IV. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS

ICCPR

•          Islamic Republic of Iran, ICCPR, A/48/40 vol. I (1993) 44 at para. 260.

The persistence and extent of discrimination against women is incompatible with the provisions of article 3 of the Covenant. For example, the punishment and harassment of women who do not conform with a strict dress code; the need for women to obtain their husband's permission to leave home; their exclusion from the magistracy; discriminatory treatment in respect of the payment of compensation to the families of murder victims, depending on the victim's gender and in respect of the inheritance rights of women; prohibition against the practice of sports in public; and segregation from men in public transportation.

CEDAW

•          Belgium, CEDAW, A/51/38 (1996) 22 at para. 192.

The Government should promote interest in women's participation in sports and in media coverage of such events.

CRC

•          Bangladesh, CRC, CRC/C/66 (1997) 22 at paras. 148 and 167.

Paragraph 148

The State party's failure to take measures to promote the child's right to leisure, recreation and cultural activities (art. 31) is of concern.

Paragraph 167

Efforts to provide opportunities for education and leisure to child workers and children working and/or living on the street should be strengthened.

•          Togo, CRC, CRC/C/69 (1997) 39 at paras. 264 and 288.

Paragraph 264

The lack of appropriate playgrounds is of concern.

Paragraph 288

More appropriate playgrounds for children should be provided.

•          Micronesia, CRC, CRC/C/73 (1998) 20 at paras. 123 and 141.

Paragraph 123

Insufficient leisure opportunities in the school curriculum is of concern.

Paragraph 141

Cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure activities should be developed at schools.

•          Japan, CRC, CRC/C/79 (1998) 25 at para. 168.

Children exposed to developmental disorders due to the stress of a highly competitive educational system and the consequent lack of time for leisure, physical activities and rest is of concern.

•          Ecuador, CRC, CRC/C/80 (1998) 9 at para. 50.

In reforming the primary education curricula, measures should be strengthened to improve children's access to leisure and to recreational and cultural activities, especially for the most vulnerable groups of children.

•          Austria, CRC, CRC/C/84 (1999) 7 at para. 54.

Budgetary austerity measures have affected the working of the school system, for example by introducing some family contributions for school books and enrichment activities, or by reducing the choice of optional subjects. These measures should be examined carefully with regard to their impact on the progressive implementation of the child's right to education and leisure activities.

•          Belize, CRC, CRC/C/84 (1999) 12 at paras. 82 and 86.

Paragraph 82

The lack of policies and programmes aimed at mother and child interaction activities within the home to promote leisure and creative play for children, particularly those under the age of two years, is of concern. Studies should be undertaken on play involving mother and child interaction with a view to developing adequate programmes and policies in this regard.

Paragraph 86

The situation of education, particularly as regards overcrowding, the high drop-out rate, the lack of basic training materials, poorly maintained infrastructure and equipment, shortages of textbooks and other materials, the limited number of trained teachers and the lack of play space and recreational facilities, is of concern. All appropriate measures should be taken to improve the quality of education and to provide access for all children. Additional measures should also be taken to encourage children to stay in school, particularly during the period of compulsory education, and the rights of the child to rest and leisure and to engage in play and recreational activities should be ensured.

See also:

•          Marshall Islands, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 89 at paras. 535 and 536.

•          The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, CRC, CRC/C/94 (2000) 45 at paras. 271 and 272.

Paragraph 271

While aware of the State party's efforts to integrate children with disabilities into formal education and into regular recreation programmes, concern remains that children with disabilities are excluded from many activities.

Paragraph 272

The State party should make further efforts to integrate children with disabilities into educational and recreational programmes currently used by children without disabilities. With particular reference to article 23 of the Convention, it is further recommended that the State party continue with its programmes to improve the physical access of children with disabilities to public service buildings, including schools, review the facilities and assistance available to children with disabilities and in need of special services, and improve these services in accordance with the provisions and spirit of the Convention.

•          South Africa, CRC, CRC/C/94 (2000) 81 at para. 447.

Many children, especially in Black communities, do not enjoy the right to leisure, recreation and cultural activities. In light of article 31, it is recommended that the State party take effective measures to ensure that children, especially those in Black communities, enjoy the right to leisure, recreation and cultural activities.

•          Georgia, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 18 at paras. 144 and 145.

Paragraph 144

The poor conditions of juvenile detention facilities, including the lack of adequate food, clothing, heating, educational opportunities and leisure activities for child detainees.

Paragraph 145

The State party should take all appropriate measures to improve the situation of children in juvenile detention facilities, including their access to adequate food, clothing, heating, educational opportunities and leisure activities.

•          Kyrgyzstan, CRC, CRC/C/97 (2000) 51 at para. 328.

Concern is expressed about the poor conditions detention facilities, including inadequate nutrition, clothing and psychological and medical care; and the lack of access to adequate recreational, educational and vocational facilities.

•          Central African Republic, CRC, CRC/C/100 (2000) 77 at paras. 469 and 470.

Paragraph 469

Children have insufficient opportunity to exercise their rights to leisure and cultural activities.

Paragraph 470

The State party should improve respect for the right of children to leisure and cultural activities, including promoting these rights among parents, teachers and community leaders.

•          Lithuania, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 47 at paras. 296 and 297.

Paragraph 296

Adequate consideration has not been given to the rights of children to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to their age, and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.

Paragraph 297

In light of article 31 of the Convention, adequate attention should be paid to planning leisure and cultural activities for children, taking into consideration the physical and psychological development of the child.

•          Palau, CRC, CRC/C/103 (2001) 79 at paras. 470 and 471.

Paragraph 470

There is no physical education programme in the school system.

Paragraph 471

In the light of article 31, a physical education programme should be introduced into the school curriculum.