’WPC ’ÓNRÜ,<›ćZ„B²¶ŠD`Ź5Õ3Āo$E=›ņZg‘śåXĀWµäĘ[ÄĀqć`;ģēŽ°Į8āøaÆ^ūķWk9ĻP‚\T¦Ķ’˜Õkć²›­uUŚć,æ;~Ē0Ļ–ß®¶t'"’i^-øÉs²©MČTU|ėÓfŻnā ¤Īv½W”į vßöNh‰g”Öūk€&eŽdęŗPĒn[ŒKߓK“«Č³~3čFG°Į©”8fäa„ĖcŃ} ]DŪóF<$ū,#ÉhUN1 % 0:…^ æwĖ4Ļćņ mō NVV˜\\YORK_UNIVERSITY\q_hrts_hp4000tnŅV,,,,ŅV0&Öd9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(üœ$””ŌUSUS.,ŌķŖ00— ½”u/ œk1h4Ÿ3|x’U‹’ĄĄĄ MŻ ƒüœ!ŻŌUSUS.,ŌŻ  ŻŌ_MŌą@'ģąņ ņŌ‡¼r`»XXŌCYPRUSˆŠ ° ŠĢŌ#†X?īX»¼r`R#ŌĢCRC€€A/53/41€(1998)ó óŠ ¼  ŠĢĢņņConcluding€observationsóóŠ x Č ŠĢÓ  Ó223.€€The€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€of€Cyprus€(CRC/C/8/Add.24)€at€its€309th€to€311thŠ J š Šmeetings,€on€4€and€5€June€1996€(CRC/C/SR.309-311),€and€at€its€314th€meeting,€on€7€June€1996,Š 3 ƒ  Šadopted€the€following€concluding€observations.Š l  ŠĢņņIntroductionóóŠ ī>  ŠĢ224.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€appreciation€to€the€Government€of€Cyprus€for€the€submission€ofŠ Ą  Šits€initial€report,€its€written€information€in€reply€to€the€questions€set€out€in€the€list€of€issuesŠ ©ł  Š(CRC/C.11/WP.3)€and€the€constructive€and€fruitful€dialogue.€€The€Committee€is€encouraged€by€theŠ ’ā Šfrank€and€cooperative€tone€of€the€discussion,€in€which€the€representatives€of€the€State€party€indicatedŠ {Ė Šnot€only€the€policy€and€programme€directions€but€also€the€difficulties€encountered€duringŠ d“ Šimplementation€of€the€Convention.Š M ŠĢņņPositive€aspectsóóŠ o ŠĢ225.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€efforts€undertaken€by€the€Government€to€review€the€nationalŠ ńA Šlegal€framework€in€order€to€harmonize€it€with€the€provisions€and€principles€of€the€Convention.€€InŠ Ś* Šthis€regard,€the€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€that€the€Juvenile€Offenders€Law€is€currently€beingŠ Ć Šrevised.€€It€also€notes€with€satisfaction€that€the€death€penalty€for€ordinary€crimes€has€been€abolishedŠ ¬ü Šand€welcomes€the€fact€that€Parliament€is€currently€discussing€the€adoption€of€a€bill€prohibitingŠ •å Šcapital€punishment€for€acts€of€high€treason.Š ~Ī ŠĢ226.€€The€Committee€also€notes€with€satisfaction€that€the€Convention€has€been€invoked€in€courtŠ P   Šproceedings€and€it€welcomes€the€commitment€made€during€the€dialogue€by€the€governmentŠ 9!‰ Šdelegation€to€send€information€on€those€judicial€decisions.Š ""r  ŠĢ227.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€establishment€of€the€Central€Committee€for€Monitoring€theŠ ō#D" ŠImplementation€of€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child.€€It€also€notes€with€satisfaction€theŠ Ż$- # Šorganization€by€the€Committee€for€the€Protection€and€Welfare€of€Children€since€1989€of€aŠ Ę%!$ Š"Children's€week",€focusing€on€the€Convention.Š Æ&’!% ŠĢ228.€€The€Committee€further€notes€the€existence€of€comprehensive€programmes€and€services€for€theŠ (Ń#' Šwelfare€of€children.Š j)ŗ$( ŠĢ229.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€recent€ratification€by€the€State€party€of€the€Hague€ConventionŠ <+Œ&* Šon€Protection€of€Children€and€Cooperation€in€respect€of€Intercountry€Adoption.Š %,u'+ ŠĢ230.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€readiness€of€the€State€party€to€collaborate€with€theŠ ÷-G)- Šnon-governmental€organization€community.Š ° ŠĢņņFactors€and€difficulties€impending€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionóóŠ ‚Ņ ŠĢ231.€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party,€as€a€consequence€of€events€which€occurred€in€1974Š T¤ Šand€which€resulted€in€the€occupation€of€part€of€the€territory€of€Cyprus,€is€not€in€a€position€to€exerciseŠ =  Šcontrol€over€all€of€its€territory€and€consequently€cannot€ensure€the€application€of€the€Convention€inŠ & v Šareas€not€under€its€control.€€The€fact€that€no€information€on€children€living€in€the€occupied€territoriesŠ  _ Šis€available€is€a€matter€of€concern€to€the€Committee.Š ų H ŠĢņņPrincipal€subjects€of€concernóóŠ Ź   ŠĢ232.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€lack€of€conformity€with€the€Convention€of€legislativeŠ œģ  Šprovisions€in€some€matters€relating€to€the€definition€of€the€child,€in€particular€the€age€of€seven€forŠ …Õ  Šcriminal€responsibility.€€It€is€also€concerned€that€children€between€16€and€18€years€of€age€areŠ n¾  Šconsidered€as€adult€offenders€in€the€criminal€justice€system.Š W§  ŠĢ233.€€The€Committee€also€expresses€its€concern€that€the€State€party€has€not€yet€fully€taken€intoŠ )y Šaccount€in€its€legislation€and€policy-making€the€general€principles€of€the€Convention€(see€inŠ b Šparticular€paras.€234,€235€and€236€below);€article€2€(principle€of€non-discrimination),€article€3Š ūK Š(principle€of€the€best€interests€of€the€child)€and€article€12€(respect€for€the€views€of€the€child).Š ä4 ŠĢ234.€€The€Committee€remains€concerned€about€the€apparent€persistence€of€discriminatory€attitudesŠ ¶ Štowards€children€born€out€of€wedlock€with€regard€to€their€right€to€a€name€and€to€citizenship.Š Ÿļ ŠĢ235.€€With€respect€to€the€implementation€of€articles€12,€13,€14€and€15€of€the€Convention,€insufficientŠ qĮ Šattention€has€been€accorded€to€ensuring€that€children€are€involved€in€decisions,€including€within€theŠ ZŖ Šfamily,€and€in€administrative€and€judicial€procedures€regarding€them.Š C“ ŠĢ236.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€decisions€taken€in€matters€relating€to€adoption€withoutŠ e Šfully€respecting€the€principles€of€article€3€(best€interest€of€the€child).Š žN ŠĢ237.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€insufficient€attention€paid€to€systematic€and€comprehensiveŠ Š!   Šdata€collection,€identification€of€appropriate€indicators€and€monitoring€mechanisms€for€all€areasŠ ¹" ! Šcovered€by€the€Convention€in€relation€to€all€groups€of€children,€including€minority€group€children,Š ¢#ņ" Šchildren€in€rural€areas,€institutionalized€and€disabled€children€and€child€victims€of€sexualŠ ‹$Ū# Šexploitation.Š t%Ä $ ŠĢ238.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€persistence€of€traditional€practices€and€attitudes€that€mayŠ F'–"& Šaffect€the€development€of€some€children.€€The€Committee€is€particularly€concerned€about€theŠ /(#' Šconsequences€of€early€marriages.€€It€is€also€concerned€about€the€insufficient€awareness€andŠ )h$( Šunderstanding€among€adults€and€children€of€the€principles€and€provisions€of€the€Convention.Š *Q%) ŠĢ239.€€In€the€light€of€articles€7€and€8€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€notes€that€while€the€procedureŠ Ó+#'+ Šfor€birth€registration€is€adequate,€it€remains€concerned€that€the€application€in€some€rural€areas€mayŠ ¼, (, Šresult€in€some€children€being€hampered€in€the€enjoyment€of€their€rights.Š „-õ(- Š‡240.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€recent€incidence€of€prostitution€which€affects€particularlyŠ ° Šnon-Cypriot€children.€€It€is€also€worried€about€the€increasing€number€of€children€working€asŠ ™é Šdomestic€servants€in€illegal€conditions€and€who€are€vulnerable€to€all€types€of€abuse,€including€sexualŠ ‚Ņ Šabuse€and€exploitation.Š k» ŠĢ241.€€The€situation€of€the€system€of€the€administration€of€juvenile€justice,€and€in€particular€the€lackŠ =  Šof€compatibility€with€articles€37€and€40€of€the€Convention,€as€well€as€other€relevant€standards€suchŠ & v Šas€the€Beijing€Rules,€the€Riyadh€Guidelines€and€the€United€Nations€Rules€for€the€Protection€ofŠ  _ ŠJuveniles€Deprived€of€Their€Liberty,€is€a€matter€of€concern€to€the€Committee.Š ų H ŠĢņņSuggestions€and€recommendationsóóŠ Ź   ŠĢ242.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€undertake€legislative€reform€to€ensure€thatŠ œģ  Šlegislation€conforms€fully€with€all€the€provisions€of€the€Convention,€in€particular€its€generalŠ …Õ  Šprinciples€(arts.€2,€3,€6€and€12).Š n¾  ŠĢ243.€€The€Committee€further€recommends€that€the€State€party€gather€all€necessary€information,Š @ Šappropriate€indicators€and€disaggregated€data€on€the€situation€of€children€in€the€various€areasŠ )y Šcovered€by€the€Convention€and€in€relation€to€all€groups€of€children,€including€children€belongingŠ b Što€the€most€vulnerable€groups.Š ūK ŠĢ244.€€The€Committee€wishes€to€encourage€the€State€party€to€further€develop€a€systematic€approachŠ Ķ Što€increasing€public€awareness€of€the€participatory€rights€of€children,€in€the€light€of€article€12€of€theŠ ¶ ŠConvention.€€Current€efforts€to€make€the€provisions€and€principles€of€the€Convention€widely€knownŠ Ÿļ Šand€understood€by€adults€and€children€alike€should€be€pursued€and€developed€in€the€light€of€articleŠ ˆŲ Š42€of€the€Convention.Š qĮ ŠĢ245.€€With€respect€to€the€implementation€of€articles€12,€13,€14€and€15€of€the€Convention,€theŠ C“ ŠCommittee€recommends€that€consideration€be€given€by€the€State€party€to€facilitating€children'sŠ ,| Šparticipation€and€the€respect€for€their€views€in€decisions€affecting€them,€especially€in€the€family,€atŠ e Šschool€and€in€the€courts.Š žN ŠĢ246.€€To€appropriately€combat€persisting€negative€and€discriminatory€attitudes,€the€CommitteeŠ Š!   Šencourages€the€State€party€to€carry€out€a€comprehensive€and€integrated€public€information€campaignŠ ¹" ! Šaimed€at€promoting€children's€rights€within€the€society,€and€particularly€within€the€family.Š ¢#ņ" ŠĢ247.€€The€Committee€also€recommends€that€the€State€party€provide€specific€training€activities€on€theŠ t%Ä $ ŠConvention€to€professional€groups€working€with€and€for€children,€including€teachers,€social€workers,Š ]&­!% Šhealth€personnel,€judges€and€law€enforcement€officials.Š F'–"& ŠĢ248.€€The€Committee€also€encourages€the€State€party€to€consider€extending€the€mandate€of€theŠ )h$( Šombudsperson€to€enable€him€or€her€to€receive€and€process€all€complaints€relating€to€all€types€ofŠ *Q%) Šissues€affecting€children.Š ź*:&* ŠĢ249.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€steps€be€taken€to€ensure€the€birth€registration€of€all€children,Š ¼, (, Šparticularly€children€living€in€rural€Ō_MMŌareas.Š „-õ(- Š‡250.€€In€the€light€of€articles€2,€7€and€8€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€strongly€recommends€thatŠ ° Šthe€authorities€take€all€necessary€measures€to€ensure€that€children€born€out€of€wedlock€enjoy€all€theirŠ ™é Šfundamental€rights.Š ‚Ņ ŠĢ251.€€In€the€light€of€article€19€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€further€recommends€that€theŠ T¤ Šauthorities€gather€information€and€initiate€a€comprehensive€study€to€improve€the€understanding€ofŠ =  Šthe€nature€and€scope€of€the€problem€of€child€neglect€and€abuse€and€set€up€social€Ō_MMŌprogrammesŌ_MMŌ€toŠ & v Šprevent€them.Š  _ ŠĢ252.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€national€law€and€practices€with€regard€to€adoption€beŠ į 1  Šmade€to€fully€conform€with€the€Convention€and€the€Hague€Convention€on€Protection€of€ChildrenŠ Ź   Šand€Cooperation€in€respect€of€Ō_MMŌIntercountryŌ_MMŌ€Adoption,€including€the€principle€of€the€best€interests€ofŠ ³  Šthe€child.Š œģ  ŠĢ253.€€In€the€field€of€the€administration€of€juvenile€justice,€the€Committee€recommends€that€legalŠ n¾  Šreform€be€pursued€and€take€fully€into€account€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child,€inŠ W§  Šparticular€articles€37,€39€and€40,€and€other€relevant€international€standards€in€this€field,€such€as€theŠ @ ŠBeijing€Rules,€the€Riyadh€Guidelines€and€the€United€Nations€Rules€for€the€Protection€of€JuvenilesŠ )y ŠDeprived€of€Their€Liberty.€€Particular€attention€should€be€paid€to€raising€the€age€of€criminalŠ b Šresponsibility€and€ensuring€that€persons€between€16€and€18€years€of€age€enjoy€all€the€rightsŠ ūK Šrecognized€in€the€Convention.Š ä4 ŠĢ254.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€disseminate€widely€the€State€party's€report,€theŠ ¶ Šsummary€records€of€the€discussion€of€the€report€within€the€Committee€and€the€concludingŠ Ÿļ Šobservations€adopted€by€the€Committee€following€its€consideration€of€the€report.€€The€CommitteeŠ ˆŲ Šsuggests€that€these€documents€be€brought€to€the€attention€of€Parliament€and€that€the€suggestions€andŠ qĮ Šrecommendations€for€action€contained€therein€be€followed€up.Š ZŖ ŠÓÓŠ  C“ ŠÓ  ÓĢņ ņCRC€€CRC/C/132€(2003)ó óŠ ™é ŠĢ89.ą  ąThe€Committee€considered€the€second€periodic€report€of€Cyprus€(CRC/C/70/Add.16)€atŠ l¼ Šits867thand€868th€meetings€(see€CRC/C/SR.867€and€868),€held€on€21€May€2003,€and€adopted,€atŠ U„ Šthe889th€meeting€(see€CRC/C/SR.889),€held€on€6€June€2003,€the€following€concludingŠ > Ž Šobservations.Š ' w ŠĢA.€€ņņIntroductionóóŠ ł I ŠĢ90.ą  ąThe€Committee,€while€welcoming€the€submission€of€the€State€partyššs€second€periodic€report,Š Ė   Šregrets€that€it€was€rather€legalistic,€did€not€address€practical€aspects€of€implementation€and€was€notŠ “  Šprepared€in€accordance€with€the€general€guidelines€regarding€the€form€and€contents€of€periodicŠ ķ  Šreports€(CRC/C/58).€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€timely€submission€of€the€written€replies€to€itsŠ †Ö  Šlist€of€issues€(CRC/C/Q/CYP/2)€and€the€updated€replies,€which€give€a€clearer€picture€of€the€situationŠ oæ  Šof€childrenššs€rights€in€the€State€party.€€It€further€notes€with€appreciation€the€high„level€delegationŠ XØ  Šsent€by€the€State€party€andņņ€óóthe€informative€and€positive€dialogue€that€took€place.ą x ąą Š ąŠ A‘ ŠĢB.€€ņņFollow„up€measures€undertaken€and€progress€achieved€by€the€State€partyóóŠ c ŠĢ91.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€encouraged€by€the€improved€health€indicators,€in€particular€the€infantŠ å5 Šmortality€rate€and€the€under„5€mortality€rate,€as€well€as€the€improvement€of€indicators€in€the€areaŠ Ī Šof€education.€€It€is€further€encouraged€by€efforts€to€make€the€Convention€widely€known€and€theŠ · Šinclusion€of€childrenššs€rights€in€the€curricula€of€schools€at€all€levels.Š  š ŠĢ92.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€accession€of€Cyprus€to€the€European€Union€which€will€becomeŠ rĀ Šeffective€on€1€May€2004.Š [« ŠĢC.€€ņņFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionóóŠ -} ŠĢ93.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party,€as€a€consequence€of€events€that€occurred€in1974Š ’O Šand€that€resulted€in€the€occupation€of€part€of€the€territory€of€Cyprus,€is€not€in€a€position€to€exerciseŠ č 8 Šcontrol€over€all€of€its€territory€and€consequently€cannot€ensure€the€application€of€the€Convention€inŠ Ń!!  Šareas€not€under€its€control.€€However,€it€remains€a€matter€of€concern€to€the€Committee€that€noŠ ŗ" ! Šinformation€on€children€living€in€the€occupied€territories€could€be€provided.Š £#ó" ŠĢD.€€ņņPrincipal€subjects€of€concern€and€recommendationsóóŠ u%Å $ ŠĢ1.€€ņņGeneral€measures€of€implementationóóŠ G'—"& ŠĢņņThe€Committeeššs€previous€recommendationsóóŠ )i$( ŠĢ94.ą  ąThe€Committee€regrets€that€some€of€the€concerns€and€recommendations€(CRC/C/15/Add.59)Š ė*;&* Šit€made€upon€consideration€of€the€State€partyššs€initial€report€(CRC/C/8/Add.24)€have€beenŠ Ō+$'+ Šinsufficiently€addressed,€particularly€those€contained€in€paragraphs21,31€and€32.€€Those€concernsŠ ½, (, Šand€recommendations€are€reiterated€in€the€present€document.Š ¦-ö(- ŠŌ_MMŌ‡95.ą  ąThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€make€every€effort€to€address€those€recommendationsŠ ° Šcontained€in€the€concluding€observations€on€the€initial€report€that€have€not€yet€been€implementedŠ ™é Šand€to€address€the€list€of€concerns€contained€in€the€present€concluding€observations€on€the€secondŠ ‚Ņ Šreport.Š k» ŠĢņņLegislation€and€implementationóóŠ =  ŠĢ96.ą  ąThe€Committee,€while€taking€note€of€amendments€to€domestic€legislation,€neverthelessŠ  _ Šremains€concerned€that€all€domestic€laws€still€do€not€fully€comply€with€the€provisions€and€principlesŠ ų H Šof€the€Convention.€€The€Committee€is€encouraged€by€the€establishment€in€2002€of€an€inter„Š į 1  Šministerial€committee€tasked€with€incorporating€the€provisions€of€the€Convention€into€the€existingŠ Ź   Šlegislation€concerning€children.Š ³  ŠĢ97.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€effective€measures€to€ensure€that€itsŠ …Õ  Šdomestic€legislation€conforms€fully€with€the€principles€and€provisions€of€the€Convention,€inŠ n¾  Šparticular€in€the€area€of€juvenile€justice.€€In€this€regard,€the€inter-ministerial€committee€should€beŠ W§  Šwell€resourced€and€should€develop€and€implement€a€time„bound€plan€of€action€for€the€incorporationŠ @ Šof€the€Convention€into€domestic€law.Š )y ŠĢņņImplementation,€coordination,€evaluation€and€national€plan€of€actionóóŠ ūK ŠĢ98.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€decision€of€the€Council€of€Ministers€of€30€August€2002€toŠ Ķ Šestablish€a€Central€Committee€for€the€implementation€of€the€Convention,€regretting,€however,€thatŠ ¶ Šit€lacks€the€power€to€coordinate€governmental€activities€with€regard€to€that€implementation.Š Ÿļ ŠĢ99.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€encouraged€that€a€new€plan€of€action,€based€on€the€outcome€document€ofŠ qĮ Šthe€United€Nations€General€Assembly€special€session€on€children,€will€be€prepared€by€the€endŠ ZŖ Šof2003.Š C“ ŠĢ100.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€ensure:Š e ŠĢ(a)ą  ąThat€the€Central€Committee€for€the€implementation€of€the€Convention€adopts€aŠ ē 7 Šmultidisciplinary€child€rights„based€approach€and€is€provided€with€adequate€financial€and€humanŠ Š!   Šresources€and€an€adequate€mandate€to€be€able€to€coordinate€effectively€national€and€internationalŠ ¹" ! Šactivities€for€the€implementation€of€the€Convention;Š ¢#ņ" ŠĢ(b)ą  ąHarmonization€between€the€Convention,€the€national€plan€of€action€and€the€outcomeŠ t%Ä $ Šdocument€of€the€special€session,€and€monitor€and€evaluate€effectively€the€impact€of€policies€adoptedŠ ]&­!% Šwith€respect€to€children.Š F'–"& ŠĢņņIndependent€monitoringóóŠ )h$( ŠĢ101.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€establishment€of€the€National€Institution€for€the€Protection€ofŠ ź*:&* ŠHuman€Rights€in€1998,€noting,€however,€that€this€body€does€not€include€a€specific€mechanism€toŠ Ó+#'+ Šaddress€individual€complaints€relating€particularly€to€violations€of€rights€guaranteed€under€theŠ ¼, (, ŠConvention.€€It€is€encouraged€by€the€decision€of€the€Council€of€Ministers€dated€30January2003€toŠ „-õ(- Šset€up€a€committee€to€prepare€the€framework€for€the€establishment€of€a€childrenššs€ombudsman€inŠ ° ŠCyprus.Š ™é ŠĢ102.ą  ąThe€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€pursue€its€efforts€to€nominate€either€aŠ k» Šcommissioner€specifically€responsible€for€childrenššs€rights,€or€establish€a€specific€section€or€divisionŠ T¤ Šfor€childrenššs€rights€within€the€structure€of€the€National€Institution€that€would€be€responsible,€inŠ =  Šparticular,€for€addressing€complaints€made€by€children€in€a€child-sensitive€manner.€€In€this€respect,Š & v Šthe€Committee€refers€to€its€general€comment€No.€2€on€the€role€of€national€human€rights€institutions.Š  _ ŠĢņņAllocation€of€resourcesóóŠ į 1  ŠĢ103.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€in€2001€the€Government€of€Cyprus€devoted€19.5€percent€of€theŠ ³  Šcountryššs€gross€domestic€product€(GDP)€to€the€social€sectors€and€that€50€per€cent€of€State€grantsŠ œģ  Šwere€for€childrenššs€programmes€run€by€the€voluntary€sector.€€The€Committee€regrets€that€the€StateŠ …Õ  Šparty€could€not€state€specifically€what€part€of€those€expenditures€were€for€childrenššs€programmes,Š n¾  Šother€than€that€it€was€š šconsiderablešš;€this€does€not€facilitate€monitoring.Š W§  ŠĢ104.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€pay€particular€attention€to€the€fullŠ )y Šimplementation€of€article€4€of€the€Convention€by€prioritizing€budgetary€allocations€for€theŠ b Šimplementation€of€the€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights€of€children,€in€particular€those€belongingŠ ūK Što€economically€disadvantaged€groups,€š što€the€maximum€extent€of€š8š€available€resourcesšš.€Š ä4 ŠFurthermore,€it€recommends€that€the€State€party€specify€the€amount€and€proportion€of€the€StateŠ Ķ Šbudget€spent€through€public€and€private€institutions€or€organizations€for€the€implementation€ofŠ ¶ Šchildrenššs€rights€in€areas€like€alternative€care,€health€education€and€special€protection,€in€order€toŠ Ÿļ Šbe€able€to€evaluate€the€impact€and€effect€of€the€expenditures€and€also,€in€view€of€the€costs,€theŠ ˆŲ Šaccessibility,€the€quality€and€the€effectiveness€of€the€services€for€children€in€the€different€sectors.Š qĮ ŠĢņņData€collectionóóŠ C“ ŠĢ105.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€the€plans€of€the€State€party€to€computerize€the€Department€of€SocialŠ e ŠWelfare€Services€and€the€current€focus€on€systemic€collection€of€data€on€children.€€The€CommitteeŠ žN Šwelcomes€the€decision€of€the€Central€Committee€for€the€implementation€of€the€Convention€to€giveŠ ē 7 Špriority€in€2003€to€the€design€of€a€databank€on€the€situation€of€children€in€Cyprus€and€regrets€thatŠ Š!   Šthis€has€not€yet€been€given€sufficient€attention.Š ¹" ! ŠĢ106.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€intensify€its€efforts€to€establish€a€centralŠ ‹$Ū# Šregistry€and€introduce€a€comprehensive€system€for€the€collection€of€disaggregated€data€incorporatingŠ t%Ä $ Šall€the€areas€covered€by€the€Convention€and€using€relevant€child€rights€indicators.€€Such€a€systemŠ ]&­!% Šshould€cover€all€children€up€to€the€age€of€18€years,€with€specific€emphasis€on€those€who€areŠ F'–"& Šparticularly€vulnerable.€€The€State€party€should€in€this€regard€undertake€all€possible€measures€toŠ /(#' Šinclude€data€on€children€living€in€the€occupied€part€of€its€territory.Š )h$( ŠĢņņTraining/dissemination€of€the€ConventionóóŠ ź*:&* ŠĢ107.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€the€initial€report€and€supplementary€information€provided€to€theŠ ¼, (, ŠCommittee€were€published€by€the€Department€of€Social€Welfare€Services€in€1999€and€notes€theŠ „-õ(- Šinitiatives€undertaken€to€make€the€Convention€widely€known,€such€as€the€š šChildrenššs€Weekšš€andŠ ° Šradio€and€TV€programmes€and€publications€prepared€by€the€National€Institution€for€the€ProtectionŠ ™é Šof€Human€Rights.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€information€contained€in€the€written€replies€to€theŠ ‚Ņ Šlist€of€issues€related€to€efforts€undertaken€to€make€the€provisions€of€the€Convention€widely€knownŠ k» Šand€understood€among€the€police,€social€welfare€services,€teachers€and€mental€health€professionalsŠ T¤ Šin€cooperation€with€non„governmental€organizations€(NGOs)€and€the€Office€of€the€UnitedNationsŠ =  ŠHigh€Commissioner€for€Refugees€(UNHCR).Š & v ŠĢ108.ą  ąThe€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€continue€and€strengthen€its€efforts€to€provideŠ ų H Šadequate€and€systematic€training€and€sensitization€on€childrenššs€rights€for€professional€groupsŠ į 1  Šworking€with€and€for€children,€with€particular€attention€to€law€enforcement€officers,€prosecutors€andŠ Ź   Šjudges.€€It€urges€the€State€party€to€continue€to€develop€methods€to€promote€the€Convention,€inŠ ³  Šparticular€at€the€local€level,€and€to€further€support€such€activities€carried€out€by€NGOs.Š œģ  ŠĢņņCooperation€with€NGOsóóŠ n¾  ŠĢ109.ą  ąThe€Committee€values€the€importance€the€State€party€has€accorded€to€NGOs€more€recentlyŠ @ Šby€providing€support€to€their€activities€and€involving€them€in€the€preparation€of€the€national€planŠ )y Šof€action€for€children.Š b ŠĢ110.ą  ąThe€Committee€emphasizes€the€important€role€civil€society€plays€as€a€partner€inŠ ä4 Šimplementing€the€provisions€of€the€Convention,€including€with€respect€to€civil€rights€and€freedoms,Š Ķ Šand€encourages€the€State€party€to€continue€and€strengthen€its€cooperation€with€NGOs,€in€particularŠ ¶ Šby€involving€NGOs,€especially€rights„based€ones,€and€other€sectors€of€civil€society€working€with€andŠ Ÿļ Šfor€children€more€systematically€throughout€all€stages€of€the€implementation€of€the€Convention.Š ˆŲ ŠĢ2.€€ņņDefinition€of€the€childóóŠ ZŖ ŠĢ111.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€the€age€of€criminal€responsibility€has€been€raisedŠ ,| Šfrom7to10years,€but€continues€to€be€concerned€that€the€age€of€criminal€responsibility€remains€lowŠ e Šand€unclear,€with€different€ages€mentioned€in€various€legislation.Š žN ŠĢ112.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€raise€the€legal€age€of€criminal€responsibilityŠ Š!   Što€an€internationally€more€acceptable€age€by€amending€its€legislation€in€this€regard€and€ensuring€thatŠ ¹" ! Šall€children€below€18€years€are€accorded€the€protection€of€juvenile€justice€provisions.Š ¢#ņ" ŠĢ3.€€ņņGeneral€principlesóóŠ t%Ä $ ŠĢ113.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€principles€of€the€right€to€non-discrimination€Š F'–"& Š(article2€of€the€Convention),€the€right€to€have€the€childššs€best€interests€as€a€primary€considerationŠ /(#' Šin€matters€affecting€him/her€(art.€3),€the€right€to€life,€survival€and€development€of€the€child€(art.€6)Š )h$( Šand€the€right€to€respect€for€the€views€of€the€child€according€to€age€and€maturity€(art.€12)€are€not€fullyŠ *Q%) Šreflected€in€the€Statepartyššs€legislation,€policies€and€programmes€at€national€and€local€levels.Š ź*:&* ŠĢ114.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š ¼, (, ŠŠ „-õ(- Š(a)ą  ąAppropriately€integrate€the€general€principles€of€the€Convention€(arts.2,3,€6€and€12)€in€allŠ ° Šrelevant€legislation€concerning€children;Š ™é ŠĢ(b)ą  ąApply€them€in€all€political,€judicial€and€administrative€decisions,€as€well€as€in€projects,Š k» Šprogrammes€and€services€that€have€an€impact€on€all€children;Š T¤ ŠĢ(c)ą  ąApply€these€principles€in€planning€and€policy„making€at€every€level,€as€well€as€in€actionsŠ & v Štaken€by€social€and€health€welfare€and€educational€institutions,€courts€of€law€and€administrativeŠ  _ Šauthorities.Š ų H ŠĢņņNon„discriminationóóŠ Ź   ŠĢ115.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€encouraged€by€positive€developments,€as€noted€by€the€Committee€on€theŠ œģ  ŠElimination€of€Racial€Discrimination€(CERD)€in€August€2001,€with€respect€to€legislative€reform.€Š …Õ  ŠHowever,€the€Committee€reiterates€the€concern€of€CERD€relating€to€the€lack€of€legal€provisionsŠ n¾  Šexpressly€outlawing€racial€discrimination€by€private€persons€in€education€and€employment.€Š W§  ŠFurthermore,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€certain€factors€linked€to€discriminatory€attitudes€mayŠ @ Špersist,€in€particular€those€related€to€acquisition€of€nationality,€children€born€out€of€wedlock€andŠ )y ŠCypriot€children€of€Turkish€origin.€€It€further€notes€that€certain€pieces€of€legislation€do€not€applyŠ b Šequally€to€girls€and€boys.Š ūK ŠĢ116.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€consider€reviewing€legislation,€andŠ Ķ Šamending€it€where€necessary,€with€a€view€to€ensuring€that€all€children€are€accorded€equal€rightsŠ ¶ Šwithout€discrimination€based€on€their€ethnic€origin,€sex,€or€other€grounds.€€Furthermore,€itŠ Ÿļ Šencourages€the€State€party€to€pursue€information€campaigns€to€eliminate€stereotyping€in€terms€ofŠ ˆŲ Štraditional€roles€of€men€and€women€in€society.Š qĮ ŠĢ117.ą  ąThe€Committee€requests€that€specific€information€be€included€in€the€next€periodic€report€onŠ C“ Šthe€measures€and€programmes€relevant€to€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child€undertaken€byŠ ,| Šthe€State€party€to€follow€up€on€the€Declaration€and€Programme€of€Action€adopted€at€the€2001€WorldŠ e ŠConference€against€Racism,€Racial€Discrimination,€Xenophobia€and€Related€Intolerance,€and€takingŠ žN Šaccount€of€general€comment€No.€1€on€article€29€(1)€of€the€Convention€(aims€of€education).Š ē 7 ŠĢņņRespect€for€the€views€of€the€childóóŠ ¹" ! ŠĢ118.ą  ąThe€Committee€takes€note€of€various€regulations€in€the€institutions€of€the€StatepartyŠ ‹$Ū# Šguaranteeing€that€the€view€of€the€child€will€be€considered€in€judicial€and€administrative€proceedings.€Š t%Ä $ ŠIt€welcomes€efforts€undertaken€by€NGOs€to€raise€public€awareness€of€childrenššs€participatory€rights.Š ]&­!% ŠĢ119.ą  ąIn€light€of€articles€12€to€17€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€encourages€the€Stateparty€toŠ /(#' Šimplement€the€plans€to€revise€its€legislation€in€order€to€expand€childrenššs€opportunities€to€expressŠ )h$( Štheir€views€and€to€be€heard,€as€indicated€in€the€State€partyššs€report.€€The€Committee€encourages€theŠ *Q%) ŠState€party€to€support€existing€NGO€initiatives€in€this€respect.Š ź*:&* ŠĢĢŠ „-õ(- Š4.€€ņņCivil€rights€and€freedomsóóŠ ° ŠĢ120.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€inadequate€attention€has€been€paid€to€the€promotion€of€theŠ ‚Ņ Šcivil€rights€and€freedoms€of€the€child€and,€in€particular,€regrets€that€there€is€no€information€in€theŠ k» ŠState€partyššs€report€on€article€14€of€the€Convention.Š T¤ ŠĢ121.ą  ąThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€redouble€its€efforts€to€educate€and€sensitizeŠ & v Šparliamentarians,€government€officials,€members€of€the€judiciary€and€other€professional€groups,Š  _ Šparents€and€children€on€the€importance€of€accepting€fully€the€concept€of€child€rights.€€It€recommendsŠ ų H Šthat€further€measures€be€undertaken€to€ensure€freedom€of€religion€to€children,€particularly€in€lightŠ į 1  Šof€the€childššs€right€to€non„discrimination€on€the€grounds€of€religion.Š Ź   ŠĢņņTorture€and€other€cruel,€inhuman€or€degrading€treatment€or€punishmentóóŠ œģ  ŠĢ122.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€decision€of€the€Government€to€publish€the€report€of€theŠ n¾  ŠEuropean€Committee€for€the€Prevention€of€Torture€and€Inhuman€or€Degrading€Treatment€orŠ W§  ŠPunishment€on€its€visit€to€Cyprus€from€22€to€30€May€2000,€and€notes€that€the€findings€of€the€visitŠ @ Šindicated€that€physical€ill„treatment€by€the€police€remained€a€serious€problem€in€Cyprus.€€TheŠ )y ŠCommittee€further€welcomes€the€responses€of€the€Government€to€the€report€and€the€measuresŠ b Šundertaken€to€combat€ill„treatment,€in€particular€as€they€relate€to€children€between€10€and€18.Š ūK ŠĢ123.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€the€Criminal€Procedure€Code€and€the€Violence€in€the€FamilyLawŠ Ķ Šare€being€amended€to€comply€with€international€standards;€however,€it€regrets€the€general€lack€ofŠ ¶ Šinformation€in€the€State€partyššs€report€relating€to€article€37€and€the€fact€that€statistical€data€onŠ Ÿļ Šviolence€in€prisons€are€not€systematically€kept.Š ˆŲ ŠĢ124.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š ZŖ ŠĢ(a)ą  ąInclude€in€its€next€periodic€report€detailed€information€on€measures€introduced€to€ensureŠ ,| Šimplementation€of€the€new€legislation,€including€by€providing€training€on€childrenššs€rights€to€thoseŠ e Šresponsible€for€administering€juvenile€justice;Š žN ŠĢ(b)ą  ąProvide€further€information€in€its€next€report€on€detention€conditions€of€minors€and€on€theŠ Š!   Šlength€of€pre„trial€detention;€undertake€a€study€of,€and€provide€information€on,€abuse€andŠ ¹" ! Šmaltreatment€of€children€occurring€during€arrest€and€detention,€and€specifically€on€procedures€forŠ ¢#ņ" Šnotification€of€custody€of€minors€and€for€ensuring€the€right€to€immediate€access€to€a€lawyer€and€toŠ ‹$Ū# Ša€doctor€of€choice.Š t%Ä $ ŠĢ5.€€ņņFamily€environment€and€alternative€careóóŠ F'–"& ŠĢņņParental€guidanceóóŠ )h$( ŠĢ125.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€the€establishment€of€the€Centre€for€Family€Guidance€by€theŠ ź*:&* ŠDepartment€of€Social€Welfare€in€1997.€€However,€the€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€traditionalŠ Ó+#'+ Šand€rather€paternalistic€view€of€the€child€held€by€parents,€teachers,€authorities€and€society€at€large.Š ¼, (, ŠŠ „-õ(- Š126.ą  ąThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€further€encourage€families€to€provide€appropriateŠ ° Šdirection€and€guidance€in€the€exercise€by€the€child€of€the€rights€recognized€in€the€Convention€in€aŠ ™é Šmanner€consistent€with€his/her€evolving€capacities.€€It€further€recommends€encouraging€theŠ ‚Ņ Šperception€of€the€child€as€a€holder€of€rights€through€measures€at€all€levels€and€public€campaigns€toŠ k» Šraise€awareness€of€the€Convention.Š T¤ ŠĢņņSeparation€from€parentsóóŠ & v ŠĢ127.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€that,€given€the€situation€on€the€island€following€the€eventsŠ ų H Šof1974,€certain€categories€of€children€wishing€to€attend€secondary€school€must€be€separated€fromŠ į 1  Štheir€parents,€and€may€not€be€allowed€to€visit€their€parents€regularly€or€return€upon€completion€ofŠ Ź   Štheir€education.€€Furthermore,€the€Committee€notes€that€boarding€schools€for€these€children€areŠ ³  Šavailable€only€for€boys,€and€that€there€is€one€boarding€home€for€girls.Š œģ  ŠĢ128.ą  ąThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€create€equal€opportunities€for€all€children€wishingŠ n¾  Što€pursue€education€beyond€primary€school,€including€by€making€boarding€schools€available€to€bothŠ W§  Šboys€and€girls€and€pursuing€efforts€to€reduce€periods€of€separation€from€parents.Š @ ŠĢņņChildren€deprived€of€their€family€environmentóóŠ b ŠĢ129.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€the€existence€of€alternative€care€services€like€foster€families€andŠ ä4 Šhome-care€services€and€that€placement€in€an€institution€is€used€as€a€solution€of€last€resort.€€However,Š Ķ Šthe€information€provided€in€the€written€replies€shows€that,€in€practice,€the€number€of€children€inŠ ¶ Šinstitutions€is€rising€while€the€number€of€children€in€foster€care€is€decreasing.Š Ÿļ ŠĢ130.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š qĮ ŠĢ(a)ą  ąContinue€to€take€measures€to€increase€and€strengthen€fostercare,€family-type€foster€homesŠ C“ Šand€other€family„based€alternative€care€by€providing€greater€financial€assistance€and€increasing€theŠ ,| Šcounselling€and€support€mechanisms€for€foster€families;Š e ŠĢ(b)ą  ąEnsure€that€children€are€placed€in€institutions€only€as€a€measure€of€last€resort€and€thatŠ ē 7 Šeffective€mechanisms€are€established€to€receive€and€address€complaints€from€children€in€care,€toŠ Š!   Šmonitor€standards€of€care€and,€in€light€of€article€25€of€the€Convention,€to€undertake€regular€periodicŠ ¹" ! Šreview€of€placement.Š ¢#ņ" ŠĢņņAdoptionóóŠ t%Ä $ ŠĢ131.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€the€Adoption€Law€of€1995€includes€the€principle€of€the€bestŠ F'–"& Šinterest€of€the€child€as€a€prerequisite€for€the€adoption€process€and€welcomes€the€ratification€of€theŠ /(#' ŠHague€Convention€on€Protection€of€Children€and€Cooperation€in€Respect€of€Intercountry€AdoptionŠ )h$( Šof€1993.€€The€lack€of€information€on€intercountry€adoption€is€a€concern€because€it€is€a€form€ofŠ *Q%) Šadoption€vulnerable€to€misuse,€inter€alia,€for€improper€financial€gain,€child€labour€or€other€forms€ofŠ ź*:&* Šexploitation.Š Ó+#'+ ŠĢ132.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€introduce€the€necessary€measures€toŠ „-õ(- Šeffectively€monitor€and€supervise€the€system€of€adoption€of€children,€in€the€light€of€article21€of€theŠ ° ŠConvention.€€It€also€recommends€that€adequate€training€be€provided€to€professionals€involved€in€theŠ ™é Šadoption€process.Š ‚Ņ ŠĢņņAbuse€and€neglectóóŠ T¤ ŠĢ133.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€initiation€of€a€comprehensive€study€to€improve€theŠ & v Šunderstanding€of€the€nature€and€scope€of€child€neglect€and€abuse€in€Cyprus,€as€recommended€by€theŠ  _ ŠCommittee€(CRC/C/15/Add.59,€para.€29),€as€well€as€the€new€Law€No.€3€(1)€of€2000€on€CombatingŠ ų H Šof€Trafficking€in€Persons€and€Sexual€Exploitation€of€Children€and€the€Violence€in€the€Family€LawŠ į 1  Šfor€the€prevention€and€protection€of€victims€of€domestic€violence.€€The€Committee€regrets€thatŠ Ź   Šinformation€on€the€follow„up€given€to€cases€of€abuse€reported€to€social€welfare€services€is€notŠ ³  Šavailable.€€The€Committee€notes€that€many€people€in€Cyprus€consider€that€there€is€a€problem€ofŠ œģ  Šviolence€within€the€family€and€refers€to€the€concerns€expressed€by€the€HumanRights€CommitteeŠ …Õ  Š(CCPR/C/79/Add.88,€para.€12)€and€the€Committee€on€Economic,€Social€and€Cultural€RightsŠ n¾  Š(E/C.12/1/Add.28,€para.€15)€with€respect€to€domestic€violence.Š W§  ŠĢ134.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party,€in€keeping€with€the€findings€of€the€study,Š )y Šadopt€adequate€measures€and€policies€aimed€at€changing€attitudes,€including€the€prohibition€ofŠ b Šcorporal€punishment€in€the€family,€supported€by€well„targeted€awareness€campaigns€on,€inter€alia,Š ūK Šalternative€ways€of€disciplining€children.€€Furthermore,€it€encourages€the€State€party€to€adoptŠ ä4 Šmeasures€and€ensure€sufficient€human€and€financial€resources€to€ensure€the€implementation€of€theŠ Ķ Šlaw€for€the€prevention€of€domestic€violence.€€The€Committee€invites€the€State€party€to€includeŠ ¶ Šspecific€information€in€its€next€periodic€report€on€follow„up€to€cases€of€abuse€reported€to€the€socialŠ Ÿļ Šwelfare€services,€as€well€as€information€on€the€announced€second€research€project€on€the€extent€ofŠ ˆŲ Šchild€abuse€in€Cyprus.Š qĮ ŠĢ6.€€ņņBasic€health€and€welfareóóŠ C“ ŠĢņņAdolescent€healthóóŠ e ŠĢ135.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€information€contained€in€the€State€partyššs€report€on€healthŠ ē 7 Šeducation€in€schools,€in€particular€information€on€the€harmful€effects€of€alcohol€and€nicotine.€Š Š!   ŠHowever,€the€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€high€rate€of€children€consuming€alcohol,€tobacco,€drugsŠ ¹" ! Šand€other€harmful€substances.Š ¢#ņ" ŠĢ136.ą  ąThe€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€actively€pursue€its€health€education€initiativesŠ t%Ä $ Šin€schools€and€recommends€that€it€undertake€further€measures,€including€the€allocation€of€adequateŠ ]&­!% Šhuman€and€financial€resources,€to€evaluate€the€effectiveness€of€training€programmes€in€healthŠ F'–"& Šeducation,€in€particular€as€regards€substance€abuse,€and€to€develop€youth„sensitive€and€confidentialŠ /(#' Šcounselling,€care€and€rehabilitation€facilities€that€are€accessible€without€parental€consent€when€thisŠ )h$( Šis€in€the€best€interests€of€the€child.Š *Q%) ŠĢņņSocial€security€and€childcare€services€and€facilitiesóóŠ Ó+#'+ ŠĢ137.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€the€limits€for€receiving€social€benefits€for€children€are€extendedŠ „-õ(- Šbeyond€the€age€of€18€years€for€persons€attending€full„time€education;€however,€it€notes€that€the€ageŠ ° Šis€not€the€same€for€males€and€females.Š ™é ŠĢ138.ą  ąThe€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€ensure€that€social€benefits€for€girls€and€boysŠ k» Šare€equal€so€that€this€is€not€a€factor€in€their€decisions€relating€to€higher€education.Š T¤ ŠĢ7.€€ņņEducation,€leisure€and€cultural€activitiesóóŠ & v ŠĢ139.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€accords€the€utmost€importance€to€education€andŠ ų H Šis€encouraged€by€the€high€enrolment€rate,€the€increase€in€pre„primary€education€as€well€asŠ į 1  Šinternational€cooperation€in€this€area.€€However,€the€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€broad€scopeŠ Ź   Šof€special€schools€for€children€with€physical,€mental€or€emotional€needs,€which,€interalia,€is€notŠ ³  Šconducive€to€the€integration€of€those€children€into€mainstream€schools.Š œģ  ŠĢ140.ą  ąThe€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€strengthen€its€efforts€to€include€children€withŠ n¾  Šspecial€needs,€wherever€possible,€in€mainstream€schools,€in€accordance€with€article23€(3)€of€theŠ W§  ŠConvention.€€In€this€respect,€the€Committee€draws€the€attention€of€the€State€party€to€the€StandardŠ @ ŠRules€on€the€Equalization€of€Opportunities€for€Persons€with€Disabilities.Š )y ŠĢ8.€€ņņSpecial€protection€measuresóóŠ ūK ŠĢņņRefugee€and€internally€displaced€childrenóóŠ Ķ ŠĢ141.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€assumption€of€full€responsibility€for€asylum€matters,€includingŠ Ÿļ Šrefugee€status€determination,€by€the€Government€of€Cyprus€as€of€1January2002.€€Furthermore,€itŠ ˆŲ Šis€encouraged€by€the€Governmentššs€progress€in€preparing€a€draft€law€to€amend€the€RefugeeLawsŠ qĮ Š6€(I)€of€2000€and€6€(I)€of€2002.€€However,€the€Committee€remains€concerned€about€difficulties€thatŠ ZŖ Šsome€children€who€have€been€given€temporary€protection€may€be€experiencing€in€access€to€publicŠ C“ Šeducation,€as€well€as€about€the€fact€that€children€of€internally€displaced€persons€may€acquire€IDPŠ ,| Šstatus€themselves€only€if€their€father€is€an€IDP.Š e ŠŃ  ŃĢ142.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š ē 7 ŠĢ(a)ą  ąPromptly€adopt€the€draft€law€to€amend€the€2000€and€2002€Refugee€Laws;Š ¹" ! ŠŃ  ŃĢ(b)ą  ąIntroduce€further€amendments€to€the€Refugee€Law€in€order€to€ensure€access€to€publicŠ ‹$Ū# Šeducational€facilities€to€persons€afforded€temporary€protection;Š t%Ä $ ŠĢ(c)ą  ąEnsure€that€children€either€of€whose€parents€is€an€IDP€can€acquire€that€status.Š F'–"& ŠĢņņSexual€exploitation,€traffickingóóŠ )h$( ŠĢ143.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€enactment€in€2000€of€the€Law€on€the€Combating€of€TraffickingŠ ź*:&* Šof€Persons€and€Sexual€Exploitation€of€Minors€and€the€Protection€of€Witnesses€Lawof€2001€makingŠ Ó+#'+ Šspecific€provision€for€the€protection€of€child€witnesses.€While€noting€that€the€State€party€does€notŠ ¼, (, Šconsider€that€problems€relating€to€trafficking€or€other€forms€of€sexual€exploitation€exist,€theŠ „-õ(- ŠCommittee€remains€concerned€that€such€problems€may€remain€š šhiddenšš€and€that€the€authorities€mayŠ ° Šbe€unaware€of€them.€€In€particular,€the€Committee€refers€to€the€concerns€expressed€by€the€SpecialŠ ™é ŠRapporteur€on€the€sale€of€children,€child€prostitution€and€child€pornography€that€Cyprus€is€beingŠ ‚Ņ Šused€as€a€transit€point€for€trafficking€of€young€women,€including€minors.Š k» ŠĢ144.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€strengthen€its€efforts€to€identify,preventŠ =  Šand€combat€trafficking€in€children€for€sexual€purposes,€in€accordance€withthe€Declaration€andŠ & v ŠAgenda€for€Action€and€the€Global€Commitment€adopted€at€the1996and2001€World€CongressesŠ  _ Šagainst€Commercial€Sexual€Exploitation€of€Children.Š ų H ŠĢņņProtection€of€children€affected€by€armed€conflictóóŠ Ź   ŠĢ145.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€while€the€minimum€age€for€conscription€is€18€years€it€is€possibleŠ œģ  Što€volunteer€for€military€service€from€the€age€of€17.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that€under-18sŠ …Õ  Šmay€be€deployed€since€no€distinction€is€made€between€the€age€for€recruitment€and€deployment.Š n¾  ŠĢ146.ą  ąThe€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€clarify€the€minimum€age€for€voluntaryŠ @ Šrecruitment€and€take€measures€to€ensure€that€no€one€under€18€is€deployed€as€a€combatant€to€armedŠ )y Šconflicts.Š b ŠĢņņJuvenile€justiceóóŠ ä4 ŠĢ147.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€information€that€steps€are€being€taken€to€harmonize€legislationŠ ¶ Šin€the€sphere€of€juvenile€justice€with€the€Convention.€€Furthermore,€the€Committee€notes€thatŠ Ÿļ Šprobation€is€the€most€frequently€used€measure€in€dealing€with€young€offenders€and€that€prisonŠ ˆŲ Šfacilities€for€minors€are€being€renovated.€€However,€the€Committee€regrets€that€information€on€theŠ qĮ Šaverage€length€of€pre„trial€detention€is€not€available.€€Furthermore,€the€statistics€provided€in€theŠ ZŖ Šwritten€replies€to€the€list€of€issues€demonstrate€that€the€majority€of€juveniles€are€sentenced€to€a€fineŠ C“ Šand€that€probation€orders€are€rare.Š ,| ŠĢ148.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€ensure€that€the€reforms€underway€provideŠ žN Šfor€the€establishment€of€a€juvenile€justice€system,€including€juvenile€courts,€that€has€adequate€humanŠ ē 7 Šand€financial€resources,€and€that€fully€integrates€international€juvenile€justice€standards,€in€particularŠ Š!   Šarticles€37,€39€and€40€of€the€Convention,€as€well€as€the€United€Nations€Standard€Minimum€RulesŠ ¹" ! Šfor€the€Administration€of€Juvenile€Justice€(the€Beijing€Rules),€the€UnitedNations€Guidelines€for€theŠ ¢#ņ" ŠPrevention€of€Juvenile€Delinquency€(the€Riyadh€Guidelines)€and€the€Guidelines€for€Action€onŠ ‹$Ū# ŠChildren€in€the€Criminal€Justice€System.Š t%Ä $ ŠĢ9.€€ņņRatification€of€the€Optional€ProtocolsóóŠ F'–"& ŠĢ149.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€signature€in€2001€of€the€Optional€Protocol€to€the€ConventionŠ )h$( Šon€the€Rights€of€the€Child€on€the€sale€of€children,€child€prostitution€and€child€pornography€and€theŠ *Q%) Šintention€of€the€State€party€to€proceed€with€its€ratification.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€toŠ ź*:&* Šconsider€early€ratification€of€the€Optional€Protocol€on€the€involvement€of€children€in€armed€conflictŌ‡&Ŧ%XX?īŌ.Ō#†X?īX%&Ŧ“Ā#ŌŠ Ó+#'+ ŠĢŠ „-õ(- Š10.€€ņņDissemination€of€the€report,€written€answers€and€concluding€observationsóóŠ ° ŠĢ150.ą  ąIn€light€of€article€44,€paragraph€6,€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€that€theŠ ‚Ņ Šsecond€periodic€report€and€written€replies€submitted€by€the€State€party€be€made€widely€available€toŠ k» Šthe€public€at€large€and€that€the€publication€of€the€report€be€considered,€along€with€the€relevantŠ T¤ Šsummary€records€and€the€concluding€observations€adopted€by€the€Committee.€€Such€a€documentŠ =  Šshould€be€widely€distributed€in€order€to€generate€debate€and€awareness€of€the€Convention€and€itsŠ & v Šimplementation€and€monitoring€within€all€levels€of€administration€of€the€State€party€and€the€generalŠ  _ Špublic,€including€concerned€NGOs.Š ų H ŠĢ11.€€ņņNext€reportóóŠ Ź   ŠĢ151.ą  ąThe€Committee€underlines€the€importance€of€a€reporting€practice€that€is€in€full€complianceŠ œģ  Šwith€the€provisions€of€article€44€of€the€Convention.€€An€important€aspect€of€Statesšš€responsibilitiesŠ …Õ  Što€children€under€the€Convention€includes€ensuring€that€the€Committee€on€the€Rights€of€the€ChildŠ n¾  Šhas€regular€opportunities€to€examine€the€progress€made€in€the€implementation€of€the€Convention.€Š W§  ŠIn€this€regard,€regular€and€timely€reporting€by€States€parties€is€crucial.€€The€Committee€recognizesŠ @ Šthat€some€States€parties€experience€difficulties€in€reporting€in€a€regular€and€timely€manner.€€As€anŠ )y Šexceptional€measure,€in€order€to€help€the€State€party€catch€up€with€its€reporting€obligations€so€as€toŠ b Šbe€in€full€compliance€with€the€Convention,ņņ€óóthe€Committee€invites€the€State€party€to€submit€aŠ ūK Šconsolidated€third€and€fourth€periodic€report€by€8€March€2008,€date€on€which€the€fourth€periodicŠ ä4 Šreport€is€due.€€Such€a€report€should€not€exceed€120€pages€(see€CRC/C/118).€€The€Committee€expectsŠ Ķ Šthe€State€party€to€report€thereafter€every€five€years,€as€foreseen€by€the€Convention.Š ¶ ŠÓ3Ó