Committee on the Rights of the Child: 63rd Session

Summary: The Committee on the Rights of the Child will hold its 63rd Session from 27 May to 14 June 2013. Below are full details on the session, including the list of alternative reports submitted by NGOs.

The Committee on the Rights of the Child closed its 63rd session on 14 June after reviewing six States. Below you can view summaries of each review, alternative reports submitted by NGOs ahead of the session, as well as the reports submitted by States.

Concluding Observations / round-up

To view the Concluding Observations and a round-up of the discussions, view our "June at the UN" CRINmail.

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Coverage

14 June - Committee concludes session.

Read the closing press release, here.

7 June - Guinea-Bissau reviewed

The Committee was concerned about children with disabilities who suffered discrimination and violence; girls deprived of their right to education; widespread physical and sexual violence against children; child labour and the protection of the two most vulnerable groups of children: talibé children and children sent abroad.

6 June - Slovenia reviewed

The committee noted the lack of children's participation and in this regard expressed concerns about the implementation of the principle of best interest of the child. Concerns were also raised about refugee children in temporary refugee situations and about early marriages and access to health services for roma persons.

6 June - Uzbekistan reviewed

The Committee was concerned about children being recruited by armed forces and wanted to see the explicit criminalization of underage recruitment. Poverty and discrimination remains widespread, the Committee was particularly concerned about gender-based discrimination, especially in the family context. More here.

3 June - Israel reviewed

The Committee expressed its concern about the conditions of detainment of children, the use of violence against Palestinian children, the situation of children with disabilities, the lack of education particularly during military operations and the violation of the right to identity of Palestinian children. More here.

30 May - Armenia reviewed

The Committee expressed concerns about sexual exploitation of children and the situation of children enrolled in military schools. The experts were also concerned about the accuracy of information and data provided, especially concerning children in the armed forces and sexual exploitation. More here.

31 May - Rwanda reviewed

The Committee was primarily concerned about the recruitment of children by Congolese armed groups; the lack of birth certificates that potentially increases children being conscripted; the lack of provisions under the law regarding the sale of children and child forced labour and low or declining school attendance rates. More here.

27 May - Session opens

On the opening day of the session, the Committee elected Kirsten Sandberg of Norway as its new Chairperson and appointed Aseil Al-Shehail of Saudi Arabia, Benyam Dawit Mezmur of Ethiopia, Sara De Jesús Oviedo Fierro of Ecuador and Hiranthi Wijimanne of Sri Lanka as Vice-Chairpersons. Maria Herzog of Hungary was elected as Rapporteur. More here.

The new Chairperson said that the Committee is continuing to work on a draft joint General Comment on harmful practices in collaboration with the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

States under Review

The following States will be reviewed on their compliance with:

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

Armenia (Wiki country page) / Concluding Observations

Partnership for Open Society Justice Initiative
Submission to the Committee
International Baby Food Action Network
Situation of Infant and Young Child feeding in Armenia (Annex)
Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children
Suggestions submitted for the pre-session Committee Working Group

Guinea-Bissau (Wiki country page) / Concluding Observations

Coalition des Organisations de la Défense des Droits de l’Enfant en Guinée Bissau (CODEDIC-GB)
Submission to the Committee (in French). Read the English versionhere .

Israel (Wiki country page) / Concluding Observations