Reply to List of Issues : Denmark. 10/07/96.
. (Reply to List of Issues)
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
(CRC/C/8/Add.8)

List of issues to be taken up in connection with the considera-tion of the initial report of Denmark.

Re question 1:

It appears from paragraph 305 of the report of Denmark concerning the measures taken in order to effect the rights recognized in the convention, that the Danish reservation towards article 40 (2) (b) (v) arises from the fact that there is not access in all criminal cases to a re-examination of the question of guilt at a higher court. This is true partly in jury cases, where the Danish Supreme Court in case of an appeal can not decide on the guilt of the defendant and partly in a number a small cases in which an appeal from the court of first instance to one of the two divisions of the Danish High Court is not possible but can take place, however, with the permission of the Danish Ministry of Justice.

At present, there are no plans of changing the rules of the Danish Administration of Justice Act on this point.

Re question 2:

The Danish report is prepared by the Ministry of Justice in cooperation with various other ministries attending to fields of a particular interest to children, among these especially the Ministry of Social Affairs, of Health and of Education.

Non-governmental organisations, professional associations, youth groups and the public in general have not been involved in the process of preparing the report.

The report was published by being forwarded to the Danish Parliament, the Folketing and was also forwarded to pressure groups and associations, concerned with the rights of the child. After the publication, by request, the Ministry of Justice has forwarded the report free of charge to a number of private organisations and persons. The interest in receiving the report has been increasing as the knowledge of the existen-ce of the report has become more widespread among the public.

Re quest on 3:

The Ministry of Justice is prepared to publish the Sumary Records and the Concluding Observations of the discussions with the Committee on the Rights of the Child in the same way as the Danish report was published.

Re quest on 4:

At present, there are no plans of further information campaigns about the Convention.

However, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child will form part of the basis for the work of the Children's Council.

The Children's Council was set up in 1994 for a trial period of three years in accordance with a governmental decision. The Council is independently and inter-disciplinarily composed. According to the terms of reference of the Children's Council, the Council must follow and render visible the development of the conditions under which children are growing up, as well as be aware of situations where the needs and rights of children are either not adequately Considered or outright set aside in relation to the requirements and needs of society. The Council must disseminate information about children and submit topical questions for debate and it must endeavour to give children a better possibility of being a part of this debate and influen-cing the development of society.

The Council can take up any question regarding the conditions of children, both on the initiative of the Council itself and after specific inquiries. The Council is not supposed to deal with specific complaints, since these are to continue to be dealt with in the ordinary complaint system. However, based on specific inquiries, the Council can take up general questions. The Council can point out and render visible circumstances of the legislation and the administrative practice, which violate the rights of the child or are inexpedient in connection with the safeguard of good growing up conditions for children and can, based hereof, make proposals for a change of the legisla-tion or administrative practice. Eventually, central authori-ties can use the Council is a hearing instance in connect;-on with legislative initiatives and other initiatives which might affect the conditions under which children grow up.

Re question 5:

The UN Convention of 20 November 1989 on the rights of child is available in Danish, English and French.

The first report of Denmark to the UN Secretary General on the measures taken in order to effect the rights recognized in the UN Convention of 20 November 1989 on the rights of the child is prepared in Danish and English.

Any other publication in connection with the Convention is available in Danish only.

Re question 6:


The rules of international law, among these the Convention on the Rights of the Child, will influence Danish law through the so-called construction and presumption rules. Under the con-struction rule, Danish rules of law must as far as possible be construed in such a way that they are in accordance with Denmark's obligations towards international law. The presump-tion rule implies that the Law applying authorities and the courts must base their decisions on the fact that it must be assumed that the Folketing will not act against Denmark's obligations towards international law. Therefore, it will be possible to invoke The Convention on the Rights of the Child through these unstatutory rules at the Danish courts as a contribution to the understanding of the Danish rules.

Re question 7:

Pursuant to section 32 of the Danish Social Assistance Act the Municipal Councils in Denmark supervise the conditions under which children and young people under the age of 18 live in the municipality. The Municipal Council must extend support and guidance to the holder of the custody or others who in reality support a child or a young person when the child or the young person has difficulties in connection with his or hers surroun-dings or in any other way lives under unsatisfactory condi-tions. The Municipal Council makes decisions as to investiga-tion and measures etc.

In case it is presumed that a child or a young person is in need of special support, the municipal Council must assure that the conditions of the child or the young person are investiga-ted. Decision hereof is made in concert with the custodial parent and the young person who has reached the age of 15, cf. section 32, C of the Social Assistance Act.

Pursuant to section 33 of the Social Assistance Act, the Municipal Council is obliged to make decisions as to imple-mentation of measures when it must be considered to be of essential importance out of regard for the needs for support of a child or a young person. It must be kept in view that the child or the young person can remain at home. The decision is made with consent from the holder of the custody. A decision to place a child outside the home also requires consent from the young person who has reached the age of 15.

Furthermore, it appears from section 48 of the Social Assistan-ce Act that persons who, at home, support a child under the age of 18 who is physically or, mentally handicapped have the right to obtain coverage of the necessary additional support ex-penditures which are considered a direct cause of the handicap, if these expenditures do riot rise above a fixed amount during one full year.

Under section 135, subsection 7 of the Social Assistance Act, the Danish Municipal and County Councils each pay 501 of the expenditures concerning the remedial measures for children and young persons. Of the expenditures for stays at 24-hour care centres pursuant to section 96 of the Social Assistance Act, the Municipal Council pays a price fixed for one fiscal year at a time based on the budgets of the centres.

Re question 8:

In its policy paper of June 1993 regarding perspectives for the development of human rights and democracy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has devoted a chapter to issues pertaining to specific problems of children in developing countries. The Convention on the Rights of the Child was taken into consideration in the preparation of this chapter. In the policy paper it is emphasized that children are one of the most vulnerable groups of society. Therefore, many of the Danish development programmes and projects such as immunization programmes, mother and child programmes and aid for primary education - are primarily targeted at children.

Through its contribution to UNICEF, Denmark has supported a wide range of programmes for children. In 1992, Denmark made an extraordinary contribution to UNICEF for a special programme addressing the needs of girls falling victim to breakdown of the social fabric caused by AIDS. In addition, Denmark has provided support for the treatment of traumas on children caused by war in Mozambique. An increase in direct support for action to protect children from abuse and continued support for trauma treatment is now under consideration.

Re question 9:

The Ministry of Social Affairs, The Government's Children's Committee and the Cross-Ministerial Children's Committee work for strengthening the effort for the weakest children and young peoples. In this connection, the Cross-Ministerial Children's Committee asked a research group to map out the factors contri-buting to some children and young peoples being shut out or ostracized from ordinary social life.

This work is published in the publication "High-risk children who are they - what can we do?". It is concluded that it is very difficult to state moderately precise number of how many children and young peoples find themselves in a situation in which they need special support in order to be able to get out of their difficulties.

A conservative estimate however points in the direction that, due to massive and long term negative influences - typically early in their lives - approx. 4% of all children and young peoples must be considered to be in immediate need of treatment if the necessary positive changes are to take place in their lives. Another 3-4%, during their childhood or youth, are victims of some sort of serious strain that they have no possibility of pulling through without suffering permanent injury it they do not receive special help and support. Finally there is a third group of children and young peoples - 7-8% -who at some time or another are victims of a strain which theyrisk not "getting over" on their own. For instance, this can be children experiencing dramatic break ups of the family, serious illness or death among parents.

Based on the publication, the Government's Children's Committee has in 1994 prepared an action plan for the weakest children and young people. In addition to these specific proposals in the action plan which are currently being realised, four substantial aims are drawn up:

- The health schemes for children must be improved.

- All children, young peoples and parents have quick access to guidance.

- Open pedagogical offers must exist for all children.

- All young peoples must be ensured a qualified youth education, vocational training or a job.

The aims and the specific proposals for actions will contribute to a strengthening and improvement of the effort towards the wea-kest groups. The specific proposals of the action plan especially concern work of improving the conditions for the weakest children and young people. To a large extent, the centres and support mo-dels needed already exists in the same way as qualified employee groups exist but there is a need for a closer cooperation between the different sectors and employee groups. This is why the action plan contemplates a number of specific method developing projects aiming at developing the inter-disciplinary cooperation within each municipality. It is important that the people from each em-ployee group with whom children and young peoples are in contact through the childhood and youth cooperate in order that valuable knowledge of the conditions of the child and his or her family is not lost in the course of time.

As regards being able to discover quickly and take action if a child or a young people has difficulties of a support requiring nature, the Ministry of Education has informed the relevant edu-cational institutions of the importance of improving the basic aswell as the supplementary Training in a way that enables better the pedagogical staff at institutions, teachers a.o. to pick up signals from children and young peoples with difficulties. Further instruction hereof will be sent to the educational insti-tutions.

In the revised circular on day-care offers, i.e. offers on stays in day-care nurseries, kindergartens, youth centres etc., which is expected to be sent out in the Spring of 1995, the Ministry of Social Affairs will more distinctly stress the role of the day offers in the preventive work.

Apart from this, guide lines on the professional secrecy and duty of disclosure with the title "Professional secrecy and help for children and young peoples through dialogue and consent" will be prepared in cooperation between the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Social Affairs. The guide lines ad-dress day-care centres and the pedagogical staff, registered child-minders, teachers, visiting nurses a.o. and will describe the demands that can be made on their active participation and responsibility when meeting children with difficulties for in-stance due to lack of care, abuse or drug - and especially alco-hol - abuse of the parents etc. The guide lines are expected to be sent out in the Spring of 1995.

The Ministry of Social Affairs has furthermore implemented an analysis project on the efforts for socially strained children and families with children. Among other issues, the analysis project will examine the quality of the efforts towards this group as a follow-up on the new legislation on remedial mea-sures towards children and young peoples which took effect on 1 January 1993. Further on this issue, kindly see the reply of question 21.

Re question 10:

As it appears from the reply of question 7, in the social field the Municipal Council supervises the conditions under which children and young peoples Under the age of 18 live in the muni-cipality. The same applies as far as the educational field is concerned. In other fields, eg. within the health services the County Councils have a number of tasks.

The obligations of the Municipal and County Council are laid down by the legislation as well as the orders issued pursuant hereto. Furthermore, as occasion requires, each ministry prepares guide lines on the understanding of legislation as well as directions for the administration of legislation of the municipal and County authorities.

As mentioned in the reply of question 4, it will be possible, through the work of the Children's Council to evaluate con-tinuously the existing legislation and administrative practice.

Re question 11:

Pursuant to Act no. 466 of 30 June 1993, a board for ethnic equality has been appointed. Pursuant to this Act, the aim of the board is to see to it that the matter of ethnic equality is included in as many sides as possible of society life and co render visible and possibly counteract discrimination between persons of Danish heritage and persons of other ethnic her-itage. Moreover, it is the task of the board to combat dis-crimination in all its aspects and to assist in giving all ethnic groups in society a possibility to carry on their activities on equal terms

On it's own account or by request, the board can examine conditions embraced by the purpose of the Act. The board does not consider individual cases. The board advises the Folketing, the Government, local and central authorities, local decision--makers, organisations and institutions and other parts of society which can contribute to rendering visible and coun-teracting ethnic discrimination. The board consists of an independent chairman appointed by the Danish Prime Minister and 14 members appointed by the Prime Minister. The 14 members are appointed among others by immigrant organisations, municipal organisations and the labour market parties.

Based on a resolution at the Council of Europe Summit on 8-9 October 1993, a European youth campaign against racism, xen-ophobia, anti-Semitism and intolerance shall be carried out during the period 10 December 1994 to 9 November 1995. Parallel to this, a special Nordic campaign will be implemented. Danish authorities and voluntary organisations will participate in the carrying out of both campaigns. A national committee which is to plan the activities and see to the necessary coordination has recently been appointed.

In October 1993, the Government's City Committee, consisting of the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Ecclesiastical Af-fairs, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister of Education put forward an action plan of 30 proposals for the combating of those social problems which have arisen in a number of housing areas all over Denmark. Some of the proposals concern refugees and immigrants, among these young re-fugees and immigrants. As an example of these initiatives it can be mentioned that within the educational field, an initiative has been taken for the improvement of the situation as to vocational training jobs for young peoples and in that connection special attention will be drawn to examining whether there is a need for an extra effort towards specific groups, among these immigrants and refugees. Likewise, initiatives has been taken with regard to a more desirable dispersion of bilingual pupils in the Danish Primary Schools, establishing of special educations, teaching etc. by bilingual teachers and pedagogical staff and an introduc-tion of immigrant languages as optional subjects in the Danish Primary Schools as well as the upper secondary and Higher Prepa-ratory Examination schools.

Furthermore, an action plan has been prepared for the demoli-tion of employment barriers for immigrants and refugees in the labour market. In this connection, a proposal has been put forward for a joint removal by the public authorities and the immigrants of the integration barriers in the labour market for immigrants and refugees.

Re question 12:

For children residing at an asylum centre, the Danish Red Cross has established an instruction course consisting of 15 hours of weekly classes in Danish, civics, math and foreign languages. Lessons in the mother tongue of the child only take place as far as the residents in the asylum centres undertake this task.

Children seeking for asylum have access to medical, dentist and hospital treatment according to a special arrangement admini-stered by the Danish Red Cross. The expenses are paid by public funds.

It is not possible to grant residence permit to parents of children seeking asylum. In such a situation, the parents have to file an application for asylum with a Danish delegation in the country in which they reside.

Children of recognized refugees and children who are inde-pendently recognized as refugees enjoy the same rights as to teaching, education, health services and social security as children of Danish citizens. Children who have obtained resi-dence permits as refugees are offered the same teaching as Danish children. They are integrated in the Danish school system through reception classes as soon as possible after the granting of the residence permit. Non-Danish speaking pupils have the right to lessons in Danish especially organised for pupils, the mother tongue of whom is not Danish. In addition, if 12 or more pupils require it, pursuant to the Danish Primary Education Act, the local Authorities are obliged to establish lessons in the mother tongue of these pupils if it is possible to find a qualified teacher. There are no special limitations in the access of the refugees to further educations in Denmark. In the same way, refugees have the same prospects as Danish citizens of obtaining educational aid from public funds.

Unaccompanied refugee children for whom an ordinary evaluation pertaining to asylum law can not be carried through are, according to circumstances, granted residence permit pursuant to the Danish Aliens Act, section 9, subsection 2, subparagraph 4, after which the child enters into an integration programme for 18 months, equivalent to the programmes for persons with refugee status established by the Danish Refugee Council.

Should one or both parents of an unaccompanied refugee child later file a petition for residence permit, the Danish Direc-torate of Immigration will evaluate whether the residence permit of the child will be withdrawn pursuant to section 19 of the Aliens Act based on the fact that the child is no longer unaccompanied and in that case the child in question can be sent out of the country together with the parents. Should the Directorate consider, on the basis of a specific evaluation, that there are no grounds for withdrawing the residence permit, it will be possible, should the situation call for it, under such circumstances to grant residence permit to the parents pursuant to section 9, subsection 2, subparagraph 4 of the Aliens Act under which residence permit can be granted in very special cases.

Re question 13:

The Directorate of Immigration, which considers all petitions for asylum, at first instance does not carry out individual interviews with asylum seeking children arriving together with their parents unless special factors exist dictating an evalua-tion of the conditions of the child pertaining to asylum law.

During interviews at the Directorate with an unaccompanied child, an observer from the Danish Red Cross sits in, the task of whom it is to support the child and ensure that the inter-view takes place with a leniency adapted to the nature of he case and the age of the child. Should the observer consider that the interview gives rise to criticism, he or she must in-form the case attendant hereof in order for the interview to take place with the necessary alertness.

As to interviews held by the police, by request of the Ministry of the Interior, the National Commissioner of the Danish Police have established guide lines concerning an obligatory observer arrangement for interrogations of unaccompanied asylum seekers under the age of 18. The mask of the observer appointed by the Danish Red Cross is to support the minor during the inter-rogation and ensure that the interrogation takes place with a leniency adapted to the nature of the case and the age of the questioned child in the same way as the observer must point out if the interview gives rise to criticism. During the inter-rogation, the observer must remain neutral and must not parti-cipate actively in the Questioning. The observer arrangement is applied by the police in connection with all case administra-tion steps.

As a chief rule, minors arriving and seeking for asylum accom-panied by asylum seeking parents are not questioned indepen-dently by the Danish Refugee Board which is the instance of appeal in connection with asylum cases since the potential residence permit of the minors in question will result from the decision made in the parents, case. Should the minor have an independent asylum motive - this would typically involve 15-17 year old children - the case of the minor in question will be considered independently of the case of the parents, cf. below.

As regards unaccompanied asylum seekers under the age of 18, the Refugee Board has only considered very few cases. This is due to the fact that, as described above in the reply of question no. 12, as a basis, the Directorate of immigration grants residence permit to unaccompanied minors pursuant to section 9, subsection 2, subparagraph 4 of the Aliens Act when an ordinary evaluation of tie case pertaining to asylum law can not reasonably be carried through.

This being the case, unaccompanied 15-17 year old children will only be submitted to a usual asylum consideration by the Refugee Board pursuant to section 7 of the Aliens Act provided that, from an individual examination, they are deemed to be in possession of the necessary mental and intellectual maturity. When unaccompanied 15-17 hear old children who have been submitted to the normal asylum procedure by the Directorate of Immigration are questioned by the Board, it takes place accor-ding to the same guide lines as are applied in the case of interrogation of adult asylum seekers; yet, the Refugee Board seek to adjust the form of the interrogation in accordance with the individual developmental state of mind of the child in qu-estion. Should it be deemed expedient - in order to inspire the necessary sense of security to the situation with which the child in question is unaccustomed - apart from the lawyer, the minor can be accompanied by a social worker or another person with whom the child in question feels confident. This can be effected by request of the minor or at the suggestion of the Board itself.

In accordance with established practice, the asylum authorities consider asylum cases concerning minors prior to other asylum cases.

Re question 14:

The Danish Government has issued no regulations regarding the anonymity of sperm donors. The current policy is derived from bylaws of the Foundation for the Central Sperm Bank, which state that the directors of the Foundation guarantee sperm donors complete anonymity forever. The Danish Government hasthe refore not undertaken a separate review of this policy in light of the child's right to know his or her origins.

Furthermore, it can be stated that a committee under the Ministry of Justice - the Children's Act Committee - is cur-rently considering whether a need exists for explicit rules governing paternity and maternity to children born after sperm or ovum donation.

Re question 15:

In the Danish Legal Incapacity and Guardianship Act, a provision exists that the opinion of a child must be heard before decision is made as to custody or visitation rights if the child has reached the age of 12. The provision is construed in such a way that an interview can also take place with a child who has not yet reached the age of 12 but possesses such a maturity that he or she is able to form his or her own opinion on the question. In practice, an interview with the child is held when he or she is 10-12 years of age and apart from that possesses sufficient matu-rity. An interview with the child can be retrained from if it is estimated that it could cause injury to the child or if an inter-view is of no importance to the decision making. The rule applies both to cases considered by the Supreme Administrative Authority of the Counties and for cases heard at the courts. In connection with cases concerning young children, as far as possible both the Supreme Administrative Authority of the Counties and the courts make use of statements from experts in child welfare, ie. state-ments on the mental stage of the child from a child psychologist or psychiatrist .

Under Danish legislation, there are no possibilities of estab-lishing access to a child for any other person than the par-ents. Thus, for young children, the contact with other family members depends on the attitude of the parents. Old children are assumed to be able to choose by themselves with whom they wish to associate which is also why the Supreme Administrative

Authority of the County does not prepare an access resolution against the will of an old child.

The Supreme Administrative Authority of the County must offer ex-pert children and family guidance in connection with cases in which disagreement exists as to the custody or visitation rights. Guidance is normally only effected if both parents wish to parti-cipate. The guidance is extended in inter-disciplinary coopera-tion between lawyers, psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers. The guidance is extended free of charge for parents and children.

Re question 16:

A child whose parents are recognized as refugees enjoys the same rights as Danish children as to visits at and stays with the parents. As far as the right of unaccompanied children to see their parents is concerned, kindly see the reply of qu-estion 12. In case of only one of the parents being recognized as a refugee in Denmark, the other parent may be granted resi-dence permit pursuant to section 9 of the Danish Aliens Act if the parents are married or are living in a permanent rela-tionship of some duration. However, if the parents are not cohabiting, as a prevailing basis, residence permit can not be granted to the parent nor recognized as a refugee in Denmark. In special cases, in which it is of paramount importance for the life or welfare of the child, residence permit can be granted under these circumstances, pursuant to section 9, subsection 2, subparagraph 4 of the Aliens Act.

Re question 17:

Within the social field, parents, guidance projects have been implemented in some municipalities; so-called parents' educa-tions. Since the projects are relatively new they are only currently being evaluated. Thus, no completed evaluations exist for the time being.

A committee under the Ministry of Justice which has just submit-ted a report has suggested an extension of the guidance from ex-perts in child welfare in cases concerning custody and visitation rights.

Under current rules on guidance from experts in child welfare, disagreement between the parents about the question of custody or visitation rights must exist in order for the guidance to be ex-tended. The guidance can only be extended if both parents wish to participate, as will appear from the reply of question 15. In the report it is suggested that guidance should be extended if only one of the parents is positive towards an offer for guidance. it is also suggested that guidance should be extended in special ca-ses even though disagreement between the parents about the custo-dy or the visitation rights does not exist.

Re question 18

As mentioned in the reply of question 17, a committee under the Ministry of Justice has just ended its work by submitting a re-port on joint custody, visitation rights and guidance from ex-perts on family welfare. In the report it is suggested to streng-then the possibilities of the unmarried father of obtaining cu-stody of a child in connection with a discontinuation of the co-habitation. Moreover, it is suggested that the parent with whom the child does not live should have access to another form of contact than visitation rights such as telephone conversations etc., likewise, it is suggested that the parent who does not have the custody should have the right to receive information about the child from the public authorities. Eventually, it is sugge-sted as mentioned in the reply at question 17, that the guidance from an expert in child welfare should be extended. It is the in-tended to submit a bill based on the report in the Spring of 1995.

Re question 19:

Pursuant to section 66, subsection 1 of the Danish Social Assistance Act, residences for children and young peoples must be approved suitable by the local authorities. Under section 96 of the Social Assistance Act, the County Councils must ensure that the necessary number of available places exist in institu-tions, among these residential homes for children and young peoples who need to be placed outside the home of their pare-nts. Moreover, the County Councils extend guidance to the Municipal Council and advisory support as to choice of residen-ce. Pursuant to section 96 of the Social Assistance Act, the municipality of residence of the custodial parent continuously supervises the conditions of the child or young person during the stay outside the home of the parents.

Re question 20:

In 1989, by request of the Ministry of Justice, the Danish National Institute of Social Research performed an investiga-tion of the conditions for young 18-25 year old peoples adopted from abroad by Danish parents. The investigation is based upon interviews with 384 young peoples of Asian, African or Latin American origin and who therefore have an alien appearance and another cultural background than the parents by whom they are adopted and the society into which they are adopted.

The conclusion of the investigation is that the main part of the young peoples are integrated into the Danish society, they live like other peoples their age and feel Danish. It appears from the report of the Danish National Institute of Social Research that the majority of the participants of the invest-igation has practically never been treated worse than or hers but that ragging, especially due to their appearance, has occurred more frequently than is the case with non-adopted peoples of the same age. A small number - smaller than origi-nally assumed - has, to a certain extent, been exposed to positive and/or negative discrimination. The discrimination tow h ich the adopted peoples have been exposed is however described as not serious.

As to education, work and dwelling, the adopted peoples are on a level with people their age which is seen as an expression of the fact that they are fully integrated into the Danish socie-ty. The adopted peoples leave school with more or less the same background as persons their own age do. However, a larger per-centage find themselves outside the educational system than is the case with those of their own age; thus, they neither have nor are engaged in obtaining an education. Half of these peoples are unemployed and half of them have unskilled jobs. Furthermore, it is characteristic of this group that they leave home before the age of 18. The adopted peoples who arrived in Denmark after the age of three are over-represented in this group.

Moreover, the adopted peoples give the impression that they live like other people one meets and with whom one sympathize. They take part in the same leisure activities as people their age, however, there is a tendency that more adopted peoples are engaged in high culture activities and pleasures. The nationa-lity of the young peoples are described as Danish. They feel Danish, are happy that they ended up in Denmark and live like other Danes. They do nor isolate themselves from other people of foreign appearance, neither do they keep to themselves together with other people of foreign appearance in minority groups. As a chief rule openness exists between most adoptive parents and the young peoples about the fact that they have a different appearance from most other people.

Re question 21:

Pursuant to section 32 of the Social Assistance Act, it lies with the Municipal Council to supervise the conditions under which children and young peoples live in the Municipality.

Moreover, pursuant to section 20 of the Social Assistance Act, anyone is obliged to inform the Municipal Council, if he or she obtains knowledge of the fact that a child under the age of 18 is exposed to neglect or degrading treatment on the part of the parents or others by whom the child is brought up or lives under conditions which jeopardize the health or development of the child. Thus, this provision states a general obligation applying to all citizens.

To this should be added that the Minister of Social Affairs under section 19 of the Social Assistance Act can establish rules according to which persons practising public service or office must inform the Municipal Council if, during the prac-tise of the service or office, they obtain knowledge of condi-tions suggesting that a person is in need of social assistance. Furthermore, the Minister Of Social Affairs can stipulate rules on the duty of disclosure applying to other groups who, during the practise of their office, obtain knowledge of conditions giving rise to remedial measures under the Social Assistance Act. Such additional rules are laid down in a statutory instru-ment from the Ministry of social Assistance in which it is emphasized that all persons Practising public service or office are affected by the duty of disclosure. At the same time, it is laid down that medical doctors, including general practitioners, are affected by this duty.

Furthermore, it is the opinion of the Ministry of Social Assistance that a number of employee groups especially Primary School teachers and the staff at day-care centres must not be too reluctant to take action of their attention is drawn to problems of a child or a family. This is to a high extent an element which ought to be included in the education of these employee groups. Therefore, the Ministry of Social Affairs has sent out a letter to all Municipal and County Councils in which these issues are pointed out.

As mentioned under question 9, the Social Ministry will incooperation with a number of ministries and agencies prepare guide lines on the rules of the Act on Administration on the professional secrecy applying to employees within the public sector and others who obtain knowledge of the fact that a child or a young person is in need of social assistance. The guide lines will approach especially the different employee groups within the child's field (visiting nurses, staff at day-care centres, Primary School teachers etc.).

As it moreover appears from the report of Denmark (para. 117), pursuant to section 213 of the Danish Penal Code, it is a criminal offence if parents expose a child to neglect or degrading treatment. As it also appears from the report (para. 351), incest is criminalized by section 210 of the Penal Code. During a criminal case about violation of section 210 of the Penal Code, under section 741 of the Danish Administration of Justice Act, the child has the right to an assigned counsel to look after the interests of the child during the criminal case.

Finally, the report of Denmark, para. 310, can be referred to in which it appears that the police is obliged to inform a representative of the Municipal Council when an accused person under the age of 18 is to be interrogated and when the indict-ment concerns violation of the Penal Code or other law offenses which may result in imprisonment. Furthermore, the representa-tive of the Municipal Council has access to witness inter-rogations during a potential subsequent trial. The aim of this duty of disclosure is for instance to give the social au-thorities a possibility of assisting the young person and perhaps implementing remedial measures.

Re question 22:

The overall purpose of the treatment effort in Denmark is basically to encourage the emotional, intellectual and social functional level of the child - whether the child is treated at home, in a day-care central or at school. The motive of the stimulation of the child is to enable it to become equal to different situations of life consistent with the developmental stage of mind and the needs of the child. Based upon this, remedial measures are primarily seen as tools serving to obtain the optimal personal development and integration of the child into the family and society.

Re question 23:

Due to high suicide rates in Denmark compared to other nations, prevention of suicides has a high priority with the Danish Government. A number of activities have been implemented during the past decade to help prevent suicide (eg. regionalization of the treatment of psychiatric patients, establishment of a publicly funded Centre for the Prevention of Suicide, govern-ment subsidies for research within suicide prevention, estab-lishment of a Nordic collaborative effort to prevent suicide). Prevention of teenage suicide is an integrated part of these efforts. There are no special activities aimed at preventing teenage suicide because the teenage suicide rate is low and has been decreasing during the past several years.

Furthermore reference can he made to the fact that the Danish Government has prepared an action plan for the weakest children and young people. One of the initiatives of this action plan is a strengthening of the inter-disciplinary cooperation within the municipalities. As regards the follow-up of the action plan, high priority is given to provide knowledge to adults dealing with children and young people as to picking up signals from children about mal-being and subsequently knowledge of how to support these children and young people.

Re question 24:

In 1994, the ministry of Education sent out a publication descri-bing the aim and central areas as to knowledge and skills of all the obligatory and optional subjects and obligatory topics mentioned in the Primary Education Act. Lessons in human rights are included in the subject of history and in the subject of civics. In the subject of Christian studies, instruction in philosophy of life and ethics is given, together with universal questions which are asked and discussed within Christianity as well as within other religions and understandings of life and instruction is gi-ven in ethic principles and problems, eg. moral practice, human understanding of the world and man's responsibility for nature. In connection with the lessons in these questions, it is natural to include human rights.

Re question 25:

Kindly see the reply of question no. 12.

Re question 26:

The interior arrangement of the asylum centres is not the same, depending on the buildings in which the centres are established and the adjacent outdoor areas. The Directorate of Immigration however aims at arranging the centres in such a way that families are not separated at the billeting in order to enable family life to continue. Likewise, play rooms are arranged in the centres in which special staff is employed as well as kitchen and eating facilities enabling families to prepare and eat their meals together. To the extent to which it is physi-cally possible, rooms are arranged for different creative activities, eg. bicycle repair shops, drafting rooms, exercise rooms and sitting rooms with TV. Finally, play grounds and playing fields are established on potential outdoor areas.

Re question 27:

Under section 36 of the Danish Aliens Act, the police can decide on imprisonment of in alien eg. to ensure the possibili-ty of refusal of admission or deportation pursuant to a deci-sion hereof made by one of the immigration authorities. Unless an alien imprisoned under section 36 is released within 72 hours, he or she must be brought before a court who decides on the legality and the upholding of the imprisonment, of section 37 of the Aliens Act.

Under all circumstances, imprisonment must only be implemented if the measures mentioned on section 34 of the Aliens Act are not sufficient in order to ensure the possibility of refusal of admission or deportation. Under section 34 of the Aliens Act, when it must be considered necessary in order to ensure the presence of the alien, the police can decide that the alien must

1) deposit his or her passport or other travelling identifica-tion papers and ticket with the police,

2) provide a security laid down by the police,

3) reside according to a specific decision of the police and

4) appear with the police it specified times.

In principle, these rules apply for minors as well. However, imprisonment of aliens under the age of 15 never takes place.

With a view to limiting to an absolute minimum the number of imprisonments of aliens between the age of 15 and 18 awaiting deportation, in a circular letter to all police districts, the National Commissioner of the Danish Police has laid down guide lines for imprisonment of persons of this age group. It appears from these guide lines that imprisonment of aliens under the age of 18 can only take place under quite special circumstan-ces. Furthermore, as mentioned in the reply of question 13, by request of the Ministry of the Interior, the National Commis-sioner of the Danish Police has established guide lines con-cerning an obligatory observer arrangement for interrogation of unaccompanied asylum seekers under the age of 18.

Re question 28:

In the Danish judicial system no special bodies exist attending to criminal acts committed by children. However, it may become necessary to place imprisoned children in special institutions as mentioned in the Danish report (para. 329).

As to alternatives to the Application of imprisonment of children, kindly see the report, paragraphs 321-323, on the application of withdrawal of charges and so-called youth con-tracts. As regards the youth contracts it can be mentioned that the trial period has come to an end and that it is thus not possible to apply youth contracts for the time being. The possibility of making the arrangement permanent is currently being considered.

Moreover, as a supplement to the alternatives to imprisonment stated in the report (para. 323) it can be mentioned that the rules of part 7 of the Penal Code on suspended sentences also apply to children. Under these provisions, the execution of imprisonment can be conditioned by the child in question staying in an suitable home or institution or being submitted to child and youth welfare service.

In case a suspended sentence under the rules of part 7 is not seen as a sufficient reaction to the committed law offence, the sentence can be conditioned by the child in question performing specified unpaid community service within an established amount of time for at least 40 and no more than 240 hours. The rules hereon apply to children as well.

Re question 29:

Under section 7 of the Danish Penal Code, acts committed by Danish citizens within the borders of another country can be prosecuted in Denmark if the act is considered a criminal offence under the laws of the country in question.

The prosecution in such international cases is provided by cooperation with the police authorities in the foreign country in question. The police cooperation normally takes place through INTERPOL in these cases.

As to Thailand in particular, it can be mentioned that in 1993 Denmark entered into an agreement with Sweden, providing the possibility of collecting information from a Swedish liason officer in Thailand who deals with sexual assaults on children.

Re question 30:

On 1 October 1990, the Danish Working Environment Service implemented an action aimed at the dangerous work of children and young people (the 15-25 year olds) . The Working Environment Service elected 15 trade groups in which the young people had particular problems-The purpose of the action was to render visible and intervene in the particularly serious problems as to working environment in connection with dangerous work of young people and to draw attention to young peoples problems as to working environment in the companies, the media and the public in general. More-over, it was intended to provide information about the special working environment rules for young people between the age of 15 and 25.

The instrument for this was inspection of companies employing young people between the age of 15 and 25 and information for the employers, supervisors and employees of the companies about the special needs of young people for instruction and training and the duty of employers ind supervisors to give this to them.

In connection with all the inspection visits information was handed out about dangerous work of young people and in connection with the action, a report was published on dangerous work of young people, among other things dealing with the age, sex, working experience, trade etc. of the young people at the time of the work-related injury. During the action, 4.282 inspection visits were carried out. 318 orders to observe current law and 523 written guide lines on the rules were given.

The action created increased attention to the working environ-mental problems of young people and to the importance of instruction, training and supervision of young people.

It appeared that 40% of the visited companies employed young people under the age of 18

While the action was taking place, an investigation was publis-hed of spare-time jobs of Primary School pupils showing that more than 70% of the older Primary School pupils have spare--time jobs. During the action, the attention of the working Environment Service was furthermore drawn to problems with the spare-time jobs of Primary School pupils.

Based on this, in the Spring of 1991, guide lines were sent out for all 7th to 9th grade pupils in the Danish Primary Schools.

The aim of this effort was to provide information to the young people about what type of jobs they can and can not do and how many hours they can work and to give the young people a possi-bility of discussing the subject with their classmates and their teacher and to motivate the young people to work with the subject in order for them to become more attentive when they arrive in the companies after school and holidays.

This took place by handing out pamphlets to the young people, hanging up posters in the schools, giving teacher guidance and having a class competition and articles were published for the older Primary School pupils. The class competition ended with an exhibition of the competition contributions and a prizegi-ving. Almost 200 classes participated in the competition.

As mentioned in the Danish report (para. 343), in 1992, the Danish Government set up a commission on the work of children and young people - the Children's Commission.

Due to a nation-wide investigation, the commission recommended that a special effort should be aimed at the eldest pupils of the Primary Schools since it turned out that it is the older pupils who do most of the work.

The investigation did not show any connection between social conditions and the amount of the work. However, it is indicated that a small group, approx. 5% of all the pupils working, do so due to their social situation.

Moreover, it was recommended that working environment should constitute an independent field of study in the Danish Primary Schools. From August 1994, working environment is an inde-pendent field of study within the obligatory subject of educa-tional, vocational and labour market guidance in the Primary Schools.

In the Spring of 1993 the Danish Government appointed a task force, the job of which it was to implement further activities as to information about the working environment of children and young people. The task force consists of representatives from the labour market organisations as well as the Ministry of Education and the Working Environment Service.

At the moment, the task force is finishing the planning and preparing of a lot of information material on the work of children and young people.

Investigations performed by the Children's Commission call attention to a number of trade fields in which a lot of child-ren and young people are especially employed and, therefore, the task force has prepared material aimed at children and young people and employers within these trade fields. The fields in question are the hotel and restaurant business, cleaning contractors, kiosks and stores, workshops and factories and the agricultural field.

The material will be sent out in January 1995. In connection with the distribution it as planned to write all schools to present the material and request that the subject is taken up both within the teaching and at parent-teacher meetings etc.

With regard to the question of whether Denmark wants to ratify the ILO Convention no. 138 on minimum age as to access to employment, it is noted that so far the fact that the Danish working environment rules alow work of an easy nature down to the age of 10 has been an Obstacle.

In the light of the European Councils directive 94/33/EC of 22 June 1994 on protection of young people at the work-place which among other things includes provisions on the minimum age of children and young people as to the access to employment and which is to be implemented into Danish law on 22 June 1996 at the latest, Denmark will however consider to ratify the ILO conven-tion no. 138 on minimum age as to access to employment at a later stage.

Re question 31:

As to children's conditions in Greenland, it can be mentioned that the fundamental rights of children in Greenland are governed by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Denmark Act and that the rights mentioned in the Constitution are not included in the fol-lowing as the discussion on the Danish report is hereby referred to.

of rules applying especially to children and young people in Greenland can be mentioned Act for Greenland on the legal position of children, the Legal Incapacity and Guardianship Act, the Act on Adoption, regulations from the Greenland so-called Landsting (the Greenland Home Rule Parliament consists of two assemblies, one of which is the elected Landsting) on support for children and young people and statutory instrument of the Greenland Home Rule on support for children and young people.

The Children's Act holds rules on paternity both for legitimate and illegitimate children. The basis is that a child has the right to two parents but the Act however operates with some exemptions, eg. the concept of "maintenance debtor" in case of which one or more men can be sentenced to pay maintenance for an illegitimate child without thereby being considered the father of the child. Furthermore, a mother can be exempted from giving information about the identity of a potential father unless this exemption must be considered as conflicting with the welfare of the child, if the needs and interests of the child.

A child has the right of Inheritance and right of name from both of the parents regardless of whether the child is legiti-mate or illegitimate. However, this does not apply if one or more men are ordered to pay maintenance for the child. In this case, the child will not belong to the family of the mainte-nance debtor and can not have the family name of this man. Furthermore, the child does not obtain the right of inheritance from this man or his family. Thus, legally, such a child has no father but belongs to the family of the mother only. Joint custody can not be established with a maintenance debtor and he can not be allowed visitation rights.

Under the Children's Act, both parents have an individual obligation to support the child. The child must be supported, raised and educated with regard to the living conditions of the parents and the interests and needs of the child. The obligation to support applies to all children, also illegitimate children and children of special needs due to handicaps etc. Furthermore, the obligation to support also applies to children with whom a parent does not have contact and children who have grown up with other adults than the parents without being adopted. If one or both parents do no meet the obligation to support the child they can be ordered to pay maintenance for the child. If a maintenance debtor does not pay according to what is laid down in a decision hereon, the maintenance credi-tor can receive the maintenance in advance from the public authorities. If a child has no supporter the public authorities take over the support of the child if the child can not provide what is necessary to sustain life on its own.

Under the Legal Incapacity and Guardianship Act, a child or a young person under the age of 18 who is not married is subject to parental custody. Any person under the age of 18 is under age and is considered a minor. All persons under age are subject to guar-dianship. As a basis a young person under the age of 18 can not enter into marriage but he or she can be granted an exemption and obtain allowance hereto. If a young person under the age of 18 enters into marriage the parental custody ceases to exist. The custodial parent is the guardian of the child unless the custo-dial parent is him or herself a minor or if the guardianship has been deprived of him or her for instance due to abuse hereof. A parent minor has custody of his or her child but can not protect the guardianship of the child.

If the parents are married to each other they have joint custody of the child. In case the parents are not married they can enter into an agreement on joint custody. If such an agreement has not been entered into, the mother is the sole custodial parent. At the cessation of joint custody, the custody is assigned to one of the parents, either according to an approved agreement between the parents or by a court decision based on an evaluation of the wel-fare of the child. A custodial parent must provide for the child and can make decisions on it's personal affairs based on the interests and needs of the child. Moreover, the custodial parent has an obligation to protect the child against physical and men-tal violence and other offending treatment.

If a child or a young person is adopted the legal matter between the natural parents and the child ceases. The adopters are put in a position as if they were the natural parents of the child re-sulting in the adopters taking over the support and custody of the child. At the same time, the child obtains rights of inheri-tance and name from the adopters. As a basis, children can not be adopted without the consent of the custodial parent, but in case one of the parents being non-custodial, he or she has the right to express his or her opinion in favour of or against the adop-tion. However, the non-custodial parent has the possibility of applying for transfer of the custody to him or herself and in that way seek to prevent an adoption. A child can be adopted without the consent of the custodial parent if the child is placed outside the home and if there has been no contact between the child and the custodial parent for some time, in practice appr. 7 years, or if a custodial parent revokes his or her con-sent to adoption.

On 1 January 1993 the Greenland so-called Landsting Regulations on support for children and young people came into force. (The elected Landsting is one of the two assemblies of the Greenland Home Rule Parliament) . These regulations are the first part of a readjustment of the field concerning support for children and young people. In connection with the readjustment work, the Landsting has implemented an investigation of the placement of children and young people outside the home.

This investigation is now completed and within a short period of time it is expected to become basis of further readjustment of the rules. The investigation shows that a lot of children and young people are placed outside the home, namely 4.3%. Many of these placements are however arranged placements which are a tradition in Greenland, where it is not uncommon that children are given to for instance family members who can not have any children of their own. In such a case the child grows up in the recipient family as if it was the family's own child, in many cases without formal adoption taking place.

In all cases in which children and young people under the age of 18 stay with any other person than the custodial parent for a period of more than 60 days, it is requested that the foster--family has a foster-authorization from the public authorities. Such an authorization can only be issued if the placement serves the welfare of the child. Some placements of children and young people outside he home take place in accordance with a decision made by the municipal social authorities, namely 2.9% of all children between the ages of 0 and 18 in Greenland. Far the most of these placements take place with the consent of the custodial parent, namely 71% of the placements, whereas only 8% of the children are placed outside the home as a real compulsory measure. If the custodial parent consents to the placement of a child or a young person outside the home by the social authorities, the placement can take place if the inter-ests and needs of the child are threatened in case of continued residence in the home. If the custodial parent does not consent to a child or a young person being placed outside the home, the social authorities can place the child without consent if the physical or mental health of the child is threatened in case of continued residence in the home.

If the social authorities consider placing a child or a young person outside the home without the consent of the custodial parent, the custodial parent has the right to obtain insight in the documents of the case as well as the right to have observer assistance free of charge during the administration of the case. A child or a young person is not considered a party to the case but a child above the age of 10 must be heard an his or her position on the placement, and information about a young child's position on his or her case must be available. A child or a young person can be placed with a foster-family or in a24-hour care centre according to a decision of the municipal Social Committee based on an evaluation of the welfare of the child.

The Social Committees of the municipalities are obliged to supervise the living conditions of children and young people of the municipality and are obliged to take action by means of remedial measures if a child or a young person lives under unsatisfactory conditions. Any citizen is obliged to inform the Social Committee if a child or a young person of the municipa-lity lives under condition which could cause the intervention of the Social Committee. Persons practising a public service or office have a more stringent duty of disclosure when, while practising their service or office, they obtain knowledge of the fact that a child or a young person is in need of support. The Social Committee is obliged to take action if the invest-igation shows that a need for support exists.

The remedial measures which can be implemented are guidance, direction and support, recommendations and instructions to do or refrain from doing something. Furthermore, it can be decided to place a child or a young person outside the home. A so--called "principle of minimum intervention" applies according to which the Committee must first try to solve the problems within the home and only if this can not be done, the Committee can have the child placed outside the home. If a child is placed outside the home by the social authorities, the matter of whether the child shall remain so must be taken up for consi-deration at least once a year, at which occasion the Social Committee again must work for the placement being of as short a duration as possible and for trying to maintain the contact with the child's home during the placement.

Each Municipal Council must see to it that the necessary number of places in d ay-care institutions and within socio-educational leisure time activities exists. Both municipal and private day-care institutions can be established, which must both observe the guide lines of the Greenland Landsstyre (one of the two Home Rule Parliament Assemblies) on the establishment, the interior arrangement, the management and the operation. The Landsstyre supervises this generally and pedagogically. As a basis, the parents must pay for a place in a day-care institu-tion.

Children and young people are entitled to 13 years of school free of charge. All children under the age of nine are subject to compulsory education. This also applies to handicapped children. The basis of the compulsory education is that the child participates in the teaching of the Primary Schools. If the child needs special lessons this can be provided perhaps during a stay at an institution etc. Support for strongly handicapped children is provided according to an evaluation of the nature of the needed remedial measures which may enable the child to obtain as normal a living as possible. The support is granted free of charge regardless of the financial situation of the parents. As a basis, no extra aid is granted for the support of a handicapped child.

Children and young people above the age of 15 may be sentenced to criminal liability and according to this be sentenced to measures pursuant to criminal legislation. Within criminal legislation, no special sanctions applying to young offenders exist. However, it can be laid down as terms of a suspended sentence, that the minor offender must be subject to child and youth welfare service and that he or she must observe the directions announced by the welfare service. Moreover, the young person must not be sentenced to imprisonment unless this is called for due to special circumstances. No special rules of procedure exist applying to criminal cases against children or young people under the age of 18.

Under criminal legislation it is a criminal offence to have sexual intercourse or other sexual relations with children under the age of 15. Furthermore, conviction for seduction may take place if a person has intercourse or other sexual rela-tions with a person under the age of 18 made possible by severe abuse based on superiority due to age and experience. Finally, it is possible to sentence a man for sexual abuse if he obtains intercourse or other sexual relations with a woman due to severe abuse of her subordination or financial dependence of him or dependence following from her being submitted to his custody, care or supervision.

Pursuant to the Working Environment Act, children under the age of 15 can not do commercial work except from 2 hours of easy house work a day. As regards an employer's own children, this re-striction only concerns work with technical plants, machines, fa-cilities, substances and materials which may cause danger to the children. In a statutory instrument applying to Greenland on dan-gerous work of young people, it is laid down that children above the age of 10 can be employed with some types of easy work for up to 12 hours weekly in school weeks and for 20 hours weekly in ho-liday weeks. The working hours must not be more than 2 hours on school days and 8 hours on school free days. Moreover, children who have reached the age of 13 can be employed with some sorts of easy commercial work for up to 12 hours a week in school weeks and up to 40 hours a week n holiday weeks. Children under the age of 15 who have a valid reason for not attending school may do work of the above nature for up to 8 hours a day for not more than 40 hours a week. Both the employer and the custodial parent can be fined if these rules are not observed.

In addition, it should be mentioned that in practice it is difficult to employ sufficiently educated pedagogical staff in day-care institutions and 24 hour care centres due to a general lack of educated staff in Greenland. Furthermore, follow-ups of cases concerning placement outside the home of children and young people do not take place to the full extent established by the rules hereon. Eventually, it should be noted that the rule of the Children's Act Concerning the maintenance obliga-tion of a man who is not considered the father of the child is subject to consideration as to whether it is in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.

As to the situation of children at the Faroe islands, it can be mentioned that the legislation on children listed in the Danish report to a large extent also applies to the Faroe islands. Thus, this is the case with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Denmark Act, the Legal Incapacity and Guardianship Act, the Aliens Act, the Children's Act, the Act on Adoption and the Administration of Justice Act. These areas are matters of common interest and are administered by the national authorities of the Kingdom of Den-mark. However, the educational as well as the leisure time and cultural fields are administered by the Faroese authorities.

As far as the educational field is concerned, it can be mentio-ned that, pursuant to Act for the Faroe islands on the Primary School (and pursuant to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Denmark Act) all children at the Faroe islands have the right to free education in the Primary School. The further provisions concerning education, compulsory education and rights of education, are established in an Act of Lagting (the Lagting is the legislative assembly of the Faroe islands) - a Faroese ad hoc Act - on the Primary School. The Primary School consists of a 7-year basic school and a 3-year continuation school. The compulsory education lasts 7 years but approx. 98% of the pupils continue in the continuation school. The compulsory education applies to children from the commencement of the scholastic year within the calendar year where the child reaches the age of 7 and ceases at the end of a scholastic year for the children who have reached the age of 14. The compulsory education applies to all children living at the Faroe Islands or who are to live at the Farce islands for at least 6 months. Any child of compulsory school attendance age is obliged to attend the Primary School if he or she does not in any other way obtain education of a standard which is normally required from the Primary School. The person, to the household of whom a child of compulsory school attending age belongs, is responsible for the child receiving sufficient education.

The administration of the Faroese educational system has been taken over from the Danish state by the Home Rule of the Faroe islands in 1979 under the provisions of the Act on Home Rule of the Faroe Islands. Under the provisions of the Act of Lagting on control of the educational system, private schools may be established. The Faroese Landsstyre (the "government" of the Faroe islands) is the supreme authority of the educational system and exercises this through a Board on Education and a Directorate of Education headed by a Chief Inspector of Educa-tion appointed by the Landsstyre.

The Primary School is a municipal school. The Municipal Council is responsible for providing the necessary education for the citizens of the municipality, which includes providing the necessary financial means and the necessary locations for education. The supervision and control of the municipal schools are performed by the School Commission which has powers in all cases concerning the educational system of the municipality which do not explicitly fall under any other authority. Based on the domestic culture and in cooperation with the homes, the task of the Primary School as to give the pupils a possibility of acquiring knowledge and skills contributing to the individu-al pupils versatile development in order for him or her to become a useful and independent human being both within his or her home and within society. Therefore, within all its work, the Primary School must seek. to create such possibilities of experience and self-performance that the pupils feel inclined to learn, to use their imagination, to develop their capability of independent judgement and recision and to develop in relian-ce on themselves and on the possibilities of the community. In concert and cooperation with the homes of the pupils, the school must contribute to providing a Christian and ethical upbringing for the pupils and prepare them for taking an active interest in a democratic society as well as preparing then for participatory democracy and point responsibility for this democracy. The school must encourage freedom of the intellect and tolerance and must emphasize the creation of a well func-tioning cooperation between teacher and pupils and between the school and the homes of the pupils. The parents and the pupils must be regularly informed of the school's opinion about the pupils profit from the education. In the continuation school (8th to 10th grade) the evaluation of the pupils is expressed through marks for general proficiency. The same applies to pupils leaving school after the 7th grade. At the end of the education in the 9th grade, the Leaving Examination of the Folkeskole (the Danish Primary School) is held and at the end of the education in the 10th grade, the Advanced Leaving Examination of the Folkeskole is held.

The Danish Upper Secondary School, the so-called Gymnasium which is the Danish form of high-school, admits students from the 9th grade and above. The generally educative instruction of the Gymnasium takes 3 years and provides the necessary basis for further education after the examination for the school--leaving certificate (= A level). This certificate enables the students to be admitted int) institutes of higher education both at the Faroe islands, ir. Denmark and in the other Nordic countries. The education of the Danish business colleges con-sists of one year of basic instruction after which the students can either continue into vocational training with a training contract or seek for admittance into the 2-year instruction for the examination for the business diploma (= A level). The education of the Danish technical schools consists of one year of basic training after which the students can continue into vocational training with a training contract or into training as assistants, the aim of which is to qualify the pupils for further technical educations, for instance the education as technician. After the basic year, the pupils may moreover seek for admittance into the 2-year instruction for the examination for the higher technical diploma (= A level) - The instruction in fish processing industry and marine breeding lasts 3 years and to some extent qualifies the students as fish processing industry technicians and to some extent qualifies them for further education.

Under the provisions of the Act of Lagting no. 70 of 30 June 1983, leisure time educations and activities may be establis-hed. The Municipal Council must see to it that the citizens of the municipality are offered leisure time education and ac-tivities and must provide the necessary means. A statutory instrument on leisure time education has moreover laid down special opportunities towards leisure time education of child-ren and young people under the age 25. Under the provisions of Act of Lagting no. 69 of 7 June 1984 on subsidies for schools of music, the Faroese treasury subsidises municipal schools of music, the aim of which is to develop the musical abilities and gifts of the pupils in cooperation with the homes and the schools of the pupils and with other institutions of music.

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Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
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