CRC CRINMAIL 2: 43rd session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child

8 September 2006 - CRC CRINMAIL 2

43rd session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child

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- FORTY-THIRD SESSION INFORMATION: Agenda and Timetable

- STATES PARTIES INFORMATION: State reports and Alternative reports

- DAY OF GENERAL DISCUSSION: Children and young people's involvement

- CRC ELECTIONS 2007: Information for NGOs

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This list provides specific information on the work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Updates are sent during CRC sessions and on an ad hoc basis. Please feel free to forward these updates to others who may be interested. To contribute, email us at [email protected].
If you do not receive this email in html format, you will not be able to see some hyperlinks in the text. At the end of each item we have therefore provided a full URL linking to a web page where further information is available.

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FORTY-THIRD SESSION INFORMATION: Agenda and Timetable

The 43rd Session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child will begin next Monday at the Palais Wilson in Geneva, Switzerland, and close on Friday, 29th September.

The Committee will examine reports from Benin, Ethiopia, Ireland, Jordan, Kiribati, Oman, the Republic of Congo, Samoa, Senegal, and Swaziland. It will also examine reports on the implementation of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OPSC) for Denmark, Syria and Vietnam, and reports on the implementation of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC) for Kazakhstan, Malta and Vietnam.

A special CRC news page devoted to the activities of the Committee on the Rights of the Child has been set up on the CRIN website in partnership with the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The page provides summaries of the Committee sessions by country, UN press releases, NGO press releases, information about the Day of General Discussion, Decisions, General Comments and other activities of the Committee.

Visit: http://www.crin.org/CRCnews

For more information on the Committee, contact:
UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Committee on the Rights of the Child
8-14 Avenue de la Paix, CH 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel: + 41 22 917 9000; Fax: + 41 22 917 9022
Website: http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/crc

Further information

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STATES PARTIES INFORMATION: State reports and Alternative reports

States Parties reports submitted by governments to the Committee on the Rights of the Child are available in English, French and Spanish on the website of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Word and PDF formats.

Alternative Reports submitted by NGOs to the Committee on the Rights of the Child are made available on the CRIN website in partnership with the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The reports can also be searched by country, Committee session or by organisation. Note that alternative reports are posted on the CRIN website as they are received.

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General reporting

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BENIN

Second Periodic Report

On Wednesday, 20th September, the Committee will examine Benin's Second Periodic Report in Chamber A. The report (CRC/C/BEN/2) is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative reports

Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Benin
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English
Summary of the second alternative report of civil society concerning the implementation of the CRC in Benin
By: Comité de Liaison des Organisations Sociales de Défense des Droits de l'Enfant - Report in: English / Francais
Droits de l'Enfant au Bénin
By: Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture
Report in: Français
Briefing from Global Initiative to end all corporal punishment of children - Benin
By: Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
Report in: English

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ETHIOPIA

Third periodic report

On Tuesday 12th September, the Committee will examine Ethiopia's Third Periodic report in Chamber B. The report (CRC/C/129/Add.8) is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative reports

Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Ethiopia
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English
Briefing from Global Initiative to end all corporal punishment of children - Ethiopia
By: Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
Report in: English

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IRELAND

Second Periodic Report

On Wednesday, 20th September, the Committee will examine Ireland's Second Periodic Report in Chamber B. The report (CRC/C/IRL/2) is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative reports

Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Ireland
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English
From Rhetoric to Rights: Second Shadow Report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
By: Children's Rights Alliance
Report in: English / Children's report
Submission to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on Ireland's 2nd Periodic Report on the Rights of the Child
By: Irish Family Planning Association
Report in: English
Briefing from Global Initiative to end all corporal punishment of children - Ireland
By: Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
Report in: English

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JORDAN

Third Periodic Report

On Friday, 22nd September, the Committee will examine Jordan's Third Periodic Report in Chamber B. The report (CRC/C/JOR/3) is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative reports

Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Jordan
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English
The NGOs Supplementary Report on the 3rd Jordanian Official Report on the CRC
By: National Centre for Human Rights
Report in: English
A Submission to the Committee on the Rights of the Child regarding Jordan's Third Periodic Report to the Committee
By: Human Rights Watch
Report in: English
Briefing from Global Initiative to end all corporal punishment of children - Jordan
By: Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
Report in: English

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KIRIBATI

Initial Report

On Wednesday, 13th September, the Committee will examine Kiribati's Initial Report in Chamber B. The report (CRC/C/KIR/1) is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative reports

Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Kiribati
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English
Briefing from Global Initiative to end all corporal punishment of children - Kiribati
By: Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
Report in: English

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OMAN

Second Periodic Report

On Wednesday, 13th September, the Committee will examine Oman's Second Periodic Report in Chamber A. The report (CRC/C/OMN/2) is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative reports

Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Oman
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English
Briefing from Global Initiative to end all corporal punishment of children - Oman
By: Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
Report in: English

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REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Initial Report

On Tuesday, 19th September, the Committee will examine the Republic of Congo's Initial Report in Chamber A. The report (CRC/C/COG/1) is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative reports

Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Republic of Congo
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English
Briefing from Global Initiative to end all corporal punishment of children - Republic of Congo
By: Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
Report in: English
Rapport alternatif sur l'application de la convention relative aux droits de l'enfant
By: Association Panafricaine Thomas Sankara
Report in: English / Français

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SAMOA

Initial Report

On Tuesday, 12th September, the Committee will examine Samoa's Initial Report in Chamber A. The report (CRC/C/WSM/1) is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative reports

Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Samoa
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English
Briefing from Global Initiative to end all corporal punishment of children - Samoa
By: Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
Report in: English

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SENEGAL

Second Periodic Report

On Monday, 18th September, the Committee will examine Senegal's Second Periodic Report in Chamber B. The report (CRC/C/SEN/2) is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative reports

Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Senegal
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English
Rapport complémentaire de la CONAFE-Sénégal destine au Comité des Droits de l’Enfants des Nations Unies
By: Coalition Nationale des Associations et ONG en Faveur de l'Enfance au Sénégal Report in: Francais
Briefing from Global Initiative to end all corporal punishment of children - Senegal
By: Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
Report in: English

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SWAZILAND

Initial Report

On Monday, 18th September, the Committee will examine Swaziland's Initial Report in Chamber A. The report (CRC/C/SWZ/1) is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative reports

Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Swaziland
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English
An Alternative Report on the Implementation of the CRC in Swaziland
By: Orphans and Vulnerable Children Network
Report in: English
Briefing from Global Initiative to end all corporal punishment of children - Swaziland
By: Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
Report in: English

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Optional Protocols

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DENMARK

Initial OPSC report

On Tuesday, 19th September, the Committee will examine the report submitted by Denmark under article 12 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. The report (CRC/C/OPSC/DNK/1) is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative reports

Supplementary NGO Report on Denmark's 1st Report on the Implementation of the Optional Protocol
By: Save the Children Denmark
Report in: English
Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Denmark
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English

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SYRIA

Initial OPSC report

On Tuesday, 19th September, the Committee will examine the report submitted by Syria under article 12 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. The report (CRC/C/OPSC/SYR/1) is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative report

Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Syria
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English

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VIETNAM

Initial OPSC report

On Friday, 22nd September, the Committee will examine the report submitted by Vietnam under article 12 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (CRC/C/OPSC/VNM/1) and the report submitted under article 8 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (CRC/C/OPAC/VNM/1). Both reports are accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative report

Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Vietnam
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English

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KAZAKHSTAN

Initial OPAC report

On Monday, 11th September, the Committee will examine the report submitted by Kazakhstan under article 8 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (CRC/C/OPAC/KAZ/1). The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative report

Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Kazakhstan
By: Child Helpline International
Report in: English
The Explanatory Note to the Report on Activities on the Implementation of the OPAC
By: Kazakhstan NGOs' Working Group 'on Protection of Children Rights'
Report in: English / Russian

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MALTA

Initial OPAC report (technical review)

On Monday, 11th September, the Committee will examine the report submitted by Malta under article 8 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (CRC/C/OPAC/MLT/1). The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish on the OHCHR website.

Alternative report

There are no alternative reports available.

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DAY OF GENERAL DISCUSSION: Children and young people's involvement

[LONDON, 8 September 2006 ] - Over 30 children and young people from around the world are going to the United Nations in Geneva next week to make their voices heard and talk about their right to participate as stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Next Friday, 15th September, the Committee on the Rights of the Child will hold its next Day of General Discussion on: “To Speak, Participate and Decide: The Child’s Right to be Heard”, relating to Article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The event will bring together Committee members, NGOs, UN agencies, governments and other interested experts to identify priority issues, share good practice and issue recommendations.

An Interagency Planning group (IAG) is facilitating the involvement of children and young people in the Day of General Discussion, and has been advising the Committee on the Rights of the Child on children’s ethical and meaningful participation in the Day of General Discussion.

As a result, 33 children and young people from 20 different countries, from India to Paraguay, Zimbabwe to Norway, will meet for a two-day Forum in Geneva, on 13th-14th September, prior to the Discussion Day, in order to:

meet with Committee members and learn about the work of the Committee;
share stories and experiences on child participation and best practice in their countries;
discuss the child’s right to be heard in judicial and administrative proceedings;
discuss the issue of children as active participants in society;
issue press statements;
prepare their contribution to the Day of General Discussion by drafting a statement and producing visual and written submissions.

The children and young people will then attend the Day of General Discussion, in the Palais Wilson on Friday. It will be the first time such a large number of under-18s will be able to participate in a discussion day. They will be included in working group discussions with Committee members, governments representatives, NGOs and other child rights experts, and communicate their own statements.

The IAG, composed of Save the Children, ECPAT International, Plan UK, IFCO, CRIN and UNICEF, will also encourage children and young people’s participation in the drafting of a General Comment on the child’s right to be heard, and generally promote children and young people’s influence on policy makers.

The IAG is planning to hold a press conference with the children and members of the Committee at the International Conference Centre, 17 rue de Varembé, on Thursday, 14th September at 5:30pm. Please contact Katy Sklan on: +44 (0)7879 430 865 if you wish to attend.

Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infodetail.asp?id=10149

For more information, contact:
Child Rights Information Network
1 St John's Lane, London EC1M 4AR, UK
Tel: +44 20 7012 6867 or 67; Fax: +44 020 7012 6899
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.crin.org

Further information

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CRC ELECTIONS 2007: Information for NGOs

The Committee on the Rights of the Child is composed of 18 independent experts with recognised competence in the field of human rights. Members are elected for a term of four years by States parties in accordance with article 43 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Members serve in their personal capacity and may be re-elected if nominated.

The next meeting of States parties will be held at the United Nations in New York in February 2007 to elect members to replace the nine current members whose terms expire on 28 February 2007. These are:

Ms. Alison Anderson (Jamaica)
Mr. Jacob Doek (the Netherlands)
Mr. Kamel Filali (Algeria)
Ms. Moushira Khattab (Egypt)
Mr. Hatem Kotrane (Tunisia)
Mr. Lothar Krappmann (Germany)
Mr. Norberto Liwiski (Argentina)
Ms. Awa Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso)
Ms. Rosa Maria Ortiz (Paraguay).

A Fact sheet on the nomination and election procedures and the role that NGOs can play in these processes has been prepared by the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Fact sheet is also available in French, and Spanish.

Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=9387

For more information, contact:
NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child
1 rue Varembé, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: + 41 22 740 47 30; Fax: + 41 22 740 1145
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.crin.org/NGOGroupforCRC

Further information

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