Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: CRIN is contacting all candidates standing for election to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in December 2010. We are asking them about their experience in children's rights, what they think they can contribute to the Committee, what they think about key issues, their vision for the Committee and, importantly, how they see NGOs' role.
Kamel Filali, 58, from Algeria, is a Professor of International Law at the University of Constantine. He has served on the Committee on the Rights of the Child since 2003. Mr Filali has also been a Professor at the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg and the National Magistrates Institute. He is also a member of the National Advisory Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights of Algeria and a member of the newly created African Union Commission of International Law. Click here to view Mr Filali's CV. Why do you want to serve on the Committee on the Rights of the Child? My first term on the Committee has provided me with valuable experience of how it operates, and has confirmed to me that the Committee is a good tool to bring about positive change. I want to build on the work I have already started, in particular my work with NGOs and National Human Rights Institutions, the work I am doing as a member of the task-force on the relationship between the CRC and CEDAW, my work as a member of the African Committee of experts identifying common points between this Convention and the CRC, and my role as a member of the working group on juvenile justice where I have already contributed by producing UNCRC General Comment number 10. I want to continue all this work and believe my experience will help the Committee with its tremendous work and objectives. What do you think you can contribute to the Committee's work? I feel I can contribute in two major ways. Firstly, through intervening in State reviews in the Committee sessions and also in sub-regional meetings on the implementation of the Concluding Observations of the CRC. The second major way I can contribute is through conferences and seminars to engage with representatives from States, national institutions and civil society and encourage them to develop methods of work for the implemenation of the Convention. Which issue in children's rights do you feel needs more attention? I think there are a few key issues, notably reducing poverty, education, health, juvenile justice and civil rights and freedoms. I believe you can't separate them as they are all interconnected. If we segregate the issues, we reduce the importance of one right over another. What has been the best achievement of your career? As a Committee member, our Concluding Observations have brought about changes. Many countries have withdrawn reservations to the CRC as a result of our work and the constructive dialogue we have with them. We have encouraged States to report and implement the Convention and Concluding Observations more effectively and I have played my part in this. What is your vision for the Committee? How could it be more effective? The Committee needs to increase further the quality of its Concluding Observations, and more human resources need to be given to its Secretariat. The back log is one of the problems the Committee needs to address in order for it to carry out all its activities to the best of its ability. What do you think the biggest challenge the Committee faces is? There are several key challenges. Firstly, to see that the Convention is implemented. The CRC is almost universally ratified but implementation is the key now, this area is crucial. This process will be enhanced by the withdrawal of reservations. Secondly, to engage with business enterprises and other actors and make them more sensitive to children and their rights. Thirdly, to engage with all stakeholders, not just the likes of UNICEF, and WHO but also the World Bank and IMF, and ensure that all institutions and bodies respect children's rights in their work and agreements. How do you think the Committee could work more effectively with NGOs? NGOs are essential for the process. Without them, the Committee would not work. The relationship between the Committee and the NGOs is already good, they are always present at the reviews and involved in work on General Comments and general discussion days. But there is more to be done, we need to evaluate together the existing relationship and see how we can improve it. If you weren't working in children's rights, what would you be doing? Looking after my children and practising the Convention concretely! How would you sum up children's rights in one word? Inherent rights not acquired rights.