddeepeconomiccrisis.Itnotesthatthesituationofmanychildrenisaffectedbygrowingpovertyandincreasingunemployment.112.b..bTheCommitteealsonotesthedifficultieswhichhavebeencausedbyprejudices,intoleranceandothersocialattitudesincontradictionwiththegeneralprinciplesoftheConvention.@.."D.Principalsubjectsofconcern113.b..bTheCommitteeisworriedabouttheimpactonchildrenofthedifficulteconomicsituationprevailinginthecountry.Inthisconnection,theCommitteeisparticularlyconcernedastowhetherappropriatemeasureshavebeenundertakentoprotectchildren,particularlythosebelongingtothemostvulnerablegroups,frombeingthevictimsofeconomicreform,inthelightofarticles3and4oftheConvention.114.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedthattraditionalattitudesstillprevailinginthecountrymaynotbeconductivetotherealizationofthegeneralprinciplesoftheConvention,including,inparticular,articles2(principleofnon-discrimination),article3(principleofthebestinterestofthechild)andarticle12(respectfortheviewsofthechild).115.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheinsufficientstepstakenintheframeworkoflegalreformtobringexistinglegislationintofullconformitywiththeConvention,includinginthelightofthegeneralprinciplesoftheConvention,asinthecaseofminimumageformarriage,familylawandintheareaofjuvenilejustice.116.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedattheinsufficientcoordinationbetweenthevariousministries,aswellasbetweencentralauthoritiesandregionalandlocalauthorities,intheimplementationofpoliciesforthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild.117.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernatthelackofasystematicmonitoringmechanisminthefieldoftherightsofthechildaswellasatthelackofacomprehensivesystemofdatagatheringonthesituationofchildren,whichresultsinaninabilityadequatelytoovercometheprevailingeconomicandsocialdisparitiesintheimplementationoftheConvention.118.b..bTheCommitteeregretsthatanationalstrategyinthefieldoftherightsofthechildhasnotyetbeenadoptedandthatspecificprogrammesaimingatprotectingvulnerablechildren,includingthroughtheadoptionofaNationalPlanofAction,withaviewtoensuringthatsafetynetsareinplacetopreventadeteriorationoftheirrights,havenotyetbeenestablished.119.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedattheinsufficientawarenessinvarioussectorsofthepopulationoftheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention.Inthisregard,itisalsoconcernedthatsocietyisnotsufficientlysensitivetotheneedsandsituationofparticularlyvulnerablechildrensuchaschildreninfectedwithHIVorAIDSandRomachildren.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthelackofadequatetraininggiventoprofessionalgroups,inparticularsocialworkers,lawenforcementofficialsandjudicialpersonnel,ontheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention.120.b..bTheCommitteeregretsthatappropriatemeasureshavenotyetbeentakentoeffectivelypreventandcombatcorporalpunishmentandilltreatmentofchildreninschoolsorininstitutionswherechildrenmaybeplaced.TheCommitteeisalsopreoccupiedbytheexistenceonalargescaleofchildabuseandviolencewithinthefamilyandtheinsufficientprotectionaffordedbytheexistinglegislationinthatregard.121.b..bThesituationinrelationtotheadministrationofjuvenilejusticeandinparticularitscompatibilitywitharticles37and40oftheConventionaswellasotherrelevantstandardssuchastheBeijingRules,theRiyadhGuidelinesandtheUnitedNationsRulesfortheProtectionofJuvenilesDeprivedoftheirLibertyisamatterofconcerntotheCommittee.Inthatregard,theCommitteedeplorestheprovisionsrelatingto"juveniledemoralization"whichdonotappeartobecompatiblewiththeConvention.122.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithconcernthegrowinguseandinvolvementofchildrenincriminalactivitiesandthevulnerabilityofchildrentosexualabuse,drugabuse,alcoholism,aswellastortureandilltreatment.@.. E.Suggestionsandrecommendations123.b..bTheCommitteeencouragestheGovernmentofPolandtoconsiderthepossibilityofreviewingitsreservations,aswellasthedeclarationmadeinrelationtotheexerciseoftherightsdefinedinarticles12to16,withaviewtowithdrawingthem.124.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartystrengthenthecoordinationbetweenthedifferentgovernmentalmechanismsinvolvedinhumanrightsandchildren'srights,atboththenationalandlocallevels,andensureaclosercooperationwithnongovernmentalorganizations,withaviewtodevelopingacomprehensivepolicyonchildrenandensuringaneffectiveevaluationoftheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildinthecountry.Inthisregard,theCommitteesuggeststhatconsiderationbegiventostrengtheningthepowersandresponsibilitiescurrentlyheldbytheCommissionerforCivilRightsandtherecentlyreestablishedOfficeoftheGovernmentPlenipotentiaryforWomenandFamilyAffairs.125.b..bTheCommitteefurtherrecommendsthattheStatepartyundertaketogatherallthenecessaryinformationonthesituationofchildreninthevariousareascoveredbytheConvention,includinginrelationtothosechildrenbelongingtothemostvulnerablegroups.ItalsosuggeststhatamultidisciplinarymonitoringsystembeestablishedtoassesstheprogressachievedandthedifficultiesencounteredintherealizationoftherightsrecognizedbytheConventionatthecentral,regionalandlocallevels,andinparticulartomonitorregularlytheeffectsofeconomicchangeonchildren.SuchamonitoringsystemshouldenabletheStatepartytoshapeappropriatepoliciesandtocombatprevailingdisparitiesandtraditionalprejudices.126.b..bTheCommitteeencouragestheGovernmentofPolandtopayparticularattentiontothefullimplementationofarticle4oftheConventionandtoensureajudiciousdistributionoftheresourcesatthecentral,regionalandlocallevels.Budgetallocationsfortheimplementationofeconomic,socialandculturalrightsshouldbeensuredtothemaximumextentofavailableresourcesandinthelightofthebestinterestsofthechild.127.b..bTheCommitteefurtherencouragestheGovernmenttogiveconsiderationtotheadoptionofaNationalPlanofActioninthefieldoftherightsofthechildandtodevelopspecificprogrammesaimingatprotectingchildrenandatensuringthatsafetynetsareestablishedtopreventadeteriorationoftheirrightsinthecontextofeconomictransition.128.b..bTheCommitteeisoftheopinionthatgreatereffortsarerequiredtomaketheprovisionsandprinciplesoftheConventionwidelyknownandunderstoodbyadultsandchildrenalike,inthelightofarticle42oftheConvention.̇129.b..bFurthermeasuresshouldalsobetakentopreventariseindiscriminatoryattitudesorprejudicestowardsvulnerablechildren,particularlyRomachildrenandchildreninfectedbyHIV/AIDS,inthelightofarticle2oftheConvention.130.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatperiodictrainingprogrammesontherightsofthechildbeorganizedforprofessionalgroupsworkingwithorforchildren,includingteachers,lawenforcementofficialsandjudges,andthathumanrightsandchildren'srightsbeincludedintheirtrainingcurricula.131.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartypursueitslegalreformwithaviewtoensuringthefullconformityofitsnationallegislationwiththeprovisionsoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandtoclearlyreflectingitsgeneralprinciples,includingonnondiscrimination,bestinterestsofthechildandrespectfortheviewsofthechild.Inthisregard,theCommitteerecommendsthatthe1968FamilyCodebereviewedandthatthesafeguardscurrentlyinforceincasesofintercountryadoptionbeimproved.Inthisconnection,theCommitteeencouragestheGovernmentofPolandtoconsiderratifyingtheHagueConventiononProtectionofChildrenandCooperationinrespectofIntercountryAdoption.132.b..bTheCommitteefurthersuggeststhattheclearprohibitionoftortureorothercruel,inhumanordegradingtreatmentorpunishment,aswellasthebanoncorporationpunishmentinthefamily,bereflectedinthenationallegislation.Inthisfield,theCommitteealsosuggeststhedevelopmentofproceduresandmechanismstomonitorcomplaintsofmaltreatmentandcrueltywithinoroutsidethefamily.Moreover,specialprogrammesshouldbesetuptopromotephysicalandpsychologicalrecoveryandsocialreintegrationofchildrenvictimsofanyformofneglect,abuse,exploitation,tortureorill-treatmentinanenvironmentwhichfostersthehealth,selfrespectanddignityofthechild.133.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthat,intheframeworkofitslegalreform,theGovernmentenvisageaddressingthesituationofunaccompaniedchildrenandchildrenhavingbeenrefusedrefugeestatusandawaitingdeportationinthelightoftheprovisionsandprinciplesoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.Inthisconnection,theCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytoconsiderseekingtechnicalassistancefromUNHCR.134.b..bInthefieldoftheadministrationofjuvenilejustice,theCommitteesuggeststhatacomprehensivereformbeundertakenandthattheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,inparticulararticles37,39and40,andotherrelevantinternationalstandardsinthisfield,suchastheBeijingRules,theRiyadhGuidelinesandtheUnitedNationsRulesfortheProtectionofJuvenilesDeprivedoftheirLibertybeseenasaguideinthisrevision.Particularattentionshouldbepaidtothepreventionofjuveniledelinquency,theprotectionoftherightsofchildrendeprivedofliberty,aswellasrespectforfundamentalrightsandlegalsafeguardsinallaspectsofthejuvenilejusticesystem,includingunderthepretextofpublicassistance.Trainingprogrammesontherelevantinternationalstandardsshouldbeorganizedforallthoseprofessionalsinvolvedwiththesystemofjuvenilejustice,inparticularjudges,lawenforcementofficials,correctionalofficersandsocial&  workers.TheCommitteerecommendsthattechnicalassistanceinthisareabesoughtfromtheCentreforHumanRightsandtheCrimePreventionandCriminalJusticeBranch.'  135.b..bTheCommitteeconsidersthatgreatereffortsshouldbemadetoprovidefamilyeducationandtodevelopawarenessoftheroleofthefamilyinsocietyandoftheequalresponsibilitiesofparents.Furtherstepsshouldbetakentostrengthenthesystemofassistancetobothparentsintheperformanceoftheirchildrearingresponsibilities,inparticularinthelightofarticles18and27oftheConvention.Itisfurthersuggestedthattheproblemofsingleparenthoodbestudiedandthatrelevantprogrammesbeestablishedtomeettheparticularneedsofsingleparents.136.b..bTheCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytoaddressthesituationofchildrenininstitutions,withaviewtoenvisagingandmakingavailablepossiblealternativestoinstitutionalcareandtoestablishingeffectivemonitoringmechanismsoftherealizationoftherightsofthechildplacedinaninstitution.137.b..bTheCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytoseekinternationaltechnicalassistanceandadvicefrom,amongothers,theCentreforHumanRightsandUNICEF,initseffortstoimplementtheConventionand,inparticular,toharmonizenationallegislationwiththeConvention,developacoordinatingandmonitoringmechanismonchildren'srightsandadoptacomprehensivesocialpolicyidentifyingtherightsofthechildasaclearpriority.138.b..bFinally,theCommitteerecommendsthat,inthelightofarticle44,paragraph6,oftheConvention,thereportsubmittedbytheGovernmentbemadewidelyavailabletothepublicatlargeandthatthepublicationofthereportbeconsidered,alongwiththerelevantsummaryrecordsandtheconcludingobservationsadoptedthereonbytheCommittee.b..b5.Concludingobservations:Jamaica139.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofJamaica(CRC/C/8/Add.12)atits196thto198thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.196,197and198),heldon18and19January1995andadopted M   ׀thefollowingconcludingobservations:@..tA.Introduction140.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheStatepartyforengaging,throughahighrankingdelegationinaconstructiveandfrankdialoguewiththeCommittee.TheCommitteealsowelcomesthewrittenrepliessubmittedbytheGovernmentofJamaicainresponsetotheCommittee'slistofissues(CRC/C.8/WP.3),whichwasmadeavailabletotheStatepartybeforethesession.&  @..B.Positiveaspects141.b..bTheCommitteewelcomesthecommitmentshownbytheGovernmentofJamaicainfulfillingitsobligationsundertheConvention.Thatcommitmentis'  reflectedintheintentiontoincludechildrightsintheconstitutionalreformcurrentlyunderway,andinthelegislativereviewwhichaimsatbringingnationallegislationintoconformitywiththeprovisionsoftheConvention,includingthroughthedraftingofaChildCareandProtectionAct.OtherwelcomedevelopmentsincludetheintentiontoissueaPolicyStatementonChildren,thedraftingoftheFiveYearDevelopmentPlanforChildren,theholding,incooperationwithnongovernmentalagencies,ofworkshopsonstepstobetakentoensuretheimplementationoftheConvention;theadoptionofacountryprogrammeforChildreninEspeciallyDifficultCircumstances;theestablishmentoftheSpecialistCommitteeonChildAbuse.142.b..bTheCommitteealsonotesthewillingnessoftheGovernmentofJamaicatoseekadviceandtechnicalassistancefromUnitedNationsbodiesandspecializedagenciesandfromnationalandinternationalnongovernmentalinstitutionsinthefieldofthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechildinaccordancewiththestandardssetoutintheConvention.@.. C.Factorsanddifficultiesimpedingthe " implementationoftheConvention143.b..bTheCommitteenotesthatsevereeconomicandsocialproblemshavehadanegativeimpactonthesituationofchildren.Theveryhighlevelofexternaldebtandtherequirementsofstructuraladjustmentprogrammeswhichhaveresultedinbudgetaryreallocationstothedetrimentofsocialservices,aswellasunemploymentandpoverty,haveaffectedtheenjoymentofchildren'srights.144.b..bTheCommitteealsonotesthedifficultiescausedbysomesocialattitudes,traditionsandprejudices.@.."D.Principalsubjectsofconcern145.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedthatintheframeworkofthelegislativereformunderway,anumberofareasremainwherenationallegislationhasnotyetbeenbroughtintofullconformitywiththeprovisionsoftheConvention,includingitsgeneralprinciples,asreflectedinarticles2,3,6and12.Inthisregard,theCommittee'sconcernsrelateinparticulartothedefinitionofthechild,theneedtoprotectchildrenagainstcorporalpunishmentandharmfulinformation,parentalresponsibilities,childabuseandneglectincludingsexualabusehealthissues,theminimumageofaccesstoemploymentandtheprotectionofworkingchildren,aswellastheadministrationofjuvenilejustice.146.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedatthelackofanoverallintegratedmechanismtomonitortheactivitiesdesignedtopromoteandprotectchildren'srights.Theinsufficientcoordinationbetweenthevariousgovernmentaldepartments,aswellasbetweencentralandregionalauthorities,intheimplementationofpoliciestopromoteandprotecttherightsofthechildisamatterofconcern.Inthisconnection,theCommitteeexpressesitsconcernattheabsenceofeffectivemechanismsforcollectingstatisticaldataandotherrelevantinformationaboutthestatusofchildrenwhichareofparamountimportancefortheelaborationoftargetedprogrammesfortheimplementationoftherightsrecognizedintheConvention.147.b..bTheCommitteeisworriedabouttheeffectonchildrenofthedifficulteconomicsituationandthesocioeconomicdisparitiesprevailinginthecountry.Inthisregard,itisconcernedastowhethersufficientbudgetaryallocationsaremadeandadequatesocialmeasuresarebeingtakentoprotectchildren,inparticularthoselivinginpovertyorbelongingtovulnerablegroups,frombeingthevictimsofthissituation,inthelightoftheprovisionsofarticles3and4oftheConvention.148.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedatthedifficultiesininsuringtheregistrationofchildrenatbirth.Suchasituationimpliesthenon-recognitionofthosechildrenaspersonsbeforethelaw,whichwillaffectthelevelofenjoymentoftheirfundamentalrightsandfreedoms.TheCommitteeisalsoconcernedatthedifficultiesinensuringtheregistrationofpostnataldeaths.149.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedthattraditionalattitudesprevailinginthecountrymaynotbeconducivetotherealizationofthegeneralprinciplesoftheConvention,inparticularasregardsthepersistenceofgenderstereotypesandtheexistingroledistributionbetweenboysandgirls,theabusivesexualpracticeswhichmightaffectveryyounggirlsandthediscriminatoryattitudetowardscertaincategoriesofparticularlyvulnerablechildrensuchasyoungsinglemothers,disabledchildren,childrenaffectedbyHIV/AIDSorRastafaranchildren.150.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedthatthemeasuresbeingtakentoprotectchildrenfrominformationinjurioustotheirwellbeingareinsufficient,inthelightoftheprovisionsofarticle17oftheConvention.151.b..bThelackofsufficientparentalguidanceandunderstandingbymanyparentsoftheirjointparentalresponsibilitiesandtheoccurrenceofchildabuseandneglectwithinthefamilyaremattersofconcern.Thehighincidenceofteenagepregnanciesandfemaleheadedhouseholdsmakechildrenparticularlyvulnerabletosexualabuse,domesticviolence,neglectandabandonment,sometimesleadingtochildrenbecominginvolvedinactivitiesconflictingwiththelaw.152.b..bTheCommitteealsotakesnoteoftheinadequacyofmeasurestakentoimplementtherelevantprovisionsoftheConventionwithrespecttotherighttohealth,inparticularintheareaofpreventivehealthcareandhealtheducation.153.b..bTheCommitteeisworriedbytheproblemsinvolvedinthepracticalapplicationoftherighttoeducation.Thelackofadequateschoolingfacilities,thereductionoftheeducationalbudget,thelawstatusofteachers,leadingtoashortageoftrainededucators,andtheinsufficientmeasurestoensurevocationaltrainingaremattersofseriousconcern.154.b..bWithregardtochildexploitation,theCommitteeisconcernedthatchildlabourcontinuestobeaseriousprobleminJamaica,particularlyintheruralareasandintheinformalsector,anditnotesthelackofadequatelabourlegislationtoprotectchildworkers.TheCommitteeisalsoworriedaboutthegrowingnumberofchildrenlivingand/orworkinginthestreetswheretheyareexposedtovariousformsofexploitationandabuse.155.b..bWithregardtotheadministrationofjuvenilejustice,theCommitteeisconcernedthatthepresentsituationdoesnotreflectthespiritandtheprovisionsoftheConvention.Inparticular,theCommitteeisalarmedatreportsoflengthypretrialarrestsanddetentionofchildreninpolicelockups,wheretheymaynotbenefitfromthesafeguardsrecognizedintheConventioninthelightofarticles37and40.@.. E.Suggestionsandrecommendations156.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmentofJamaica,withintheframeworkoftheconstitutionalreformandlegislativereviewcurrentlyunderway,ensurethattheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionarefullyincorporatedintotheConstitutionandothernationallegislation.Inparticular,itissuggestedthatthenewlegislationshouldaddressissuessuchasthedefinitionofthechild,theminimumageofpenalresponsibilityandemployment,parentalresponsibilities,theprotectionofchildrenagainstabuseandneglect,andthesystemofadministrationofjuvenilejustice.TheCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytoseekassistancefromtheCentreforHumanRightsinundertakingthislawreform.157.b..bTheCommitteeemphasizestheneedtoestablishaneffectiveandintegratedsystemformonitoringtheimplementationoftheConvention.Itstressestheneedactivelytoinvolvevarioussectorsofthesocietyinsuchasystem,includinggovernmentalandnongovernmentalstructures,bothatthenationalandthelocallevel,aswellasparliamentarians.Abettercoordinationisalsoneededbetweennationalauthoritiesandthevariousinternationalagenciesprovidingtechnicalassistance,inordertoensurethatdueconsiderationisgiven,inthelightofarticles3and4oftheConvention,tochildorientedprojectsandtheireffectiveimplementation.TheCommitteerecommendsthatacomprehensivesystemforthecollectionofdataonchildrenandtrendsontherealizationoftheirrightsbeestablishedintheStateparty.Inthisrespect,theCommitteerecommendsthattheGovernmentconsiderthepossibilityoforganizingameetingtodiscuss,withintheframeworkofinternationalcooperation,theimplementationoftheprovisionsoftheConventioninthelightofthepresentobservations.158.b..bWhileacknowledgingtheeffortsmadebytheStatepartyinprovidingreliefandsocialassistancetofamiliesmostaffectedbytheeconomicsituation,theCommitteeemphasizesthatallappropriateeffortsshouldbeundertakentoensure,tothemaximumextentofavailableresourcesandwithintheframeworkofinternationalcooperation,thatsufficientresourcesareallocatedtochildren.Inthisregard,dueattentionshouldbegiventotheneedsofparticularlyvulnerableandpovertystrickenchildrensoastoprovideadequatesafetynetsforsuchchildrenandtheirfamiliesinordertoavoidafurtherdeteriorationoftheirrights.159.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatanationwideeducationcampaignbelaunchedtosensitizethepopulationatlargetotheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionandthatacomprehensivestrategybeworkedoutandimplementedinordertoincreaseawarenessamongchildrenandadultsabouttherightsofthechildandtocombatexistingprejudicesaffectingvulnerablegroupsofchildren.TheCommitteesuggestsinparticularthatmembersofprofessionalgroupsworkingwithchildrenorconcernedwiththeapplicationoftheConventionsuchasjudges,lawyers,policeandstaffindetentioncentres,teachersandsocialworkersbegiven,includingwithinthetrainingcurricular,systematictrainingontheConvention.160.b..bTheCommitteeconsidersthatgreatereffortsarerequiredtoimplementfullytheprovisionsofarticle2oftheConvention.Measuresshouldbetakentocombattraditionalattitudesandstereotypesandsensitizethesocietytothesituationandneedsofthegirlchild,disabledchildren,childrenaffectedbyHIV/AIDS,childrenlivinginruralareasorsociallydisadvantagedchildrenandRastafaranchildren.161.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatfurthermeasuresbetakentofacilitatetheregistrationofchildren,incooperationwithnongovernmentalorganizationsandwiththesupportofinternationalorganizations.162.b..bTheCommitteestressestheneedforgreatereffortsindevelopingfamilyeducationandawarenessofthecommonparentalresponsibilitiesofbothparentsinthelightofarticle18oftheConvention.Familyplanninginformationandservicesshouldbegivengreaterattentionandresources.TheCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytosupportfurthermeasurestopromoteearlychildhooddevelopmentandtheprovisionofchildcareservicesandcentresforworkingmothers.163.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartytakeadditionalmeasurestocombatviolenceandabuseofchildren,includingsexualabuse.Comprehensiveschoolguidanceprogrammestoaddresstheneedsofchildrenexposedtoviolentconditionsandcrisisservicesforchildrenshouldbeexpanded.Programmesfortherehabilitationandreintegrationofphysicallyorpsychologicallydisturbedandtraumatizedchildrenneedtobedeveloped,withthecooperationofnongovernmentalorganizations.164.b..bTheStatepartyshouldensurethatadequateproceduresandmechanismsbedevelopedtodealwithcomplaintsoftheilltreatmentofchildren,andthatcasesofviolationsofchildren'srightsbedulyinvestigated.165.b..bWhilerecognizingimportantachievementsintheStatepartyinthefieldofimmunizationcoverage,theCommitteerecommendsthatfurthereffortsbemadetoextendandstrengthentheprimaryhealthcaresystem.Healtheducationshouldalsobedevelopedsoastoensureabetterunderstandingbythepopulationofthebenefitsofpreventivehealthcareandthedetrimentaleffectsonchildrenofthepersistenceoftraditionalpracticesprejudicialtotheirhealth.166.b..bItissuggestedthatathoroughreviewoftheeducationsystembeundertaken.ItisrecommendedthattheStatepartyrequeststechnical&  assistancefromUNESCOinthisregard.Measuresshouldbeenvisagedtoimprovethequalityofeducation,andtointensifyteachertrainingandvocationaltraining.'  167.b..bWithrespecttochildexploitation,theCommitteerecommendsthateffortstopreventandcombatchildlabour,particularlyintheinformalsector,beintensified.Itissuggestedthatthelegislativereviewgivedueconsiderationtotheissueoftheminimumageforadmissiontoemployment,andthattheStatepartyconsiderratifyingILOConventionNo.138onthissubject.ItisrecommendedthatJamaicaconsiderseekingassistancefromILOandUNICEFinthisarea.168.b..bWithregardtotheadministrationofjuvenilejustice,itissuggestedthatthenecessarymeasuresbetakentoimplementfullytheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention.TheCommitteerecommendsthatthelawreformtobeundertakeninthisfieldadequatelyreflecttheprovisionsoftheConventionaswellasotherrelevantinternationalstandards,suchastheBeijingRules,theRiyadhGuidelinesandtheUnitedNationalRulesfortheProtectionofJuvenilesDeprivedoftheirLiberty.Itissuggestedthatdueattentionbepaidtothebestinterestsandthedignityofthechild,andthatdeprivationoflibertybeconsideredasameasureoflastresortandfortheminimumperiodpossible.ItisrecommendedthattheStatepartyenvisagerequestingtechnicalassistanceinthisareafromtheCentreforHumanRightsaswellasfromtheCrimePreventionandCriminalJusticeBranchoftheUnitedNations.169.b..bTheCommitteealsorecommendsthatthereportsubmittedbytheStateparty,summaryrecordsofitsconsiderationandtheconcludingobservationsoftheCommitteebedisseminatedaswideaspossiblewithinthecountry.b..b6. .. Concludingobservations:Denmark̀170.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportofDenmark(CRC/C/8/Add.8)atits199thto201stmeetings(CRC/C/SR/199,200and201),heldon19and20January1995andadopted N   ׀thefollowingconcludingobservations:@..tA.Introduction171.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsappreciationtotheStatepartyforitsreport,whichhasbeenpreparedinconformitywiththeCommittee'sguidelines,andforthesubmissionbytheGovernmentofDenmarkofwrittenrepliestoitswrittenlistofissues.ItnoteswithsatisfactionthatthesupplementaryinformationprovidedbythedelegationanditsinvolvementinmattersrelatedtotheConventionmadeitpossibletoengageinaconstructivedialoguewiththeStateparty.@..B.Positiveaspects172.b..bTheCommitteewelcomesthemeasurestakenbytheGovernmentofDenmark,sincetheentryintoforceoftheConventionin1991,topromoteandprotecttherightsofchildren.Inthisconnection,theCommitteewelcomestheadoptionofalawwhichmakesitillegaltopossesschildpornography.Italsowelcomestheproposedamendmenttothelegislationrelatingtorulesonjointcustody,visitationrightsandotherrelatedmatters.173.b..bTheCommitteeisencouragedtonotetheexistenceoftheGovernment'sChildren'sCommitteeandtheInterMinisterialCommitteeonChildrenwhichiscomposedofcivilservantsfrom16Ministries.TheCommitteewelcomesthepreparationin1994bytheChildren'sCommitteeofanactionplantoaddresstheproblemsfacingtheweakestandmostvulnerablegroupsofchildreninDenmark.Itisfurthernotedthatthisactionplancontemplatesthedevelopmentofprojectstoaddresstheseissuesthroughinterdisciplinarycooperationwithineachmunicipality.174.b..bTheCommitteealsoexpressesitsappreciationthatagovernmentpolicypaperon"HumanRightsandDemocracy"preparedinJune1993,andofrelevancetointernationaldevelopmentassistance,containedachapterdevotedtotheproblemsfacingchildrenindevelopingcountries.175.b..bLikewise,theCommitteenoteswithappreciationthecreationbytheGovernmentofDenmarkoftheChildren'sCouncilforaninitialperiodofthreeyears,whichwill,interalia,reflectonandreviewthemeasurestakenandthepoliciesadoptedtoimplementtheprovisionsandprinciplesoftheConventioninthelightofthechangingsituationofchildren.176.b..bTheCommitteealsowelcomestheappointmentofaboardforethnicqualitywhichhasbeenestablishedpursuanttoActNo.466of30June1993.TheCommitteeisfurtherencouragedbytheproposalsoftheGovernment'sCityCommitteetoestablishasystemofsocialassistanceandlegalinformationforrefugeeandimmigrantchildren.@.."C.Principalsubjectsofconcern177.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithconcernthattheStatepartymadeareservationtoarticle40(2)(b)(v)oftheConvention,butalsonotesthattheGovernmentmayreconsiderthatreservation.178.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheadequacyofmeasurestakentoensurethattheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionarewidelyknowntochildrenandadultsalike.179.b..bTheCommitteeisalsoconcernedthatcertainprovisionsandprinciplesoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,particularlythoseguaranteedinarticles3,12,13and15,havenotbeenadequatelyreflectedinnationallegislationandpolicymaking.180.b..bConcerningtherightofachildtoknowhisorherorigins,theCommitteenotesapossiblecontradictionbetweenthisprovisionoftheConventionandthepolicyoftheStatepartywithrespecttoartificialinsemination.181.b..bTheCommitteeexpressesitsconcernatthehighpercentageofsingleparentfamiliesandnotestheneedforspecialprogrammesandservicestoprovidethenecessarycareforchildrenfromsuchfamilies.̇182.b..bTheCommitteeisalsoconcernedabouttheapplicationofthelawandpolicyconcerningchildrenseekingasylum,particularlywithregardtomethodsofinterviewingchildren,includingunaccompaniedminors,andtoensuringthatapplicationsforthepurposeoffamilyreunificationareadealtwithinapositive,humaneandexpeditiousmanners.183.b..bTheCommitteenotesthatallchildrenwhohavehadtheirasylumrequestsrejected,butwhoremaininthecountryhavehadtheirrightstohealthcareandeducationprovideddefactobutnotdejure.ItistheviewoftheCommitteethatthissituationisnotfullycompatiblewiththeprovisionsandprinciplesofarticles2and3oftheConvention.184,b..bTheCommitteealsowishestoexpressitsconcernabouttheoccurrenceofthesexualexploitationofchildrenandtheproblemofchildlabour.@.. D.Suggestionsandrecommendations185.b..bTheCommitteewishestoencouragetheStatepartytoconsiderthepossibilityofwithdrawingitsreservationtotheConvention,andwouldliketobekeptinformedofdevelopmentsonthismatter.186.b..bTheinformationcontainedinparagraphs14to21ofthereportappearstoindicatethattheConventionontheRightsoftheChildhasnotyetbeenestablishedastheframeworkfortheworkoftheChildren'sCommitteeandtheInterministerialCommitteeonChildren.Thus,theCommitteewouldliketosuggestthattheStatepartyconsideraccordingsuchstatustotheConventionwithregardtotheworkofthesetwoCommittees.187.b..bTheCommitteealsowishestosuggestthatnationalmechanismsestablishedtocoordinate,evaluateandfollowupthepoliciesandmeasurestakentoimplementtheConventionontheRightsoftheChildshouldworkinclosecooperationwithlocalauthoritiesandmunicipalities.Inaddition,theCommitteewishestoencouragetheGovernmentofDenmarktoconsiderstrengtheningitscooperationwithnongovernmentalorganizationsinvolvedinmattersrelatingtotherightsofthechild.188.b..bInlightoftheprovisionsofarticles3and4oftheConvention,theCommitteewishestoemphasizetheimportanceofensuringthatresourcesaremadeavailabletothemaximumextentpossiblefortheimplementationoftheeconomic,socialandculturalrightsofchildren,especiallyforthemostvulnerablegroupsofchildren.Monitoringmechanismsareessentialinthisareatoensureparityinalllocalitiesasregardstheprovisionofservicestochildrenandtheeffectsonchildrenofanyreductionsinsocialexpenditures,particularlyduringperiodsofeconomicrecession.TheCommitteealsosuggeststhattheStatepartyconsiderfurtherstrengtheninginternationalcooperationandassistance,particularlyforthebenefitofvulnerablegroupssuchasdisabledchildrenandchildrenneedingspecialprotection.189.b..bTheCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytoconsiderthepossibilityofprovidingfundingtotheChildren'sCounciltoenableittoundertakeindependentstudiesonissuesrelatingtochildren.190.b..bTheCommitteewouldliketosuggestthatvariousmattersraisedduringthediscussionmightdeservefurtherstudy,includingthereasonsfortherelativelyhighnumberofsuicidesamongyoungpeopleinDenmarkandthedevelopmentanduseofsocialandotherindicatorstomonitortheimplementationofalltherightsprovidedforintheConvention.191.b..bTheCommitteewouldliketoencourgetheStatepartytodevelopanongoingandsystematicapproachtomakingtheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionwidelyknowntochildrenandadultsalike.Inaddition,theCommitteerecommendsthattheprinciplesandpurposesoftheConventionbemadewidelyknowninthemainlanguagesoftheminority,refugeeandimmigrantgroupslivinginDenmark.192.b..bInconnectionwiththeStateparty'songoingeffortstocreateagreaterawarenessoftheConvention,theCommitteewouldalsoliketosuggestthateducationabouttheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventionbesystematicallyincorporatedintoretrainingprogrammesandtrainingcurriculaforvariousprofessionalgroupsworkingwithandforchildrensuchasteachers,socialworkers,lawenforcementpersonnelandjudges.193.b..bTheCommitteewouldliketoemphasizethatthegeneralprinciplesoftheConvention,namelyitsarticles2,3,6and12,shouldbeclearlyreflectedinlegislationandpolicies.TheCommitteerecommendstotheStatepartythatitconsiderthepossibilityofreviewingitslegislationtoensurethattheprovisionsandprinciplesoftheConvention,particularlythoserelatingtoitsarticles3,12,13and15,areincorporatedintonationallawsandprocedures.Inthisconnection,theCommitteewouldliketosuggestthatfurtherconsiderationbegiventoestablishingmechanismstoensurethatchildrenmayexpresstheirviewsandhavethemtakenintoaccountindecision-makingprocessesaffectingthem,includingatschoolandwithinthecommunity.194.b..bWithregardtotheimplementationofarticle2oftheConvention,theCommitteesuggeststhatfurthermeasuresbetakentopreventandcombatdiscriminationagainstvulnerablegroupsofchildren,includingrefugeeandimmigrantchildrenandchildreninfectedbytheHIVvirusorsufferingfromAIDS. .. 195.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatfurtherstepsshouldbetakentostrengthenawarenessoftheequalresponsibilitiesofparentsinchild-rearing,inparticularinthelightofarticle18oftheConvention.Itisalsosuggestedthatthesituationofsingleparentsbefurtherstudiedandthatrelevantprogrammesbeestablishedtomeettheirparticularneeds.196.b..bTheCommitteeencouragestheGovernmenttotakestepstomonitormorecloselythesituationofforeignchildrenplacedinadoptivefamiliesinDenmark.Inaddition,itrecommendsthattheStatepartyconsiderthepossibilityofratifyingtheHagueConventiononProtectionofChildrenandCooperationinrespectofIntercountryAdoption.&  197.b..bTheCommitteewouldalsoliketosuggestthatfurthermeasuresbetakeneffectivelytoputanendtoviolenceagainstchildren,includinginthehome.198.b..bInviewoftherecentadoptionbytheGeneralAssemblyof'  resolution49/184proclaimingtheUnitedNationsDecadeforHumanRightsEducation,theCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytoconsiderusingthisopportunitytopromotetheincorporationofeducationabouttheConventionontheRightsoftheChildinschoolcurricula.TheCommitteewouldalsoliketosuggestthatmeasurestoteachaboutchildren'sandhumanrightscouldbeusedasatooltoadvocatefurtherthepurposesoftheEuropeanYouthCampaign,andtheparallelNordiccampaign,tocombatracism,xenophobia,anti-Semitismandintolerance.ItisalsotheviewoftheCommitteethatitisequallyimportantthattheteachingmethodsusedinschoolsshouldreflectthespiritandphilosophyoftheConventionandtheaimsofeducationlaiddowninitsarticle29.199.b..bWithregardtothesituationofrefugeechildrenandchildrenseekingasylum,theCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyconsiderreviewingitsAlienActasregardsitscompatibilitywiththeprovisionsandprinciplesoftheConvention,includingthatcontainedinitsarticle10whichstipulatesthatapplicationsforfamilyreunificationshouldbedealtwithinapositive,humaneandexpeditiousmanner.Similarly,withregardtotheprovisionofhealthandeducationservicestochildreninasylum-seekingsituations,theCommitteewishestodrawattentiontotheprovisionsofarticle2oftheConventionwhichstate,interalia,that"StatespartiesshallrespectandensuretherightssetforthinthepresentConventiontoeachchildwithintheirjurisdiction".200.b..bTheCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyconsiderreviewingitsjuvenilejusticesysteminordertoensurethatproceedingsagainstpersonsunder18yearsofagearefullycompatiblewiththeprovisionsofarticle40oftheConvention.201.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheStatepartyundertakefurthermeasurestoimplementtheprovisionsofarticles32,34and39oftheConventionrelatingtothepreventionandprotectionofchildrenfromeconomicandsexualexploitationandtheirrehabilitationandrecovery.Specifically,withregardtotheissueofchildlabour,theCommitteeencouragestheGovernmenttoconsiderthepossibilityofratifyingILOConventionNo.138concerningminimumageforemployment.202.b..bFinally,theCommitteeappreciatesthewillingnessoftheGovernmentofDenmarktopublishtheinitialreportofDenmark,thesummaryrecordsofthemeetingsoftheCommitteeinwhichthereportwasexaminedandtheconcludingobservationsoftheCommitteeonthereport,andrecommendsthatthesedocumentsbedisseminatedaswidelyaspossibleinDenmark.&  b..b7.0 .. ConcludingobservationsoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild:UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland203.b..bTheCommitteeconsideredtheinitialreportoftheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland(CRC/C/11/Add.1)atits204th,205thand206thmeetings(CRC/C/SR.204206),heldon24and25January1995,andadopted O   ׀thefollowingconcludingobservations:'  @..tA.Introduction204.b..bTheCommitteeappreciatestheopportunitytoengageinaconstructivedialoguewiththeStatepartyandwelcomesthetimelysubmissionbytheGovernmentofthewrittenresponsestotheCommittee'slistofissues(seeCRC/C.7/WP.1).TheCommitteewelcomestheadditionaloralinformationprovidedbythedelegationoftheStatepartywhichgreatlyassistedinclarifyingmanyoftheissuesraisedbytheCommittee.Theadditionaloralinformationwasparticularlyuseful,inviewoftheCommittee'sobservationthattheinitialreportoftheStatepartylackedsufficientinformationonthefactorsanddifficultiesimpedingtheimplementationofvariousrightsprovidedforintheConvention.@..B.Positiveaspects205.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteoftheadoptionbytheStatepartyofaChildren'sActapplicabletoEnglandandWales.TheCommitteealsoobservesthattheStatepartyhasextendedtheapplicationoftheConventiontomanyofitsdependentterritories.TheCommitteewelcomestheintentionoftheStatepartytoconsiderwithdrawingthereservationitmadetoarticle37oftheConventionasitrelatestotheproceduresgoverningchildren'shearingsinScotland.206.b..bMoreover,theCommitteewelcomestheinitiativesbeingtakenbytheStatepartytoreducetheincidenceofSuddenInfantDeathSyndromeandtocombattheproblemofbullyinginschool.Inaddition,theCommitteeisencouragedbythestepstakentoaddresstheissueofthesexualabuseofchildren,includingthroughthedevelopmentofthe"WorkingTogether"initiativewhichadvocatesandpromotesaninterdisciplinaryapproachtoaddressingthisseriousproblem.207.b..bTheCommitteewelcomestheinformationitreceivedconcerningthecommitmentoftheGovernmenttoreviewitslegislationintheareaoftheemploymentofchildrenandtopresentnewlegislationinmattersrelatingtothefamily,domesticviolenceanddisability.Likewise,theCommitteewelcomesthemeasuresbeingtakentopassfurtherlegislationintheareaofadoption,includingtheintentionoftheGovernmenttoratifythe1993HagueConventiononProtectionofChildrenandCooperationinRespectofIntercountryAdoption.TheCommitteetakesnoteoftheCodeofPracticeforChildrenwithSpecialEducationalNeedswhichhasstatutoryforceandhasbeendevelopedwithintheframeworkofthe1993EducationAct.208.b..bTheCommitteetakesnoteoftheGovernment'scommitmenttoextendtheprovisionofpre-schooleducation.TheCommitteeisequallyappreciativeoftherecentinitiativetakenbytheStatepartytorequirelocalauthorities,inconjunctionwithhealthauthoritiesandnon-governmentalorganizations,todrawupChildren'sServicePlans.@.."C.Principalsubjectsofconcern209.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthebroadnatureofthereservationsmadetotheConventionbytheStatepartywhichraiseconcernastotheircompatibilitywiththeobjectandpurposeoftheConvention.Inparticular,thereservationrelatingtotheapplicationoftheNationalityandImmigrationActdoesnotappeartobecompatiblewiththeprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention,includingthoseofitsarticles2,3,9and10.210.b..bTheCommitteeremainsunclearabouttheextenttowhichaneffectivecoordinatingmechanismexistsfortheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.Itisconcernedwhethersufficientconsiderationhasbeengiventotheestablishmentofmechanisms,includingofanindependentnature,tocoordinateandmonitortheimplementationoftherightsofthechild.211.b..bWithrespecttoarticle4oftheConvention,theCommitteeisconcernedabouttheadequacyofmeasurestakentoensuretheimplementationofeconomic,socialandculturalrightstothemaximumextentofavailableresources.ItappearstotheCommitteethatinsufficientexpenditureisallocatedtothesocialsectorbothwithintheStatepartyandwithinthecontextofinternationaldevelopmentaid;theCommitteewonderswhethersufficientconsiderationhasbeengiventotheenjoymentoffundamentalrightsbychildrenbelongingtothemostvulnerablegroupsinsociety.212.b..bTheCommitteenotesthattheinitialreportoftheStatepartycontainslittleinformationonthedifficultiesexperiencedbychildrenlivinginNorthernIrelandandtheeffectonchildrenoftheoperationofemergencylegislationthere.TheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheabsenceofeffectivesafeguardstopreventtheill-treatmentofchildrenundertheemergencylegislation.Inthisconnection,theCommitteeobservesthatunderthesamelegislationitispossibletoholdchildrenasyoungas10forsevendayswithoutcharge.Itisalsonotedthattheemergencylegislationwhichgivesthepoliceandthearmythepowertostop,questionandsearchpeopleonthestreethasledtocomplaintsofchildrenbeingbadlytreated.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthissituationwhichmayleadtoalackofconfidenceinthesystemofinvestigationandactiononsuchcomplaints.213.b..bTheCommitteeisconcernedabouttheapparentinsufficiencyofmeasurestakentoensuretheimplementationofthegeneralprinciplesoftheConvention,namelytheprovisionsofitsarticles2,3,6and12.Inthisconnection,theCommitteeobservesinparticularthattheprincipleofthebestinterestsofthechildappearsnottobereflectedinlegislationinsuchareasashealth,educationandsocialsecuritywhichhaveabearingontherespectfortherightsofthechild.214.b..bWithregardtoarticle2oftheConventionrelatingtonon-discrimination,theCommitteeexpressesitsconcernattheinsufficientmeasuresundertakentoensureitsimplementation.Inparticular,itisconcernedaboutthepossibleadverseeffectsonchildrenoftherestrictionsappliedtounmarriedfathersintransmittingcitizenshiptotheirchildren,incontradictionoftheprovisionsofarticles7and8oftheConvention.Inaddition,theCommitteeisconcernedthatchildrenofcertainethnicminoritiesappeartobemorelikelytobeplacedincare.215.b..bFurthermore,inthelightofarticle6oftheConvention,theCommitteeexpressesitsconcernatthehealthstatusofchildrenofdifferentsocio-economicgroupsandthosebelongingtoethnicminorities.216.b..bInrelationtotheimplementationofarticle12,theCommitteeisconcernedthatinsufficientattentionhasbeengiventotherightofthechildtoexpresshis/heropinion,includingincaseswhereparentsinEnglandandWaleshavethepossibilityofwithdrawingtheirchildrenfrompartsofthesexeducationprogrammesinschools.Inthisasinotherdecisions,includingexclusionfromschool,thechildisnotsystematicallyinvitedtoexpresshis/heropinionandthoseopinionsmaynotbegivendueweight,asrequiredunderarticle12oftheConvention.217.b..bTheCommitteenoteswithconcerntheincreasingnumberofchildrenlivinginpoverty.TheCommitteeisawarethatthephenomenonofchildrenbeggingandsleepingonthestreetshasbecomemorevisible.TheCommitteeisconcernedthatthechangedregulationsregardingbenefitentitlementstoyoungpeoplemayhavecontributedtotheincreaseinthenumberofyounghomelesspeople.Therateofdivorceandthenumberofsingle-parentfamiliesandteenagepregnanciesintheStatepartyarenotedwithconcern.Thesephenomenaraiseanumberofissues,includingasregardstheadequacyofbenefitallowancesandtheavailabilityandeffectivenessoffamilyeducation.218.b..bTheCommitteeisdisturbedaboutthereportsithasreceivedonthephysicalandsexualabuseofchildren.Inthisconnection,theCommitteeisworriedaboutthenationallegalprovisionsdealingwithreasonablechastisementwithinthefamily.Theimprecisenatureoftheexpressionofreasonablechastisementascontainedintheselegalprovisionsmaypavethewayforittobeinterpretedinasubjectiveandarbitrarymanner.Thus,theCommitteeisconcernedthatlegislativeandothermeasuresrelatingtothephysicalintegrityofchildrendonotappeartobecompatiblewiththeprovisionsandprinciplesoftheConvention,includingthoseofitsarticles3,19and37.TheCommitteeisequallyconcernedthatprivatelyfundedandmanagedschoolsarestillpermittedtoadministercorporalpunishmenttochildreninattendancetherewhichdoesnotappeartobecompatiblewiththeprovisionsoftheConvention,includingthoseofitsarticle28,paragraph2.219.b..bTheadministrationofthejuvenilejusticesystemintheStatepartyisamatterofgeneralconcerntotheCommittee.ThelowageofcriminalresponsibilityandthenationallegislationrelatingtotheadministrationofjuvenilejusticeseemnottobecompatiblewiththeprovisionsoftheConvention,namelyarticles37and40.220.b..bTheCommitteeremainsconcernedaboutcertainoftheprovisionsoftheCriminalJusticeandPublicOrderAct1994.TheCommitteenotesthatitsprovisionsprovide,interalia,forthepossibilityofapplying"securetrainingorders"onchildrenaged12to14inEnglandandWales.TheCommitteeisconcernedaboutthecompatibilityoftheapplicationofsuchsecuretrainingordersonyoungchildrenwiththeprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventioninrelationtotheadministrationofjuvenilejustice,particularlyitsarticles3,37,39and40.Inparticular,theCommitteeisconcernedthattheethosoftheguidelinesfortheadministrationandestablishmentofSecureTrainingCentresinEnglandandWalesandtheTrainingSchoolsinNortherIrelandappearstolayemphasisonimprisonmentandpunishment.221.b..bTheCommitteeisequallyconcernedthatchildrenplacedincareunderthesocialwelfaresystemmaybeheldinTrainingschoolsinNorthernIrelandandmaybeplaceinthefutureinSecureTrainingCentresinEnglandandWales.222.b..bTheCommitteeisalsoconcernedthatTheCriminalEvidence(N.I.)Order1988appearstobeincompatiblewitharticle40oftheConvention,inparticularwiththerighttopresumptionofinnocenceandtherightnottobecompelledtogivetestimonyorconfessguilt.Itisnotedthatsilenceinresponsetopolicequestioningcanbeusedtosupportafindingofguiltagainstachildover10yearsofageinNorthernIreland.Silenceattrialcanbesimilarlyusedagainstchildrenover14yearsofage.223.b..bThesituationofGypsyandTravellerchildrenisamatterofconcerntotheCommittee,especiallywithregardtotheiraccesstobasicservicesandtheprovisionofcaravansites.@.. D.Suggestionsandrecommendations224.b..bTheCommitteewishestoencouragetheStatepartytoconsiderreviewingitsreservationstotheConventionwithaviewtowithdrawingthem,particularlyinlightoftheagreementsmadeinthisregardattheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsandincorporatedintheViennaDeclarationandProgrammeofAction.225.b..bTheCommitteewouldliketosuggestthattheStatepartyconsiderestablishinganationalmechanismforthepurposeofcoordinatingtheimplementationoftheConvention,includingbetweengovernmentaldepartmentsandbetweencentralandlocalgovernmentalauthorities.Furthermore,theCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyestablishapermanentmechanismforthemonitoringoftheChildren'sActandtheConventionontheRightsoftheChildthroughouttheUnitedKingdom.ItisfurthersuggestedthatwaysandmeansbeestablishedtofacilitateregularandclosercooperationbetweentheGovernmentandthenon-governmentalcommunity,particularlywiththosenon-governmentalorganizationscloselyinvolvedinmonitoringtherespectfortherightsofthechildintheStateparty.226.b..bWithregardtotheimplementationofarticle4oftheConvention,theCommitteewouldliketosuggestthatthegeneralprinciplesoftheConvention,particularlytheprovisionsofitsarticle3,relatingtothebestinterestsofthechild,shouldguidethedeterminationofpolicymakingatboththecentralandlocallevelsofgovernment.Thisapproachisofrelevancetodecisionstakenabouttheallocationofresourcestothesocialsectoratthecentralandlocalgovernmentallevels,includingwithregardtothatallocationofbenefitstochildrenwhohavecompletedcompulsoryschoolingandhavenofull-timeemployment.TheCommitteenotestheimportanceofadditionaleffortstoovercometheproblemsofgrowingsocialandeconomicinequalityandincreasedpoverty.227.b..bWithregardtomattersrelatingtothehealth,welfareandstandardoflivingofchildrenintheUnitedKingdom,theCommitteerecommendsadditionalmeasurestoaddress,asamatterofpriority,problemsaffectingthehealthstatusofchildrenofdifferentsocio-economicgroupsandofchildrenbelongingtoethnicminoritiesandtotheproblemsofhomelessnessaffectingchildrenandtheirfamilies.228.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatinlinewiththeprovisionsofarticle42oftheConvention,theStatepartyshouldundertakemeasurestomaketheprovisionsandprinciplesoftheConventionwidelyknowntoadultsandchildrenalike.Itisalsosuggestedthatteachingaboutchildren'srightsshouldbeincorporatedintothetrainingcurriculaofprofessionalsworkingwithorforchildren,suchasteachers,thepolice,judges,socialworkers,healthworkersandpersonnelincareanddetentioninstitutions.229.b..bTheCommitteewouldliketosuggestthatgreaterprioritybegiventoincorporatingthegeneralprinciplesoftheConvention,especiallytheprovisionsofitsarticle3,relatingtothebestinterestsofthechild,andarticle12,concerningthechild'srighttomaketheirviewsknownandtohavetheseviewsgivendueweight,inthelegislativeandadministrativemeasuresandinpoliciesundertakentoimplementtherightsofthechild.ItissuggestedthattheStatepartyconsiderthepossibilityofestablishingfurthermechanismstofacilitatetheparticipationofchildrenindecisionsaffectingthem,includingwithinthefamilyandthecommunity.230.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatracerelationslegislationbeintroducedinNorthernIrelandasamatterofurgencyandisencouragedbytheinformationpresentedbythedelegationoftheStatepartyregardingtheGovernment'sintentiontofollowuponthismatter.231.b..bTheCommitteewouldalsoliketosuggestthatareviewbeundertakenofthenationalityandimmigrationlawsandprocedurestoensuretheirconformitywiththeprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention.232.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatfurthermeasuresbeundertakentoeducateparentsabouttheirresponsibilitiestowardstheirchildren,includingthroughtheprovisionoffamilyeducationwhichshouldemphasizetheequalresponsibilitiesofbothparents.WhilerecognizingthattheGovernmentviewstheproblemofteenagepregnanciesasaseriousone,theCommitteesuggeststhatadditionalefforts,intheformofprevention-orientedprogrammeswhichcouldbepartofaneducationalcampaign,arerequiredtoreducethenumberofteenagepregnancies.233.b..bTheCommitteeisalsooftheopinionthatadditionaleffortsarerequiredtoovercometheproblemofviolenceinsociety.TheCommitteerecommendsthatphysicalpunishmentofchildreninfamiliesbeprohibitedinthelightoftheprovisionssetoutinarticles3and19oftheConvention.Inconnectionwiththechild'srighttophysicalintegrity,asrecognizedbytheConvention,namelyinitsarticles19,28,29and37,andinthelightofthebestinterestsofthechild,theCommitteesuggeststhattheStatepartyconsiderthepossibilityofundertakingadditionaleducationcampaigns.Suchmeasureswouldhelptochangesocietalattitudestowardstheuseofphysicalpunishmentinthefamilyandfosteracceptanceofthelegalprohibitionofthephysicalpunishmentofchildren.234.b..bWithregardtomattersrelatingtoeducation,theCommitteesuggeststhatchildren'srighttoappealagainstexpulsionfromschoolbeeffectivelyensured.Itisalsosuggestedthatproceduresbeintroducedtoensurethatchildrenareprovidedwiththeopportunitytoexpresstheirviewsontherunningoftheschoolsinmattersofconcerntothem.Further,theCommitteerecommendsthatthetrainingcurriculaofteachersshouldincorporateeducationabouttheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.ItisrecommendedthatteachingmethodsshouldbeinspiredbyandreflectthespiritandphilosophyoftheConvention,inthelightofthegeneralprinciplesoftheConventionandtheprovisionsofitsarticle29.TheCommitteewouldalsoliketosuggestthattheStatepartyconsiderthepossibilityofintroducingeducationabouttheConventionontheRightsoftheChildintoschoolcurricula.Legislativemeasuresarerecommendedtoprohibittheuseofcorporalpunishmentinprivatelyfundedandmanagedschools.235.b..bTheCommitteealsosuggeststhattheStatepartyprovidefurthersupporttotheteachingoftheIrishlanguageinschoolsinNorthernIrelandandtointegratededucationschooling.236.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthattheemergencyandotherlegislation,includinginrelationtothesystemofadministrationofjuvenilejustice,atpresentinoperationinNorthernIrelandshouldbereviewedtoensureitsconsistencywiththeprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention.237.b..bTheCommitteerecommendsthatlawreformbepursuedinordertoensurethatthesystemoftheadministrationofjuvenilejusticeischild-oriented.TheCommitteealsowishestorecommendthattheStatepartytakethenecessarymeasurestopreventjuveniledelinquencyassetdownintheConventionandcomplementedbytheRiyadhGuidelines.238.b..bMorespecifically,theCommitteerecommendsthatseriousconsiderationbegiventoraisingtheageofcriminalresponsibilitythroughouttheareasoftheUnitedKingdom.TheCommitteealsorecommendstheintroductionofcarefulmonitoringofthenewCriminalJusticeandPublicOrderAct1994withaviewtoensuringfullrespectfortheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.Inparticular,theprovisionsoftheActwhichallowfor,interalia,placementofsecuretrainingordersonchildrenagedbetween12and14,indeterminatedetention,andthedoublingofsentenceswhichmaybeimposedon15-to17-year-oldchildrenshouldbereviewedwithrespecttotheircompatibilitywiththeprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConventions.239.b..bWithinthecontextofthelawreformbeingconsideredwithregardtomattersrelatingtotheemploymentofchildren,theCommitteeexpressesthehopethattheStatepartywillconsiderreviewingitsreservationwithaviewtoitswithdrawal.Similarly,theCommitteeexpressesthehopethattheGovernmentmayconsiderthepossibilityofbecomingapartytoILOConventionNo.138.240.b..bTheissuesofsexualexploitationanddrugabuseastheyaffectchildrenshouldalsobeaddressedonanurgentbasis,includingwithregardtotheundertakingoffurthermeasurestopreventthem.241.b..bTheCommitteeisoftheviewthattheimplementationoftheprovisionsofarticle39oftheConventiondeservesgreaterattention.Programmesandstrategiesshouldbedevelopedtoensurethatmeasuresareinplacetopromotethephysicalandpsychologicalrecoveryandsocialreintegrationofachildvictimof,interalia,neglect,sexualexploitation,abuse,familyconflict,violence,drugabuse,aswellasofchildreninthesystemofadministrationofjustice.Suchmeasuresshouldbeappliedwithinthenationalcontextbutalsowithintheframeworkofinternationalcooperation.242.b..bInaddition,theCommitteerecommendsproactivemeasuresfortherightsofchildrenbelongingtoGypsyandTravellercommunities,includingtheirrighttoeducation,andthatasufficientnumberofadequatelyappointedcaravansitesforthesecommunitiesbesecured.243.b..bTheCommitteealsorecommendsthatinformationontheimplementationoftheConventioninthedependentterritoryofHongKongbesubmittedtotheCommitteeby1996.244.b..bTheCommitteeencouragestheStatepartytodisseminatewidelytheStatepartyreport,summaryrecordsofthediscussionofthereportwithintheCommitteeandtheconcludingobservationsadoptedbytheCommitteefollowingitsconsiderationofthereport.TheCommitteewouldliketosuggestthatthesedocumentsbebroughttotheattentionofParliamentandthatthesuggestionsandrecommendationsforactioncontainedthereinbefollowedup.Inthisregard,theCommitteesuggeststhatclosercooperationwithnon-governmentalorganizationsbepursued.@.. IV.OVERVIEWOFTHEOTHERACTIVITIESOFTHECOMMITTEE@.. A.Reviewofdevelopmentsrelevant N totheworkoftheCommitteeb..b1. .. MeetingsrelevanttotheworkoftheCommittee245.b..bRecognizingtheimportanceofexchangingviewsonareasofrelevancetotheactivitiesoftheCommittee,membersoftheCommitteesharedinformationaboutimportantmeetingsheldsincetheprevioussessionandhavingaparticularinterestforthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild.246.b..bReferencewasmadetomeetingsorganizedintheframeworkofthepreparationsfortheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,bothofagovernmentalandanongovernmentalnature,andinparticulartotheRegionalConferences.InthelightoftheinformationprovidedbyMrs.BadranandMrs.Belembaogo,specialattentionwaspaidtothewaythesituationandfundamentalrightsofthegirlhadbeenaddressedandtotheneedclearlytoincorporatethisareainthefinaltextofthePlatformforActionoftheBeijingConference.247.b..bMrs.EufemiohadrepresentedtheCommitteeattheSpecialCommissionoftheHagueConferenceonPrivateInternationalLawontheapplicationoftheConventionof1993onProtectionofChildrenandCooperationinrespectofIntercountryAdoptiontorefugeechildrenandotherinternationallydisplacedchildren,heldatTheHaguefrom17to21October1994.MrsEufemiosubmittedawrittenreporttotheCommittee(annexIV)andindicatedthatshehademphasized,duringthedraftingprocess,theimportanceofthegeneralprinciplesoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,andinparticularthebestinterestsofthechildandtherespectfortheviewsofthechild.ShefurtherstressedtheimportanceofmaintainingclosecooperationwiththeHagueConferenceonPrivateInternationalLawonmattersrelevanttotheCommittee.248.b..bAttentionwasalsodrawntotheEuropeanConferenceontheMonitoringofChildren'sRights,heldinDecember1994inBelgiumandorganizedbytheCentreontheRightsoftheChildoftheUniversityofGhent.BoththeChairpersonandtheRapporteur,whohadattendedthemeeting,providedinformationabouttheimportantissuesaddressed,includingthediscussionontheroleoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildandontheselfexecutingnatureoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.249.b..bInthefieldofjuvenilejustice,theCommitteehadbeeninvitedtoberepresentedattwoimportanteventstheUnitedNationsexpertgroupmeetingonchildrenandjuvenilesindetention:applicationofhumanrightsstandards,heldatVienna(30October4November1994),andtheAsianRegionalConsultationonJuvenileJustice,organizedatBangkokincooperationwithUNICEFandASIANET.250.b..bMrs.SantosPais,whohadrepresentedtheCommitteeattheViennaMeeting,recalledthedecisionstakenearlierbytheCommitteetoparticipateinsuchmeetings(seeA/49/41),aswellasthecrucialimportanceofthemeetingforthepreparationofthefuturegeneraldiscussiononjuvenilejusticetobeheldbytheCommitteeinOctober1995(CRC/C/34,para.20).Inthatregard,shemadeparticularreferencetotherecommendationsadoptedbytheexpertmeetingwhichwouldbesubmittedtoboththeCommissiononHumanRightsandtheCommissiononCrimePreventionandCriminalJusticeandwhichwouldconstituteapointofdeparturefortheCommittee'sthematicdiscussion.251.b..bThoserecommendations(seeE/CN.4/1995/100)hademphasizedtheneedtoconsiderthefieldofjuvenilejusticeasaclearprioritywithinUnitedNationssystemwideaction,aswellastoensureclosecooperationbetweenallbodiesinvolvedinthefieldofjuvenilejustice(CommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,CentreforHumanRights,CrimePreventionandCriminalJusticeBranchandUNICEF).Suchcooperationshouldaddressinparticulartheareasofresearch,awarenessandtraining,implementationandmonitoringofexistingstandardsandprogrammesoftechnicalassistance,andshouldallowforperiodicexchangesofinformation.TherecommendationsfurtherstressedthattechnicalassistanceprogrammesshouldtakeintodueconsiderationthesuggestionsandrecommendationsmadebyrelevantbodiesoftheUnitedNations,includingtheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild,intheprocessofconsideringStatepartyreports.252.b..bMs.MasonhadrepresentedtheCommitteeattheAsianRegionalConsultationonJuvenileJustice.SheemphasizedtheimportanceofsuchmeetingsincreatingawarenessoftheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention,aswellasofthemonitoringactivitiesoftheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChild.ThewideparticipationofrepresentativesofvariouscountriesoftheregionhadpavedthewayforaninformativediscussionontheprocessofpreparingandexaminingStatepartyreports,inthelightoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.InthecaseofStateswhichhadalreadyheldadialoguewiththeCommittee,therehadbeenaspecialinterestinassessingthefollowupgiventotherecommendationsformulatedandtheirimportanceforthenationalprocessofimplementation.253.b..bTheCommitteealsoconsideredthedevelopmentswhichhadoccurredinthetwoworkinggroupsoftheCommissiononHumanRightsdealingwithchildren'srightsissues.Ittooknoteofthedraftingprocessintheworkinggrouponadraftoptionalprotocolontheinvolvementofchildreninarmedconflicts,whoseworkwasbasedonapreliminarydraftpreparedbytheCommittee,followingaspecificrequestbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRightsinthatregard(seeA/49/41,inparticularparas554559).Italsotooknoteofthediscussionsheldintheworkinggrouponguidelinesforapossibleoptionalprotocolonthesaleofchildren,childprostitutionandchildpornography.254.b..bTheCommitteeregrettedthatithadnotbeenpossibletoberepresentedateitheroftheworkinggroups.Itfurtherregrettedthatthecommentsithadprovidedtobothworkinggroupshadnotbeenfullyincorporatedintheworkingdocuments,thuspreventingacomprehensiveunderstandingofthepositionsundertakenbytheCommittee.TheCommitteedecidedtocontinuetofollowcloselythedevelopmentsofthetwoworkinggroups,includingthroughthesubmissionofadditionalwrittencomments.ItfurtherdecidedtorequesttheSecretariattoconsideradoptingthenecessarystepstoallowtheCommitteetoberepresentedinfuturemeetingsofthetwoworkinggroups.&  b..b2. .. Educationonchildren'srights255.b..bTheCommitteerecalledtheimportanceitattachedtotheareaofeducationonhumanrightsingeneral,andonchildren'srightsinparticular,'  asreflectedinitssecondreporttotheGeneralAssembly(A/49/41,paras.425-445).Inthisframework,itwelcomedthelaunchingbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheUnitedNationsDecadeforHumanRightsEducation(resolution49/184).ItwastimelythatthedecadeshouldstartintheInternationalYearofTolerance,ayearduringwhichtheUnitedNationswouldcelebrateitsfiftiethanniversary.b..b256.b..bTheCommitteetooknoteofthecomprehensiveapproachfollowedbythePlanofActionoftheDecade,whichdefinedhumanrightseducationasalife-longprocessbasedontraining,disseminationandinformationeffortsdesignedtobuildauniversalcultureofhumanrights.ItwasparticularlyencouragedbytherecognitionoftheessentialroleofthetreatybodiesinformulatingappropriaterecommendationstoStatesinthisregard.ItfurtherstressedtheimportancegiventocooperationbetweenrelevantUnitedNationsbodieswithaviewtobettermobilizingexistingcapacitiesforhumanrightseducation,underthecoordinationoftheHighCommissionerforHumanRights.257.b..bAllthesestepsclearlydemonstratethatitwasimportantfortheCommitteetopursueitseffortsinencouragingStatespartiestogiveconsiderationtotheinclusionoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildintheschoolandtrainingcurricula,aswellasintheframeworkofnonformaleducation.b..b3. .. Reservations258.b..bTheCommitteedecidedtocontinuetoaddressthequestionofreservationsmadebyStatespartiestotheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.Inthisregard,itrecalleditspreviousexchangeofviewsinthisareaofessentialimportancefortheimplementationoftheConvention(seeGeneralAssemblyA/49/41,paras.525534),andemphasizedthesystematicattentionithadpaidtoitintheprocessofexaminingStatepartyreports.InitsconcludingobservationstheCommitteehadclearlyreflecteditsconcernatreservationsofabroadandvaguenature,orotherwisecontrarytointernationallaw,namelyinthelightofarticle51oftheConvention.259.b..bForthisreason,itwaswithparticularinterestthattheCommitteetooknoteoftheimportantGeneralCommentrecentlyadoptedbytheHumanRightsCommittee(GeneralComment24(52)).TheCommitteenoted,inthisregard,thepositionexpressedbythattreatybodyaccordingtowhich"areservationthatrejectstheCommittee'scompetencetointerprettherequirementsofanyprovisionoftheCovenantwouldalsobecontrarytotheobjectandpurposeofthattreaty"(para.11).Thus,"reservationsmustbespecificandtransparent,sothattheCommittee,thoseunderthejurisdictionofthereservingStateandotherStatespartiesmaybeclearastowhatobligationsofhumanrightscompliancehaveorhavenotbeenundertaken.Reservationsmaythusnotbegeneral....(para.19)".&  b..b4.0 .. Cooperationwithothercompetentbodiesthefundamentalroleofnongovernmentalorganizations260.b..bInthelightofarticle45oftheConvention,theCommitteehasconstantlyemphasizedtherelevanceoftheroleofnongovernmental'  organizationsinenhancingthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild.Forthisreason,therulesofprocedureadoptedbytheCommitteeatitsfirstsessionstresseddifferentmodelsofcooperationwithNGOs(see,e.g.rules34,70and74).ThereportsoftheCommitteealsoreflecttheimportanceofcooperatingwithnongovernmentalorganizations(seeA/49/41,e.g.paras.476479),includingtoincreasepublicawarenessoftheConvention,todevelopeducationandresearch,aswellastoensurefollowuptothedecisionsandrecommendationsoftheCommittee.261.b..bThecooperationofnongovernmentalorganizationswiththeCommitteehasprovedtobeessentialtodisseminatinginformationontheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention,andtoensuringanindepthconsiderationoftopicsintheareaofchildren'srights,namelyatthethematicdiscussionsheldbytheCommittee.Furthermore,ithascontributedtostrengtheningthecapacitytousethereportingprocessatthenationallevelasanoccasiontomobilizeattentiononthesituationandrightsofchildren,whileensuringaseriousassessmentofprogressanddifficultiesencountered.262.b..bNongovernmentalorganizationsmaythereforeprovideexpertadvicetotheCommittee,andtheymaysubmitreports,documentationorotherinformation,bothinwritingandorally.TheircooperationhasprovedtobeessentialduringthepresessionalworkinggroupoftheCommittee.Forthatreason,theCommitteedecidedthatnongovernmentalorganizationswouldbeinvitedtothemeetingsoftheworkinggroupwithaviewtoprovidingitwithexpertadvice.263.b..bTheCommitteewilladdressitsinvitationsinthelightofobjectivecriteria,i.eprimarilybasedonwritteninformationpreviouslysubmittedbynongovernmentalorganizations.TheCommitteewelcomesthepossibilityofinviting,asappropriate,international,regional,nationalorlocalorganizations.Theorganizationswillbeinvitedforthetimeneededtoobtaintheexpertadvice.SuchorganizationswillbeexpectedtoprovidefactualinformationonspecificaspectsofeachStatepartyreportunderconsideration,inthelightoftheguidelinesforreportingadoptedbytheCommittee,includingontheleveloftheirinvolvementintheprocessofthepreparationofthereport,aswellasontheimplementationoftheConvention.264.b..bTheCommitteerecognizedthatforthenongovernmentalgroupstobeorganized,includingthroughnationalorregionalcoalitions,andtobeinapositiontoprovideexpertadvice,itwouldbeessentialtoensurethattheyhaveeffectiveaccesstotheCommittee'sagendaandtothetimelimitestablishedforthesubmissionofwritteninformation.StatepartyreportswillbemadeavailabletoNGOsuponrequest.̀265.b..bTheCommitteewelcomedonceagainthemeaningfulestablishment,followingtheadoptionoftheConvention,oftheNGOGroupfortheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.ItfurtherwelcomedthecrucialroleplayedinthatframeworkbytheCoordinatoroftheGroup.Throughsuchamechanism,thecomprehensivenationalapproachfollowedbytheCommittee,andencouragedbytheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,wouldcertainlyenhancethesystemofpromotionandprotectionofchildren'srights.b..b5. .. CooperationwithUnitedNationsbodiesandspecializedagencies266.b..bAtitsseventhsession,theCommitteedecidedtoholdameetinginJanuary1995withUnitedNationsbodiesandspecializedagenciestoevaluateprogressintheareaofinternationalcooperation,aswellastoconsiderwaystostrengthendialogueandinteractionandenhancethesystemofimplementationoftheConvention,namelyinthelightofitsarticle45.ThemeetingwasafollowuptothepreviousoneheldlastyearatILOheadquarters,andprovidedanopportunitytoemphasizetheinterestcontinuouslyexpressedbytheCommitteeonthisfundamentalarea(seeA/49/41,paras.453475).RepresentativesfromUNICEF,UNHCR,ILOandWHOparticipatedinthediscussion.267.b..bItwasonceagainrecalledthatthefinaldocumentoftheWorldConferenceonHumanRightshadstressedthatinternationalcooperationandsolidarityshouldbepromotedtosupporttheimplementationoftheConvention,andthattherightsofthechildshouldbeapriorityinUnitedNationssystemwideactiononhumanrights.TheWorldConferencehadalsorecommendedthatmattersrelatingtohumanrightsandthesituationofchildrenshouldberegularlyreviewedandmonitoredbyallrelevantUnitedNationsorgansandmechanismsandbythesupervisorybodiesofthespecializedagenciesinaccordancewiththeirmandates.268.b..bItwasrecognizedthatthespiritofcooperationandpartnershipbuiltaroundtheConventionhadbeenreinforced,bothintheframeworkofthereportingsystemandofthethematicdiscussionsorganizedbyCommitteewhichprovidedanopportunitytomutuallysupporttheactiondevelopedbytheCommitteeandeachoftheUnitedNationsbodiesforthepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofthechild.TheConventionwasinfactrecognizedasbeingcomplementarytotheworkandtothestandardsoftheUnitedNationsbodiesandagencies,allowingthemtoactinahumanrightsframework.269.b..bInthiscontext,mentionwasmadeofthepublicationbyUNHCRofGuidelinesonRefugeeChildren,whichhadbeenentirelyshapedinthelightofthephilosophyoftheConvention.ReferencewasalsomadetoGeneralAssemblyresolution49/211ontheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,inwhichtheAssemblyrequestedtheCommitteetoinviteUNICEFtosubmitreportsonspecificissuesrelatedto,interalia,theexploitationandabuseofchildren,inordertoincreaseawarenessoftheConventionandtosupportconcreteactionatnationalandinternationallevels.270.b..bItwasrecalledthatthesuccessofthereportingprocesswasessentiallyassessedbyitscapacitytoimprovethesituationatthecountrylevel,encourageprogressandstrengthenthenationalcapacitytoassessproblemsandshapeadequatestrategiestosolvethem.UnitedNationsbodiesandagenciesplayedanimportantroleinthisregard.271.b..bBeforethediscussionoftheStatepartyreport,byprovidingtheCommitteewithanindepthtechnicalassessmentofthesituation,identifyingachievementsanddifficulties,evaluatingtechnicalassistanceprogrammesalreadyinplaceandsuggestingmeasuresforimprovement,UnitedNationsbodiesandagenciesallowanobjectiveandwellinformeddiagnosisofthesituationtobemadebytheCommittee.Inthisregard,thesuggestionwasmadethatrepresentativesofthecountryorregionalofficeofthebodiesconcernedshouldparticipateinthemeetingsofthepresessionalworkinggroup.272.b..bTheadoptionofconcludingobservationsfollowingtheconsiderationoftheStatepartyreportwasfelttobeextremelyusefulasitallowedforareassessmentofthecountryprogrammes,technicalassistanceprojectsandevenadvocacycampaigns.Whentheconcludingobservationsaddressaspecificproblemthatfallswithinthecompetenceofaparticularbody,theapproachofthatbodyisgivenlegitimacyandisreinforced.ThisisalsothecasewhentheCommitteeencouragesaStatepartytoconsiderratifyingaparticularconventionadoptedwithintheframeworkofaUnitedNationsorganoraspecializedagency.273.b..bItwassuggestedthatafocalpointontheConventionontheRightsoftheChildbedesignatedwithineachUnitedNationsbodyorspecializedagency.Itwasfeltthatsuchameasurewouldstrengthencooperationandsolidarityandwouldenhancetheexistingcoordination.ItwasrecalledinthisregardthatatitsfirstsessiontheCommitteehadsuggestedthatatechnicaladvisorygroupshouldbeestablished.274.b..bInviewoftheimportanceofandinterestinthemeasuressuggestedduringthediscussion,theCommitteedecidedtoholdafollowupmeetingatitsnextsession.ItthereforerequestedtheSecretariattoprepareadocumentreflectingthemainissuesraisedandproposalsmade,tobeusedasabasisfordiscussionsduringthefuturemeeting.@.. B.Generaldiscussiononthegirlchild275.b..bAtitsprevioussession,theCommitteehaddecidedtoorganizeageneraldiscussiononthegirlchildon23January1995.ThedecisionwasintendedtoallowtheCommitteetocontributetotheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen:ActionforEquality,DevelopmentandPeace,tobeheldinSeptember1995inBeijing,aswellastoallowtheconclusionsofitsthematicdiscussiontobereflectedinthePlatformforActiontobeadoptedbytheConference.ItwasalsoanopportunityfortheCommitteetocreateawiderawarenessofthesituationandhumanrightsofgirls,asituationwhichhaddeservedlyreceivedspecialattention,bothinexaminingStatepartyreportsandinthecontextofpreviousthematicdiscussions.Thishadparticularlybeenthecaseduringthegeneraldiscussiononeconomicexploitationofchildren(CRC/C/20)andthediscussionheldduringtheInternationalYearoftheFamily(CRC/C/34).276.b..bTheChairpersonhadpreparedanoutlineidentifyingareastobeaddressedduringthethematicday,emphasizingtheprincipleofnondiscriminationandtheneedforthegirlchildtoenjoyallherfundamentalrights,includingtherighttomakefreeandinformedchoicesconcerningherlife.TheoutlinehadbeensenttorelevantUnitedNationsbodies,specializedagencies,&  non-governmentalorganizationsandothercompetentbodieswithaninvitationtoparticipateinthegeneraldiscussionandtosubmitwrittencontributionsinadvance,tobeusedasbackgroundmaterialforthediscussion.'  277.b..bRepresentativesofthefollowingorganizationsandbodiesparticipatedinthegeneraldiscussion:UNICEF,UNHCR,UNFPA,ILO,FAO,UNESCO,WHO,AssociatedCountryWomenoftheWorld,InterAfricanCommitteeonTraditionalPracticesAffectingtheHealthofWomenandChildren,InternationalAbolitionistFederation,NGOCommitteeonUNICEFandRaddaBarnenInternational.278.b..bDuringthediscussion,itwasstressedthatinviewofthefactthattheConventionontheRightsoftheChildwasthemostwidelyratifiedinternationalinstrumentinthefieldofhumanrights,with168StatespartiesasatJanuary1995,itwasundoubtedlyalsothemostwidelyacceptedframeworkforactioninfavourofthefundamentalrightsofgirls.TherewasanundeniablecommitmentonthepartoftheinternationalcommunitytousetheprovisionsofConventionasanagendaforactiontoidentifypersistingformsofinequalityanddiscriminationagainstthegirlchild,toabolishpracticesandtraditionsdetrimentaltotheenjoymentoftheirrightsandtodefinearealforward-lookingstrategytopromoteandprotectthoserights.ThisexplainedtheessentialimportanceofreflectingtheConventioninthePlatformforActiontobeadoptedbytheConferenceinBeijing.279.b..bTheCommitteehadacrucialroletoplaywhenmonitoringprogressmadebyStatespartiesintherealizationoftherightsrecognizedbytheConvention,whenpromotingrespectforandprotectionofthoserights,andwhencombatingallformsofdiscrimination,includingonthebasisofgender.TheCommitteeshouldbeclearlyidentifiedasoneofthefundamentalinternationalinstitutionsdesignatedtoimplementthePlatformforActiontobeadoptedbytheBeijingConference.280.b..bTheactivitiesdevelopedbytheCommitteecoincidedwithincreasingawarenessandactioninfavourofwomen'sandchildren'srightsattheinternational,regionalandnationallevels.TheimportanceofthismovementwashighlightedbytheorganizationoftheConferencein1995,theyearofthefiftiethanniversaryoftheUnitedNations.Thus,womenandgirlswereundeniablyinthefrontlineoftheprioritiesoftheOrganization.281.b..bSuchanassessmentwasconfirmedbythefinaldocumentoftheWorldConferenceonHumanRights,whichrecognizedthatthehumanrightsofwomenandofthegirlchildwereaninalienable,integralandindivisiblepartofuniversalhumanrights;thattheyshouldformanintegralpartoftheUnitedNationshumanrightsactivitiesandberegularlyandsystematicallyaddressed.Furthermore,theeradicationofallformsofdiscriminationonthegroundsofsexwerepriorityobjectivesoftheinternationalcommunity.282.b..bYet,despitebeingrecognizedasapriority,theplaceinsocietyofgirls,andwomeningeneral,raisedseriousandunresolvedquestionsofinequalityandindifference,manifestedbydiscrimination,neglect,exploitationandviolence.Itwasimportanttorecognizethecomplementary&  andmutuallyreinforcingnatureoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.'  283.b..bAddressingthequestionsofinequalityanddiscriminationonthebasisofgenderdidnotimplythattheyhadtobeseeninacompleteisolation,asifgirlswereaspecialgroupentitledtospecialrights.Infact,girlsaresimplyhumanbeingswhoshouldbeseenasindividualsandnotjustasdaughters,sisters,wivesormothers,andwhoshouldfullyenjoythefundamentalrightsinherenttotheirhumandignity.Therightsofthegirlshouldinnowaybeignoredorneglected,butratherpromotedandprotected.284.b..bWithinthelargermovementfortherealizationofwomen'srights,historyhadclearlyshownthatitwasessentialtofocusonthegirlchildinordertobreakdownthecycleofharmfultraditionsandprejudicesagainstwomen.Onlythroughacomprehensivestrategytopromoteandprotecttherightsofgirls,startingwiththeyoungergeneration,woulditbepossibletobuildasharedandlastingapproachandawidemovementofadvocacyandawarenessaimedatpromotingtheselfesteemofwomenandallowingfortheacquisitionofskillswhichwillpreparethemtoparticipateactivelyindecisionsandactivitiesaffectingthem.Suchanapproachmustbebasedontherecognitionofhumanrightsasauniversalandunquestionablereality,freefromgenderbias.285.b..bTherewasaneedtoensurethatawoman'slifecyclewouldnotbecomeaviciouscycle,wheretheevolutionfromchildhoodtoadulthoodwouldbeblightedbyfatalismandasenseofinferiority.Onlythroughtheactiveinvolvementofgirls,whoareattherootofthelifecycle,woulditbepossibletoinitiateamovementforchangeandbetterment.Infact,ifthePlatformforActionwastobeanagendaforchangeandadvancementofwomen,itcouldonlybemeaningfulifitplacedthehumanrightsofgirlsatitscore.286.b..bMentionwasmadeoftheStatepartyreportssubmittedtotheCommitteeandtothefullpicturetheyprovidedofthesituationofgirlsaroundtheworld.SeveralStateshadidentifiedpersistenttraditionsandprejudicesasamaindifficultyaffectingtheenjoymentofgirls'fundamentalrights.Discriminationoftenarosefromthewayrolesweretraditionallydistributedwithinthefamily.Girlsoftensharedtheresponsibilitiesofthehousehold,takingcareofyoungersiblingsandrefusedaccesstoeducationandparticipationinsociallife.Thesonpreference,historicallyrootedinthepatriarchalsystem,oftenmanifesteditselfbyneglect,lessfoodandlittlehealthcare.Suchasituationofinferiorityoftenfavouredviolenceandsexualabusewithinthefamily,aswellasproblemsassociatedwithearlypregnancyandmarriage.Insomecasesithadledtosuchtraditionalpracticesasfemalecircumcisionandforcedmarriage.287.b..bReportshadalsoindicatedthatthesituationofthegirlwasofparticularconcerninruralorremoteareasunderthestronginfluenceofcommunityandreligiousleadersandaggravatedbythepersistenceofharmfultraditionsandbeliefs.288.b..bWhileseriouslyconcernedatthepersistenceandextentofgenderdiscrimination,theCommitteewasencouragedbythefactthatStatespartiesoftenhadsoughttheadviceoftheCommitteeand,throughit,theassistanceoftheinternationalcommunitytoaddressdiscrimination,neglectandabuse.TheCommitteethereforehadhadtheopportunitytorecommend,initsconcludingobservations,thatacomprehensivestrategybeformulatedandeffectivelyimplementedtocreateawarenessandunderstandingoftheprinciplesandprovisionsoftheConvention;launcheducationalprogrammestoeradicateallformsofdiscriminationagainstthegirlchild;andencouragetheparticipationofallsegmentsofsociety,includingnongovernmentalorganizations.Inthisconnection,theCommitteehadfurthersuggestedthatcustomary,religiousandcommunityleadersmaybesystematicallyinvolvedinthestepsundertakentoovercomethenegativeinfluencesoftraditionsandcustoms.289.b..bEducationwasofessentialimportance.Itallowsfortheharmoniousandinformeddevelopmentofchildren,andgivesthemthenecessaryconfidenceandskillstomakefreechoicesintheirlivesandtoactinacontextofgenderpartnershipbothattheprofessionalandatthefamilylevel.However,thelevelofilliteracyamonggirlsisstillextremelyhighandithasbecomeurgenttoensuretheireffectiveaccesstotheeducationalandvocationalsystem,toenhancetheirrateofschoolattendanceandreducethedropoutrate.290.b..bAttentionwasalsopaidtotheneedtoeliminatestereotypesineducationalmaterialsandtrainallthoseinvolvedwiththeeducationalsystemintheConventionandthefundamentalrightsofchildren.ItwaspointedoutthattherecentlaunchingbytheGeneralAssemblyoftheUnitedNationsDecadeonHumanRightsEducationprovidedatimelyopportunitytousetheConventionasameaningfuleducationaltooltoenhancethepromotionandprotectionoftherightsofgirlsandtoeradicategenderdiscrimination.ItsincorporationintheschoolandtrainingcurriculashouldalsobeconsideredasanimportantsteptoensuretheimplementationofthePlatformforAction.291.b..bReferencewasalsomadetotheimportanceoferadicatingdegradingandexploitativeimagesofgirlsandwomeninthemediaandadvertising.Thevaluesandmodelsofbehaviourthatwereportrayedcontributedtotheperpetuationofinequalityandinferiority.292.b..bTheinterventionsmadeduringtheday,alongwiththeexperiencegainedbytheCommitteethroughitsexaminationofStatepartyreports,showedthatdiscriminationagainstgirlswasoftenalsoreflectedinthelegislativesolutionsadoptedbyStates.Althoughtheeradicationofprevailingmentalandsocialattitudeswillmainlybeachievedthroughadvocacy,informationandeducation,legislationwillplayadecisiverole.Infact,legislativemeasuressendaformalmessagethattraditionsandcustomscontrarytotherightsofthechildwillnolongerbeaccepted,createameaningfuldeterrentandclearlycontributetochangingattitudes.293.b..bTheCommitteehadoftenrecommended,inthelightofarticle2oftheConvention,thatnationallegislationofStatespartiesshouldclearlyrecognizetheprincipleofequalitybeforethelawandforbidgenderdiscrimination,whileprovidingforeffectiveprotectionandremediesincaseofnonrespect.Therewasalsoaneedtoreflectinthelegislationthe&  prohibitionofharmfultraditionalpractices,suchasgenitalmutilationandforcedmarriage,andanyotherformofviolenceagainstgirls,includingsexualabuse.'  294.b..bTheCommitteehadalsoidentifiedcertainareaswherelawreformshouldbeundertaken,inboththecivilandpenalspheres,suchastheminimumageformarriageandthelinkingoftheageofcriminalresponsibilitytotheattainmentofpuberty.InseveralStatestheminimumageformarriagewasdifferentforgirlsandboys.Toexplainthis,Stateshadoftenarguedthatgirlsattainphysicalmaturityearlier.However,maturitycannotbeidentifiedsimplyasphysicaldevelopment;socialandmentaldevelopmentalsohadtobetakenintoaccount.Moreover,onthebasisofsuchcriteria,girlsareconsideredasadultsbeforethelawuponmarriage,therebybeingdeprivedofthecomprehensiveprotectionoftheConvention.ItwasnotedthatthefinaldocumentoftheCairoConferenceonPopulationandDevelopment(A/CONF.171/13)hasrecentlyencouragedGovernmentstoraisetheminimumageatmarriage,andtheSpecialRapporteuronviolenceagainstwomeninherpreliminaryreporttotheCommissiononHumanRightsrecognizedthattheageofmarriageisafactorcontributingtotheviolationofwomen'srights(E/CN.4/1995/42).295.b..bInthecriminalarea,somelegislationretainedthelinkagebetweentheageofcriminalresponsibilityandtheattainmentofpuberty.Onceagainbasedonasubjectivecriterionthataddressesonlythephysicalaspectofthedevelopmentofthechild,thisapproachallowsboysandgirlstobetreateddifferently,oftenapplyingtothelattercriminalpunishmentsapplicabletoadults.296.b..bThesituationofspecificvulnerablegroupsofchildrenwasalsoaddressed.Thesituationofgirlsaffectedbyarmedconflictsandthatofrefugeegirlsweregivenparticularattention.Inviewoftheprevailingcircumstancesofemergencysurroundingthem,suchgirlsdonotreallyhaveanytimetoenjoytheirchildhood,andthetraditionalinferiorityaffectinggirls'livesisseriouslyaggravated.Sexualviolenceandabuseandeconomicexploitationoftenoccur,educationisnotperceivedasaprioritywhenurgentbasicneedsmustbemet,forcedandearlymarriageisseenasaprotectivemeasure.Andalthoughdramaticallyaffectedbyemergencysituations,girlsoftencannotvoicetheirfearandinsecurityorsharetheirhopesandfeelings.297.b..bConcernwasalsoexpressedaboutthesituationofworkinggirls.Girlsbelowtheageof15oftendothesamehouseholdworkasadultwomen;suchlabourisnotregardedas"realwork"andisthereforeneverreflectedinthestatisticaldata.Tofreegirlsfromthiscycletheymusthavetheequalchancesandequaltreatment,withspecialemphasisoneducation.298.b..bAsinpreviousthematicdiscussions,therewasrecognitionoftheurgentimportanceofgatheringinformationandgender-disaggregateddata,inacomprehensiveandintegratedmanner,attheinternational,regional,nationalandlocallevels,withaviewtoassessingtheprevailingrealityaffectinggirls,identifyingpersistingproblemsandchallengingtheprevalenceofinvisibility,whichinturnallowsfortheperpetuationofvulnerability.Onlythroughaseriousanalysisoftherootcausesofgendergapswoulditbepossibletodevelopappropriatestrategiesandprogrammestoeliminategenderdisparityandempowergirlsandwomen.Internationalorganizationsshoulddevotegreatereffortstodefiningacomprehensiveandintegratedstrategytomonitorthesituationofgirlsinaccordancewiththeirmandates.299.b..bAttheendofthethematicdiscussion,theCommitteestressedtheimportanceofwideparticipationbyUnitedNationsandnongovernmentalbodies,whichhadcontributedtotherichnessofthedebate.Itpresentedasetofconclusionswhichreflectedthemainareasaddressedduringtheday(annexV).TheCommitteeadoptedarecommendationonthissubject(seechap.I)whichitdecidedtotransmit,alongwiththecontentsofthegeneraldiscussion,tothesecretariatoftheFourthWorldConferenceonWomen,inparticularwithaviewtoensuringthatparticularemphasisisgiventothefollowing:b..b(a) .. ThePlatformforActionshouldreflect,throughoutitsdifferentchapters,thesituationandfundamentalrightsofthegirlchild,inparticularintheareasspecificallyaddressedduringthegeneraldiscussionoftheCommittee;b..b(b) .. TheConventionontheRightsoftheChild,togetherwiththeConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen,shouldconstituteanessentialframeworkforaforward-lookingstrategytopromoteandprotectthefundamentalrightsofgirlsandwomenanderadicateinequalityanddiscrimination;b..b(c) .. TheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildinviewofitscrucialroleinmonitoringtherightsofgirls,shouldbeclearlyconsideredasanessentialmechanismwithintheframeworkoftheinternationalmachinerythatwillbeentrustedwiththetaskofmonitoringandperiodicallyreviewingtheimplementationofthePlatformforAction.@.. V.DRAFTPROVISIONALAGENDAFORTHENINTHSESSION300.b..bThefollowingisthedraftprovisionalagendafortheninthsessionoftheCommittee:b..b1.0 .. OpeningofthesessionbytherepresentativeoftheSecretary-Generalb..b2.0 .. SolemndeclarationbythenewlyelectedmembersoftheCommitteeb..b3.0 .. ElectionoftheofficersoftheCommitteeb..b4.0 .. Adoptionoftheagendab..b5.0 .. Organizationalandothermattersb..b6.0 .. SubmissionofreportsbyStatespartiesinaccordancewitharticle44oftheConventionb..b7.0 .. ConsiderationofreportsofStatespartiesb..b8.0 .. CooperationwithotherUnitedNationsbodies,specializedagenciesandothercompetentbodiesb..b9.0 .. MethodsofworkoftheCommitteeb..b10. .. Futuremeetingsb..b11. .. Othermatters@..VI.ADOPTIONOFTHEREPORT301.b..bAtits209thmeeting,heldon27January1995,theCommitteeconsideredthedraftreportonitseighthsession.ThereportwasadoptedunanimouslybytheCommittee.@..6AnnexI@..xSTATESWHICHHAVERATIFIEDORACCEDEDTOTHECONVENTIONONTHE@..f RIGHTSOFTHECHILDASAT27JANUARY1995(168)++y XStatesy ..y Dateofsignature .. DateofreceiptofX..XDateofentryy ..y  .. instrumentofX..Xintoforcey ..y  .. ratification/y ..y  .. accessiona/Afghanistany ..y 27September1990 .. 28March1994X..X27April1994Albaniay ..y 26January1990 .. 27February1992X..X28March1992Algeriay ..y 26January1990 .. 16April1993X..X16May1993Angolay ..y 14February1990 .. 5December1990X..X4January1991Antiguaand̀Barbuday ..y 12March1991 .. 5October1993X..X4November1993Argentinay ..y 29June1990 .. 4December1990X..X3January1991Armeniay ..y  .. 23June1993a/X..X22July1993Australiay ..y 22August1990 .. 17December1990X..X16January1991Austriay ..y 26January1990 .. 6August1992X..X5September1992Azerbaijany ..y  .. 13August1992a/X..X12September1992Bahamasy ..y 30October1990 .. 20February1991X..X22March1991Bahrainy ..y  .. 13February1992a/X..X14March1992Bangladeshy ..y 26January1990 .. 3August1990X..X2September1990Barbadosy ..y 19April1990 .. 9October1990X..X8November1990Belarusy ..y 26January1990 .. 1October1990X..X31October1990Belgiumy ..y 26January1990 .. 16December1991X..X15January1992Belizey ..y 2March1990 .. 2May1990X..X2September1990Beniny ..y 25April1990 .. 3August1990X..X2September1990Bhutany ..y 4June1990 .. 1August1990X..X2September1990Boliviay ..y 8March1990 .. 26June1990X..X2September1990Bosniaand̀Herzegovina P   y ..y  .. X..X6March1992Brazily ..y 26January1990 .. 24September1990X..X24October1990Bulgariay ..y 31May1990 .. 3June1991X..X3July1991BurkinaFasoy ..y 26January1990 .. 31August1990X..X30September1990Burundiy ..y 8May1990 .. 19October1990X..X18November1990Cambodiay ..y 22September1992 .. 15October1992X..X14November1992Cameroony ..y 25September1990 .. 11January1993X..X10February1993Canaday ..y 28May1990 .. 13December1991X..X12January1992CapeVerdey ..y  .. 4June1992a/X..X4July1992CentralAfricaǹRepublicy ..y 30July1990 .. 23April1992X..X23May1992̇8.++b >uQ!8++y X&  Statesy ..y Dateofsignature .. DateofreceiptofX..XDateofentryy ..y  .. instrumentofX..Xintoforcey ..y  .. ratification/y ..y  .. accessiona/Chady ..y 30September1990 .. 2October1990X..X1November1990'  Chiley ..y 26January1990 .. 13August1990X..X12September1990Chinay ..y 29August1990 .. 2March1992X..X1April1992Colombiay ..y 26January1990 .. 28January1991X..X27February1991Comorosy ..y 30September1990 .. 22June1993X..X21July1993Congoy ..y  .. 14October1993a/X..X13November1993CostaRicay ..y 26January1990 .. 21August1990X..X20September1990C=ted'Ivoirey ..y 26January1990 .. 4February1991X..X6March1991Croatia*y ..y  .. X..X8October1991Cubay ..y 26January1990 .. 21August1991X..X20September1991Cyprusy ..y 5October1990 .. 7February1991X..X9March1991CzechRepublic*y ..y  .. X..X1January1993DemocraticPeople's̀RepublicofKoreay ..y 23August1990 .. 21September1990X..X21October1990Denmarky ..y 26January1990 .. 19July1991X..X18August1991Djiboutiy ..y 30September1990 .. 6December1990X..X5January1991Dominicay ..y 26January1990 .. 13March1991X..X12April1991DominicanRepublicy ..y 8August1990 .. 11June1991X..X11July1991Ecuadory ..y 26January1990 .. 23March1990X..X2September1990Egypty ..y 5February1990 .. 6Julyl990X..X2September1990ElSalvadory ..y 26January1990 .. 10Julyl990X..X2September1990EquatorialGuineay ..y  .. 15June1992a/X..X15July1992Eritreay ..y 20December1993 .. 3August1994X..X2September1994Estoniay ..y  .. 21October1991a/X..X20November1991Ethiopiay ..y  .. 14May1991a/X..X13June1991Fijiy ..y 2July1993 .. 13August1993X..X12September1993Finlandy ..y 26January1990 .. 20June1991X..X20July1991Francey ..y 26January1990 .. 7August1990X..X6September1990Gabony ..y 26January1990 .. 9February1994X..X11March1994Gambiay ..y 5February1990 .. 8August1990X..X7September1990Germanyy ..y 26January1990 .. 6March1992X..X5April1992Georgiay ..y  .. 2June1994a/X..X2Julyl994Ghanay ..y 29January1990 .. 5February1990X..X2September1990Greecey ..y 26January1990 .. 11May1993X..X10June1993Grenaday ..y 21February1990 .. 5November1990X..X5December1990Guatemalay ..y 26January1990 .. 6June1990X..X2September1990Guineay ..y  .. 13July1990a/X..X2September1990Guinea-Bissauy ..y 26January1990 .. 20August1990X..X19September1990Guyanay ..y 30September1990 .. 14January1991X..X13February1991HolySeey ..y 20April1990 .. 20April1990X..X2September1990Hondurasy ..y 31May1990 .. 10August1990X..X9September1990Statesy ..y Dateofsignature .. DateofreceiptofX..XDateofentryy ..y  .. instrumentofX..Xintoforcey ..y  .. ratification/y ..y  .. accessiona/Hungaryy ..y 14March1990 .. 7October1991X..X6November1991Icelandy ..y 26January1990 .. 28October1992X..X27November1992Indiay ..y  .. 11December1992a/X..X11January1993Indonesiay ..y 26January1990 .. 5September1990X..X5October1990Iran(Islamic̀Republicof)y ..y 5September1991 .. 13July1994X..X12August1994Iraqy ..y  .. 15June1994a/X..X15July1994Irelandy ..y 30September1990 .. 28September1992X..X28October1992Israely ..y 3July1990 .. 3October1991X..X2November1991Italyy ..y 26January1990 .. 5September1991X..X5October1991Jamaicay ..y 26January1990 .. 14May1991X..X13June1991Japany ..y 21September1990 .. 22April1994X..X22May1994Jordany ..y 29August1990 .. 24May1991X..X23June1991Kazakhstany ..y 16February1994 .. 12August1994X..X11September1994Kenyay ..y 26January1990 .. 30July1990X..X2September1990Kuwaity ..y 7June1990 .. 21October1991X..X20November1991Kyrgyzstany ..y  .. 7October1994X..X6November1994LaoPeople's̀DemocraticRepublic .. 8May1991a/X..X7June1991Latviay ..y  .. 14April1992a/X..X14May1992Lebanony ..y 26January1990 .. 14May1991X..X13June1991Lesothoy ..y 21August1990 .. 10March1992X..X9April1992Liberiay ..y 26April1990 .. 4June1993X..X4July1993LibyanArab̀Jamahiriyay ..y  .. 15April1993a/X..X15May1993Lithuaniay ..y  .. 31January1992a/X..X1March1992Luxembourgy ..y 21March1990 .. 7March1994X..X6April1994Madagascary ..y 19April1990 .. 19March1991X..X18April1991Malawiy ..y  .. 2January1991a/X..X1February1991Maldivesy ..y 21August1990 .. 11February1991X..X13March1991Maliy ..y 26January1990 .. 20September1990X..X20October1990Maltay ..y 26January1990 .. 30September1990X..X30October1990MarshallIslandsy ..y 14April1993 .. 4October1993X..X3November1993Mauritaniay ..y 26January1990 .. 16May1991X..X15June1991Mauritiusy ..y  .. 26July1990a/X..X2September1990Mexicoy ..y 26January1990 .. 21September1990X..X21October1990Micronesià(Federated̀Statesof)y ..y  .. 5May1993a/X..X4June1993Monacoy ..y  .. 21June1993a/X..X21July1993&  Statesy ..y Dateofsignature .. DateofreceiptofX..XDateofentryy ..y  .. instrumentofX..Xintoforcey ..y  .. ratification/y ..y  .. accessiona/Mongoliay ..y 26January1990 .. 5July1990X..X2September1990'  Moroccoy ..y 26January1990 .. 21June1993X..X21July1993Mozambiquey ..y 30September1990 .. 26April1994X..X26May1994Myanmary ..y  .. 15July1991a/X..X14August1991Namibiay ..y 26September1990 .. 30September1990X..X30October1990Nauruy ..y  .. 27July1994a/X..X26August1994Nepaly ..y 26January1990 .. 14September1990X..X14October1990NewZealandy ..y 1October1990 .. 6April1993X..X6May1993Nicaraguay ..y 6February1990 .. 5October1990X..X4November1990Nigery ..y 26January1990 .. 30September1990X..X30October1990Nigeriay ..y 26January1990 .. 19April1991X..X19May1991Norwayy ..y 26January1990 .. 8January1991X..X7February1991Pakistany ..y 20September1990 .. 12November1990X..X12December1990Panamay ..y 26January1990 .. 12December1990X..X11January1991PapuaNewGuineay ..y 30September1990 .. 1March1993X..X31March1993Paraguayy ..y 4April1990 .. 25September1990X..X25October1990Peruy ..y 26January1990 .. 4September1990X..X4October1990Philippinesy ..y 26January1990 .. 21August1990X..X20September1990Polandy ..y 26January1990 .. 7June1991X..X7July1991Portugaly ..y 26January1990 .. 21September1990X..X21October1990RepublicofKoreay ..y 25September1990 .. 20November1991X..X20December1991RepublicofMoldovay ..y  .. 26January1993a/X..X25February1993Romaniay ..y 26January1990 .. 28September1990X..X28October1990RussianFederationy ..y 26January1990 .. 16August1990X..X15September1990Rwanday ..y 26January1990 .. 24January1991X..X23February1991SaintKittsand̀Nevisy ..y 26January1990 .. 24July1990X..X2September1990SaintLuciay ..y  .. 16June1993a/X..X16July1993SaintVincentand̀theGrenadinesy ..y 20September1993 .. 26October1993X..X25November1993Samoay ..y 30September1990 .. 29November1994X..X29December1994SanMarinoy ..y  .. 25November1991a/X..X25December1991SaoTomeand̀Principey ..y  .. 14May1991a/X..X13June1991Senegaly ..y 26January1990 .. 31July1990X..X2September1990Seychellesy ..y  .. 7September1990a/X..X7October1990SierraLeoney ..y 13February1990 .. 18June1990X..X2September1990Slovakia*y ..y  .. X..X1January1993&  Statesy ..y Dateofsignature .. DateofreceiptofX..XDateofentryy ..y  .. instrumentofX..Xintoforcey ..y  .. ratification/y ..y  .. accessiona/Slovenia*y ..y  .. X..X25June1991'  Spainy ..y 26January1990 .. 6December1990X..X5January1991SriLankay ..y 26January1990 .. 12July1991X..X11August1991Sudany ..y 24July1990 .. 3August1990X..X2September1990Surinamey ..y 26January1990 .. 1March1993X..X31March1993Swedeny ..y 26January1990 .. 29June1990X..X2September1990SyrianArab̀Republicy ..y 18September1990 .. 15July1993X..X14August1993Tajikistany ..y  .. 26October1993a/X..X25November1993Thailandy ..y  .. 27March1992a/X..X26April1992TheformerYugoslav̀Republicof̀Macedonia*y ..y  .. X..X17September1991Togoy ..y 26January1990 .. 1August1990X..X2September1990TrinidadandTobagoy ..y 30September1990 .. 5December1991X..X4January1992Tunisiay ..y 26February1990 .. 30January1992X..X29February1992Turkmenistany ..y  .. 20September1993a/X..X19October1993Uganday ..y 17August1990 .. 17August1990X..X16September1990Ukrainey ..y 21February1991 .. 28August1991X..X27September1991UnitedKingdomof̀GreatBritainand̀NorthernIrelandy ..y 19April1990 .. 16December1991X..X15January1992UnitedRepublic̀ofTanzaniay ..y 1June1990 .. 10June1991X..X10July1991Uruguayy ..y 26January1990 .. 20November1990X..X20December1990Uzbekistany ..y  .. 29June1994a/X..X29July1994Vanuatuy ..y 30September1990 .. 7July1993X..X6August1993Venezuelay ..y 26January1990 .. 13September1990X..X13October1990VietNamy ..y 26January1990 .. 28February1990X..X2September1990Yemeny ..y 13February1990 .. 1May1991X..X31May1991Yugoslaviay ..y 26January1990 .. 3January1991X..X2February1991Zairey ..y 20March1990 .. 27September1990X..X27October1990Zambiay ..y 30September1990 .. 5December1991X..X5January1992Zimbabwey ..y 8March1990 .. 11September1990X..X11October1990 r* 򀀀8.++b >uQ!8b..ba/Accession.@..AnnexII@.. COMMITTEEONTHERIGHTSOFTHECHILD@..MembershipNameofMember .. ..>..>u..u....CountryofnationalityMrs.HodaBADRAN Q   ..>..>u..u..EgyptMgr.LuisA.BAMBARENGASTELUMENDI R   ..PeruMrs.AkilaBELEMBAOGO**>..>u..u..BurkinaFasoMrs.FloraC.EUFEMIO*>..>u..u..PhilippinesMr.ThomasHAMMARBERG**>..>u..u..SwedenMr.YouriKOLOSOV**..>..>u..u..RussianFederationMissSandraPrunellaMASON**u..u..BarbadosMr.SwithunTachionaMOMBESHORA*u..u..ZimbabweMrs.MartaSANTOSPAIS*>..>u..u..PortugalMrs.MariliaSARDENBERG*>..>u..u..Brazil    \R&6\ I      S + I         \R&6\U + @%..cAnnexIII@%..STATUSOFSUBMISSIONOFREPORTSBYSTATESPARTIESUNDERARTICLE44OF@%..THECONVENTIONONTHERIGHTSOFTHECHILDASAT27JANUARY1995*XY d,} dd,Qdd,Qdd,dd,,dd+  &@x@&@%..Initialreportsduein1992 "x@"Stateparty  @Dateofentryintoforce  @Datedue  @Dateofsubmission  @Symbol "@x"Bangladesh  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992     "@x"Barbados  Ѐ8November1990  Ѐ7November1992     "@x"Belarus  31October1990  30October1992  12February1993  CRC/C/3/Add.14 "@x"Belize  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992     "@x"Benin  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992     "@x"Bhutan  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992     "@x"Bolivia  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992  14September1992  CRC/C/3/Add.2 "@x"Brazil  24October1990  23October1992     "@x"BurkinaFaso  30September1990  29September1992  Ѐ7July1993  CRC/C/3/Add.19 "@x"Burundi  18November1990  17November1992     "@x"Chad  Ѐ1November1990  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  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992    &@x&@%..Initialreportsduein1992(continued) "x@"Stateparty  @Dateofentryintoforce  @Datedue  @Dateofsubmission  @Symbol "@x"Egypt  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992  23October1992  CRC/C/3/Add.6 "x"ElSalvador  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992  Ѐ3November1992  CRC/C/3/Add.9&Add.28 "@x"France  Ѐ6September1990  Ѐ5September1992  Ѐ8April1993  CRC/C/3/Add.15 "@x"Gambia  Ѐ7September1990  Ѐ6September1992     "@x"Ghana  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992     "@x"Grenada  Ѐ5December1990  Ѐ4December1992     "@x"Guatemala  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992  5January1995  CRC/C/3/Add.33 "@x"Guinea  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992     "@x"GuineaBissau  19September1990  18September1992     "@x"HolySee  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992  Ѐ2March1994  CRC/C/3/Add.27 "@x"Honduras  Ѐ9September1990  Ѐ8September1992  11May1993  CRC/C/3/Add.17 "x"Indonesia  Ѐ5October1990  Ѐ4October1992  17November1992  CRC/C/3/Add.10&CRC/C/3/Add.26 "@x"Kenya  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992     "@x"Mali  20October1990  19October1992     "@x"Malta  30October1990  29October1992     "@x"Mauritius  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992     "@x"Mexico  21October1990  20October1992  15December1992  CRC/C/3/Add.11 "@x"Mongolia  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992  20October1994  CRC/C/3/Add.32 "@x"Namibia  30October1990  29October1992  21December1992  CRC/C/3/Add.12&@x&@%..Initialreportsduein1992(continued) "x@"Stateparty ..   @Dateofentryintoforce  @Datedue  @Dateofsubmission  @Symbol "@x"Nepal  14October1990  13October1992     "@x"Nicaragua  Ѐ4November1990  Ѐ3November1992  12January1994  CRC/C/3/Add.25 "@x"Niger  30October1990  29October1992  27April1994  CRC/C/3/Add.29 "@x"Pakistan  12December1990  11December1992  25January1993  CRC/C/3/Add.13 "@x"Paraguay  25October1990  24October1992  30August1993  CRC/C/3/Add.22 "x"Peru  Ѐ4October1990  Ѐ3October1992  28October1992  CRC/C/3/Add.7&CRC/C/3/Add.24 "@x"Philippines  20September1990  19September1992  21September1993  CRC/C/3/Add.23 "@x"Portugal  21October1990  20October1992  17August1994  CRC/C/3/Add.30 "@x"Romania  28October1990  27October1992  14April1993  CRC/C/3/Add.16 "@x"RussianFederation  15September1990  14September1992  16October1992  CRC/C/3/Add.5 "@x"SaintKittsandNevis  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992     "@x"Senegal  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992  12September1994  CRC/C/3/Add.31 "@x"Seychelles  Ѐ7October1990  Ѐ6October1992     "@x"SierraLeone  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992     "x"Sudan  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992  29September1992  CRC/C/3/Add.3&CRC/C/3/Add.20 "@x"Sweden  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992  Ѐ7September1992  CRC/C/3/Add.1 "@x"Togo  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992    &@x&@%..Initialreportsduein1992(continued) "x@"Stateparty  @Dateofentryintoforce  @Datedue  @Dateofsubmission  @Symbol "@x"Uganda  16September1990  15September1992     "@x"Uruguay  20December1990  19December1992     "@x"Venezuela  13October1990  12October1992     "x"VietNam  Ѐ2September1990  Ѐ1September1992  30September1992  CRC/C/3/Add.4&CRC/C/3/Add.21 "@x"Zaire  27October1990  26October1992     "@x"Zimbabwe  11October1990  10October1992     "@x"         &@x&@%..Initialreportsduein1993 "@x"Angola  Ѐ4January1991  Ѐ3January1991     "x"Argentina  Ѐ3January1991  Ѐ2January1993  17March1993  CRC/C/8/Add.2&Add.17 "@x"Australia  16January1991  15January1993     "@x"Bahamas  22March1991  21March1993     "@x"Bulgaria  Ѐ3July1991  Ѐ2July1993     "@x"Colombia  27February1991  26February1993  14April1993  CRC/C/8/Add.3 "@x"C=ted'Ivoire  Ѐ6March1991  Ѐ5March1993     "@x"Croatia  Ѐ7November1991  Ѐ6November1993  Ѐ8November1994  CRC/C/8/Add.19 "@x"Cuba  20September1991  19September1993     "@x"Cyprus  Ѐ9March1991  Ѐ8March1993  22December1994  CRC/C/8/Add.24 "@x"Denmark  18August1991  17August1993  14September1993  CRC/C/8/Add.8&@x&@%..Initialreportsduein1993(continued) "x@"Stateparty  @Dateofentryintoforce  @Datedue  @Dateofsubmission  @Symbol "@x"Djibouti  Ѐ5January1991  Ѐ4January1993     "@x"Dominica  12April1991  11April1993     "@x"DominicanRepublic  11July1991  10July1993     "@x"Estonia  20November1991  19November1993     "@x"Ethiopia  13June1991  12June1993     "@x"Finland  20July1991  19July1993  12December1994  CRC/C/8/Add.22 "@x"Guyana  13February1991  12February1993     "@x"Hungary  Ѐ6November1991  Ѐ5November1993     "@x"Israel  Ѐ2November1991  Ѐ1November1993     "@x"Italy  Ѐ5October1991  Ѐ4October1993  11October1994  CRC/C/8/Add.18 "@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  Ѐ7June1991  Ѐ6June1993     "@x"Lebanon  13June1991  12June1993  21December1994  CRC/C/8/Add.23 "@x"Madagascar  18April1991  17May1993  20July1993  CRC/C/8/Add.5 "@x"Malawi  Ѐ1February1991  31January1993     "@x"Maldives  13March1991  12March1993  Ѐ6July1994  CRC/C/8/Add.15 "@x"Mauritania  15June1991  14June1993    &@x&@%..Initialreportsduein1993(continued) "x@"Stateparty  @Dateofentryintoforce  @Datedue  @Dateofsubmission  @Symbol "@x"Myanmar  14August1991  13August1993     "@x"Nigeria  19May1991  18May1993     "@x"Norway  Ѐ7February1991  Ѐ6February1993  30August1993  CRC/C/8/Add.7 "@x"Panama  11January1991  10January1993     "@x"Poland  Ѐ7July1991  Ѐ6July1993  11January1994  CRC/C/8/Add.11 "@x"RepublicofKorea  20December1991  19December1993  17November1994  CRC/C/8/Add.21 "@x"Rwanda  23February1991  22February1993  30September1992  CRC/C/8/Add.1 "@x"SanMarino  25December1991  24December1993     "@x"SaoTomeandPrincipe  13June1991  12June1993     "@x"Slovenia  25June1991  24June1993     "@x"Spain  Ѐ5January1991  Ѐ4January1993  1(!..(!10August1993  CRC/C/8/Add.6 "@x"SriLanka  11August1991  10August1993  23March1994  CRC/C/8/Add.13 "x"TheformerYugoslavRepublicofMacedonia  17September1991  16September1993     "x"Ukraine  27September1991  26September1993  Ѐ8October1993  CRC/C/8/Add.10/Rev.1 "x"UnitedRepublicofTanzania  10July1991  Ѐ9July1993  29April1994  CRC/C/8/Add.14 "@x"Yemen  31May1991  30May1993  14November1994  CRC/C/8/Add.20 "@x"Yugoslavia  Ѐ2February1991  Ѐ1February1993  21September1994  CRC/C/8/Add.16 &@x&&@x&@%..Initialreportsduein1994 "x@"Stateparty  @Dateofentryintoforce  @Datedue  @Dateofsubmission  @Symbol "@x"Albania  28March1992  27March1994     "@x"Austria  Ѐ5September1992  Ѐ4September1994     "@x"Azerbaijan  12September1992  11September1994     "@x"Bahrain  14March1992  14March1994     "@x"Belgium  15January1992  14January1994  12July1994  CRC/C/11/Add.4 "@x"BosniaandHerzegovina  Ѐ6March1992  Ѐ5March1994     "@x"Cambodia  14November1992  15November1994     "@x"Canada  12January1992  11January1994  17June1994  CRC/C/11/Add.3 "@x"CapeVerde  Ѐ4July1992  Ѐ3July1994     "x"CentralAfricanRepublic  23May1992  23May1994     "@x"China  Ѐ1April1992  31March1994     "@x"CzechRepublic  Ѐ1January1993  31December1994     "@x"EquatorialGuinea  15July1992  14July1994     "@x"Germany  Ѐ5April1992  Ѐ4May1994  30August1994  CRC/C/11/Add.5 "@x"Iceland  27November1992  26November1994  30November1994  CRC/C/11/Add.6 "@x"Ireland  28October1992  27October1994     "@x"Latvia  14May1992  13May1994     "@x"Lesotho  Ѐ9April1992  Ѐ8April1994     "@x"Lithuania  Ѐ1March1992  28February1994    &@x&@%..Initialreportsduein1994(continued) "x@"Stateparty  @Dateofentryintoforce  @Datedue  @Dateofsubmission  @Symbol "@x"Slovakia  Ѐ1January1993  31December1994     "@x"Thailand  26April1992  25April1994     "@x"TrinidadandTobago  Ѐ4January1992  Ѐ3January1994     "@x"Tunisia  29February1992  28February1994  16May1994  CRC/C/11/Add.2 "x"UnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland  15January1992  14January1994  15March1994  CRC/C/11/Add.1 "@x"Zambia  Ѐ5January1992  Ѐ4January1994     "@x"         &@x&@%..Initialreportsduein1995 "@x"Algeria  16May1993  15May1995     "@x"AntiguaandBarbuda  Ѐ4November1993  Ѐ3November1995     "@x"Armenia  23July1993  Ѐ5August1995     "@x"Cameroon  10February1993  Ѐ9February1995     "@x"Comoros  22July1993  21July1995     "@x"Congo  13November1993  12November1995     "@x"Fiji  12September1993  11September1995     "@x"Greece  10June1993  Ѐ9June1995     "@x"India  11January1993  10January1995     "@x"Liberia  Ѐ4July1993  Ѐ3July1995     "@x"LibyanArabJamahiriya  15May1993  14May1995    &@x&@%..Initialreportsduein1995(continued) "x@"Stateparty  @Dateofentryintoforce  @Datedue  @Dateofsubmission  @Symbol "@x"MarshallIslands  Ѐ3November1993  Ѐ2November1995     "x"Micronesia(FederatedStatesof)  Ѐ4June1993  Ѐ3June1995     "@x"Monaco  21July1993  20July1995     "@x"Morocco  21July1993  20July1995     "@x"NewZealand  Ѐ6May1993  Ѐ5May1995     "@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     "@x"Vanuatu  Ѐ6August1993  Ѐ5August1995     "@x"         &@x&@%..Initialreportsduein1996 "@x"Afghanistan  27April1994  26April1996     "@x"Gabon  11March1994  10March1996     "@x"Luxembourg  Ѐ6April1994  Ѐ5April1996    &@x&@%..Initialreportsduein1996(continued) "x@"Stateparty  @Dateofentryintoforce  @Datedue  @Dateofsubmission  @Symbol "@x"Japan  22May1994  21May1996     "@x"Mozambique  26May1994  25May1996     "@x"Georgia  Ѐ2July1994  Ѐ1July1996     "@x"Iraq  15July1994  14July1996     "@x"Uzbekistan  29July1994  28July1996     "x"Iran(IslamicRepublicof  12August1994  11August1996     "@x"Nauru  26August1994  25August1996     "@x"Eritrea  Ѐ2September1994  Ѐ1September1996     "@x"Kazakhstan  11September1994  10September1996     "@x"Kyrgyzstan  Ѐ6November1994  Ѐ5November1996     "@x"Samoa  29December1994  28December1996    п    \R6&\  33 +   ++P+   } Z[PF++b >uQ!-$d&(* -@/w13P@..AnnexIV@..   REPORTONTHEMEETINGOFTHESPECIALCOMMISSIONOF  THEHAGUECONVENTIONONPROTECTIONOFCHILDRENAND@..f COOPERATIONINRESPECTOFINTERCOUNTRYADOPTION@..1721October1994b..bTheCommitteewasrepresentedinanobservercapacity,aswastheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforRefugees,atthemeeting.Themaintopicsdealtwithwere:(a)theratificationandimplementationofthe1993Convention;(b)itsapplicationtorefugeechildrenandotherinternationallydisplacedchildren,and(c)theissueontheformforconsenttotheadoptionofachildandthecertificateofconformitytointercountryadoption.b..bTherewere40Statesrepresented,with9non-governmentalorganizationsasobservers.Ofthe15StatesthathavesignedtheConvention,onlyMexicohasratifiedbutRomaniahasreportedapprovalofthePreliminaryBillforRatificationand9otherStatesmentionedtheinitiationoflegalproceduresonratification.b..bAnillustrativecheck-listofquestionstobeexaminedwithaviewtoimplementingthe1993HagueConventiononProtectionofChildrenandCooperationinrespectofIntercountryAdoptionwasdiscussedandrevised(therevisedcopywasnotavailabletotherepresentative).Theissueofthenationalityofthechildwhenadopted(art.7oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild)waspostponedfordiscussionatfuturemeetingsoftheCommission.TheCommittee'srepresentativeindicatedthatitwouldbepossiblefortheCommitteetofollowuptheratificationandimplementationoftheHagueConventiononthebasisofthechecklists,asStatespartiesreportontheirimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.b..bIndiscussingtheconceptof"otherinternationallydisplacedchildren"inthecontextofintercountryadoption,theCommittee'srepresentativeinvokedarticle3inreferringtochildrenwhoarecompelledfortheirbestinterests(notonlyfortheirsafety)toremainoutsidetheircountryoforigin.TheobserverfortheInternationalSocialService(ISS),anon-governmentalorganization,describedtheircurrentinvolvementwiththeexpandedconceptof"otherinternationallydisplacedchildren"andpresentedaproposalconcerningtheestablishmentofaninternationalresourcecentrefortheprotectionofchildreninintercountryadoption.Theproposalwaswelcomed,subjecttothecriteriaStateswoulduseforaccreditingnon-governmentalbodiesandthesubstantialapplicationoftheHagueConvention.TheCommittee'srepresentativereferredtoarticle4oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildtoreinforcetheinvolvementofISS.b..bTheformofconsenttotheadoptionofthechilddidnotrefertotheconsentofthechildhimself/herself,northatofthechildrenoftheadoptivefamily,subjecttotheirageandmaturity(art.12oftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild).ThatsubjectwillbeconsideredatafuturemeetingoftheSpecialCommission,itbeingfeltthattheparticipantswerenotreadytodiscussitatthepresentmeeting.b..bApositiveattitudetowardsgrantingthenationalityoftheadoptiveparentstotheadoptedchildandgivingweighttotheviewsofthechildbeingadoptedandthoseofthechildrenoftheadoptingfamilyhavetobefostered.TheparticipationattheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildinfuturemeetingswithinthemechanismoftheHagueConferenceonPrivateInternationalLawonmattersrelevanttotheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildhastobemaintained.ThevalueofimplementingdetailsthattheHagueConferenceexaminescannotbeover-emphasized.@..6AnnexV@.. GENERALDEBATEONTHE"GIRLCHILD"@..21January1995@..nConclusionsA.b..bNationallyb..b1. .. Inthepoliticalsphereb..bDemonstrateagenuinewilltoactbydrawingupanappropriatepolicyandanoverallintegratedstrategyfornationalimplementationthatsetsspecificprioritiesandgoalsinconformitywiththerightsofthechildandofwomen.b..bSubmittotheCommitteeontheRightsoftheChildreportsontheimplementationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildwithinthesettime-limits,andensuretheyincludeallthegender-specificdataandstatisticsrelatingtothevariousformsofinequalityanddiscriminationinthespheresofeducation,health,employment,etc.b..bEncourageparticipationbyallstrataofthecountry'ssociety,includingmenandcommunityandreligiousleaders,intheadvancementoftherightsofgirls.b..bProvidenon-governmentalorganizationsandwomen'sassociationsthatoperateonbehalfofgirlswiththesupporttheyneed.b..b2. .. Inthelegislativesphereb..bProceedtouniversalratificationoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChildandtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.b..bConsiderthepossibilityofwithdrawingreservationsthatareinconsistentwiththefundamentalprinciplesoftheConventionontheRightsoftheChild.b..bAdoptnationallawstoensurerespectfortheprincipleofequalrightsanddutiesforbothsexes(theminimumageformarriageisanexample).b..bLaydownsanctionsforviolationsofnationallegislationandestablishmechanismsforimplementation.b..b3.0 .. AsregardstheimplementationoftheConventionontheRights0b..b .. oftheChildb..b(a) .. Informationandeducationb..bChangetheimageofwomeninthemedia,inadvertisingandinschooltextbooksbyadoptingsuitablemessagestocombatinequalities,stereotypesandsocialapathy.̇b..bPromoteparentaleducationintheformalandinformalsectors.b..bIncorporateteachingontherightsofthechildintheschoolcurriculumandinteacher-trainingprogrammes,aspartoftheUnitedNationsDecadeforHumanRightsEducation.b..bMakefamiliesawareoftheroletheyshouldplayinsecuringtheinherentdignityofgirlsashumanbeingsandnotmerelyassisters,mothersandspousesandinensuringthatgirlsenjoyequalopportunitiestoparticipateactivelyinnationallife.b..b(b) .. Healthb..bEnsurethatgirlshaveaccesstohealthservices.b..bStrengthenthetrainingofhealthprofessionals,devotingparticularattentiontothespecifichealthneedsofgirls.b..bFosterbeneficialtraditionalpracticesandcombatthosethataredetrimentaltothehealthanddevelopmentofgirls.b..b4. .. EvaluationoftheConvention'simplementationb..bInstituteasystemforgatheringreliable,gender-specificinformationandstatistics.b..bCarryoutthenecessaryresearchandstudiestodevelopanunderstandingofspecificcultural,religiousandsociologicalissues.B.b..bInternationallyb..b1. .. TheCommitteeshouldb..bParticipateintheworkoftheWorldConferenceonWomen.b..bJoininfollowingupandimplementingtheconclusionsoftheWorldConferenceonWomen.b..bStrengthenitscooperationwiththeCommitteeontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen.b..bPromoteitsadvisoryrolewiththesupportoftheUnitedNationsspecializedagenciesandnon-governmentalorganizations.b..bInsertarequestforgender-specificdataonallformsofdiscriminationinthelistofquestionssenttoGovernmentsinconnectionwiththeconsiderationoftheirreports.b..b2. .. Theinternationalorganizationsshouldb..bCarryoutjointactivitiesamonginternationalorganizations,havingregardtotheirspecificspheresofaction.@..AnnexVI@..LISTOFDOCUMENTSISSUEDFORTHEEIGHTHSESSIONOFTHECOMMITTEECRC/C/3/Add.23 .. ..InitialreportofthePhilippinesCRC/C/8/Add.8 .. ..InitialreportofDenmarkCRC/C/8/Add.11 .. ..InitialreportofPolandCRC/C/8/Add.12 .. ..InitialreportofJamaicaCRC/C/11/Add.1 .. 0..InitialreportoftheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIrelandCRC/C/15/Add.29 .. ..ConcludingobservationsPhilippinesCRC/C/15/Add.30 .. ..ConcludingobservationsColombiaCRC/C/15/Add.31 .. ..ConcludingobservationsPolandCRC/C/15/Add.32 .. ..ConcludingobservationsJamaicaCRC/C/15/Add.33 .. ..ConcludingobservationsDenmarkCRC/C/15/Add.34 .. ..ConcludingobservationsUnitedKingdomCRC/C/15/Add.35 .. ..ConcludingobservationsArgentinaCRC/C/19/Rev.3 .. 0..CompilationoftheconclusionsandrecommendationsadoptedbytheCommitteeCRC/C/35 ..  .. ..ProvisionalagendaandannotationsCRC/C/36 ..  .. 0..NotebytheSecretary-GeneralontheStatespartiestotheConventionandthestatusofsubmissionofreportsCRC/C/37 ..  .. 0..NotebytheSecretary-GeneralonareasidentifiedbytheCommitteefortechnicalassistanceCRC/C/SR.184209 .. ..Summaryrecordsoftheeighthsession@..