11 May 2006 - CRINMAIL 779
Special Edition on the 42nd Session of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
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- FORTY-SECOND SESSION INFORMATION: Agenda and Timetable
- STATES PARTIES INFORMATION: State reports and Alternative reports
- MONITORING OPTIONAL PROTOCOLS: Article by Jaap Doek
- NGO GROUP FOR THE CRC: Vacancy Announcement for a Coordinator
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FORTY-SECOND SESSION INFORMATION: Agenda and Timetable
The 42nd Session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child will begin next Monday at the Palais Wilson in Geneva, Switzerland. The session will take place between 15th May and 2nd June, and for the second time, the Committee will sit in two chambers to consider 16 States Parties reports. Indeed, at its 59th session (2004), the UN General Assembly agreed to the request of the Committee to work simultaneously in two chambers during 2006, in order to increase the working capacity of the Committee and decrease the existing backlog of reports.
During its 42nd session, the Committee will examine reports from Colombia, Latvia, Lebanon, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Turkmenistan, Tanzania, Uzbekistan. It will also examine reports on the implementation of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OPSC) for Iceland, Italy, Qatar, Turkey, and reports on the implementation of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC) for Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Iceland, Italy.
The Committee's programme of work for the 42nd session is as follows:
Monday 15 May
Morning: Opening/Adoption of agenda/Submission of reports
Afternoon: Chamber A: El Salvador OPAC - Chamber B: Belgium OPAC
Tuesday 16 May
Chamber A: Latvia (2nd periodic report) - Chamber B: Italy OPSC/OPAC
Wednesday 17 May
Morning: Chamber A: Canada OPAC - Chamber B: Turkey OPSC
Afternoon: Chamber A: Czech Republic OPAC - Chamber B: Qatar OPSC
Thursday 18 May
Plenary - closed session
Friday 19 May
Chamber A: Uzbekistan (2nd) - Chamber B: Tanzania (2nd)
Monday 22 May
Plenary - closed session
Tuesday 23 May
Chamber A: Marshall Islands (2nd) - Chamber B: Mexico (3rd)
Wednesday 24 May
Chamber A: Lebanon (3rd) - Chamber B: Turmenistan (initial report)
Thursday 25 May
UN Holiday
Friday 26 May
Chamber A: Iceland OPSC/OPAC - Chamber B: Colombia (3rd)
Monday 29 May - Thursday 1 June
Plenary - closed sessions
Friday 2 June
Morning: Plenary then public meeting and closing
Afternoon: No meeting
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 on Days 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 be searched by country, Committee session or by organisation. Note that note all alternative reports are available yet. They are posted on the CRIN website as they are received.
COLOMBIA
THIRD PERIODIC REPORT
On Friday 26 May, the Committee will examine Colombia's Third Periodic Report in Chamber B. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/129/Add.6).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
- Complementary Report to the Third Report of the Government of Colombia to the Committee on the Rights of the Child 1998-2003
By: Observatorio sobre Infancia Universidad National, Plan Internacional, Save the Children UK, Vision Mundial, et al
Report in English / Español
- Alternative Report to the Report of the Government of Colombia on the Situation of the Rights of the Child in Colombia
By: Coalición contra la vinculación de niños, niñas y jóvenes al conflicto armado en Colombia
Report in English / Español
- Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Colombia
By: Child Helpline International
Report in English
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LATVIA
SECOND PERIODIC REPORT
On Tuesday 16th May, the Committee will examine Latvia's Second Periodic report in Chamber A. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/83/Add.16).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
- Children's Report to the United Nations on the Implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Latvia
By: Latvian Save the Children
Report in English
- Report of Latvian NGO Children's Rights Network to the United Nations on Situation on Protection of Children Rights in Latvia
By: Latvian Save the Children
Report in English
- Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Latvia
By: Child Helpline International
Report in English
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LEBANON
THIRD PERIODIC REPORT
On Wednesday 24th May, the Committee will examine Lebanon's Third Periodic report in Chamber A. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/129/Add.7).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
- Rights of the Palestinian Child in Lebanon, Third Supplementary Report
By: Coordination Forum of the NGO's Working Among the Palestinian Community
Report in English
- Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Lebanon
By: Child Helpline International
Report in English
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MARSHALL ISLANDS
SECOND PERIODIC REPORT
On Tuesday 23rd May, the Committee will examine the Marshall Islands' Second Periodic report in Chamber A. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/93/Add.8).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
NGO Alternative Reports for the Marshall Islands are not yet available.
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MEXICO
THIRD PERIODIC REPORT
On Tuesday 23rd May, the Committee will examine Mexico's Third Periodic report in Chamber B. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/125/Add.7).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
- Unfulfilled Rights, Limited Futures. Public Policies and the Rights of Children and Adolescents in Mexico
By: Observatorio Ciudadano de Políticas de Niñez, Adolescencia y Familias
Report in English / Español
- Mexican Childhoods: Faces of the Inequality
By: Red por los Derechos de la Infancia en México
Report in English / Español
- Faces of Silence: The Catholic Hierarchy and Child Sexual Abuse in Mexico
By: Catholics for a Free Choice
Report in English / Español
- Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Mexico
By: Child Helpline International
Report in English
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TURKMENISTAN
INITIAL REPORT
On Wednesday 24th May, the Committee will examine Turkmenistan' Initial Report in Chamber B. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/TKM/1).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
- Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Turkmenistan
By: Child Helpline International
Report in English
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UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
SECOND PERIODIC REPORT
On Friday 19th May, the Committee will examine Tanzania's Second Periodic report in Chamber B. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/70/Add.26).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
- The NGOs’ Report on the Implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in Tanzania
By: The National Network of Organizations Working with Children (NNOC)
Report in English
- Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Tanzania
By: Child Helpline International
Report in English
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UZBEKISTAN
SECOND PERIODIC REPORT
On Friday 19th May, the Committee will examine Uzbekistan's Second Periodic report in Chamber A. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/104/Add.6).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
- Recommendations to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child - Uzbekistan
By: Child Helpline International
Report in English
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ICELAND
INITIAL REPORTS OPSC/OPAC
On Friday 26th May, the Committee will examine the reports submitted by Iceland under article 8 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, as well as its report submitted under article 12 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. Both reports are accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/OPSA/ISL/1 and CRC/C/OPAC/ISL/1).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
NGO Alternative Reports for Iceland are not yet available.
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ITALY
INITIAL REPORTS OPSC/OPAC
On Tuesday 16th May, the Committee will examine the reports submitted by Italy under article 8 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict, as well as its report submitted under article 12 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. Both reports are accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/OPSA/ITA/1 and CRC/C/OPAC/ITA/1).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
NGO Alternative Reports for Italy are not yet available.
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QATAR
INITIAL OPSC REPORT
On Wednesday 17th May, the Committee will examine the report submitted by Qatar under article 12 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/OPSC/QAT/1).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
NGO Alternative Reports for Qatar are not yet available.
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TURKEY
INITIAL OPSC REPORT
On Wednesday 17th May, the Committee will examine the report submitted by Turkey under article 12 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/OPSA/TUR/1).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
- Turkish NGO Report on the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography
By: International Children's Centre
Report in English
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BELGIUM
INITIAL OPAC REPORT
On Monday 15th May, the Committee will examine the report submitted by Belgium under article 8 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/OPAC/BEL/1).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
- La Politique du Gouvernement vis-à-vis des Enfants Soldats
By: Coalition belge contre l’utilisation d’enfants soldats
Report in Français / Flemish
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CANADA
INITIAL OPAC REPORT
On Wednesday 17th May, the Committee will examine the report submitted by Canada under article 8 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/OPAC/CAN/1).
ALTERNATIVE REPORTS
- Concerns about the Children Affected by the Activities of Canada's Armed Forces
By: Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children
Report in English
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CZECH REPUBLIC
INITIAL OPAC REPORT
On Wednesday 17th May, the Committee will examine the report submitted by the Czech Republic under article 8 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/OPAC/CZE/1).
ALTERNATIVE REPORT
NGO Alternative Reports for the Czech Republic are not yet available.
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EL SALVADOR
INITIAL OPAC REPORT
On Monday 15th May, the Committee will examine the report submitted by El Salvador under article 8 (1) of the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. The report is accessible in English, French and Spanish (CRC/C/OPAC/SLV/1).
ALTERNATIVE REPORT
NGO Alternative Reports for El Salvador are not yet available.
For more information on Alternative Reports, contact:
Laura Theytaz-Bergman, CRC/NGO Liaison Officer
NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child
PO Box 88, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 740 47 30; Fax: + 41 22 740 1145
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.crin.org/NGOGroupforCRC
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MONITORING OPTIONAL PROTOCOLS: Article by Jaap Doek
The Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Jaap Doek, recently wrote an article for the CRIN Newsletter on monitoring the two Optional Protocols. The Optional Protocols are crucial instruments as they spell out very clearly what obligations States parties have and what measures must be undertaken by them to protect children. "Laying down the law: first reactions to Optional Protocol reports" provides a checklist for NGOs by describing what legal requirements need to be in place.
As shown by session 41 and session 42, the first State reports on the two Optional Protocols – the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts (OPAC) and the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OPSC) – are starting to be submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, making initial observations possible.
Although a full assessment will come later, the opportunity for an earlier response has come about because working methods at the CRC Committee have speeded up, reducing backlogs. Since January 2006 the Committee reviews States parties’ reports in two chambers at the same time. This process enables the growing numbers of initial reports on the two Optional Protocols to be reviewed as well.
For more information, contact:
Child Rights Information Network
1 St John's Lane, London EC1M 4AR, UK
Tel: + 44 20 7012 6865; Fax: + 44 020 7012 6899
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.crin.org
Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infodetail.asp?id=8141
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NGO GROUP FOR THE CRC: Vacancy Announcement for a Coordinator
The NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child is a registered network with the mission to facilitate the promotion, implementation and monitoring of the CRC. It is a leading international forum for advocacy on children’s issues within and outside the United Nations. There are important developments within the United Nations human rights reform that may have serious implications for the advancement of child rights. The NGO Group is actively engaged in monitoring and influencing these processes to ensure that children’s rights and issues do not lose the gains made over the years. This coupled with the strong alliances with child rights NGOs/networks at regional, sub-regional and national levels on the CRC and other relevant themes places the NGO Group in a strong position to be a significant player in the global movement for child rights.
The NGO Group is seeking to recruit a new Coordinator to ensure that the organisation’s mission, strategies and programme plans are fulfilled with the full engagement of the Coordinating Committee (CoCo), staff and the membership of the network. The Coordinator will work under the overall management of the NGO Group’s Coordinating Committee and in collaboration with the employed staff at the NGO Group Secretariat.
Application deadline: 31 May 2006
For more information, contact:
NGO Group for the CRC
1, rue de Varembé, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: + 41 22 740 47 30; Fax: + 41 22 740 1145
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.crin.org/NGOGroupforCRC
Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=8199
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