III. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS

ICCPR

•          Dominican Republic, ICCPR, A/48/40 vol. I (1993) 95 at para. 464.

The living and working conditions of Haitian labourers should be addressed as a matter of priority. The State party should ensure the implementation of laws concerning labour standards, including adequate monitoring of working conditions. In this regard, the necessity of strengthening the capacity of the labour inspectorate to effectively monitor the working conditions of Haitian labourers, with a view to ending their slave-like exploitation, is emphasized. Child labourers in particular require a higher level of protection and the relevant international standards should be vigorously applied.

•          Haiti, ICCPR, A/50/40 vol. I (1995) 46 at para. 234.

The allegations concerning forced labour of minors are of concern.

•          Yemen, ICCPR, A/50/40 vol. I (1995) 49 at paras. 257 and 263.

Paragraph 257

The widespread employment of minors, especially in rural areas is of deep concern.

Paragraph 263

The Government should conduct a study on the phenomenon of working children, especially children in rural areas.

•          Sri Lanka, ICCPR, A/50/40 vol. I (1995) 75 at paras. 459 and 474.

Paragraph 459

The situation of the economic and sexual exploitation of children both with respect to the use of children in domestic service and the prostitution of boys is of concern.

Paragraph 474

A comprehensive programme should be developed to deal with the issues of child labour, particularly children in domestic service, and the sexual exploitation of children of both sexes.

•          Brazil, ICCPR, A/51/40 vol. I (1996) 44 at paras. 319 and 336.

Paragraph 319

The widespread problem of forced labour and debt bondage, especially in the rural areas, is of concern. The grave problems of child labour and child prostitution remain matters of deep concern.

Paragraph 336

The State party should enforce laws prohibiting forced labour, child labour and child prostitution and should implement programmes to prevent and combat such human rights abuses. In addition, more effective supervisory mechanisms should be established to ensure compliance with the provisions of national legislation and relevant international standards. It is imperative that persons who are responsible for or who directly profit from forced labour, child labour and child prostitution, be severely punished under law.

•          Bolivia, ICCPR, A/52/40 vol. I (1997) 35 at paras. 213 and 222.

Paragraph 213

The exploitation of children in employment, including the practice of the "criadito" and the growing numbers of street children are matters of concern.

Paragraph 222

Effective measures should be taken to abolish the practice of the "criadito".

•          Colombia, ICCPR, A/52/40 vol. I (1997) 44 at paras. 290 and 305.

Paragraph 290

Much remains to be done to protect children from violence within the family and the society at large, from forced recruitment by guerrilla and paramilitary groups and from employment below the legal minimum age, and specifically to protect street children from being killed or otherwise abused by vigilante groups and security forces.

Paragraph 305

The Government is urged to adopt effective measures to ensure the full implementation of article 24 of the Covenant, including preventive and punitive measures in respect of all acts of child murder and assault and protective, preventive and punitive measures in respect of children caught up in the activities of guerrilla and paramilitary groups. Effective measures should be taken to eliminate employment of children and inspection mechanisms should be established to this effect.

•          India, ICCPR, A/52/40 vol. I (1997) 67 at paras. 446, 447 and 449.

Paragraph 446

The high incidence of child prostitution and trafficking of women and girls into forced prostitution is of concern. The lack of effective measures to prevent such practices and to protect and rehabilitate the victims is regretted. Therefore, measures should be taken to protect and rehabilitate women and children whose rights have been violated in this way.

Paragraph 447

The lack of national legislation to outlaw the practice of Devadasi [ritual prostitution], the regulation of which is left to the states, is of concern. However, it appears that the practice continues and not all states have effective legislation against it. It is emphasized that this practice is incompatible with the Covenant. Therefore, all necessary measures should be taken urgently to eradicate the practice of Devadasi.

Paragraph 449

Urgent steps should be taken to remove all children from hazardous occupations. Immediate steps should be taken to implement the recommendation of the National Human Rights Commission to respect the constitutional requirement that it should be a fundamental right for all children under 14 to have free and compulsory education and efforts should be strengthened to eliminate child labour in both the industrial and rural sectors. Consideration should also be given to establishing an independent mechanism with effective national powers to monitor and enforce the implementation of laws for the eradication of child labour and bonded labour.

•          Ecuador, ICCPR, A/53/40 vol. I (1998) 43 at para. 290.

Despite the legal requirement of judicial authorization for the employment of children under 14 years of age, there continues to be exploitation of children in employment. The Comité Nacional para la Eradicación Progresiva del Trabajo Infantil should be provided with the necessary means to carry out its mandate to eliminate the practice of child labour.

•          United Republic of Tanzania, ICCPR, A/53/40 vol. I (1998) 57 at para. 409.

The State party is urged to take further steps to counter the employment of children in industrial and agricultural activities.

•          Belgium, ICCPR, A/54/40 vol. I (1999) 26 at para. 93.

The State party is urged to take effective measures to curtail the possession and distribution of paedo-pornography.

•          Costa Rica, ICCPR, A/54/40 vol. I (1999) 54 at para. 288.

Effective remedies should be put into place to combat child labour and school drop-outs.

•          Kyrgyzstan, ICCPR, A/55/40 vol. I (2000) 57 at paras. 412 and 413.

Paragraph 412

The continued existence of child labour, the problem of mistreatment of children in some educational institutions, cruel punishment, and the phenomenon of trafficking in children are of concern.

Paragraph 413

The State party must urgently address the issues described above so as to ensure the special protection to which children are entitled under article 24 of the Covenant.

•          Ireland, ICCPR, A/55/40 vol. I (2000) 61 at para. 429.

The Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 and the Sexual Offenders (Jurisdiction) Act 1996, which allow prosecution in respect of offences committed outside Ireland, are welcomed.

•          Gabon, ICCPR, A/56/40 vol. I (2001) 41 at para. 75(18).

The exploitation of children, including foreign children, is of concern. The State party must take all necessary steps to ensure that children enjoy special protection, in accordance with its obligations under article 24 of the Covenant.

•          Venezuela, ICCPR, A/56/40 vol. I (2001) 49 at para. 77(24).

The continually worsening situation of street children is deplored. Those children are at high risk of sexual violence and are vulnerable to sexual trafficking. The State party should take effective measures for the protection and rehabilitation of street children, pursuant to article 24 of the Covenant, including measures to end sexual exploitation and child pornography.

•          Guatemala, ICCPR, A/56/40 vol. I (2001) 93 at paras. 85(15) and 85(26).

Paragraph 85(15)

The information received on the traffic in children separated from their parents, a situation which has still not yet been clarified, is of concern. The State party should conduct investigations to identify those responsible for the traffic in children and bring them to justice. It should take the necessary measures to prevent the occurrence of such violations of articles 6, 7 and 24 of the Covenant. It should also take the appropriate measures to comply with the provisions of international instruments on child labour.

Paragraph 85(26)

The situation of street children, which appears to be getting worse, is deplored. These children run the greatest risk of sexual violence and are vulnerable to sexual trafficking. The State party should take effective measures both to protect and rehabilitate street children, pursuant to article 24 of the Covenant, including measures to put an end to sexual exploitation and child pornography, and to punish those found guilty of any kind of violence against minors.

ICESCR

•          Viet Nam, ICESCR, E/1994/23 (1993) 34 at para. 142.

Particular efforts should be made to solve the problem of school absenteeism and the concentration on child labour at the expense of school attendance.

•          Morocco, ICESCR, E/1995/22 (1994) 28 at paras. 116 and 123.

Paragraph 116

Concern is expressed at the incidence of child labour, often even under the minimum legal age of 12, and the lack of implementation of protective labour legislation with regard to children employed as domestic servants, in agriculture or in the informal or traditional sectors. It is also noted with concern that many of those children are not fully enjoying their right to education.

Paragraph 123

Efforts that are currently under way to raise the minimum working age are encouraged. Further measures should be taken to ensure that working children, including those in the informal sector and in agriculture, benefit from relevant protection at work and effectively enjoy their right to an education.

•          Mauritius, ICESCR, E/1995/22 (1994) 37 at para. 177.

It is noted with regret that Mauritian child labour legislation is not strictly enforced.

•          Mali, ICESCR, E/1995/22 (1994) 64 at para. 348.

Concern is expressed over the fact that child labour is widespread, above all in the informal sector of the Malian economy, despite legislation to the contrary.

•          Philippines, ICESCR, E/1996/22 (1995) 30 at para. 112.

The lack of resources devoted by the Government to preventing and combatting the economic and sexual exploitation of children is of concern. The lack of mechanisms to monitor the application of the laws governing the legal minimum age of employment and the protection of children in labour matters, as required by the provisions of the Covenant, is regretted. Furthermore, the official government statistics relating to cases of child sexual exploitation are radically lower than apparently more reliable estimates from a variety of sources. It is unconvincing that the Government is doing enough to satisfy its obligations under the Convention to seek to protect these children.

•          Sweden, ICESCR, E/1996/22 (1995) 35 at para. 146.

The Government is urged to intensify its efforts to combat child pornography and domestic violence against women, as well as its measures for monitoring and registering all such cases. Attention is drawn to the need to ensure the imposition of appropriate penalties for such offences.

•          Colombia, ICESCR, E/1996/22 (1995) 41 at para. 189.

Concern is expressed at the high rate of child labour, particularly in arduous and unhealthy occupations (such as brick making and mining), and at the insufficient action taken by the Government to combat this practice.

•          Paraguay, ICESCR, E/1997/22 (1996) 22 at paras. 77 and 89.

Paragraph 77

The large number of child workers and street children in Paraguay is of particular concern. Attention is drawn to the inadequacy of the measures taken by the Government to combat these phenomena, which are serious violations of the fundamental rights of the child.

Paragraph 89
The State party should launch a programme, in cooperation with UNICEF and ILO, to combat the exploitation of child labour and the abandonment and exploitation of street children.

•          Guatemala, ICESCR, E/1997/22 (1996) 29 at para. 144.

Further measures should be taken to prevent and combat the phenomenon of child labour, including through full respect for the international standards relating to the minimum age of employment for children.

•          El Salvador, ICESCR, E/1997/22 (1996) 34 at para. 168.

Although child labour is often necessary for the survival of the family, it is one of the factors hampering the implementation of articles 13 and 14 of the Covenant, and the apparent lack of action by the authorities to remedy the situation is disturbing.

•          Guinea, ICESCR, E/1997/22 (1996) 39 at para. 203.

It is noted that many children work on farms, in small businesses and as street vendors. Observance of the Covenant requires that the Government implement the Labour Code provisions prohibiting child labour under the age of 16.

•          Russian Federation, ICESCR, E/1998/22 (1997) 27 at paras. 104, 119 and 129.

Paragraph 104

The State party has not taken adequate steps or devoted sufficient funding to finding ways of addressing the development of large-scale child labour.

Paragraph 119

A comprehensive strategy should be developed to combat child labour.

Paragraph 129

It is strongly recommended that firmer and more effective measures be adopted to reinforce the educational system, reduce the school drop-out rate and enhance the protection of children against illegal employment and other abuses.

•          Peru, ICESCR, E/1998/22 (1997) 33 at paras. 153, 161 and 163.

Paragraph 153

The large number of child workers and street children in the State party and the inadequacy of the measures taken by the Government to combat this phenomenon is of concern.

Paragraph 161

The State party should make the necessary efforts to ensure compliance with legislation on minimum wage, safety and health in the workplace, equal pay for equal work for men and women, and to ensure the legal recognition of young people from 16 to 25 years of age as workers. It is stressed that sufficient resources should be allocated to labour-inspection services to enable them to perform their task properly.

Paragraph 163

It is recommended that the State party, in cooperation with UNICEF and ILO, launch a programme to combat the exploitation of child labour and the abandonment and exploitation of street children. Other steps should be taken to prevent and combat the use of child labour, based on the full observance of international standards relating to the minimum age for the employment of children, as set forth in ILO Convention No. 138 (Minimum Age Convention,1973).

•          Dominican Republic, ICESCR, E/1998/22 (1997) 43 at paras. 221 and 238.

Paragraph 221

With respect to article 10 of the Covenant, concern is expressed about the situation of children in the State party and, in particular, about reports received on the occurrence of child labour and child exploitation, including sexual exploitation, about the increasing number of street children, the low rate of school enrolment, the high rate of infant mortality and the high number of pregnancies among school-aged females.

Paragraph 238

The situation of children should be monitored closely by the authorities, and all necessary means should be deployed to ensure that all children fully enjoy their rights under the Covenant, special attention being given to abandoned children, street children, exploited children, working children and teenage mothers.

•          Iraq, ICESCR, E/1998/22 (1997) 50 at paras. 263 and 278.

Paragraph 263

It is noted with concern that children employed in family undertakings under the authority or supervision of the father, mother or brother are not protected by the specific provisions of Labour Act No. 71. Furthermore, the increase in child labour and the lack of information on any measures taken by the authorities to address this problem are matters of concern.

Paragraph 278

The need to protect all working minors, including those employed in family undertakings, is stressed.

•          Azerbaijan, ICESCR, E/1998/22 (1997) 61 at para. 353.

Effective controls should be placed on the inter-state adoption of children, with a view to preventing sexual and other forms of exploitation.

•          Uruguay, ICESCR, E/1998/22 (1997) 67 at para. 370.

Deep concern is expressed about the situation of children in the State party. Child labour continues to be a serious problem, and the minimum working age as provided for in ILO Convention No. 138 (Minimum Age Convention, 1973) is not fully respected in the State party.

•          Luxembourg, ICESCR, E/1998/22 (1997) 69 at para. 404.

The State party should adopt effective legislation to prevent and protect children and adolescents from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse.

•          Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, ICESCR, E/1998/22 (1997) 72 at para. 428.

Concern is expressed about the lack of social protection for working minors, due to the discrepancy between the minimum age for employment (16) and the minimum age for receiving a national insurance card (18).

•          Sri Lanka, ICESCR, E/1999/22 (1998) 22 at paras. 76 and 90.

Paragraph 76

The Government's inability to implement its child labour laws effectively is deplored. Thousands of children are known to be fully employed, while thousands more are working as domestic servants in urban areas where many are mistreated, sexually abused and driven to prostitution. In addition, the sexual exploitation of Sri Lankan children by foreign tourists is of deep concern. It is noted with particular regret that more than 50 per cent of prostitutes are children.

Paragraph 90

Child labour laws should be vigorously enforced and a legal minimum age for work in all industries that is in accordance with international standards should be established immediately. In relation to the exploitation of children, authorities should renew their efforts to seek out those who are responsible for the sexual exploitation of children and to prosecute them to the full extent of the law. The Government should seek the cooperation of other governments in bringing to justice all those who engage in the sexual exploitation of children, and international assistance should be sought to establish rehabilitation programmes to facilitate the reintegration into society of children who have been victimized.

•          Germany, ICESCR, E/1999/22 (1998) 54 at paras. 332 and 333.

Paragraph 332

Effective measures should be taken to regulate child labour, in compliance with the Covenant and the relevant ILO conventions.

Paragraph 333

The State party should make an increased effort to prevent child abuse, child exploitation and child pornography.

•          Tunisia, ICESCR, E/2000/22 (1999) 36 at paras. 169 and 180.

Paragraph 169

The discrepancy between the age fixed in law for the completion of mandatory education, which is 16 years, and the minimum age for employment, which is 15 years for the manufacturing sector and 13 years for the agricultural sector, is of concern. This discrepancy might encourage adolescents to drop out of secondary school.

Paragraph 180

The State party should take all necessary corrective measures, including revising the minimum age of employment, particularly in agriculture, to address the problem of students dropping out of colleges and secondary schools.

•          Mexico, ICESCR, E/2000/22 (1999) 62 at para. 384.

The State party’s lack of commitment to increasing the minimum working age of children from 14 to 16 years is regretted, since the age of 16 is when basic education is normally concluded.

•          Egypt, ICESCR, E/2001/22 (2000) 38 at paras. 155, 163 and 178.

Paragraph 155

Concern is expressed about the divergence between law and practice with regard to the occurrence of child labour.

Paragraph 163

Deep concern is expressed over reports that children under 12 years of age work more than six hours daily in the agricultural sector, which deprives them of their right to education. In addition, reports also claim that children between 8 and 15 years of age work in cotton gins in the Nile Delta under unfavourable conditions without lunch or rest breaks, and have no protection under Egyptian law particularly with regard to work-related injuries and diseases.

Paragraph 178

The State party is urged to take steps towards establishing stronger labour laws in order to protect children from abusive working conditions and to undertake immediate measures towards the eradication of illegal child labour.

•          Congo, ICESCR, E/2001/22 (2000) 43 at paras. 204 and 210.

Paragraph 204

The Committee is gravely concerned about a number of labour-related issues in the Congo. As a result of the abrogation of the Constitution, many constitutional provisions concerning the right to work and to just and favourable conditions of work are not in effect, such as provisions prohibiting forced and bonded labour by children under the age of 16 and those providing for reasonable pay, paid holidays, periodic paid vacation and legal limits on allowable hours of work.

Paragraph 210

The State party should take appropriate measures, to guarantee, inter alia, the prohibition of discrimination, the elimination of forced or bonded labour, particularly of children under 16 years of age, and conditions for the enjoyment of the right to work, such as equal pay for equal work for men and women. These issues should be brought to the attention of ILO, with which the Government of the Congo is presently negotiating concerning follow-up measures to recently ratified ILO Conventions and possible technical cooperation programmes.

•          Mongolia, ICESCR, E/2001/22 (2000) 53 at para. 271.

It is deeply disturbing that the State party has not been able to mitigate the adverse effects of poverty on children, who represent 42 per cent of the population. In particular, concern is expressed about the extent of the phenomenon of street children, whose numbers are currently estimated at 30,000, 60 per cent of whom live in Ulaanbaatar in deplorable conditions with inadequate nutrition and susceptible to disease, violence, sexual and economic exploitation, substance abuse and mental trauma.

•          Portugal, ICESCR, E/2001/22 (2000) 70 at paras. 412, 416, 423 and 424.

Paragraph 412

Concern is expressed about the occurrence of child labour in breach of the State party's international obligations, in particular, its obligations under the Covenant.

Paragraph 416

The increase in paedophilia and child pornography is noted with concern. These phenomena are associated with the increase in drug trafficking and consumption and other criminal activities which endanger the security and health of the population of the State party.

Paragraph 423

It is suggested that the State party strictly implement the measures at its disposal to monitor and impose the appropriate penalties on persons or companies using child labour.

Paragraph 424

The State party should intensify its efforts to prevent drug addiction among young people and impose appropriate penalties on persons who commit offences relating to paedophilia, child pornography and trafficking in women. The Committee also recommends that the State party give due consideration to ratifying ILO Convention No. 138 (minimum age).

•          Belgium, ICESCR, E/2001/22 (2000) 77 at paras. 475 and 487.

Paragraph 475

Concern is expressed about the phenomena of paedophilia, prostitution of children, child pornography and violence against children.

Paragraph 487

The State party is urged to take effective measures to combat paedophilia, child prostitution, child pornography and violence against children, and to seek international cooperation in this regard.

•          Morocco, ICESCR, E/2001/22 (2000) 82 at paras. 528, 531, 532, 552, 555 and 556.

Paragraph 528

The continuing delays with regard to the adoption of a new Labour Code, aiming at the unification of existing labour legislation, is regretted. Moreover, concern is expressed that certain issues contained in the draft Labour Code, such as the minimum age for labour and conditions of child labour, are not in conformity with the relevant ILO Conventions (Nos. 138 and 182 respectively), which the State party has not yet ratified.

Paragraph 531

Concern is expressed that the State party does not provide for appropriately severe and enforceable penalties to ensure that employers, especially in the handicraft and light industries, are prevented from resorting to child labour under the legal minimum working age.

Paragraph 532

It is of concern that there is no legislation in place which affords protection to those who are employed as domestic workers, especially young girls, who are ill-treated and exploited by their employers.

Paragraph 552

The State party is urged to adopt the draft Labour Code and to ensure that the provisions thereof are in conformity with articles 6, 7 and 8 of the Covenant, as well as with the relevant ILO conventions to which Morocco is party. In this regard, the State party is strongly encouraged to ratify ILO Conventions Nos. 87 (on trade unions), 138 (on minimum age), 169 (on indigenous and tribal peoples) and 12 (on the worst forms of child labour).

Paragraph 555

The State party is urged to take remedial action, including the imposition of appropriately severe penalties, in order to ensure that employers, especially in the handicraft and light industries, are prevented from resorting to child labour under the legal minimum working age. In addition, the State party is urged to raise the minimum working age from 12 to 15 years, in accordance with ILO standards (Convention No. 138).

Paragraph 556

Legislation should be adopted immediately in order to protect minors who are employed as domestic workers, especially young girls, from being exploited by their employers.

•          Venezuela, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 29 at para. 89.

Alarm is expressed about the high rate of domestic violence, the extent of child prostitution and trafficking in children. Deep concern is expressed about the extent of the sex trade of children and the inability of the State party to address these issues.

•          Honduras, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 33 at paras. 127 and 147.

Paragraph 127

Alarm is expressed about the high number of children who are forced to work to support themselves, and in particular the serious situation of street children and the existence of street gangs (maras). In this regard, the Committee is also gravely concerned about the high incidence of sexual abuse, exploitation and prostitution of children in the State party, and about the lack of a national plan to address these issues.

Paragraph 147

The State party is urged to undertake urgent measures to introduce rehabilitation programmes for street children. The State party is also urged to address the issues of sexual abuse, exploitation and prostitution of children, by adopting a national plan to combat the problem, including collecting relevant data and conducting a thorough study of the issue.

•          Republic of Korea, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 45 at paras. 231 and 250.

Paragraph 231

Concern is expressed about the rising incidence of sexual exploitation of children, child labour and hardships caused by a breakdown of the family. In this regard, the legal protection accorded to children does not appear to have been adequately implemented.

Paragraph 250

It is recommended that the State party take more effective measures to combat the sexual trade of children and child labour, as well as expand its programmes directed at the protection and rehabilitation of such victims.

•          Bolivia, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 52 at paras. 274, 293 and 297.

Paragraph 274

The Committee deplores the practice of child labour and the exploitation of children in domestic work, in particular the existence of the practice of indigenous criaditos, which remains outside the control of the State party.

Paragraph 293

The State party is urged to ratify ILO Convention No. 182 (worst forms of child labour), and to take effective measures to eradicate the phenomenon of criaditos.

Paragraph 297

The State party is urged to address the problems and shortcomings facing children and affecting their welfare, beginning with the varied ways of child exploitation such as the trafficking of children, their sexual exploitation and domestic maltreatment. The State party is urged to provide the necessary financial resources needed for children's education and the eradication of child malnutrition.

•          Togo, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 57 at para. 317.

It is noted with concern that trafficking in persons predominantly concerns children, who are sold as young as 2 years old for future work on plantations or as house servants. Allegedly, these children are extensively exploited, fed poorly, crudely clothed and inadequately cared for. Although the State party has been undertaking some measures to address these problems, such as conducting public awareness campaigns and organizing a workshop for border police and other law enforcement officers on child trafficking trends and judicial remedies, the root causes of these problems have not been adequately addressed.

•          Senegal, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 61 at paras. 353 and 375.

Paragraph 353

There is concern about the increasing number of street children, especially in Dakar, and about the high incidence of child labour, especially in rural areas, and the exploitation of children engaged in agriculture, domestic work, informal trading and other services. The low remuneration that children receive, which is well below the minimum wage is also of concern.

Paragraph 375

The State party is urged to take effective measures to reinforce existing laws on child labour and to improve its monitoring mechanisms in order to ensure that those laws are enforced and to protect children from economic exploitation. In this regard, the State party should consider ratifying the ILO Convention No. 182 (1999) concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

•          Syrian Arab Republic, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 67 at paras. 407, 408, 424 and 427.

Paragraph 407

It is regretted that the State party has not provided sufficient information on the incidence of child labour. Moreover, there is deep concern that the minimum working age is too low and that children working in family businesses and the agricultural sector are not protected by the relevant labour legislation.

Paragraph 408

Concern is expressed about the practice of forced labour in prisons, especially by minors and those who have been incarcerated for vagrancy and other petty crimes.

Paragraph 424

Measures should be taken to prohibit the practice of forced labour in prisons, including by minors and those incarcerated for vagrancy and other petty crimes.

Paragraph 427

The State party is urged to take all effective measures to address the problem of child labour in family enterprises and in the agricultural sector, which runs counter to protection of the rights of the child to health and to education.

•          Panama, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 73 at paras. 455 and 472.

Paragraph 455

The Committee is deeply concerned about the persistent problem of child labour, especially in rural areas, and that the minimum age for employment is under 12 years in agricultural and domestic services. There is also concern about the lack of effective measures taken to protect children against sexual violence and other forms of exploitation.

Paragraph 472

All necessary measures should be taken, legislative or otherwise, to address the persistent problem of child labour, especially in agriculture and domestic services. In this regard, the State party should consider ratifying the ILO Convention No. 182 (1999) concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour. The State party is also called upon to take remedial action to protect children against sexual abuse and all forms of exploitation.

•          Ukraine, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 78 at paras. 492 and 510.

Paragraph 492

The large-scale trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of women and children is a matter of concern.

Paragraph 510

The State party is encouraged to strengthen its efforts to combat the trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of women and children. It is recommended that the State party vigorously pursue the enforcement of criminal laws in this regard; ensure that victims are not penalized and are provided with rehabilitation; ensure that the National Coordination Council against Trafficking in Human Beings is adequately resourced and staffed; and reinforce its cooperation with international and regional organizations, as well as on a bilateral basis.

•          Nepal, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 83 at paras. 542 and 568.

Paragraph 542

Concern is expressed at the high incidence of child labour, especially in rural areas.

Paragraph 568

The State party is urged to take effective measures to strengthen existing laws on child labour and to improve its monitoring mechanisms to ensure that those laws are fully enforced to protect children from economic exploitation. In this regard, the State party is urged to continue its collaboration with ILO’s International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour and to consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 182 (1999) concerning the prohibition and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

•          Japan, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 90 at paras. 595 and 622.

Paragraph 595

In spite of domestic legislation adopted in 2001, concern is expressed about the persistent cases of domestic violence, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation of children.

Paragraph 622

The State party should strictly apply its domestic legislation and implement effective sanctions to the persons responsible for crimes involving domestic violence, sexual harassment, and the sexual exploitation of children.

CEDAW

•          Bangladesh, CEDAW, A/52/38/Rev.1 part II (1997) 117 at para. 459.

The enforcement of the Women and Child Repression Act 1995 should be strengthened. Adequate assistance should be provided to women and girl victims of trafficking in order to respond to the problem of trafficking of women and girls. The regional resolution on trafficking agreed to by the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation in Maldives should be sustained and concretized into actual programmes.

•          Colombia, CEDAW, A/54/38/Rev.1 part I (1999) 33 at para. 392.

The Government is urged to adopt and implement a compulsory education policy, since such a policy is one of the most effective ways of ensuring that girls do not work during school hours.

•          Nepal, CEDAW, A/54/38/Rev.1 part II (1999) 57 at para. 153.

It is a concern that traditional customs and practices detrimental to women and girls, such as child marriage, dowry, polygamy, deuki (a tradition of dedicating girls to a god or goddess, who become “temple prostitutes”, which persists, despite the prohibition of the practice by the Children’s Act) badi (the ethnic practice of forcing young girls to become prostitutes) and discriminatory practices that derive from the caste system are still prevalent.

•          India, CEDAW, A/55/38 part I (2000) 7 at paras. 62 and 63.

Paragraph 62

India has not yet established a comprehensive and compulsory system of registration of births and marriages. Inability to prove those important events by documentation prevents effective implementation of laws that protect girls from sexual exploitation and trafficking, child labour and forced or early marriage.

Paragraph 63

The Government should provide adequate resources and establish a system of compulsory registration of births, and should monitor implementation in cooperation with women’s groups and local bodies.

•          Democratic Republic of the Congo, CEDAW, A/55/38 part I (2000) 21 at paras. 219 and 220.

Paragraph 219

The extent of prostitution, often resulting from poverty, and particularly prostitution of girl children, is of concern.

Paragraph 220

The Government is urged to adopt and enforce laws that prohibit the prostitution of girl children as well as to introduce appropriate measures for the social rehabilitation of prostitutes and to ensure that psycho-educational services are provided, in particular to these very young prostitutes. In addition, in view of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the State party, full attention must be paid to the provision of health services for prostitutes.

•          Luxembourg, CEDAW, A/55/38 part I (2000) 38 at paras. 394 and 411.

Paragraph 394

The law of May 1999 that strengthened measures against trafficking in humans and the sexual exploitation of children and, in particular, extended Luxembourg law to cover all sexual crimes or misdemeanours committed abroad by citizens of Luxembourg, is welcomed.

Paragraph 411

The Government should develop a policy and legislation to prevent and eliminate domestic violence, and sexual violence, including rape, against women and girls, and to prosecute violators. The Government should gather further information on the impact of the law on trafficking in humans and the sexual exploitation of children.

CRC

•          Egypt, CRC, CRC/C/16 (1993) 24 at paras. 101 and 107.

Paragraph 101

Specific concern is expressed regarding the very large number of children between 6 and 14 years of age who are enrolled in the labour force and therefore lack, wholly or partly, the possibility of going to school. Although children may to a certain extent contribute to seasonal activities, care should always be taken that primary education is available to them and that they are not working in hazardous conditions.

Paragraph 107

The recommendations of the studies on child labour, undertaken with the assistance of the International Labour Organization, on the problem of child employment should be implemented and Egyptian legislation on minimum age should be revised.

•          Peru, CRC, CRC/C/20 (1993) 16 at para. 65.

The extent of violence within the family; the high number of abandoned and institutionalized children due to widespread family problems; and the fact that the Code on Children and Adolescents is not completely in conformity with the relevant provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and relevant Conventions of the International Labour Organisation, especially with regard to minimum ages for admission to employment are matters of concern.

•          Sudan, CRC, CRC/C/20 (1993) 22 at para. 108.

Reports on the forced labour and slavery of children are of the deepest concern.

•          Costa Rica, CRC, CRC/C/20 (1993) 25 at para. 135.

The best interests of the child must be the guiding principle in the application of the Convention, especially with regard to labour legislation and adoption.

•          Mexico, CRC, CRC/C/24 (1994) 12 at para. 37.

The large number of children who have been forced, in order to survive, to live and/or work in the streets is alarming. The exploitation of children as migrant workers is of deep concern. Domestic law and its application in practice do not appear to be in conformity with the provisions of the Convention and relevant Conventions of the International Labour Organisation relating to the employment of minors.

•          Namibia, CRC, CRC/C/24 (1994) 15 at para. 54.

The situation of children in especially difficult circumstances, including child labourers, particularly on farms and in the informal sector, and the number of children dropping out of school are of concern.

See also:

•          Colombia, CRC, CRC/C/38 (1995) 16 at para. 89.

•          Colombia (preliminary), CRC, CRC/C/24 (1994) 16 at para. 75.

The rules on the minimum age of employment are below international standards and even then are not enforced. Hazardous child labour, including in mines, is a matter of the deepest concern.

•          Pakistan, CRC, CRC/C/29 (1994) 10 at paras. 46 and 57.

Paragraph 46

Reports of the forced labour of children, the exploitation of child labour in the informal and agriculture sectors and the trafficking of children are seriously alarming.

Paragraph 57

The State party should evaluate thoroughly the adequacy of measures taken to deal with the exploitation of children. In the light of the legislation recently adopted in this area, namely the Employment of Children Act and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, as well as the conclusions of the Asian Regional Seminar on Children in Bondage, held at Islamabad, the Committee would like to emphasize the importance of measures to be taken for their enforcement, particularly through the establishment of complaints and inspection procedures and vigilance committees. A rehabilitation programme for children released from bonded labour is also recommended. Greater attention should be given to the issues of the employment of children in the informal sector and in agriculture and measures should be taken to address these issues. Technical advice, particularly from the ILO, may be appropriate with regard to these matters.

•          France, CRC, CRC/C/29 (1994) 17 at para. 105.

The employment of children who have not yet completed their compulsory schooling, as allowed by the legislation in the case of domestic servants and family enterprises, including in the area of agriculture, deserves reconsideration by the State party. The State party is also encouraged to review the access by children to activities in the fashion industry in order to ensure that this only takes place on a case-by-case basis and in the light of the best interests of the child.

•          Philippines, CRC, CRC/C/38 (1995) 12 at para. 74.

It is recommended that further measures be taken to implement the provisions of article 32, including in relation to the minimum age of access to employment, and that efforts be made to prevent and combat child labour in the country. Particular attention should be paid to children working in the informal sector. The Committee recommends that the State party seek technical assistance from the ILO in this area.

•          Colombia, CRC, CRC/C/38 (1995) 16 at para. 88.

The life-threatening situation faced by an alarming number of children, particularly those who, in order to survive, are working and/or living on the streets, is of grave concern. Many of those children are victims of "social cleansing" campaigns and are subject to arbitrary arrest and torture and other inhuman or degrading treatment by authorities. They are also subject to coercion, disappearance, trafficking and murder by criminal groups.

•          Nicaragua, CRC, CRC/C/43 (1995) 10 at paras. 41 and 51.

Paragraph 41
The legislative reforms setting the age of completion of education at 12 years, and the minimum age for employment at 14 years, rendering children between the ages of 12 and 14 vulnerable to the risk of economic exploitation, raise considerable concerns.

Paragraph 51

Child labour remains a serious problem, especially in view of the high level of adult unemployment. The apparent inadequacy of measures to address this issue, including for the many children working in the informal sector, including in domestic service, where no effective mechanisms appear to exist for the protection of children engaged in such work, is also of concern.

•          Tunisia, CRC, CRC/C/43 (1995) 24 at para. 131.

Further thought should be given to the possible ratification of ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for admission to employment. Campaigns to prevent entry of adolescents into the labour force, including in the informal sector and agriculture, should be reinforced. In this regard, technical assistance should be considered from the International Labour Organization.

•          Sri Lanka, CRC, CRC/C/43 (1995) 26 at para. 157.

The substantial number of children working as domestic servants, who are often subjected to sexual abuse, is of grave concern. The increasing number of children exploited sexually, especially young boys forced into prostitution, both locally and in international sex tourism, is also deeply worrisome.

•          Senegal, CRC, CRC/C/46 (1995) 21 at para. 130.

The Committee is concerned about the number of working children, particularly those working in the informal sector, and the situation of girls working as domestic servants.

•          Yemen, CRC, CRC/C/50 (1996) 9 at para. 46.

Special protection measures should be adopted and implemented in relation to refugee children, children involved with the juvenile justice system, particularly when deprived of their liberty, children involved in child labour and children forced to live and/or work in the streets, including child beggars. In this regard, the State party is encouraged to take into consideration the recommendations it has formulated at its thematic discussions, including on the economic exploitation of the child and the administration of juvenile justice.

•          Mongolia, CRC, CRC/C/50 (1996) 13 at paras. 63, 64 and 71.

Paragraph 63

The high rate of school drop-outs, especially among boys living in rural areas, and the reported increase of child labour are matters of concern.

Paragraph 64

The problem of sexual exploitation of children requires special attention.

Paragraph 71

The State party should take all necessary measures to fight school drop-out among boys in rural areas and to prevent their involvement in child labour, and to reinforce access to basic services for children (health, education and social care) in rural areas and for disabled children throughout the country.

•          Republic of Korea, CRC, CRC/C/50 (1996) 26 at paras. 166, 171 and 179.

Paragraph 166

The discrepancy between the age for completion of compulsory education and the minimum age for admission to employment is noted with particular concern.

Paragraph 171

Legislative measures should be adopted with a view to raising the minimum age for employment in order to adjust it to the age of compulsory education.

Paragraph 179

In the area of child labour, the State party is encouraged to adopt appropriate measures with a view to reflecting the Convention fully, in particular article 32, in its legislation and practice.

•          Finland, CRC, CRC/C/50 (1996) 35 at paras. 228, 229, 238 and 239.

Paragraph 228

Appropriate, and in particular legislative, measures have not yet been taken to forbid the possession of child pornography and the purchasing of sexual services from child prostitutes. The existence of sex telephone services accessible by children is also a serious concern.

Paragraph 229

Labour legislation does not appropriately protect children between the ages of 15 and 18 years.

Paragraph 238

The possession of child pornography materials and the purchase of sexual services from child prostitutes should be made illegal. The State party should also take all appropriate measures to protect children from accessing sex telephone services and from the risk of being sexually exploited by paedophiles through these telephone services that can be accessed by anyone. Finally, measures should be taken fully to protect professionals who report evidence of sexual abuse to the relevant authorities.

Paragraph 239

The State party is encouraged to revise its labour legislation for children between the ages of 15 and 18 in light of the relevant international standards, especially ILO Convention No. 138 and ILO Recommendation No. 146.

•          Lebanon, CRC, CRC/C/54 (1996) 7 at para. 67.

In light of article 32 of the Convention, further steps should be taken to protect children from hazardous work, including the adoption of stricter legislation, ratification of all relevant International Labour Organization Conventions and the appointment of a sufficient number of child labour inspectors.

•          Zimbabwe, CRC, CRC/C/54 (1996) 13 at para. 102.

The State party should consider the recommendations made by the International Labour Organization in its mission statement of 1993 and should, in particular, prohibit the employment of young persons below 18 in hazardous activities and make education free and compulsory up to age 15.

•          Nepal, CRC, CRC/C/54 (1996) 25 at paras. 166, 169, 170, 172, 181, 184 and 185.

Paragraph 166

The high rate of school drop-outs, especially among girls living in rural areas, and the high incidence of child labour are matters of concern.

Paragraph 169

Deep concern is expressed about the large and growing number of children who, owing to rural exodus, extreme poverty, and violence and abuse within the family, are forced to live on the streets, are deprived of their fundamental rights and are exposed to various forms of exploitation.

Paragraph 170

The fact that a large number of children are involved in child labour, including in the informal sector, particularly as domestic servants, in agriculture and in the family context is worrisome.

Paragraph 172

The increasing phenomenon of child prostitution that affects in particular children belonging to the lower castes is a concern. The absence of measures to combat this phenomenon and the lack of rehabilitation measures are worrisome.

Paragraph 181

The State party should take all necessary measures to reduce the drop-out rate of girls in rural and urban areas and to prevent their involvement in child labour or prostitution, and to reinforce the access to basic services (health, education and social care) for children in rural areas and for disabled children throughout the country. The Government should, in particular, take concrete measures, including awareness campaigns, to change negative attitudes and to protect children belonging to the lowest castes from any form of exploitation.

Paragraph 184

Firm measures should be taken to ensure the right of survival of all children in Nepal, including those who live and/or work in the streets. Such measures should aim at the effective protection of children against any form of exploitation, particularly child labour, prostitution, drug-related activities and child trafficking and sale.

Paragraph 185

Nepal should consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 138 concerning the minimum age for admission to employment and review all relevant national legislation with a view to bringing it into conformity with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant international standards. Child labour laws should be enforced, a system of inspection established, complaints investigated and severe penalties imposed in case of violation. Special attention should be paid to the protection of children involved in the informal sector, including as domestic servants. The Government should consider seeking cooperation from the ILO in this area.

•          Guatemala, CRC, CRC/C/54 (1996) 31 at paras. 213, 216 and 231.

Paragraph 213

That the majority of children of school age are not attending school, but are involved both in the informal and formal work sectors, is of concern. Moreover, the inadequacy and ineffectiveness of the measures designed to ensure the establishment of appropriate standards and to monitor the working conditions of children when such activities are compatible with article 32 of the Convention is disturbing. The persistence of child labour and the lack of accurate assessment by the Government of the dimensions of the phenomenon in the country is a serious concern.

Paragraph 216

The State party should set the age for completion of compulsory schooling at 15 and consider raising the minimum age of employment to 15.

Paragraph 231

As a means of tackling the interrelated issues of education and child labour, all necessary measures should be adopted to ensure that children have access to education and that they are protected from involvement in exploitative activities. Effective public awareness campaigns should be launched for the prevention and elimination of child labour in light of article 32 of the Convention.

•          Cyprus, CRC, CRC/C/54 (1996) 38 at para. 251.

The recent incidence of prostitution, which affects particularly non-Cypriot children, is a concern. The increasing number of children working as domestic servants in illegal conditions, who are vulnerable to all types of abuse, including sexual abuse and exploitation, is also a concern.

•          Nigeria, CRC, CRC/C/57 (1996) 12 at para. 94.

The importance of undertaking further measures, including legislative measures, is highlighted. These measures will combat exploitation, such as that suffered by child domestic workers, and will ensure the effective protection of the child against the performance of any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child’s education or to be harmful to the child’s health or full and harmonious development. The importance of all children having access to health care and to compulsory education as a preventive measure against exploitation is also highlighted.

•          Mauritius, CRC, CRC/C/57 (1996) 29 at paras. 177, 188, 189 and 191.

Paragraph 177

Although the employment of children is governed by the 1975 Labour Act which prohibits the employment of children under 15, the confirmed existence of working children, in particular on the island of Rodrigues where child labour is common, is of concern.

Paragraph 188

A comprehensive study should be undertaken on the impact of malnutrition on child development in connection with school drop-out and child labour, and all appropriate measures should be taken to address this problem. International cooperation could be requested to achieve this task and consideration should be given to the strengthening of cooperation with the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Paragraph 189

In light of article 2 of the Convention, all necessary measures should be taken to fight school drop-out and to prevent child labour.

Paragraph 191

All appropriate measures should be taken to prevent and combat ill-treatment of children, including child abuse within the family, corporal punishment, child labour and the sexual exploitation of children, including victims of sexual tourism. Further measures should be taken with a view to ensuring the physical and psychological recovery and rehabilitation of the victims of abuse, neglect, ill-treatment, violence or exploitation.

•          Bulgaria, CRC, CRC/C/62 (1997) 7 at para 42.

The absence of legal safeguards to protect children employed in the informal sector is of concern.

•          Panama, CRC, CRC/C/62 (1997) 19 at paras. 107 and 117.

Paragraph 107

The minimum age for employment, which is under 12 in agriculture and domestic services, is a matter of concern. Furthermore, the insufficient measures taken to protect children against sexual abuse and exploitation are of concern.

Paragraph 117

The high number of children involved in labour, especially in rural areas and in particular in coffee-growing areas, as a result of a long-standing cultural pattern, is a matter of concern, as is the fact that the Government has not adequately enforced child labour provisions in the rural areas of the country.

•          Myanmar, CRC, CRC/C/62 (1997) 25 at paras. 155 and 159.

Paragraph 155

The numerous documented cases of rape of young girls by soldiers and cases of children systematically being forced into labour, including as porters, are of concern.

Paragraph 159

The insufficient measures taken, in light of article 32 of the Convention, to provide physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration to children victims of any form of neglect, abuse and/or exploitation, and particularly to victims of armed conflicts, sexual exploitation and child labour are worrisome.

•          Syrian Arab Republic, CRC, CRC/C/62 (1997) 32 at para. 200.

Concern is expressed over the minimum age for employment of children which is too low and that children working in family enterprises are not protected by the relevant provisions of Labour Act No. 91 of 1959, including on the minimum age of employment, the prohibition of night work and other protection measures with regard to harmful occupations. Furthermore, concern is expressed at reports of exploitation of child labour in the agricultural sector and at the lack of means available in rural areas to combat and prevent this phenomenon.

•          New Zealand, CRC, CRC/C/62 (19997) 38 at para. 245.

The policy and law in relation to child labour should be reviewed and ILO Convention No. 138 on the minimum age for admission to employment should be considered for ratification.

See also:

•          Paraguay, CRC, CRC/C/66 (1997) 29 at para. 215.

•          Cuba, CRC, CRC/C/66 (1997) 9 at para. 70.

Further measures should be taken to implement the recommendations of the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations with respect to the obligations arising from ILO Convention No. 79, which provides for a period of rest at night of at least 12 consecutive hours, including the interval between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., for young persons under the age of 18. Additional efforts should be taken to monitor more closely the implementation of articles 28 and 32 of the Convention, including through the development and use of selected indicators to track trends in such matters as the entry of children into the informal labour market.

•          Ghana, CRC, CRC/C/66 (1997) 15 at paras. 92 and 119.

Paragraph 92

The inadequacy of existing laws in protecting children who are "adopted" - a situation which has led to abuses such as exploitation through domestic labour, particularly of girls, is of concern.

Paragraph 119

Specific attention should be given to monitoring the full implementation of labour laws in order to protect children from being economically exploited. The authorities should adopt explicit legislation and measures to protect children from exploitation through child labour in the informal sector. In addition, ratification of ILO Convention No. 138 on minimum age for employment should be considered.

•          Bangladesh, CRC, CRC/C/66 (1997) 22 at paras. 147, 158 and 167.

Paragraph 147

The large number of children who are working, including in rural areas, as domestic servants as well as in other areas of the informal sector is of concern. Children working in hazardous and harmful conditions, who are often vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation, is of concern.

Paragraph 158

Measures, including studies and campaigns, should be taken to combat traditional attitudes and stereotypes and to sensitize society to the situation and needs of the girl child, children born out of wedlock, children living and/or working on the street, child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation, children with disabilities, refugee children and children belonging to tribal minorities.

Paragraph 167

As a means of tackling the integrated issues of education and child labour, including in the informal sector, effective information campaigns should be carried out to prevent and eliminate child labour, and the present cooperation between the State party, international organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, and non-governmental organizations should be expanded. Regulations to prevent child labour should be enforced, complaints investigated and severe penalties imposed for violations. Efforts to provide opportunities for education and leisure to child workers and children working and/or living on the street should be strengthened. It is also suggested that the State party consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 138 concerning the minimum age for employment.

•          Paraguay, CRC, CRC/C/66 (1997) 29 at para. 192.

The social and economic disadvantages faced by children, in particular those living in rural and certain urban areas, have led to various forms of exploitation of those children, including their placement as domestic servants in wealthier families, which exposes them to ill-treatment and abuse, including sexual abuse in some cases.

•          Algeria, CRC, CRC/C/66 (1997) 35 at para. 259.

All necessary measures should be adopted to monitor the implementation of Act No. 90-11 of 21 April 1990, in particular in the private and agricultural sectors of the economy, through strengthening existing inspection mechanisms.

•          Lao People’s Democratic Republic, CRC, CRC/C/69 (1997) 8 at paras. 44 and 77.

Paragraph 44

The lack of harmonization between the legal age for the end of compulsory education, which is 10, and the minimum legal age for employment, which is 15, is of concern.

Paragraph 77

Further efforts should be taken to prevent and combat economic exploitation of the child or the performance of any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. Particular attention should be paid to children working in the informal sector and with their families. Furthermore, the age at which compulsory education may be ended should be harmonized with the minimum age for work, by raising the former to 15. ILO Convention No. 138 concerning the minimum age for employment should be considered for ratification. Technical assistance should be sought from ILO in this area.

•          Australia, CRC, CRC/C/69 (1997) 16 at paras. 93 and 111.

Paragraph 93

Concern is expressed over the employment legislation at the federal level, as well as in all the states, that does not specify minimum age(s) below which children are not allowed to be employed. The law also does not prohibit the employment of children who are still in compulsory education.

Paragraph 111

Specific minimum age(s) should be set for employment of children at all levels of government. There is also a need for clear and consistent regulations in all the states on maximum allowed work hours for working children who are above the minimum employment age. ILO Convention No. 138 concerning minimum age for employment should be considered for ratification.

•          Uganda, CRC, CRC/C/69 (1997) 21 at paras. 139, 140 and 156.

Paragraph 139

The insufficiency of legal and other measures to prevent and combat the economic exploitation of children, especially child domestic workers and others in the informal sector, is of concern.

Paragraph 140

The recent increase in the number of children working and/or living on the street is a matter of concern. Serious concern is expressed at the increase in the number of child prostitutes and the fact that no clear strategy exists to combat the abuse and sexual exploitation of children.

Paragraph 156

Specific attention should be given to monitoring the full implementation of labour laws in order to protect children from being economically exploited. Authorities should adopt explicit legislation and measures to protect children from economic exploitation through employment as domestic servants and in other informal sectors, engage in research and collection of data, and promote integration and vocational training programmes. ILO Convention No. 138 should be considered for ratification.

See also:

•          Ghana, CRC, CRC/C/66 (1997) 15 at para. 98.

•          Czech Republic, CRC, CRC/C/69 (1997) 28 at paras. 179, 196 and 197.

Paragraph 179

The insufficient measures, including legal ones, being taken to address the problems of child abuse, including sexual abuse within the family, and the sale and trafficking of children, child prostitution and child pornography are of concern. The Committee is also concerned that the State party may serve as a transit country for the trafficking of children.

Paragraph 196

A comprehensive study of child abuse and ill-treatment in the family should be undertaken. Policies and programmes should be reinforced to prevent and combat all forms of sexual abuse, including domestic violence and incest. As regards sexual exploitation of children, the recommendations of the 1996 Stockholm Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, as well as those of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography should be taken into consideration.

Paragraph 197

ILO Convention No. 138, regulating the minimum age for access to employment, should be considered for ratification. Furthermore, in view of the increasing phenomenon of children living and/or working on the street, efforts should be strengthened to provide social support to such children.

•          Trinidad and Tobago, CRC, CRC/C/69 (1997) 33 at paras. 221 and 237.

Paragraph 221

The increase in the economic exploitation of children, in particular those who work as street vendors, is of concern. It is noted that the value attached by the community to education is a positive factor that helps reduce the incidence of child labour. The low minimum age of access to employment, set at 12, is also of concern.

Paragraph 237

Research should be conducted to determine the extent of the problem of child economic exploitation and its causes. This is regarded to be essential in helping to determine future policies. Poverty alleviation programmes and schemes should be further increased, and the social welfare system should be further strengthened.

•          Togo, CRC, CRC/C/69 (1997) 39 at paras. 266, 290 and 292.

Paragraph 266

The insufficient legal and other measures taken to adequately prevent and combat economic exploitation of children, especially in the informal sector, are of concern. The widespread sale and trafficking of children, which results in their economic and sexual exploitation, is of serious concern.

Paragraph 290

Specific attention should be given to monitoring the full implementation of labour laws and ILO Convention No. 138 regarding the minimum age for employment, in order to protect children from being economically exploited, especially as domestic servants. Furthermore, the authorities should adopt legislation and measures to protect children from exploitation through child labour in the informal sector.

Paragraph 292

In light of article 34 and other related articles of the Convention, the legislative framework should be reinforced to fully protect children from all forms of sexual abuse or exploitation, including within the family. The authorities should also undertake studies with a view to designing and implementing appropriate policies and measures, including in the areas of law enforcement and rehabilitation, to combat this phenomenon comprehensively and effectively. In this regard, the recommendations formulated in the Agenda for Action adopted at the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in Stockholm in 1996, should be considered.

See also:

•          Ghana, CRC, CRC/C/66 (1997) 15 at para. 121.

•          Ecuador, CRC, CRC/C/80 (1998) 9 at para. 54.

•          Bolivia, CRC, CRC/C/80 (1998) 22 at para. 116.

•          Kuwait, CRC, CRC/C/80 (1998) 28 at para. 149.

•          Micronesia, CRC, CRC/C/73 (1998) 20 at para. 109.

The absence of legislation regulating child labour providing for a minimum age for employment, the absence of a clear definition of the minimum age for criminal responsibility, the low minimum age for sexual consent, the lack of harmonization between the different ages of sexual consent among the four states, and the lack of legislation on neglect, abuse and sexual exploitation are matters of concern.

•          Hungary, CRC, CRC/C/79 (1998) 7 at para. 47.

The insufficiency of the legal and other measures taken to address the issue of sexual exploitation of children, including child prostitution and trafficking of children, is of concern.

•          Fiji, CRC, CRC/C/79 (1998) 18 at paras. 124 and 141.

Paragraph 124

The insufficient rehabilitation measures for ill-treated, sexually abused and economically exploited children, as well as their limited access to the justice system, are of concern.

Paragraph 141

Further measures should be undertaken, including legal reform, to fully implement the provisions of article 32 of the Convention and other related international instruments. Accession to ILO Convention No. 138 regarding the minimum age for access to work is encouraged. Efforts should be undertaken to prevent and combat economic exploitation, or any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child's education, or to be harmful to the child's health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. Particular attention should be paid to the conditions of children working within their families, in order to protect them fully. Technical cooperation from UNICEF and the ILO in this area should be considered.

See also:

•          Micronesia, CRC, CRC/C/73 (1998) 20 at para. 142.

•          Fiji, CRC, CRC/C/79 (1998) 18 at paras. 143 and 144.

Paragraph 143

Further measures, including legal reform, should be taken to prevent and combat sexual economic exploitation of children, including the use of children in prostitution and pornography and the trafficking and abduction of children.

Paragraph 144

Further efforts should be undertaken to establish rehabilitation centres for child victims of ill-treatment, sexual abuse and economic exploitation.

•          Japan, CRC, CRC/C/79 (1998) 25 at paras. 171 and 192.

Paragraph 171

The lack of a comprehensive plan of action to prevent and combat child prostitution, child pornography and trafficking of children is of concern.

Paragraph 192

A comprehensive plan of action should be designed and implemented in order to prevent and combat child prostitution, child pornography and trafficking of children, in line with the outcome of the 1996 World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.

•          Maldives, CRC, CRC/C/79 (1998) 31 at paras. 218 and 238.

Paragraph 218

The insufficient preventive measures, including legal ones, taken to avoid the emergence of child labour and economic exploitation, including sexual exploitation, are of concern. The lack of preventive measures, including legal ones, concerning child prostitution, child pornography, trafficking and sale of children are also of concern.

Paragraph 238

In light of article 34 of the Convention, preventive measures, including legal reform, should be taken to prevent and combat the sexual exploitation of children, including through pornography, prostitution, trafficking and sale.

•          Luxembourg, CRC, CRC/C/79 (1998) 38 at para. 262.

The existence of child prostitution in the State party and the involvement of children in international prostitution networks are matters of concern. Of further concern is that it is not illegal for children above 16 to get involved in prostitution.

•          Ecuador, CRC, CRC/C/80 (1998) 9 at paras. 52 and 53.

Paragraph 52

The insufficient measures addressing the issues of child labour and economic exploitation, including domestic labour and sexual exploitation, are of concern. Of further concern is the increasing number of children living and/or working on the streets, who require special attention because of the risks they are exposed to. Specific attention should be given to undertaking research on and monitoring the situation of children living and/or working on the streets and those involved in hazardous labour, including domestic service and prostitution. National policies should be developed on the prevention and the elimination of the most hazardous forms of child labour. Technical assistance from the ILO in this area should be considered. In addition, ratification of ILO Convention No. 138 concerning minimum age for admission to employment is encouraged.

Paragraph 53

Concerning the trafficking of boys and girls into neighbouring countries for work, including prostitution, measures should be taken on an urgent basis, including rehabilitation of the victims and a comprehensive programme of prevention, including an awareness-raising campaign and educational programmes, in particular in the rural areas and for concerned governmental officials. Cooperation with neighbouring countries is strongly encouraged.

•          Iraq, CRC, CRC/C/80 (1998) 15 at para. 83.

The increase in the economic exploitation of children over the past few years and the increase in the number of children leaving school, sometimes at an early age, to work to support themselves and their families are matters of concern. In this regard, the existing gap between the age at which compulsory education ends (12 years old) and the minimum legal age for access to employment (15 years old) is also of concern. Research should be carried out on the situation of child labour in the State party, including the involvement of children in hazardous work, to identify the causes and the extent of the problem. Legislation protecting children from economic exploitation should also cover the informal labour sector. The age at which compulsory education ends should be raised to coincide with the minimum legal age for employment.

See also:

•          Thailand, CRC, CRC/C/80 (1998) 35 at para. 180.

•          Bolivia, CRC, CRC/C/80 (1998) 22 at para. 115.

The economic exploitation of children and the situation of children working and/or living on the streets remains of concern. The minimum age for access to work should not be lowered. Attention should continue to be given to the situation of children involved in hazardous labour, including domestic labour and prostitution, in order to protect them from being exploited and from the negative impact on their development. Research should be undertaken on the issue of children living and/or working on the streets as a basis for adopting appropriate programmes and policies for the protection and rehabilitation of these children and the prevention of this phenomenon.

•          Thailand, CRC, CRC/C/80 (1998) 35 at para. 178.

The number of children, particularly girls, leaving school prematurely to engage in labour is of concern. All appropriate measures should be taken to provide equal access to education for all children in Thailand. Additional measures should be implemented to encourage children, particularly girls and children from poor and hill tribe families, to stay in school, and to discourage early employment.

See also:

•          Iraq, CRC, CRC/C/80 (1998) 15 at para. 82.

•          Austria, CRC, CRC/C/84 (1999) 7 at para. 56.

Legislation permitting children from the age of 12 to be involved in light work is of concern. Ratification of ILO Convention No. 138 concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and changing domestic legislation accordingly should be considered.

•          Belize, CRC, CRC/C/84 (1999) 12 at paras. 75 and 87.

Paragraph 75

The measures adopted to ensure that all children are guaranteed access to education and health services and are protected against all forms of exploitation are insufficient and remain of concern. Of particular concern are certain vulnerable groups of children, including children with disabilities; children belonging to minority and indigenous groups, such as Maya and Garifuna children; children living in remote rural areas; children living in poverty; children living and/or working on the street; refugee and asylum-seeking children; illegal immigrant children; children in the juvenile justice system; children of single-parent families; children born out of wedlock and institutionalized children. Efforts should be increased to ensure implementation of the principle of non-discrimination.

Paragraph 87

Child labour and economic exploitation and the situation of immigrant children working in the banana industry are matters of concern. Monitoring mechanisms should be introduced to enforce labour laws and to protect children from economic exploitation. In this regard, a study on the situation of children engaged in hazardous work, especially those employed in the banana industry, should be undertaken. Furthermore, ratification of ILO Convention No. 138 concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment should be considered.

See also:

•          Saint Kitts and Nevis, CRC, CRC/C/87 (1999) 17 at para. 90.

•          Guinea, CRC, CRC/C/84 (1999) 21 at paras. 121, 122 and 125.

Paragraph 121

The growing number of children who, owing, inter alia, to rural exodus, poverty, and violence and abuse within the family, have to live and/or work on the streets and therefore are deprived of their fundamental rights and are exposed to various forms of exploitation, is of concern. Research should be undertaken on the issue of children living and/or working on the streets as a basis for adopting appropriate programmes and policies for the protection and rehabilitation of these children and the prevention of this phenomenon.

Paragraph 122

The Committee is concerned about the large number of children who are involved in labour activities, including in the informal sector, in agriculture and in the family context, as well as the insufficient law enforcement and the lack of adequate monitoring mechanisms to address this situation. A study on the scope of child labour should be undertaken with a view to using it as a framework for the development of strategies and programmes in this area. Child labour laws should be enforced, the labour inspectorates strengthened and penalties imposed in cases of violation. Furthermore, ratification of ILO Convention No. 138 concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment should be considered. International cooperation from the ILO could be sought to this effect.

Paragraph 125

The increasing phenomenon of trafficking and sale of children into neighbouring countries for work or prostitution and the insufficient measures to prevent and combat this phenomenon are matters of concern. The legal framework should be reviewed, law enforcement reinforced, and efforts strengthened to raise awareness in communities, in particular in rural areas. Cooperation with neighbouring countries, through bilateral agreements to this effect to prevent cross-border trafficking, is strongly encouraged.

See also:

•          Benin, CRC, CRC/C/87 (1999) 35 at para. 164.

•          Mali, CRC, CRC/C/90 (1999) 43 at para. 229.

•          Sweden, CRC, CRC/C/84 (1999) 29 at para. 149.

Efforts should be continued and increased to ensure better protection for children up to the age of 18 from sexual exploitation.

•          Yemen, CRC, CRC/C/84 (1999) 33 at para. 182.

Concern is expressed at the limited impact, including on the situation of child beggars, of the measures taken in the field of child labour and at the lack of adequate monitoring mechanisms. Concern for children living and/or working on the streets, who require special attention because of the risks they are exposed to, is reiterated. The State party should review its legislation and practice in order to protect children from being economically exploited. Labour inspectorates should be strengthened and penalties imposed in case of violation. It is suggested that the State party consider ratifying ILO Convention (No. 138) concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment. The State party should undertake research on the issue of children living and/or working on the streets with a view to adopting a national policy for the protection and rehabilitation of these children.

•          Barbados, CRC, CRC/C/87 (1999) 9 at para. 58.

The existing legislation is unclear about the exact types and amount of work that are acceptable at different ages, including in connection with children assisting their families with agricultural or domestic tasks. The State party should take advantage of current preparations to ratify ILO Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, by reviewing and clarifying its own legislation concerning work at different ages in order to maximize the protection of children against economic exploitation

•          Honduras, CRC, CRC/C/87 (1999) 26 paras. 127 and 129.

Paragraph 127

The insufficient law enforcement and the lack of adequate monitoring mechanisms to address economic exploitation remain of concern. The State party should continue working in cooperation with ILO/IPEC for the establishment and implementation of a national plan for the elimination of child labour and undertake all the actions envisaged within the Memorandum of Understanding with ILO/IPEC. The situation of children involved in hazardous labour, especially in the informal sector where the majority of working children are found, deserves special attention. Child labour laws should be enforced, labour inspectorates should be strengthened and penalties should be imposed in cases of violation. Continued enforcement of labour legislation prohibiting the work of children in the maquila industry is encouraged.

Paragraph 129

The absence of data and of a comprehensive study on the issue of sexual commercial exploitation of children as well as the lack of a national plan of action to tackle this issue is of concern. Studies should be undertaken with a view to designing and implementing appropriate policies and measures, including care and rehabilitation, to prevent and combat this phenomenon. The recommendations formulated in the Agenda for Action adopted at the World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in Stockholm in 1996, should be taken into account.

See also:

•          Nicaragua, CRC, CRC/C/87 (1999) 54 at para. 244.

•          Malta, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 75 at paras. 444 and 445.

•          Benin, CRC, CRC/C/87 (1999) 35 at paras. 161 and 163.

Paragraph 161

The existence of “vidomegons”, children employed in the agricultural sector, and children engaged as apprentices in the informal sector remains of concern. Monitoring mechanisms should be improved to ensure the enforcement of labour laws and to protect children from economic exploitation, especially those engaged as domestic workers, agricultural labourers and apprentices. Ratification of ILO Convention No. 138 concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment should be considered.

Paragraph 163

Studies should be undertaken with a view to designing and implementing appropriate policies and measures, including care and rehabilitation, to prevent and combat the sexual exploitation of children. The legislative framework should be reinforced to fully protect children from all forms of sexual abuse or exploitation, including within the family. The Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others of 1949 should be considered for ratification.

•          Chad, CRC, CRC/C/87 (1999) 45 at para. 202.

The large number of children who are involved in labour activities, including in the informal sector, in agriculture and in the family context, as well as the persistence of forms of bonded labour for children are of concern. The State party is encouraged to use ILO studies as a framework for the development of strategies and programmes, and is further encouraged to review all relevant domestic legislation with a view to bringing it into conformity with the Convention and other relevant international standards. Child labour laws should be enforced and penalties imposed in cases of violation. Ratification of ILO Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age for Admission to Employment is recommended.

•          Nicaragua, CRC, CRC/C/87 (1999) 54 at paras. 245 and 246.

Paragraph 245

The State party should continue working in cooperation with non-governmental organizations and continue adopting appropriate programmes and policies for the protection and rehabilitation of children living and/or working on the streets.

Paragraph 246

A study should be undertaken on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children with a view to designing and implementing appropriate policies and measures, including care and rehabilitation, to prevent and eradicate this phenomenon, to reinforce legislation, including punishment of perpetrators, and to conduct awareness-raising campaigns.

•          Venezuela, CRC, CRC/C/90 (1999) 10 at paras. 58 and 59.

Paragraph 58

The large number of children still involved in labour activities, particularly in the informal sector, including domestic workers, and in the family context is of concern. The insufficient law enforcement and lack of adequate monitoring mechanisms to address this situation are also of concern. The State party should continue working in cooperation with ILO/IPEC for the establishment and implementation of a national plan for the elimination of child labour and all the actions envisaged in the Memorandum of Understanding with ILO/IPEC should be undertaken. The situation of children involved in hazardous labour, especially in the informal sector where the majority of working children are found, deserves special attention. It is recommended that a national plan be established and implemented to eliminate child labour, child labour laws be enforced, labour inspectorates be strengthened and penalties in cases of violation be imposed. Ratification of the new ILO Convention (No. 182) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour is encouraged.

Paragraph 59

The State party should design and implement the appropriate policies and measures to prevent and combat the sexual commercial exploitation and abuse of children. The recommendations formulated in the Agenda for Action adopted at the 1996 Stockholm World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children should be taken into account.

See also:

•          Costa Rica, CRC, CRC/C/94 (2000) 37 at para. 235.

•          Dominican Republic, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 91 at para. 525.

•          Russian Federation, CRC, CRC/C/90 (1999) 18 at paras. 120-122.

Paragraph 120

Child labour and economic exploitation are growing problems affecting children. The high number of children working and/or living in the street, who require special attention because of their increased vulnerability to involvement in juvenile crime, alcohol and substance abuse and sexual exploitation - including through criminal organizations, is of concern.

Paragraph 121

Specific attention should be given to monitoring the full implementation of labour laws, in particular in the “informal” sector, and to protecting children from being economically and sexually exploited, including through prostitution. Research on the issue of children living and/or working in the street should be undertaken with a view to improving policies, practices and programmes concerning these children.

Paragraph 122

Technical assistance should be sought from ILO-IPEC when developing a comprehensive policy to prevent and combat the growing problem of child labour. Efforts to implement the provisions of ILO Convention No. 138 concerning the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment (1973) should be strengthened and consideration should be given to ratifying ILO Convention No. 182 Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (1999).

•          Vanuatu, CRC, CRC/C/90 (1999) 29 at para. 157.

Given the limited access to secondary education and the resulting early employment of children, a survey on child labour and economic exploitation, particularly in the informal sector should be undertaken.

•          Mexico, CRC, CRC/C/90 (1999) 34 at paras. 189 and 190.

Paragraph 189

It is of concern that “Street Children” were only categorized as “Working Children” in the State’s periodic report. This misconception affects the scope and perception of this social phenomenon. The large number of children still involved in labour activities, especially in the informal sector and in agriculture, the insufficient law enforcement and the lack of adequate monitoring mechanisms to address this situation are of particular concern. The State’s position on the issue of child labour should be reconsidered. The situation of children involved in hazardous labour, especially in the informal sector, deserves special attention. Child labour laws should be enforced, the labour inspectorates strengthened and penalties imposed in cases of violation. In this connection, technical assistance should be sought from the International Labour Organization's International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC). Ratification of ILO Convention (No. 138) regarding Minimum Age for Admission to Employment (1973) and the new ILO Convention (No. 182) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (1999) should be considered.

Paragraph 190

A study on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children should be conducted with a view to designing and implementing appropriate policies and measures, including care and rehabilitation; legislation, including punishment against perpetrators should be reinforced; and awareness raising campaigns should be conducted.

•          Mali, CRC, CRC/C/90 (1999) 43 at paras. 210, 225 and 228.

Paragraph 210

The insufficient measures adopted to ensure that all children are guaranteed access to education, health and other social services and are protected against all forms of exploitation, remain of concern. Efforts should be taken to ensure implementation of the principle of non-discrimination particularly as it relates to vulnerable groups.

Paragraph 225

The situation of child labour, especially as regards children engaged in domestic and agricultural labour, children engaged in mining and traditional gold-washing and children engaged as apprentices in the informal sector, remains of concern. Monitoring mechanisms should be improved to ensure the enforcement of labour laws and to protect children from economic exploitation. Efforts should be increased to ratify ILO Convention No. 138 concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and the state party should consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

Paragraph 228

The legislative framework should be reinforced to protect children fully from all forms of sexual abuse or exploitation.

•          The Netherlands, CRC, CRC/C/90 (1999) 53 at paras. 258 and 259.

Paragraph 258

The balance sought between protecting children against sexual abuse and protecting their sexual freedom may still unduly limit protection from abuse and is of concern. Efforts to increase the protection of children against exploitation in the production of pornography have not made further progress and also remains of concern. Legislation and policies should continue to be reviewed so as to modify the “complaint requirement” for prosecution of sexual offences committed against children over 12. Legislation should be changed with a view to improving the protection of all children from inducement to participate in the production of pornographic shows or materials, and from other forms of commercial sexual exploitation. The “dual criminality” requirement in legislation, establishing extraterritorial jurisdiction for cases of sexual abuse of children should, be considered for review.

Paragraph 259

Prompt and serious attention should be given to ensure that children are not used as prostitutes and that asylum-seeking procedures, while fully respecting the rights of unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers, effectively protect children from involvement in trafficking for sexual exploitation. Furthermore, a comprehensive national plan of action should be adopted to prevent and combat commercial sexual exploitation of children, taking into account the recommendations formulated in the Agenda for Action adopted at the 1996 Stockholm World Congress Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.

•          India, CRC, CRC/C/94 (2000) 10 at paras. 38, 41, 97-102 and 106-109.

Paragraph 41

The existence of traditional customs (i.e. the caste system) and societal attitudes (e.g. towards tribal groups) is an obstacle to efforts to combat discrimination, and compounds, inter alia, poverty, illiteracy, child labour, child sexual exploitation and children living and/or working on the streets.

Paragraph 97

Concern is expressed about the large number of children involved in child labour, including bonded labour, especially in the informal sector, household enterprises, as domestic servants, and in agriculture, many of whom are working in hazardous conditions. Minimum age standards for employment are rarely enforced and appropriate penalties and sanctions are not imposed to ensure that employers comply with the law.

Paragraph 98

The State party is encouraged to withdraw its declaration with respect to article 32 of the Convention, as it is unnecessary in the light of the efforts the State party is making to address child labour.

Paragraph 99

The 1986 Child Labour Act should be amended so that household enterprises and government schools and training centres are no longer exempt from prohibitions on employing children and coverage should be expanded to include agriculture and other informal sectors. The Factories Act should be amended to cover all factories or workshops employing child labour. The Beedi Act should be amended so that exemptions for household-based production are eliminated. Employers should be required to have and produce on demand proof of age of all children working on their premises.

Paragraph 100

The State party should ensure that laws provide criminal and civil remedies, especially in the light of decisions of the Supreme Court in relation to compensation funds for child labourers. Court procedures should be simplified, so that responses are appropriate, timely and child-friendly. Enforcement of minimum-age standards should be vigorously pursued.

Paragraph 101

The State party should encourage states and districts to establish and oversee child labour vigilance committees, and ensure that a sufficient number of labour inspectors are adequately resourced to carry out their work effectively. A national mechanism to monitor the implementation of standards at state and local levels should be established and empowered to receive and address complaints of violations, and to file First Information Reports.

Paragraph 102

A national study should be undertaken on the nature and extent of child labour, and disaggregated data, including violations, should be compiled and kept up to date to serve as a basis for designing measures and evaluating progress. The State party should continue its efforts to carry out campaigns to inform and sensitize the general public, especially parents and children, of work hazards; and to involve and train employers, workers and civic organizations, government officials, such as labour inspectors and law enforcement officials, and other relevant professionals.

Paragraph 106

Concern is expressed about the sexual abuse and exploitation of children, especially those belonging to the lower castes and from poor urban and rural areas, in the contexts of: religious and traditional culture; child domestic workers; children living and/or working on the streets; communal violence and ethnic conflict; abuse by the security forces in areas of conflict; and trafficking and commercial exploitation.

Paragraph 107

The sexual exploitation of children should be criminalized and all the offenders involved should be penalized, whether local or foreign, while ensuring that the child victims of this practice are not penalized. While noting that Devadasi, or ritual prostitution, is prohibited under the law, the State party should take all necessary measures to eradicate this practice. In order to combat trafficking in children, including for commercial sexual purposes, the Penal Code should contain provisions against kidnapping and abduction. Laws concerning the sexual exploitation of children should be gender neutral; civil remedies should be provided in the event of violations; procedures should be simplified so that responses are appropriate, timely, child-friendly and sensitive to victims; provisions should be included to protect those who expose violations from discrimination and reprisals; and enforcement should be vigorously pursued.

Paragraph 108

Rehabilitation programmes and shelters should be established for child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.

Paragraph 109

The State party should continue its efforts to carry out extensive campaigns to combat harmful traditional practices, such as child marriages and ritual prostitution; and inform, sensitize and mobilize the general public on the child’s right to physical and mental integrity, and safety from sexual exploitation.

•          Sierra Leone, CRC, CRC/C/94 (2000) 24 at paras. 165, 195-197, 200 and 201.

Paragraph 165

Deep concern is expressed about the large number of children who have been deprived of a family environment through the death of, or separation from, their parents or other family. Concern is expressed that children deprived of their family environment may increasingly travel to the main towns, where they may live on the streets and be particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

Paragraph 195

The increasing incidence of child labour, in particular on the streets of the main towns, is a concern. The number of children engaged in such labour is likely to increase given the current post-conflict situation.

Paragraph 196

The State party is urged to monitor and address the situation of child labour, including the causes of child labour. The State party should seek international cooperation, including, for example, through the International Labour Organization’s International Programme for the Eradication of Child Labour (IPEC).

Paragraph 197

The State party should consider ratifying International Labour Organization Convention No. 138, concerning the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, 1973, and No. 182, concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999.

Paragraph 200

The Committee is concerned that provisions in national domestic legislation providing protection to children from sexual exploitation and abuse only offer such protection to children up to the age of 14.

Paragraph 201

The State party should review domestic legislation in order to raise the age levels of such protection, and to ensure that boys benefit from the same protection as girls.

•          The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, CRC, CRC/C/94 (2000) 45 at paras. 288 and 289.

Paragraph 288

The Committee is concerned about the reported incidence of child labour within the State party, and notes that the labour of children under 15 may also prevent these children from attending primary school, and that this is particularly prevalent among certain minority groups.

Paragraph 289

The State party should collect and publish data on the incidence of child labour, both under the age of 15 and between the ages of 15 and 18. Cases of economic exploitation of children, particularly street children, should be addressed, including through the enforcement of primary school attendance obligations and through efforts to raise secondary school attendance.

•          Armenia, CRC, CRC/C/94 (2000) 53 at paras. 316, 317, 344 and 345.

Paragraph 316

The disparities existing in legislation relating to minimum-age requirements, such as the minimum age for admission to employment (e.g. under the Civil Code and the 1996 Rights of the Child Act) are of concern.

Paragraph 317

Domestic legislation should be reviewed with a view to ensuring that age limits conform to the principles and provisions of the Convention, and greater efforts should be made to enforce those minimum-age requirements.

Paragraph 344

That the negative effects of the current economic crisis have resulted in an increasing number of children dropping out of school and taking up work is a concern. Concern is also expressed at the existence of children working in the informal sector, especially in agriculture, many of whom are working in hazardous conditions. There is little awareness about the negative consequences of child labour.

Paragraph 345

The State party should ensure that the minimum age for admission to employment be enforced. Employers should be required to have and produce on demand proof of age of all children working on their premises. A national mechanism to monitor the implementation of standards at State and local levels should be established and empowered to receive and address complaints of violations. The State party should undertake a national survey on the nature and extent of child labour. It is recommended that the State party carry out campaigns to inform and sensitize the general public, especially parents and children, of work hazards; and to involve and train employers’, workers’ and civic organizations; government officials, such as labour inspectors and law-enforcement officials, and other relevant professionals. The State party should seek cooperation with relevant United Nations agencies, such as ILO and UNICEF, and NGOs in this regard.

See also:

•          Kyrgyzstan, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 51 at paras. 322 and 323.

•          Tajikistan, CRC, CRC/C/199 (2000) 53 at paras. 315 and 316.

•          Peru, CRC, CRC/C/94 (2000) 64 at paras. 379 and 380.

Paragraph 379

With regard to the Committee’s recommendation (A/49/41, para. 164), the Committee takes note that the State party has submitted a proposal to Congress to raise the minimum legal age for admission to employment from 12 to 14 years. Nevertheless, the Committee is still concerned that economic exploitation of children remains one of the major social problems in the State party (e.g. in the indigenous communities in the highlands) and that law enforcement is insufficient to address this problem effectively. The State party is encouraged to complete as soon as possible its legislative reform to raise the minimum legal age for admission to employment to at least 14 years. The State party is encouraged to consider ratifying the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) the new Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention 1999 (No. 182) of the ILO. The State party should take effective measures to address the situation of children involved in hazardous labour, especially in the informal sector. Furthermore, child labour laws should be enforced, the labour inspectorates strengthened and penalties imposed in cases of violation.

Paragraph 380

With regard to the sexual exploitation of children, while noting with appreciation the reforms to the State party’s Children and Adolescents Code, Penal Code and Penal Procedures Code, as well as other measures in this area, concerns remain about the absence of a national plan of action to combat and prevent sexual exploitation of children. The limited awareness among the population on sexual exploitation and abuse and on the available measures to identify and report cases of abuse is also a matter of concern. In light of article 34 and other related articles of the Convention, it is recommended that the State party conduct a national study on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children as a basis to design and implement a comprehensive national plan of action to prevent and combat this phenomenon, and continue conducting awareness-raising campaigns on this issue. The State party should take into account the recommendations formulated in the Agenda for Action adopted at the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children held in Stockholm in 1996.

•          Grenada, CRC, CRC/C/94 (2000) 72 at paras. 397 and 409.

Paragraph 397

Concern is expressed that the Criminal Code does not provide boys the same legal protection against sexual abuse and exploitation as girls. In this regard, it is noted that the Code refers to the protection of the “female child” only. Legislation should be amended to ensure that boys are provided equal and adequate protection against sexual abuse and exploitation.

Paragraph 409

In the light of the current economic situation in the State party and the high truancy and drop-out rates, particularly among males, concern is expressed about the lack of information and adequate data on the situation of child labour and economic exploitation. The State party is encouraged to introduce monitoring mechanisms to ensure the enforcement of labour laws and protect children from economic exploitation, particularly in the informal sector. It is further recommended that the State party undertake a comprehensive study to assess the situation of child labour. The State party is encouraged to consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 138 concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

•          South Africa, CRC, CRC/C/94 (2000) 81 at paras. 450 and 453.

Paragraph 450

That over 200,000 children between the ages of 10 and 14 years are currently engaged in work, mainly commercial agriculture and domestic service, is a concern. The State party is encouraged to improve its monitoring mechanisms to ensure the enforcement of labour laws and protect children from economic exploitation. The State party should reinforce its efforts to ratify the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182), of the ILO.

Paragraph 453

The increasing incidence of sale and trafficking of children, particularly girls, and the lack of adequate measures to enforce legislative guarantees and to prevent and combat this phenomenon are of concern. In the light of article 35 and other related provisions of the Convention, it is recommended that the State party take effective measures to strengthen law enforcement, and intensify efforts to raise awareness in communities about the sale, trafficking and abduction of children. The State party should seek to establish bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries to prevent the sale, trafficking and abduction of children and to facilitate their protection and safe return to their families.

•          Islamic Republic of Iran, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 8 at paras. 72 and 73.

Paragraph 72

The large number of children involved in child labour is of concern, especially those in the informal sector, such as household enterprises and agriculture, many of whom are working in hazardous conditions.

Paragraph 73

The age for the end of compulsory education to the minimum age of admission to employment as set out under article 79 of the Labour Act should be raised. Employers should be required to have and produce on demand proof of age of all children working on their premises, and the State party should vigorously pursue enforcement of minimum-age standards. In light of the State party’s assertion that child labour legislation is in conformity with ILO standards (CRC/C/41/Add.5, para. 4), the State party is encouraged to ratify the ILO Conventions concerning child labour, including the Convention concerning the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment (No. 138), and the Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

•          Georgia, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 18 at paras. 131, 136, 137, 142 and 143.

Paragraph 131

A study should be undertaken on refugee, asylum–seeking and unaccompanied children to ascertain the extent to which they are victims of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment; economic exploitation, including forced labour; commercial sexual exploitation; sale, trafficking and abduction; and abandonment, abuse and neglect.

Paragraph 136

The State party=s ratification of the ILO Convention concerning the Minimum Age for Access to Employment (No. 138) is welcomed. In light of the current economic situation, declining school enrolment and attendance rates, and the increasing number of children living and/or working on the streets, concern is expressed about the lack of information and adequate data on the situation of child labour and economic exploitation, including in the informal sector. Concern is also expressed at the significant number of children begging on the streets and their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse.

Paragraph 137

The introduction of monitoring mechanisms to ensure the enforcement of labour laws and the protection of children from economic exploitation, particularly in the informal sector, is encouraged. The State party is encouraged to continue its cooperation with IPEC to finalize, by the end of 2000, a child labour survey to assess the situation of children in this regard. The State party is encouraged to consider ratifying the ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, (No. 182).

Paragraph 142

Concern is expressed about the increasing number of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation, including prostitution and pornography. Concern is also expressed at the insufficient programmes for the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of child victims of such abuse and exploitation. It is noted with concern that there have been reported incidents of sale, trafficking and abduction of children, especially girls, for commercial sexual exploitation.

Paragraph 143

In light of article 34 and other related articles of the Convention, the State party should undertake studies with a view to designing and implementing appropriate legislation, policies and measures, including care and rehabilitation, to prevent and combat the sexual exploitation of children, as well as the sale, trafficking and abduction of children for commercial sexual exploitation.

See also:

•          South Africa, CRC, CRC/C/94 (2000) 81 at para. 452.

•          Jordan, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 31 at paras. 203 and 204.

Paragraph 203

Concern is expressed that the Labour Law does not provide any protection for children working in family enterprises, agricultural activities and as domestic labour, thereby excluding from adequate protection the sectors where child labour in Jordan is concentrated, i.e. the informal sectors, which in many cases involves hazardous conditions. The Committee remains concerned that children living in remote areas, particularly in Bedouin communities, are often kept out of school to help with farming.

Paragraph 204

The Labour Law should be amended to ensure that children working in family enterprises, agricultural activities and as domestic labour are protected and that inspections extend to these areas. Employers should be required to have, and produce on demand, proof of age of all children working on their premises and the State party should vigorously pursue enforcement of minimum-age standards. The State party should continue to implement the 1998 plan of action on child labour. Assistance should be sought from the International Labour Organization (ILO), among others.

•          Norway, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 43 at paras. 264 and 265.

Paragraph 264

Incidents of sexual abuse in the State party are a concern. Resources for addressing such concerns are not used to their most effective potential.

Paragraph 265

Efforts should be continued to prevent and address cases of sexual abuse by increasing the resources available, including for an appropriate review of the employment of adult staff working with children, by monitoring, through the legal processes of responding to accusations of child abuse, by training of legal and other relevant professionals, and by the timely provision of care to the victims of such acts.

•          Kyrgyzstan, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 51 at paras. 326 and 327.

Paragraph 326

Like the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (A/54/38), the Committee is concerned at the increase in prostitution and the trafficking of girls and women and the absence of an effective, comprehensive and integrated approach to prevent and combat these phenomena. The insufficient awareness of commercial sexual exploitation of children is a concern.

Paragraph 327

A national study on the nature and extent of commercial sexual exploitation of children should be undertaken, and disaggregated data should be compiled and kept up to date to serve as a basis for designing measures and evaluating progress. Legislation should be reviewed and it should be ensured that the sexual abuse and exploitation of children is criminalized and all offenders are penalized, whether national or foreign, while ensuring that the child victims are not penalized. The State party should ensure that domestic laws concerning the sexual exploitation of children are gender neutral; provide civil remedies in the event of violations; ensure that procedures are simplified so that responses are appropriate, timely, child-friendly and sensitive to victims; include provisions to protect from discrimination and reprisals those who expose violations; and vigorously pursue enforcement. Rehabilitation programmes and shelters should be established for child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation. There is a need to adequately train personnel working with child victims. The State party should carry out awareness-raising campaigns to sensitize and mobilize the general public on the child’s right to physical and mental integrity and safety from sexual exploitation. Bilateral and regional cooperation should be reinforced, which involves cooperation with neighbouring countries.

See also:

•          Armenia, CRC, CRC/C/94 (2000) 53 at para. 349.

•          Jordan, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 31 at paras. 207 and 208.

•          Tajikistan, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 53 at paras. 317 and 318.

•          Slovakia, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 100 at paras. 592 and 593.

•          Cambodia, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 64 at paras. 391-394.

Paragraph 391

The large number of working children, including in the informal sector, in agriculture and in the family context is of concern. Concern is also expressed at the inefficient enforcement of existing labour laws.

Paragraph 392

The provisions of the Labour Law regarding the minimum age for access to employment should be enforced; labour inspectors should be trained and provided with the means to monitor child labour; and appropriate sanctions be applied to violators. The State party should enact legislation protecting children from hazardous forms of labour. The Committee acknowledges that the State party is considering ratification of the new ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999, and encourages it to do so.

Paragraph 393

The enactment of special legislation to combat sexual exploitation is welcomed as is the adoption of a five-year Plan of Action against Sexual Exploitation of Children (2000-2004). Concern is expressed at the widespread phenomena of child prostitution and the sale and trafficking of children; the inadequate enforcement of the new legislation on these issues; and the shortage of trained people and institutions to provide rehabilitation to the victims.

Paragraph 394

It is recommended that the State party review its legislation to combat sexual exploitation with a view to reinforcing it, and in the meantime to enforce fully its current legislation against sexual exploitation; that the Plan of Action be fully implemented; that sufficient resources, both human and financial, be allocated for the implementation of the Plan; that social services for the rehabilitation of child victims of sexual exploitation be strengthened and expanded; that violators be prosecuted; and that bilateral cooperation, especially with neighbouring countries, be strengthened and border controls increased.

See also:

•          Dominican Republic, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 91 at para. 524.

•          Malta, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 75 at paras. 442 and 443.

Paragraph 442

Although child labour is prohibited by law, concerns remain about reports of under-age employment in family businesses and tourism-related activities during the summer holiday season.

Paragraph 443

Child labour laws should be fully enforced and labour inspectorates should be strengthened and penalties imposed in cases of violation. The State party is encouraged to ratify the ILO Convention Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, 1999 (No. 182).

•          Suriname, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 84 at paras. 471, 472, 487, 497, 501, 502, 505 and 506.

Paragraph 471

It is noted that education is compulsory for children between the ages of 7 and 12 years and that the legal minimum age for employment is 14 years. Concern is expressed that insufficient legal and other measures have been taken to protect adequately the rights of children between the ages of 12 and 14 years, who are beyond the age of compulsory education but too young to be legally employed.

Paragraph 472

The legal maximum age of compulsory education should be raised from 12 to at least 14 years to protect the rights of those children between the ages of 12 and 14 years, who are beyond the age of compulsory education but too young to be legally employed.

Paragraph 487

The high and increasing incidence of sexual abuse of children, including within the family, is of concern. Concern is also expressed at the lack of awareness and information on domestic violence, ill-treatment and abuse (sexual, physical and psychological) of children and the insufficient financial and human resources allocated, as well as the lack of adequate programmes to prevent and combat all forms of abuse against children.

Paragraph 497

Concern is expressed about the poor housing situation and living standards of families who fled their homes in the interior during the civil unrest of the 1980s and are currently living in urban squatter communities. Concern is also expressed at the large and increasing number of children living and/or working on the streets.

Paragraph 501

In light of the current economic situation, the increasing number of school drop-outs, and the increasing number of children living and/or working on the streets, the Committee is concerned about the lack of information and adequate data on the situation of child labour and economic exploitation.

Paragraph 502

The introduction of monitoring mechanisms is encouraged to ensure that the labour laws are enforced and to protect children from economic exploitation, particularly in the informal sector. A comprehensive study should be undertaken to assess the situation of child labour. The State party is encouraged to consider ratifying the ILO Minimum Age Convention (No. 138) and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182).

Paragraph 505

The increasing number of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation, including prostitution and pornography, involving both boys and girls, is of concern. Concern is also expressed at the insufficient programmes for the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of child victims of such abuse and exploitation.

Paragraph 506

In light of article 34 and other related articles of the Convention, studies should be undertaken with a view to understanding the scope of the problem and implementing appropriate policies and measures, including the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of victims. It is recommended that the State party take into account the recommendations formulated in the Agenda for Action adopted at the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children held in Stockholm in 1996.

See also:

•          United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Isle of Man), CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 31 at paras. 200 and 201.

•          United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Overseas Territories), CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 40 at paras. 257, 258, 261 and 262.

•          Djibouti, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 96 at paras. 554, 555 and 562-567.

Paragraph 554

The exposure of older children in the State party, particularly those living on the street or working in port areas and along truck routes, to sexual exploitation and to sexually transmitted diseases, including the risk of HIV infection, is of concern.

Paragraph 555

The State party is urged to address the sexual and reproductive health-care needs of older children, including those married at a young age and those in vulnerable situations. The State party should provide access to information about sexual and reproductive health. Services in this area should be user friendly and address the concerns and need for confidentiality of adolescents.

Paragraph 562

Concern is expressed about the apparent increase in the number of children involved in economic activities in the family context as well as on the streets.

Paragraph 563

The State party is urged to make urgent efforts to monitor and address the use of child labour. The State party should improve its monitoring mechanisms in order to enforce existing labour laws and protect children from economic exploitation. The State party is encouraged to ratify the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182) and the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment Convention (No. 138), and to seek international cooperation, including through the International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) of the ILO.

Paragraph 564

Concern is expressed about the high and increasing involvement of children in the production, trafficking and consumption of psychotropic drugs (and especially of khat), and about the impact on children of widespread khat consumption in the State party which affects families and the entire society.

Paragraph 565

In view of articles 33 and 39 of the Convention, the State party is urged to take all appropriate measures to prevent the involvement of children in the production, trafficking and consumption of khat and other psychotropic drugs as well as to provide care and rehabilitation, and to pay particular attention in this regard to vulnerable groups, including children who drop out of school, live on the streets, or work in the port area. The State party is encouraged to seek technical assistance from UNICEF and WHO, among others, and to involve children in the design, implementation and evaluation of relevant strategies, and to continue its cooperation with the United Nations Drug Control Programme in this regard.

Paragraph 566

The high and apparently increasing incidence of prostitution involving children, in particular girls, and the lack of facilities to provide services to sexually exploited children is of concern.

Paragraph 567

In the light of article 34 and other related articles of the Convention, the State party should undertake studies with a view to designing and implementing appropriate policies and measures, including to promote the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of child victims of sexual exploitation, and to preventing and combatting the sexual exploitation of children while avoiding the criminalization of child victims. The State party is encouraged to take into account the recommendations formulated in the Agenda for Action adopted at the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in Stockholm in 1996.

See also:

•          Comoros, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 110 at paras. 645 and 646.

•          Finland, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 8 at paras. 81 and 82.

Paragraph 81

The phenomenon of Finnish child sex tourists travelling to the nearby countries of the former Soviet Union seeking child prostitutes is noted with deep concern.

Paragraph 82

The State party is urged to undertake adequate measures to combat this phenomenon and to pursue international cooperation for the investigation and the prosecution of cases of sexual abuse and exploitation of children by Finnish citizens abroad.

•          Burundi, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 17 at paras. 135, 136, 156, 157, 160 and 161.

Paragraph 135

Recognizing the large numbers of orphans and other children in need of alternative care in the State party, deep concern is expressed at violations of child rights that occur in the context of alternative care, at the lack of systematic monitoring of the situation of children in institutions or informal foster families, at the use of children for labour in some informal foster families and at reports indicating that many of these children do not have adequate emotional support or access to health and education services.

Paragraph 136

In light of article 21 of the Convention, it is recommended that mechanisms be developed and implemented to ensure the provision of suitable alternative care for children in need of such assistance. Monitoring mechanisms should be established to guarantee a minimum standard of care, including in the long-term, and which ensure that such children are not used for labour and have access to education and health services. A code of standards should be adopted on care and protection of children deprived of a family environment. Recognizing the difficulties encountered by many families that provide alternative care for children, the State party should continue and strengthen its support to such families, including by providing assistance to pay for health and education services.

Paragraph 156

Concern is expressed about the participation of children in the State party’s armed forces, either as soldiers, or as helpers in camps or in the obtaining of information. Reports of widespread recruitment of children by opposition armed forces and sexual exploitation of children by members of the armed forces are also of concern.

Paragraph 157

The State party is urged to end the use of children as soldiers or in any other way related to the armed conflict and to demand, in the context of peace negotiations, that opposition armed forces also cease to use children as soldiers. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflicts should be ratified at the earliest opportunity. In addition, the State party is urged to ensure that the sexual exploitation of children by members of the armed forces is brought to an end and that the perpetrators are prosecuted. Demobilized children, and others who have been linked to armed forces or groups should be provided with assistance toward their social reintegration.

Paragraph 160

Concern is expressed that children have been the victims of sexual exploitation, sometimes by those persons who are responsible for their care.

Paragraph 161

Every effort should be made to end and prevent the sexual exploitation or abuse of children, giving particular attention to children living in camps. In particular, a multidisciplinary plan of action should be developed and implemented to address the sexual exploitation of children. The State party is encouraged to address commercial sexual exploitation and to take into account the recommendations formulated in the Agenda for Action adopted at the World Congress Against Commercial Exploitation of Children, held in Stockholm in 1996. Ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography should be considered.

•          United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Isle of Man), CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 31 at para. 203.

In the light of article 33 of the Convention, programmes should be reinforced to guarantee greater protection of children against the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and to prevent the use of children in the illicit production and trafficking of such substances. The Isle of Man is also encouraged to continue its efforts to strengthen rehabilitation programmes for child victims of drug and substance abuse.

•          United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Overseas Territories), CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 40 at paras. 233, 234 and 260.

Paragraph 233

Insufficient efforts have been made to ensure the full implementation of article 2 of the Convention and discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation and birth status remains apparent in some of the Overseas Territories. In this regard, legislation relating to these issues, particularly with respect to sexual abuse and exploitation, as well as the legal minimum age for sexual consent, refers only to girls and does not provide equal and adequate protection for boys.

Paragraph 234

Legislation should be amended to ensure that boys are provided equal and adequate protection against sexual abuse and exploitation.

Paragraph 260

In the light of article 33 of the Convention, the State party should enhance its efforts, including through administrative, social and educational means, to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and to prevent the use of children in the illicit production and trafficking of such substances. The State party is encouraged to strengthen its rehabilitation programmes for child victims of drug and substance abuse.

See also:

•          Georgia, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 18 at para. 141.

•          Suriname, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 84 at para. 504.

•          Tajikistan, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 53 at para. 321.

The State party is encouraged to ratify and implement the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and on the involvement of children in armed conflict.

See also:

•          United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Overseas Territories), CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 40 at para. 266.

•          Slovakia, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 100 at para. 596.

•          Ethiopia, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 24 at para. 194.

•          Egypt, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001)36 at para. 250.

•          Saudi Arabia, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 71 at para. 417.

•          Dominican Republic, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 91 at para. 532.

•          Colombia, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 64 at paras. 363 and 384-388.

Paragraph 363

It remains of concern that children deprived of their family environment may increasingly travel to the main cities, where they may live on the streets and be particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

Paragraph 384

The Committee welcomes the technical cooperation programme with the International Labour Organization (ILO)/International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC). Nevertheless, economic exploitation is still one of the major problems affecting children in the State party. There is insufficient law enforcement and a lack of adequate monitoring mechanisms to address this situation, especially in the informal sector. The situation of children working in the coca-leaf plantations is also of concern.

Paragraph 385

Particular concern is expressed about children who work or live in the street in order to survive and who require special attention because of the risks to which they are exposed.

Paragraph 386

The State party is encouraged to ratify ILO Convention No. 182 Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (1999). Effective measures should be taken to address the situation of children involved in hazardous labour, especially in the informal sector and the coca-leaf plantations. Child labour laws should be strictly enforced, labour inspectorates should be strengthened, and penalties should be imposed in cases of violation. The State party should adopt appropriate programmes and policies for the protection and rehabilitation of children living and/or working on the streets.

Paragraph 387

Although measures to combat drug abuse by children are acknowledged, drugs and substance abuse remain a major area of concern. The widespread use of children in the illicit production and trafficking of drugs is also a concern.

Paragraph 388

In the light of article 33 of the Convention, the State party should continue taking effective measures, including legislative, administrative, social and educational measures, to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and to prevent the use of children in the illicit production and trafficking of such substances. The State party is encouraged to support rehabilitation programmes for child victims of drug and substance abuse. In this regard, the State party is encouraged to consider seeking technical assistance from, inter alia, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the International Narcotics Control Board.

•          Central African Republic, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 77 at paras. 423, 424, 475, 476, 481 and 482.

Paragraph 423

Concern is expressed at the practice of employing children at a young age.

Paragraph 424

The State party should improve implementation of domestic legislation in relation to the employment of children and sensitize the public about the harm caused by child labour.

Paragraph 475

Concern is expressed about the fact that child labour in the State party is widespread and that children may be working long hours at young ages, which has a negative effect on their development and school attendance.

Paragraph 476

Acknowledging the State party’s commitment to drafting a policy on child labour that has as its starting point the elimination of the worst forms of such labour, the State party should pursue and strengthen its efforts. It is noted that the State party has recently ratified ILO Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment. The State party should make every effort to implement this Convention and to ratify and implement ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

Paragraph 481

That children may be at risk of being sold or made to engage in prostitution is of concern.

Paragraph 482

The State party should monitor and address any incidents involving the sale or prostitution of children and consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

•          Marshall Islands, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 89 at paras. 537 and 538.

Paragraph 537

Concern is expressed at the absence of specific legislation regulating child labour and at the lack of information and data on this issue, especially in view of the high drop-out rates in high schools.

Paragraph 538

In light of existing international norms and standards, it is recommended that the State party develop legislation on child labour including a prohibition, as well as a definition of hazardous and harmful work and/or of the activities considered to be hazardous, harmful to the child’s health or development or to interfere with the child’s education; an indication of the minimum age for admission to employment; and appropriate regulation of the working hours and conditions of employment of children. The State party is encouraged to consider ratifying ILO Convention No. 138 concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

•          Comoros, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 110 at paras. 626, 627 and 647 and 648.

Paragraph 626  

While noting the positive aspects of the placement of children in informal foster care, in particular of children from rural areas, for educational reasons, concern is expressed about the lack of adequate monitoring to prevent possible abuse of these children, such as their use as domestic workers.

Paragraph 627

The necessary measures should be undertaken to establish outside supervision of these placements, in order to prevent the child being abused by his/her foster family.

Paragraph 647

It is of concern that as a result of the current socio-economic crisis in the State party, it is very likely that children may start to become victims of sexual exploitation, sale and pornography.

Paragraph 648

All available measures should be taken, including legal ones, for the prevention and combat of this phenomenon. It is recommended that the State party take into account the recommendations formulated in the Agenda for Action adopted at the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in Stockholm in 1996. In this regard, the State party is encouraged to sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

•          Latvia, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 9 at paras. 74, 75, 80 and 81.

Paragraph 74

It is of concern that prostitution is rapidly spreading among minors and that the only rehabilitation programmes available are short term.

Paragraph 75

The State party should implement the National Programme for the Prevention of Sexual Violence for 2000-2004, in particular its rehabilitation and reintegration aspects. A study of commercial sexual exploitation and abuse of children should be undertaken in order to understand its scope and causes and to develop programmes for monitoring the problem and to prevent and combat it, taking into account the Agenda for Action adopted at the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. In particular, the State party is encouraged to prevent the criminalization and stigmatization of the victims.

Paragraph 80

It is noted that the Government has started the internal procedure of accession to the Optional Protocols on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and on the involvement of children in armed conflicts.

Paragraph 81

The State party is invited to continue this process and to ratify the two Optional Protocols to the Convention.

•          Liechtenstein, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 19 at paras. 114 and 115.

Paragraph 114

The State party has signed the two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

Paragraph 115

The State party is encouraged to reinforce its efforts to ratify these instruments.

•          Ethiopia, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 24 at paras. 188-191.

Paragraph 188

Reports of sexual exploitation, prostitution, rape and other sexual abuse of children are of concern.

Paragraph 189

The State party is urged to address practices of sexual exploitation, rape and other sexual abuse of children through, inter alia, the provision of care to and the rehabilitation and social reintegration of victims, the enforcement of criminal law, the prosecution of perpetrators of these acts and increased monitoring and reporting of such incidents. Grassroots awareness campaigns on sexual exploitation and other sexual abuse of children should be undertaken, including the translation of relevant terms into local languages.

Paragraph 190

Concern is expressed at the large numbers of children living or working on the streets of the main cities in the State party, and at their lack of access to education, health care, essential nutrition and housing. The number of children involved in child labour is a concern.

Paragraph 191

Urgent efforts should be made to protect the rights of children currently living and/or working on the streets, including through the provision of education, health care, nutritional aid and alternative care assistance. The State party should address the causes of children falling into a situation of street life. Efforts should be made to address the incidence of child labour and to respect and implement the provisions of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 182 Concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (1999). Assistance should be sought from the ILO in this regard.

•          Egypt, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 36 at paras. 244 and 245.

Paragraph 244

Child labour is a matter of concern. Main concerns are:

(a) There are insufficient comprehensive and accurate data available on children working in Egypt;

(b) Regulations governing working hours and exposure to hazardous conditions for children are not respected nor effectively enforced. In particular, there is no effective inspection and supervision in the private sector, family enterprises, agricultural activities and domestic labour, precisely where child labour in Egypt is concentrated, in many cases involving hazardous conditions; and

(c) Eighty per cent of child labour is reportedly concentrated in the agricultural sector. Many of these children work long hours in dusty environments, without masks or respirators, receiving little or no training on safety precautions for work with toxic pesticides and herbicides. Moreover, seasonal work in agriculture is reportedly performed by children under 12 in State-run cooperatives (i.e. cotton pest management) despite this being contrary to the law.

Paragraph 245

The State party should establish an effective mechanism to collect disaggregated data on child labour, including violations, to serve as a basis for designing measures and evaluating progress in this area. The minimum age for admission to employment should be enforced. Employers should be required to have, and produce on demand, proof of age of all children working on their premises. The labour inspectorate should be strengthened to ensure effective monitoring and implementation of child labour standards in the private sector, family enterprises, agricultural activities and domestic labour, and it should be empowered to receive and address complaints of violations. The State party should continue its efforts to carry out campaigns to inform and sensitize the general public, especially parents and children, of work hazards and to involve and train employers, workers, members of civic organizations, government officials such as labour inspectors and law enforcement officials, and other relevant professionals. Cooperation with relevant United Nations agencies, such as ILO and UNICEF, and NGOs should be continued. The State party should ratify ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

•          Lithuania, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 47 at paras. 304 and 305.

Paragraph 304

The National Programme against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse of Children of 2000 is noted. Deep concern is expressed at the lack of data, consistent policies, rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, and about the reports of disappearances of minors, in particular girls, allegedly for trafficking purposes. It is noted that procuration for the purpose of prostitution is punished only in cases involving girls and that some legal provisions result in the administrative punishment of children involved in commercial sexual exploitation.

Paragraph 305

The State party should fully implement the National Programme against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse of Children of 2000, in particular its rehabilitation and reintegration aspects. Further, the State party is encouraged to abolish every legal provision that results in administrative or other punishment of the victims of commercial sexual exploitation and to prevent other forms of stigmatization of the victims, and to penalize procuration for the purposes of prostitution involving all children, boys as well as girls.

•          Lesotho, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 57 at paras. 365-368.

Paragraph 365

The State party has labour laws regulating child labour. However, it is noted with concern that a high and increasing number of children, especially boys, are employed as animal herders, street traders, porters and in textile and garment factories. In addition, concern is expressed at the number of children working in potentially dangerous conditions and at the lack of monitoring and supervision of the conditions in which they work.

Paragraph 366

It is recommended that the State party encourage the work of the Law Reform Commission on child labour concerns, that the Commission’s child labour recommendations be rapidly implemented, that improvements be made to the monitoring of child labour practices and that the State party ensure that sufficient resources are allocated for this purpose with a view to the effective enforcement of labour laws and the protection of children from economic exploitation. The ratification of ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the Worst Forms of Child Labour should be considered.

Paragraph 367

It is of concern that young girls are vulnerable to sexual exploitation and that the number of incidents of such exploitation are increasing.

Paragraph 368

In the light of article 34 and other related articles of the Convention, the State party should undertake studies with a view to designing and implementing appropriate policies and measures, including care and rehabilitation, to prevent and combat the sexual exploitation of children, especially girls. In addition, the State party should reinforce its legislative framework to protect children fully from all forms of sexual abuse or exploitation, including within the family.

•          Palau, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 79 at para. 446, 447, 472, 473, 476 and 477.

Paragraph 446

It is noted with concern that the State party has not yet established legal minimum ages for sexual consent of boys and employment of children.

Paragraph 447

All appropriate measures should be taken to introduce legal minimum ages for sexual consent of boys and employment of children to ensure conformity with the principles and provisions of the Convention and to guarantee greater protection for all children below the age of 18 years.

Paragraph 472

The absence of adequate labour laws to protect children from economic exploitation is of concern. In the light of the increasing number of school drop-outs, the lack of a minimum age for employment and the increasing number of children living and/or working on the streets, concern is expressed about the lack of information and adequate data on the situation of child labour and economic exploitation in the State party.

Paragraph 473

In the light of article 32 of the Convention, legislation should be enacted to protect children from economic exploitation and appropriate monitoring mechanisms should be introduced to ensure the enforcement of such laws, including in the informal sector. The State party should undertake a comprehensive study to assess the situation with regard to child labour. Ratification of ILO Convention No. 138 concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour should be considered.

Paragraph 476

The inadequate legal protection of children, particularly boys, against commercial sexual exploitation, including prostitution and pornography is of concern. Concern is also expressed at the insufficient programmes for the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of child victims of such abuse and exploitation.

Paragraph 477

In the light of article 34 and other related articles of the Convention, all appropriate measures should be taken to ensure adequate legal protection of children, including boys, against commercial sexual exploitation and pornography. The State party should undertake all appropriate measures to ensure the non-stigmatization and non-criminalization of child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation. Additionally, studies should be undertaken with a view to understanding the scope of the problem and appropriate policies and measures should be implemented, including the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of child victims. The State party should take into account the recommendations formulated in the Agenda for Action adopted at the 1996 Stockholm World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. The age for protection against commercial sexual exploitation should be raised to 18 years.

•          Dominican Republic, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 91 at paras. 528 and 529.

Paragraph 528

While noting the creation of the National Inter-Agency Commission for the Prevention and Eradication of Child Prostitution in Tourist Centres, concern is expressed at the absence of data and of a comprehensive study on the issue of sexual commercial exploitation and sexual abuse of children, as well as at the lack of implementation of the National Plan of Action to address this issue. In addition, deep concern is expressed at the increase of the number of children in the State party suffering from sexual commercial exploitation, apparently often related to sex tourism.

Paragraph 529

In the light of article 34 and other related articles of the Convention, the State party should undertake studies with a view to strengthening current policies and measures, including care and rehabilitation policies and measures to prevent and combat this phenomenon. The recommendations formulated in the Agenda for Action adopted at the 1996 Stockholm World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children should be taken into account.

See also:

•          Costa Rica, CRC, CRC/C/94 (2000) 37 at para. 236.

•          Denmark, CRC, CRC/C/108 (2001) 10 at paras. 74 and 75.

Paragraph 74

Concern is expressed about the lack of awareness about child abuse and exploitation and the inadequate efforts to address child pornography. The need for training for professionals working with and for child victims of abuse is noted, including police officers, lawyers and social workers.

Paragraph 75

In light of article 34 and other related articles of the Convention, it is recommended that the State party reinforce its efforts to strengthen current policies and measures, including care and rehabilitation, to prevent and combat these phenomena. All appropriate measures should be taken to introduce and/or reinforce training for professionals working with and for child victims of abuse and exploitation.

•          Turkey, CRC, CRC/C/108 (2001) 18 at paras. 105, 106, 141 and 142.

Paragraph 105

It is noted with concern that there is no clear minimum age for admission to employment and that this could conflict with the age for the end of compulsory education, which is set at 15.

Paragraph 106

The State party should set up the same age for the end of compulsory education and for admission to employment.

Paragraph 141

The number of protocols that State party has signed with ILO, in particular that for the promotion of education of working children, is noted. However, concern is expressed that there is not a clear legal minimum age for working children. In this regard, the commission established under the Working Children Department of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to prepare a draft “Law about the minimum age for work and protective measures for working children”, which will cover all children who work, is noted. Nevertheless, the large number of children engaged in labour activities, in particular children working in the fields, domestic workers, children working in small enterprises and children working in the streets, who appear to be less protected by legislation, remains a matter of concern.

Paragraph 142

The State party should continue to undertake measures to prevent and combat all forms of economic exploitation of children, including commercial sexual exploitation.

•          Democratic Republic of the Congo, CRC, CRC/C/108 (2001) 31 at paras. 215-218.

Paragraph 215

The prevalence of child labour is of concern, especially in informal sectors which frequently fall outside the protections afforded by domestic legislation. Deep concern is expressed at the use of children to work in the Kasaï mines, in locations in Lubumbashi and in other dangerous work environments.

Paragraph 216

Every effort should be made to end child labour, including through the dissemination of information on children’s rights to employers, parents, the public in general and to children themselves. In particular, measures should be implemented to enforce domestic legal protections in both the formal and informal work sectors, including in mines and other harmful environments, and help should be sought from ILO and UNICEF in this regard.

Paragraph 217

The trading, trafficking, kidnapping and use for pornography of young girls and boys within the State party, or from the State party to another country, and the fact that domestic legislation does not sufficiently protect children from trafficking, are matters of deep concern.

Paragraph 218

Urgent measures should be taken to end the sale, trafficking and sexual exploitation of children through the adoption and implementation of appropriate legislation and the use of the criminal justice process to sanction those persons responsible for such practices. The police force and border officials should receive special training to help in combatting the sale, trafficking and sexual exploitation of children, and programmes should be established to provide assistance, including health care and rehabilitative and social reintegration assistance, to the child victims of sexual exploitation. It is further recommended that the age for protection against commercial sexual exploitation be raised to 18 years, and that technical assistance be sought from UNICEF in this regard.

•          Guatemala, CRC, CRC/C/108 (2001) 47 at paras. 277-280.

Paragraph 277

With regard to child labour, measures taken by the State party are noted, such as the signing in 1996 of a memorandum of understanding with ILO for the adoption of the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC). However, deep concern is expressed at the large number of children who are still exploited economically, particularly those under 14 years of age.

Paragraph 278

The State party should continue to enforce and strengthen its legislation protecting working children and to combat and eradicate, as effectively as possible, all forms of child labour, in cooperation with ILO/IPEC.

Paragraph 279

While noting that the National Plan against Sexual and Commercial Exploitation is in the final stages of elaboration, deep concern is expressed that, with regard to the increasing phenomenon of commercial sexual exploitation of children, in particular girls, there is no data available, legislation is inadequate, cases involving sexually exploited children are often not investigated and prosecuted, and no rehabilitation programmes are available.

Paragraph 280

In light of article 34 of the Convention and in line with the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (see E/CN.4/2000/73/Add.2), the State party should expedite the adoption of the National Plan against Sexual and Commercial Exploitation, taking into account the Agenda for Action adopted at the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, and undertake a study on this issue in order to understand its scope and causes, to enable effective monitoring of the problem and to develop the necessary measures and programmes to prevent, combat and eliminate it. The Committee invites the State party to seek international cooperation in this regard.

•          Côte d’Ivoire, CRC, CRC/C/108 (2001) 59 at paras. 340-343.

Paragraph 340

It is of deep concern that child labour in the State party is widespread and that children may be working long hours at young ages, which has a negative effect on their development and school attendance.

Paragraph 341

Every effort should be made to ratify and implement ILO Convention (No. 138) on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and ILO Convention (No. 182) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour. Assistance should be sought from ILO/IPEC in this regard.

Paragraph 342

While noting the efforts undertaken by the State party within its Plan of Action to fight child trafficking, deep concern remains about the large number of child victims of trafficking for the purpose of exploitation in the State party’s agricultural, mining and domestic service sectors and other forms of exploitation.

Paragraph 343

The State party is strongly encouraged to pursue its efforts in implementing the bilateral agreement with the Government of Mali and in extending this experience to other concerned countries. In addition, measures, such as a comprehensive programme to prevent and combat the trafficking and sale of children, should be taken on an urgent basis, including an awareness raising campaign and educational programmes.

•          United Republic of Tanzania, CRC, CRC/C/108 (2001) 71 at paras. 412-417.

Paragraph 412

It is noted that the State party joined the ILO International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) in 1994 and subsequently committed itself to a time-bound programme to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, starting in mid-2001. However, in light of the current economic situation, the increasing number of school drop-outs and the increasing number of children living and/or working on the streets, there is concern about the large number of children engaged in labour and the lack of information and adequate data on the situation of child labour and economic exploitation within the State party.

Paragraph 413

The State party is encouraged to introduce monitoring mechanisms to ensure the enforcement of labour laws and protect children from economic exploitation, particularly in the informal sectors. A comprehensive study should be undertaken to assess the situation of child labour. In light of the State party’s commitment to the time-bound programme to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, the State party is encouraged to ratify, at the earliest opportunity, ILO Convention (No. 182) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

Paragraph 414

Concern is expressed about the large and increasing number of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex tourism, including prostitution and pornography. Concern is also expressed at the insufficient programmes for the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of child victims of such abuse and exploitation.

Paragraph 415

In light of article 34 and other related articles of the Convention, studies should be undertaken with a view to understanding the scope of commercial sexual exploitation and sex tourism, including prostitution and pornography, and implementing appropriate preventive policies and rehabilitative and social reintegration programmes for child victims. The State party should take into account the recommendations formulated in the Agenda for Action adopted at the 1996 World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children held in Stockholm.

Paragraph 416

It is of concern that there have been reported incidents of the sale, trafficking and abduction of children, especially girls, primarily for domestic labour.

Paragraph 417

Effective measures should be taken to prevent and combat the sale, trafficking and abduction of children. The State party should facilitate the reunification of child victims with their families and provide adequate care and rehabilitation for them.

•          Bhutan, CRC, CRC/C/108 (2001) 85 at paras. 480-483.

Paragraph 480

Concern is expressed about the absence of legislation on the minimum age for admission to employment, as well as insufficient information on children working, including in the informal sector, such as agriculture. It is of further concern that an increasing number of children are dropping out of school and taking up work in urban areas (e.g. as waiters, as bus attendants, in vehicle workshops, or as domestic workers).

Paragraph 481

A national survey should be conducted on the causes and extent of child labour. The State party should establish a minimum age for admission to employment in accordance with the principles and provisions of the Convention, that is in conformity with the age of completion of education, and ensure that it is enforced; employers should be required to have, and to produce on demand, proof of age of all children working on their premises. A mechanism should be established to monitor the implementation of standards, which is empowered to receive and address complaints of violations. The State party should also carry out campaigns to inform and sensitize the general public, especially parents and children, of work hazards.

Paragraph 482

The insufficient data on and awareness of the phenomenon of sexual exploitation of children in Bhutan is a matter of concern.

Paragraph 483

The State party should undertake a national study on the nature and extent of sexual exploitation of children (i.e. sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography), and compile and keep up to date disaggregated data to serve as a basis for designing measures and evaluating progress in this area. It should be ensured that the sexual exploitation of children is criminalized, is gender neutral and penalizes all offenders involved, whether local or foreign, while ensuring that the child victims are not penalized. The State party should also ensure that legal procedures are simplified so that responses are appropriate, timely, and sensitive to victims. Rehabilitation and social reintegration programmes should be established for child victims and personnel working with child victims should be trained. Finally, the State party should carry out awareness-raising campaigns to sensitize and mobilize the general public on the child’s right to physical and mental integrity and safety from sexual exploitation.

•          Monaco, CRC, CRC/C/108 (2001) 97 at paras. 529 and 530.

Paragraph 529

Noting the attention given by the State party to children under 16 working in a family context, there is concern that such work may interfere with children’s right to education.

Paragraph 530

The State party should continue and strengthen its efforts to ensure respect for the rights of children under 16 working in a family context, and particularly the right to education.