ELECTION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 43 OF THE CONVENTION ON
THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD, OF FIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON
THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD, TO REPLACE THOSE WHOSE TERMS ARE
DUE TO EXPIRE ON 28 FEBRUARY 1999
Note by the SecretarynGeneral
1. In conformity with article 43 of the Convention on the Rights
of the Child, the 6th meeting of the States parties to the
Convention will be convened by the SecretarynGeneral at
United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday, 16 February 1999, for
the purpose of electing five members of the Committee on the Rights
of the Child from a list of persons nominated by States parties, to
replace those whose terms are due to expire on
28 February 1999 (see annex I). The names of
the other five members who will continue to serve on the Committee
until 28 February 2001 appear in annex II.
2. In accordance with the procedure set out in article 43,
paragraph 4, of the Convention, the SecretarynGeneral, in a
note verbale dated 18 September 1998, invited the States
parties to submit their nominations for the election of five
members of the Committee within two months, i.e. by
15 November 1998.
3. In compliance with the provisions of article 43, paragraph 4,
of the Convention, the SecretarynGeneral has the honour to list
below, in alphabetical order, the names of the persons nominated
for election to the Committee on the Rights of the Child,
indicating the States parties which have nominated them.
Biographical data of the persons nominated, as furnished by the
States parties concerned, are contained in annex III to the present
document.
GE.98n05044 (E)
Name of
candidateNominated by
Ibrahim Bin Abdul Aziz
ALnSHEDDI
Saudi Arabia
Mustapha
DENIAL
Morocco
Tedla
DIRESSIE
Ethiopia
Phetsile Kholekile
DLAMINI
Swaziland
Jacob Egbert
DOEK
Netherlands
Abdussalam Bashir
DUWEBY
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
Amina Hamza EL
GUINDI
Egypt
Mira
JANGARACHEVA*
Kyrgyzstan
Judith
KARP
Israel
Yury M.
KOLOSOV
Russian Federation
Nihad
HANBALI
Syrian Arab Republic
Lina B.
LAIGO
Philippines
Awa N'Deye
OUEDRAOGO
Burkina Faso
Ahmad Abdel Halim
MOHAMED
Sudan
Tirtha Man
SHAKYA
Nepal
Nazhat
SHAMEEM
Fiji
RitanFélicité SODJIEDO
HOUNTON
Benin
Marjorie Elaine
TAYLOR
Jamaica
Deborah
THOMASnFELIX
Trinidad and Tobago
Elisabeth
TIGERSTEDTnTÄHTELÄ
Finland
Osvaldo I. TORRES
GUTIÉRREZ
Chile
Jorge Alberto VALLADARES
VALLADARES
Honduras
* Biographical data will be issued in an addendum to the
present document when received.
Annex I
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE ON 28 FEBRUARY 1999
Name of
memberCountry of nationality
Mrs. Judith
Karp
Israel
Mr. Yury
Kolosov
Russian Federation
Ms. Sandra Prunella
Mason
Barbados
Mrs. Awa N'Deye
Ouedraogo
Burkina Faso
Mrs. Lisbeth
Palme
Sweden
Annex II
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE ON 28 FEBRUARY 2001
Name of
memberCountry of nationality
Mr. Francesco Paolo
Fulci
Italy
Ms. Nafsiah
Mboi
Indonesia
Mrs. Esther Margaret Queene
Mokhuane
South Africa
Mr. Ghassan Salim
Rabah
Lebanon
Mrs. Marilia Sardenberg Zelner
Gonçalves
Brazil
Annex III
BIOGRAPHICAL DATA OF NOMINEES
Ibrahim bin Abdul Aziz ALnSHEDDI
(Saudi Arabia)
Date and place of birth: July 1951, Saudi
Arabia.
Working languages: Arabic and English.
Current position/function
Deputy Minister of Education for Cultural and External
Relations.
Secretary General of Saudi National Commission for Child
Welfare.
Main professional activities
1971n1973 Teacher in intermediate
school.
1981n1983 Technical Supervisor in
Saudi National Commission for UNESCO.
1984ntill now Secretary General of Saudi National
Commission for UNESCO.
1984ntill now Secretary General of Saudi National
Commission for Child Welfare.
1989
Permanent Delegate of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to UNESCO.
1990n1995 Assistant Deputy
Minister of Education for Technical Affairs.
1995n1997 Assistant Deputy
Minister of Education for Cultural and External Relations.
1997ntill now Deputy Minister of Education for Cultural
and External Relations.
Educational background
Degree in the Arabic language, College of the Arabic language,
Riyadh.
Diploma in Educational Administration, Oklahoma University,
United States of America.
M.A. in Educational Administration, Oklahoma University.
Training programme in international organizations, UNESCO
Headquarters, Paris.
Ph.D. in the domain of international organizations, Imam
Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University.
Other relevant activities
VicenPresident of Saudi National Commission for Child Welfare,
1991 to the present.
Secretary General of Saudi National Commission for Child
Welfare.
Chairman of the committee preparing the report of the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia on measures adopted for the implementation of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Most recent publications in the field
A number of articles published in Saudi newspapers and
magazines.
A number of educational and cultural research papers presented
to local and international conferences.
A book, at press, on Educational Plans of Regional and
International Educational Organizations.
Participation in international conferences
Chairman of Saudi delegation to the General Conference of
UNESCO, twentynsixth session, November 1992, Paris.
Chairman of Saudi delegation to International Education
Conference, fortynthird session, September 1993, Geneva.
Member of Saudi delegation to the General Conferences of UNESCO
from 1983 until the present, Paris.
Member of Saudi delegation to the General Conferences of ALECSO
from 1982 to the present, Tunis.
Member of Saudi delegation to General Conferences of Ministers
of Education in the Gulf States, from 1982 to the present.
Member of Saudi delegation to the international Education
Conference in Geneva, from 1984 to the present.
In addition to participation in several regional and
international seminars and meetings.
Mustapha DENIAL
(Morocco)
Date and place of birth: 10 August 1952,
Casablanca.
Working languages: Arabic, English, French.
Current position/function
Doctor specializing in parasitic and tropical diseases, Public
Health.
Executive Director, National Children's Rights Observatory.
General Secretary, Moroccan UNICEF Association.
International expert in matters relating to the implementation
of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Main professional activities
In charge of National Immunization Programme.
Coordinator, Maghreb Immunization Board.
EditorninnChief, Espace Enfant.
Responsible for setting up and following up on the children's
parliament.
Various international expert assessments in the fields of
health, education, the rights of the child and Islam, children at
risk and street children (Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Egypt,
Tunisia, Djibouti, International Immunization Committee,
Geneva).
Educational background
Doctor specializing in parasitic and tropical diseases.
Other main activities in the field of children's
rights
Member of the Moroccan Committee assigned to introduce the
national report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child
(1996).
Assigned by the ministries concerned to defend the Plan of
Action for Children at the UNICEF Executive Board, New York.
Former General Secretary, Regional Council of the Order of
Medical Practitioners (northnwest region).
Member, national bureau, Moroccan Society of Medical
Sciences.
Most recent publications in the field of children's
rights
Study on the situation and needs of children in the
communes.
Tedla DIRESSIE
(Ethiopia)
Date and place of birth: 1 February 1946, North
Shoa, Ethiopia.
Working languages: Amharic, English.
Current position/function
Head of Children, Youth and Family Affairs Department in the
Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
Coordinates research and studies pertaining to children, youth
and the family.
National focal person for the implementation of the Convention
on the Rights of the Child.
Submits to the Government overall policy proposals concerning
children, youth and the family.
Coordinates governmental and nonngovernmental organizations
working for the survival, protection and development of
children.
Main professional activities
Presented papers on the situation of Ethiopian children in
Harare, Zimbabwe, 1992; Dakar, Senegal, 1992; Nairobi, Kenya,
1993; Mbarara, Uganda, 1994; Tunis, Tunisia, 1995.
Participated in international conferences such as those against
sexual exploitation of children in Stockholm, Sweden, 1996; child
labour in Oslo, Norway, 1997; Youth Conference in Lisbon, Portugal,
1998.
Presented a paper on children in especially difficult
circumstances in five Italian cities 1998.
Went on experience sharing tours to such countries as the
United States, England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Bangladesh,
Indonesia, Thailand and Saudi Arabia.
Organized awareness creation workshops and symposia for local
participants.
Presented papers on the Convention on the Rights of the Child
and the Ombudsman to peoples' representatives (Parliamentarians)
and representatives of other concerned bodies.
Educational background
BA in Educational Psychology, Addis Ababa University.
Diplomas in: Accounting, School Administration and
Supervision, Pedagogy, and a certificate in Management.
Other main relevant activities
Participated in the task force formed to prepare guidelines for
the committees on the Convention on the Rights of the Child in
Ethiopia.
Initiated and worked on the establishment of network of
governmental and nonngovernmental organizations concerned with the
survival, protection and development of children.
Served as a board member of three nonngovernmental organizations
working with children.
Served as a chairman of the National Committee on the Rights of
the Child.
Coordinated the activities of the governmental and
nonngovernmental organizations working to alleviate the problem of
child prostitution.
Most recent publications in the field
A research paper on AChildren in especially difficult
circumstances in Ethiopia@, June 1998.
A study paper on AThe Convention on the Rights of the Child in
relation to the laws in Ethiopia@, September 1988.
Phetsile Kholekile DLAMINI
(Swaziland)
Date and place of birth: 6 March 1949, Mbukwane,
Swaziland.
Working language: English.
Current position/function
Member of Parliament.
Cabinet Minister for Health and Social Welfare, responsible for
preventive, promotive, protective, curative, rehabilitative and
palliatory health services. Also responsible for welfare
issues especially as they relate to children in difficult
circumstances, such as the abandoned, orphaned, abused, addicted to
drugs and other substances, the destitute and children with
disabilities.
Main professional activities
Medical doctor who has specialized as a paediatrician.
Activities involve, but are not limited to, caring for all
children both sick and well, taking care of the welfare of children
at home, school and society at large. Issues of concern and
challenge at the national level at present include those of teenage
pregnancies, school dropnouts, drug and substance abuse and
addiction, HIV/AIDS, socially destitute children and babies.
Involved with governmental and nonngovernmental organizations in
the promotion and advancement of the status of children and
youth.
Educational background
1986
Fellow of the College of Physicians (with paediatrics),
South Africa.
1985
Master of Medicine with Paediatrics, University of Witwatersrand,
South Africa.
1981
Diploma in Child Health, South Africa.
1975
Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, University of Ghana.
1970
Bachelor of Science, Lesotho.
Other relevant main activities
Chairperson of the National Committee for Children and advising
the Prime Minister.
Influencing Parliamentary debates and decisions on survival,
development and protection of children in Swaziland.
Advocacy role and liaising between the stakeholders involved in
children's issues, e.g. magistrates, prosecutors, social workers,
health workers on children's health, welfare, rights, education and
general prospects, respect and implementation of the Convention on
the Rights of the Child.
Disseminating information widely on the role of the
United Nations based on personal experience as a
representative of the Government of Swaziland to the Cairo
Conference on Population and Development, to the Third Committee of
the General Assembly in 1994 and the World Health
Assembly.
Most recent publications in the field
Public presentations on protection and promotion of children and
women in many local and international forums.
Jacob Egbert DOEK
(Netherlands)
Date and place of birth: 1 May 1942, Emmen
(Netherlands).
Working languages: English, French, Dutch.
Current position/function
Professor of Family and Juvenile Law.
Director, Office of International Relations, both at the
Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam.
Deputy Juvenile Court Judge, District Court, The Hague.
Main professional activities
Teaching and research, including presentations at international
conferences and contacts with partner law schools in
South Africa, Canada, the United States and
Europe.
Member (Presidentnelect) of the European Law Faculties
Association.
(The Law Faculty in Amsterdam is willing to allow Mr. Doek
to participate fully in the work of the Committee if he is
elected.)
Educational background
Gymnasium, 1955n1961 (Emmen).
Law Faculty, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam 1961n1967 and
Doctor's Degree 1972.
Visiting Scholar, Georgetown University Law School (five months)
and Michigan University Law School (four months) in 1993.
Other relevant main activities
Founding member of Defence for Children International (Geneva);
member of Board 1979n1986.
Founding member of the International Society for Prevention of
Child Abuse; Board member 1977n1992; President 1982n1984; Vice
President, developing countries, 1984n1992.
Involved in establishing African Network for Prevention and
Protection of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Board member, International Association for Family and Juvenile
Court Magistrates, 1982n1986.
Member of the International Working Group on Child Labour,
1992n1997; final report published in June 1998 based on 34 country
studies.
List of most recent publications in the field
AChild abuse and neglect, article 19 CRC@, The Intern.
Journal of Children's Rights, vol. 2 (1994),
pp. 88n96.
AThe juvenile court: an endangered species?@ European
Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, vol. 2 (1994),
pp. 42n56.
Children on the Move. How to implement their Rights to
Family Life, Jaap Doek, Hans van Loon and Paul
Vlaardingerbroek (eds.), General Report, pp. 221n229, Kluwer
Law Intern. 1996.
AThe nuclear family. Who are the parents?@ in The
Changing Family, pp. 545n552, John Eekelaar and others
(eds.), Hail Publishing, 1998.
AChild sexual abuse and the Dutch Government's Policy@, in
Child Abuse and Neglect. What can Governments
do? (forthcoming; Kluwer Law Intern.).
Abdussalam Bashir DUWEBY
(Libyan Arab Jamahiriya)
Date and place of birth: 1948, Tripoli, Libya
Working languages: Arabic, English, French
Current position/function
Since 1990, Professor in Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences,
Tripoli, Libya. Teaching and researching.
Main professional activities
1972n1975 Ministry of Social Affairs, Tripoli,
social worker.
1975n1978 Ministry of Social Affairs and Social
Security, Tripoli, Head of Social Planning Department.
1984n1989 Faculty of Applied Social Sciences,
Tripoli, Dean of the Faculty.
1990n1998 Faculty of Social Sciences, Tripoli,
Sociology Professor.
Educational background
1968n1972 Garyounis University in Benghazi,
Libya
B.A. in Sociology and Social Planning.
1978n1982 Northern Colorado University in Greeley,
United States.
M.A. in Sociology and Social Planning.
1971 Faculté de
Sciences Humaines in Grenoble, France
Diploma of French language.
Other relevant main activities
1997 Partntime
consultant, UNICEF and UNDP, Tripoli
1988 Arab Centre for
Security Studies and Training, and UNIFEI Tokyo, Japan; teaching
and research.
Member of the Arab Committee of Sociology (Tunisia)
Member of the Committee of Social Workers (Libya)
Most recent publications in the field
ASustainable human development in Libya@ (UNDP report); AThe
socioneconomic status of Libyan women@ (UNDP report); ASocial
Problems@ (textbook), High Institute of Social Work; AChild
Labour in Libya@ (a field study), UNICEF; Deprived Children,
Arab Institute for Development, Beirut, Lebanon; Childhood in
Islam Dar Al Moultaka, Cyprus; Childhood and
Socialization, Amanat Al Adel Public and others.
Amina Hamza EL GUINDI
(Egypt)
Date and place of birth: 18 September 1942,
Cairo.
Working languages: Arabic, English
Current position/function
Secretary General, The National Council for Childhood and
Motherhood.
Rapporteur of the National Commission for Woman.
Member of Shura Assembly.
Head of Child and Woman Programmes Committee, Radio and
Television Union.
Member of the Board of Directors of the Higher Council for
PrenUniversity Education.
Other main relevant activities
Formulating a national plan for the development of the Egyptian
child, followingnup its implementation with the concerned
ministries and inserting the concept of gender in the national plan
of the State.
Issuing child law and the procedures related to its
implementation.
Setting up an information system and compiling indicators
relating to childhood conditions.
Studying the conditions of children in difficult circumstances
(child labour, juveniles, delinquents, handicap and those deprived
of family care).
The female child, her problems, and the right ways of facing
these problems.
Changing negative concepts towards childhood and the position of
the female child.
Educational background
1987: Ph.D. in Sociology,
Alexandria University.
1978: M.A. in Social
Planning, Helwan University.
1963: B.Sc. in Social Work,
Helwan University.
Other main relevant activities
Supervising the formulation of strategies, policies and
programmes, and coordination between the concerned ministries and
organizations regarding the promotion of childhood and
motherhood.
Most recent relevant publications
Document on childhood and motherhood development strategy in
Egypt, 1991.
Conceptual framework for childhood and motherhood component in
the Fourth FivenYear Plan for SocionEconomic Development
(1997/1998n2001/2002), 1996.
A study entitled AChildren in difficult circumstances@.
A study on the actual state of the female child.
Cultural studies regarding the transformation of concepts and
approaches towards women and children.
Judith KARP
(Israel)
Date and place of birth: 28 October 1937,
Jerusalem
Working languages: Hebrew, English.
Current position
1995npresent: VicenChairperson of the Committee on the
Rights of the Child.
Deputy Attorney General of the State of Israel, with special
responsibilities for legislation, policy coordination and liaison
within the Government and with related organizations in the fields
of criminal law and the criminal justice system, law enforcement,
human rights, children's rights including juvenile justice; as well
as other responsibilities within the purview of the Office of the
Attorney General; involvement in the legislative process of
preparing the Israeli Constitution (Basic Laws).
Main professional activities
Chairperson and member of various committees dealing with:
law enforcement, criminal law and procedure, law of evidence,
police work, modes of punishment, criminal records, victims of
crime, drug abuse and money laundering, domestic violence,
commercial sexual exploitation, social intervention within the
framework of law enforcement and the status of women and
children. Specific areas of responsibility concerning
children and youth include: Legislation and policy
coordination within Government Ministries (including Justice,
Police Department and Prison Authorities, Labour and Welfare,
Health and Education). Liaison with various nonngovernmental
organizations and lobby groups for Children's Rights, including in
the field of Juvenile Justice System, commercial sexual
exploitation, victims of crime, child abuse and neglect; consent to
medical treatment, children's right to legal representation; drugs;
children's welfare; special rules of evidence and court procedures
for abused children. Member of group of experts appointed by
the Minister of Justice for the harmonization of Israeli
legislation with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Chairperson of multidisciplinary committee on commercial sexual
exploitation of children.
Educational background
1957n1961 Faculty of Law, Hebrew
University of Jerusalem, LL.M. (summa cum laude).
1961n1962 Clerkship with Deputy
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Israel.
1964
British Council fellowship for foreign professionals.
1979
International Cultural Agency grant, United States of America.
1981
Salzburg Seminar on American Law.
1985
Eisenhower exchange fellowship, United States (three months).
Other main relevant activities
Chairperson, first meeting of the United Nations Coordination
Panel on Technical Assistance in Juvenile Justice, Vienna, 25n26
June 1998.
Participation as an expert in the following:
Expert Consultation on Preventing Violence in the Family,
Geneva, 7n9 October 1998 (representing the Committee on the
Rights of the Child).
Seventh session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and
Criminal Justice, Vienna, April 1998 (representing the CRC).
UNICEF Seminar on Reporting Processes for the Baltic Region,
Riga, Lithuania, 23n25 March 1998.
Out From the Shadows: International Seminar on Sexually
Exploited Youth, Victoria, B.C., Canada, 7n12 March 1998.
Fourth United Nations Expert Group Meeting on Victims of Crime
and Abuse of Power in the International Setting, Washington,
D.C., 26n27 February 1998.
Second Defence for Children International (DCI) Forum on
Children's Rights and International Monitoring Mechanisms in the
Context of Sexual Exploitation, Geneva, 17 January 1998
(representing the Committee on the Rights of the Child).
Most recent publications and presentations in the
field
APreventing violence in the family n CRC's perspective@ (a
presentation to an expert consultation on preventing violence
in the family, Geneva, 7n9 October 1998).
Intervention on behalf of the Committee on the Rights of the
Child at the seventh session of the Commission on Crime Prevention
and Criminal Justice (Vienna, 21n30 April 1998).
ACombating Sexual Exploitation n The Role of the Committee on
the Rights of the Child@ (paper presented at the International
Seminar on Sexually Exploited Youth, Victoria, March 1998).
AThe Convention on the Rights of the Child n Children's Human
Dignity@ (paper presented at Barcelona, Seminar on Ending All
Physical Punishment of Children in Europe,
19 October 1997).
AAn analysis of the system of State reporting n Reporting and
the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Commentary@(presented on
the occasion of a conference on enforcing international human
rights law, in Toronto, Canada, 21n29 June 1997).
AThe best interest of the child@ (Collected papers of the
Conference on AThe Best Interest of the Child in the European
Union@, the Swedish Parliament, Stockholm,
28n29 May 1997).
Yury KOLOSOV
(Russian Federation)
Date and place of birth: 7 September 1934, USSR
Working languages: Russian, English
Current position/function
Holder of the Chair of International Law, Moscow State Institute
of International Relations (MGIMO) since 1987.
Main professional activities
Diplomatic service, 1966n1987 (last position, Deputy Chief,
Department of Humanitarian and Cultural Relations, USSR Ministry
for Foreign Affairs).
1966 Diplomatic rank
of Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary.
1970n1973 Senior Researcher, State and Law
Institute, USSR Academy of Sciences.
Educational background
1959 Graduated from
Moscow State Institute of International Relations.
1976 Ph.D. degree.
1982 Professor of
International Law.
Other main relevant activities
Member, Committee on the Rights of the Child (1991nto date).
Director of the UNESCO Chair for Human Rights and Democracy
attached to MGIMO (since 1994).
Member, Board of Governors, Russian Children's Foundation (since
1994).
Member, Executive Board, Russian Association of International
Law (since 1988).
Most recent publications in the field
AInternational cooperation in the sphere of human rights@,
Moscow, 1993 (documents and materials with commentary).
AInternational humanitarian law@, Moscow, 1995 (documents with
commentary).
AThe juridical significance of the Convention on the Rights of
the Child@; AThe Committee on the Rights of the Child:
stocktaking and new challenges@ n chapters in the book
Understanding Children's Rights, University of
Ghent, 1997.
Nihad HANBALI
(Syrian Arab Republic)
Date and place of birth: 11 February 1942,
Damascus.
Working languages: Arabic, English
Current position/function
Member of Director Council of Syrian Familynplanning
Association, Member of Women's Committee (IPPS) n Arabnspeaking
region.
Researcher in the Arab Council for Childhood and Development
(Cairo).
Main professional activities
Teacher of Psychology, Director of the Centre for Population and
Social Studies and Research (Bureau of Statistics) (1979n1988).
Taking a major role in the population and housing census;
evaluating the results (1981).
Supervisor of many surveys (Follownup, demography survey; family
size and family health survey; world fertility, family size and
family health survey; services available to childhood.
Writing many studies. Attending several regional and
international conferences.
Member of International Union for the Scientific Study of
Population (IUSSP), Belgium.
Educational background
Diploma from Teachers' Institute, 1963.
B.A. from Damascus University in Philosophy and Social Studies,
1967.
Certificate in Population and Development Planning, from
Population Council (Damascus) 1977.
Certificate in Censuses and Surveys from IST Washington D.C.,
1979.
Other main relevant activities
Preparing statistics data and indicators relevant to childhood
to be used by the Syrian Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Active in the field of child rights, especially in rural
areas.
Active in the field of family planning (mother and child
health).
Active in the field of services related to children.
List of most recent publications in the field
ASocial care for Syrian children under 15 years old@.
Study prepared for the Arab Council for Childhood and Development
(this study used the results of a field survey, 1994).
Report on services available to Syrian children.
1976n1979, Follownup pregnancy study in Syria.
Lina B. LAIGO
(Philippines)
Date and place of birth: 14 January 1943, Capiz,
Philippines
Working language: English
Current position/function
Consultant, Council for the Welfare of Children:
supervises the development of the Philippine National
Development Plan for Children for the period 2000n2025.
Consultant, Philippine Women's University: reviews and
improves the curriculum of the Department of Social Work and
Psychology, vital in child welfare programmes.
For the City of Manila: technical assistance to social
welfare development programmes.
Main professional activities
For the Plan for Children: mobilizes different sectors to
provide inputs and to integrate new concepts, the Convention on the
Rights of the Child; outputs of various sectors; supervises
preparation and packaging of the Plan. Technical assistance
to the Council for the Welfare of Children in the preparation of
orientation materials and an aggressive advocacy campaign on child
rights, mobilizing media and advertising groups, civic, religious
and business sectors.
For the Philippine Women's University: reviews and
improves curriculum for social work and psychology students; and
organizes consultation workshops to ensure maximum participation of
stakeholders and acceptability of the curriculum.
For the City of Manila: improvement and development of
social welfare programmes.
Educational background
Bachelor of Arts, major in Psychology, Philippine Women's
University, 1965.
Master's Degree in Social Science, University of Chicago,
1974.
Training in child welfare and development.
Other main relevant activities
As consultant to the Philippine Women's University:
setting up of the Family Life Institute which will focus on
strengthening family life through effective parenting; prevention
of domestic violence, especially wife battering and child
abuse.
Assists UNICEF in the implementation of the CPC V, especially
regarding the possibility of focusing on some provinces and
developing local plans for children. This will be a follow
through of the Philippine National Development Plan for Children at
the local level. It will ensure the provision of
opportunities for children to enjoy their rights at the subnational
level.
Awa N=Deye OUEDRAOGO
(Burkina Faso)
Date and place of birth: 3 September 1954,
Bobo-Dioulosso
Working languages: French, English (moderate)
Current position/function
Teacher of linguistics, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
United Nations B Specialized Agencies Service, Department of
Multilateral Cooperation, Central Directorate for Multilateral
Cooperation.
Main professional activities
In charge of matters relating to UNICEF, UNIFEM, INSTRAW, UNHCR,
human rights.
Cultural adviser at the Embassy of Burkina Faso to the United
States of America.
Cultural adviser at the Permanent Mission of Burkina Faso to the
United Nations, attended the General Assembly from 1989 to
1997, notably meetings of the Third Committee.
Attended preparatory meetings for the World Conference on Human
Rights (Vienna).
Attended preparatory meetings for the World Conference on
Population and Development (Cairo).
Attended preparatory meetings for the World Summit for Social
Development (Copenhagen).
Attended preparatory meetings for the Fourth World Conference on
Women (Beijing).
Research and design of teaching materials for primary education
and literacy training.
Educational background
Maîtrise and Diploma of Advanced Studies in Linguistics,
University of Paris III, Sorbonne.
Degree in Linguistics, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Primary and secondary education in Ouagadougou, Burkina
Faso.
Other main activities in the field of
children=s rights
Attended the World Summit for Children and the preparatory
meetings.
Attended the preparatory meetings for the International
Conference on Assistance to African Children, Dakar.
Attended meetings of the UNICEF Executive Board from 1989 to
1996.
Member, UNICEF Executive Board.
Vice-Chairman, UNICEF Executive Board (1995) Bcoordinator for
the UNICEF African Group.
Attended the first to fifth meetings of the States parties to
the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Attended the international conference on the rights of the
child, Indianapolis (November 1997).
Attended the Western and Central Africa regional seminar on
reporting.
Most recent publications in the field of
children=s rights
Preparation of reports for the Committee on the Rights of the
Child.
Role of non-governmental organizations in the presentation of
reports.
Introduction to the Committee on the Rights of the
Child.
Ahmad Abdel Halim MOHAMED
(Sudan)
Date and place of birth: 15 April 1933, Wad Medani,
Sudan
Working languages: Arabic and English
Current position/function
Ambassador of Sudan to the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Permanent Representative at the League of Arab States in
Cairo.
Main professional activities
Professor of Education.
Librarian at the University of Khartoum.
Director of the School of ExtranMural Studies, University of
Khartoum.
Professor of Adult Education, University of Juba, Sudan.
Parliamentarian. Leader of the National Assembly.
Permanent UndernSecretary, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social
Affairs.
Minister of Culture and Information.
Adviser to UNICEF in Mena. Education for All.
Expert in social development.
Educational background
B.Sc. Economics and Political Science. University of
Alexandria, Egypt ALA. The British Library
Association. Registered Chartered Librarians.
Academic PostnGraduate Diploma in Librarian Studies.
University of London.
Other main relevant activities
Adviser to UNICEF. Sudan country office and Mena
region.
Adviser and expert on rights of the child. Government of
the Sudan, League of Arab States, ESCWA.
Member of United Nations Commission for Social Development.
President or member of committees of numerous NGOs in the field
of child protection, welfare, human rights and human
development.
Writer and presenter of radio and TV programmes.
Most recent publications in the field
Editor and chairman of the drafting committee: Sudan
Comprehensive National Strategy (1992n2001), including child,
youth, women and voluntary work strategies.
Sudan Plan for the Survival Protection and Development of the
Child.
Sultanate of Oman Child Plan (Social Dimension).
Arab Regional Plan for the Survival, Protection and Development
of the Child
Draft Arab charter on social development.
Tirtha Man SHAKYA
(Nepal)
Date and place of birth: 21 July 1944
Working languages: English, Nepali
Current position/function
Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Justice of His Majesty's
Government of Nepal.
MembernSecretary, Human Rights Year 1998 National Committee,
Nepal.
Member, Nepal Law Reform Commission.
Chairman, Nepal Judicial Services Training Centre Board,
Nepal.
Main professional activities
Drafting laws and providing consultation for the establishment
of acts, ordinances, rules and orders.
Providing opinions on legal issues and constitutional questions
to His Majesty's Government.
Making recommendations to His Majesty's Government on the policy
and principles to be formulated on public and private international
legal matters.
Providing opinions, suggestions or advice to His Majesty's
Government on the signature, ratification, accession, approval or
acceptance of bilateral or multilateral treaties, including human
rights conventions to which the Kingdom of Nepal or His Majesty's
Government is to be a party.
Educational background
Master of Commerce (M. Com.) and Bachelor of Laws (B.L.) (both
from Tribhuvan University, Nepal).
Participant in the Training Programme on Human Rights Reporting;
National Capacity Strengthening, Turin ILO Training Centre
(1995).
Development Lawyer's Course, International Development Law
Institute (IDLI), Rome (1985).
Government Legal Advisers' Course, Institute of Advanced Legal
Studies, London (1978n1979).
Other main relevant activities
1. Leader of the Nepalese delegation to the
United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child for the
Presentation of initial report thereon (Geneva, May 1996).
2. Chairperson of the National Committee on
the preparation of initial report on the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
(1996).
3. Drafter of the human rightsnrelated
legislative bills like the Children's Act, 1992, Child Labour
(Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1998, National Human Rights
Commission Act, 1997, etc.
Most recent publications in the field
Various papers presented at national and international
conferences, especially the following:
AJuvenile Justice System in Nepal@ (1997);
AAn Overview of Laws on Child Labour@ (1996);
AImplementation of Recommendations of the Committee on the
Rights of the Child@ (1996);
ALegislative Measures for the Enforcement of the Rights of the
Child@(1995);
Author of the book The Drafting of Laws (in the Nepali
language).
Nazhat SHAMEEN
(Fiji)
Date and place of birth: 16 November 1960
Working language: English
Current position/function
Director of Public Prosecution (since 1994)
Main professional activities
Criminal prosecutions, including appeals to the High Court and
Court of Appeal.
Lecturing at the Police Academy on the law and practice.
Training of junior State Counsel as Pupil Master.
Administration of the Office of the Director of Public
Prosecution.
Editorial Committee of Fiji Law Talk, the only magazine
published locally for legal practitioners.
In her capacity as Director of Public Prosecution, responsible
for all criminal prosecutions in the country.
Educational background
B.A. in Law (Honours), 1981, Sussex University, United
Kingdom.
LL.M., 1982, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.
M.Phil. (Criminology), 1988, University of Cambridge, United
Kingdom.
Other main relevant activities
Chairperson of the Children's Conordinating Committee n a
committee set up by the Government of Fiji to implement the
Convention on the Rights of the Child in Fiji, 1994.
Chairperson of the Beattie Implementation Committee n a
committee set up to implement the recommendations of Sir David
Beattie in the Commission of Inquiry into the Fiji Court System,
1994n1995.
Chairperson of the Fiji Copyright Committee na committee set up
to look into the laws regarding copyright and trademarks in
Fiji with a view to recommending changes, 1994n1995.
Most recent publications in the field
APolice questioning@, in Poltracol (magazine of Fiji
Police Academy), 1985.
Criminal Justice in Fiji, Asia and Far East Institute for the
Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI),
resource mateials, 1988.
AChild abuse in Fiji@, Daily Post (Fiji), 14 November
1992.
Book review of Claudia Orange's Treaty of Waitangi,
published in New Zealand, Landfall, 1989.
Report on disciplinary proceedings in Fiji Prisons Service for
the Ministry of Home Affairs, Fiji, August 1992.
Rita Félicité SODJIEDO HOUNTON
(Benin)
Date and place of birth: 18 December 1955, Cotonou,
Benin
Working languages: French, English
Current position/function
Magistrate in 1981; currently Director, Children's and Juvenile
Legal Protection, Ministry of Justice, Legislation and Human
Rights, Cotonou; from 1981 to 1997, held a variety of judicial
appointments: investigating magistrate in 1982; Deputy Public
Prosecutor in 1984; Deputy Prosecutor‑General in 1988; Court
of Appeal, Cotonou, 1990; Magistrate for Social Affairs, 1992;
Judge at the Court of Appeal
Main professional activities
The object of the Children's and Juvenile Legal Protection
Office is to protect and educate children and teenagers who are
delinquent or in moral danger and keep an eye on all the related
judicial and institutional files, nationally and
internationally. The Office takes part in all
child‑related events and gatherings, promotes training in
children's rights; brings the initial report of Benin on the
Convention on the Rights of the Child to the attention of the
public in all departments of the country; promotes training in
children's rights, alerts the public to and mobilizes it against
drugs and their consequences for young people in Benin. The
Office participates in activities by the Children at Risk Cell, is
on the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
(IPEC) National Committee, and chairs the Board of the Benin
National Committee for UNESCO
Educational background
1979: Master's degree in Legal Sciences
1981: Magistrate's training course
1996: Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA) in human rights,
Institut des droits de l'homme (IDHL), Lyon, France. Diploma
thesis: ABenin yesterday and today in the light of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child@
1996 to date: thesis on AChild labour: the case of
children placed in Benin under the 'vidomegon' system@(in
progress), Institut des droits de l'homme, Lyon
Other main activities in the field of children's
rights
Training, alerting and mobilizing people in favour of the rights
of the child with a view to effective enjoyment of those rights in
Benin, by means of a variety of activities: lectures,
seminars, conferences, interviews with the press (e.g. Le
Point, 16 June 1998)
Instruction in the rights of children and women Battendance at
international, regional and national gatherings on the protection
of children's rights, such as child labour and trafficking in
children
Responsibilities: Coordinator, National Coalition for the
Rights of the Child; Vice‑President, Defence for Children
International (DEI) for Africa; General Secretary, DEI ‑
Benin; Lecturer at the Institute of Human Rights in Cotonou
Bsubject: children's rights and women's rights
Most recent publications in the field of children's
rights
1998: Les enfants delinquants, sont‑ils en conflit
avec la loi ou avec la société? (Delinquent
children: in conflict with the law or with society?)
Le trafic des enfants à partir du Bénin?
(Trafficking in children out of Benin?)
1997: L'administration de la justice pour mineurs au
Bénin. (Administration of juvenile justice in Benin)
Engagements des Etats en application de la Convention
relative aux droits de l'enfant(States' commitments pursuant to
the Convention on the Rights of the Child)
1996: Le Bénin d'aujourd'hui face à la
Convention relative aux droits de l'enfant (memoire IDHL)
(Modern Benin in the light of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child)
ALes droits de l'enfant, methodologie et pedagogie de leur
enseignement en milieu scolaire et prescolaire@, (The Rights of the
Child: Methodology and pedagogy of children's education in a
pre‑school and school environment) in: Droits et
devoirs du citoyen, instruction civique et morale à
l'école: Seminaire‑atélier sur l'application
de l'article 40 de la Constitution du 11 décembre 1990 dans
les établissements scolaires et universitaires et par les
médias, (éds. Flammarion, December 1996)
1994: La communauté, instrument indispensable pour
la surveillance des droits de l'enfant (The community,
indispensable monitoring instrument for children's rights)
Marjorie Elaine TAYLOR
(Jamaica)
Date and place of birth: 7 June 1950, Kingston,
Jamaica
Working language: English (mother tongue)
Current position/function
Ambassador, Special Envoy for Children's Affairs with
responsibility for preparation of Child Care and Protection Act;
Coordinating role for all government agencies dealing with
children: Children's Services Division, Adoption Board, Child
Support Unit; children's homes (public and private), day‑care
centres. Government liaison with intervention agencies, e.g.
UNICEF, Inter‑American Children's Institute; NGOs dealing
with children's affairs
Main professional activities
Supervision of Jamaican government agencies responsible for
children's affairs; representative of Jamaica to CARICOM (Caribbean
Community); Leader of Jamaican delegation to meetings of UNICEF
Executive Board at United Nations Headquarters, New York
(usually once or twice yearly); representative of Jamaica at the
InternAmerican Children's Institute annual meeting
Educational background
1984n1986: University of the West Indies (Mona, Kingston,
Jamaica), Certificate in Public Administration
1977n1979: University of Technology (formerly College of
Arts, Science and Technology) Kingston, Diploma in Building
Inspection
1961n1969: Camperdown High School, Kingston, Jamaica
Other main relevant activities
Ambassador Taylor is the mother of five children (all
adopted). In her current professional activities, she draws
on her vast experience in the field of public policy, including as
the former Minister of State in the Ministry of Health, responsible
for children's affairs and primary health care. She was also
a Senator and a Member of Parliament
Ambassador Taylor has also been Senior Government Representative
on women's issues, and has represented Jamaica at regional and
international women's meetings, including the Fourth World
Conference on Women in Beijing
List of most recent publications in the field
(Coordinated the preparation and publication of):
Jamaica National Plan of Action for Children
Jamaica's National Policy on Children
Deborah THOMASnFELIX
(Trinidad and Tobago)
Date and place of birth: 21 January 1962, Port of
Spain
Working languages: English, with an understanding
of French and Spanish
Current position/function
Senior Magistrate, Trinidad and Tobago, with responsibility for
the district of St. George West, Port of Spain
Administrative duties: in charge of general administration
of the Magistrate's Court, Port of Spain
Judicial duties: Chairperson of Licensing Committee of the
district of St. George West, presiding as magistrate in all
narcotic matters, rape, fraud and wounding
Main professional activities
1997npresent: Provides on an ongoing basis advice to the
task force which is currently preparing a structure for the
establishment of a family court in Trinidad and Tobago
1994: Head of committee investigating street children in
Trinidad and Tobago
1993: Participant in the joint task force between the
Government of Trinidad and Tobago and UNICEF investigating children
in special circumstances in Trinidad and Tobago
Panellist at Rights of the Child Seminars held in 1989 and 1993
organized by the steering committee with responsibility for
ratification by Trinidad and Tobago of the Convention on the Rights
of the Child
1990n1992: President, Business and Professional Women's
Club of Trinidad and Tobago
Educational background
1998n : Welham Law School, Dalhousie University, Halifax,
Canada n Judicial Educator Certificate
1984n1986: Hugh Wooding Law School, Trinidad n Certificate
of Legal Education (LEC)
1981n1984: University of the West Indies (St. Augustine,
Trinidad and Tobago, and Cave Hill, Barbados) nBachelor of Laws
(LL.B)
Other main relevant activities
Instrumental in the establishment of and President of the Family
Court in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Foundation member of the CREDO Foundation for Justice, a
Trinidad and Tobago nonngovernmental organization whose objective
is the protection of children at risk and in difficult
circumstances
Attendance at United Nations Caribbean Conference on the
Rights of the Child, Belize, 1996
Delivery of papers at public forums in the Caribbean on subjects
relevant to family law, domestic violence and the rights of the
children
Structuring, organization and implementation of ongoing
programme for juveniles and street children, St. Vincent and the
Grenadines
Most recent publications in the field
Street children and crime (a closer look), 1993
Juvenile delinquencies: a situation analysis (prepared in
collaboration with UNICEF)
Child abuse in the Caribbean, with special emphasis on sexual
abuse in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Elisabeth TIGERSTEDTnTÄHTELÄ
(Finland)
Date and place of birth: 12 October 1933,
Helsinki
Working languages: Finnish, Swedish, English,
German
Profession: Ambassador (retired 1 November
1998)
Main professional activities
Judicial trainee and deputy judge at Närpes circuit court
1960n1961, Legal assistant at the Mental Health Department of the
National Board of Health 1962n1965, Freelance journalist for YLB
(Broadcasting Authority) in Switzerland and Belgium 1965n1969
(human dimension programmes), Secretary of the City Council and
City Board of Kauniainen 1969n1970, Senior Ministerial Secretary at
the Ministry for Social Affairs and Health 1970n1979 (on leave
1975n1976); posted at Ministry for Foreign Affairs 1978
At the Ministry for Foreign Affairs: Social attaché
at the Embassy of Finland, Stockholm 1975n1976, Head of section in
the Political Department and Head of Consular Affairs in the Legal
Department 1978n1985, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy in Beijing
1985n1988, Ambassador to Hanoi (and Viet Nam) 1988nend 1989,
Ambassador to Cairo (and Khartoum) 1990n1992, Inspector of
Embassies 1992n1995, Head of Department for Human Rights and
Consular Affairs 1995n1997, Ambassador to Zagreb 1997n1998
Educational background
Master of Laws, 1960, University of Helsinki
Qualified to function as judge 1964
German language studies at University of Hamburg 1951n1952
English language studies at University College, London,
1952n1953
Other main relevant activities
Member of the Board of the Finnish League for Human Rights
(NGO), Advisory Committee for Migration Matters 1970n1982,
Committee on Woman's Year 1975, Nordic Socionpolitical Committee
1975, FinnishnSwedish Cultural Fund n representative of Finland
1978n1983, Committee on Refugee Matters 1979, Committee on
International Adoptions, Chairperson of the Committee on the Fourth
World Conference on Women in Beijing 1995, In charge of matters
concerning equality between women and men at the Ministry for
Foreign Affairs 1997
Numerous international meetings of the Nordic Council and
Minister Council, International Labour Organization,
United Nations, Economic and Social Council and subcommittees,
Council of Europe Human Rights Committee, with emphasis on
developing and implementing international human rights
instruments
Founder and member of an unofficial group of five women for
planning policies to improve the rights of children with special
emphasis on alternative solutions for establishing dayncare
legislation, 1970n1974
Osvaldo I. TORRES GUTIERREZ
(Chile)
Date and place of birth: 19 August 1953,
Santiago
Working languages: Spanish, English
Current position/function
President, Chilean Pro United Nations Association (NGO)
(projects to improve children's lives)
Executive Secretary, PRODENI Corporation
In charge of the AAl Habla@ project: an innovative
experiment in integrated development for children and teenagers
(financed by EEC, sponsored by the Ministries of Planning and
Cooperation and of Education)
Responsible for the project AChildhood and Adolescence Network -
RIA@- Rädda Barnen, Sweden, and Chilean National Service for
Minors
Main professional activities
Director, ASchool participation@ project with the Ministry of
Education
Project adviser/evaluator, APN, Norway
Director, AZapping the future@ project: vocational
guidance and information CD-ROM for secondary school students
Member, National Committee for the Abolition of Child Labour
Fellow, School of Psychology, Central University
UNICEF adviser on the National Plan of Action for Children
Adviser, National Service for Minors (SENAME) national
headquarters
Educational background
BA in anthropology, University of Chile
Economics graduate
Other main activities in the field of children's
rights
Member of the committee drafting the report on implementation of
the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Director, ALa Pichanga@ (AFriendly match@) supplement on
children's rights (La Nacion newspaper), 1993-1994
Executive Secretary, Defensa de los Niños Internacional,
Chile, 1985-1991
Series of workshops on AChild abuse and abandonment@at the
University of Chile and the University Blas Cañas, 1992
University of Chile research team member, diagnostic study of
the situation of minors at ordinary protection centres for the
Interamerican Development Bank and the Ministry of Planning and
Cooperation, 1995-1996
Most recent publications in the field of children's
rights
AMi Mundo Privado@, essay on children's conversations, August
1997
Diagnostic study of the situation of minors at ordinary
protection centres, University of Chile
El maltrato a niños y jovenes desde un enfoque
cultural(Child abuse from a cultural viewpoint), Fundacion Ide,
January 1996
Los derechos del niño, manual para educadores
(The Rights of the Child, a manual for teachers), with M.L. De La
Noi, C. Richards, P. Pizarro and M.L. Gumicio, 1993
Los niños abandonados, herencia del regimen
militar(Abandoned children, a legacy from the military regime),
1990
Jorge Alberto VALLADARES VALLADARES
(Honduras)
Date and place of birth: 16 January 1968,
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Working languages: Spanish, English (reading
knowledge)
Current position/function
Executive Director, Honduran Institute for Childhood and the
Family (established by Legislative Decree No. 199-97)
Main professional activities
Executive Director, Honduran Institute for Childhood and the
Family
Educational background
Degree in legal and social sciences (orientation:
administrative law), Honduras National Autonomous University
Other main activities in the field of children's
rights
Has held the following appointments:
Chief, Children's Rights Department, Office of the National
Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman), 1993-1994
Officer-in-charge, UNICEF Children in Especially Difficult
Circumstances Programme, Honduras, 1994
Executive Director, Human Rights Research and Promotion Centre
(CIPRODEH), 1995
Chief, UNHCR Office, Honduras, 1996-1997
Most recent publications in the field of children's
rights
Hacia un nuevo derecho del niño y la niña
(Towards a new child law)
Los derechos fundamentales (Basic rights), co-authored
with Alejandro Aplicano
