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Summary: A compilation of extracts featuring child-rights issues from the reports submitted to the Universal Periodic Review. There are extracts from the 'National Report', the 'Compilation of UN Information' and the 'Summary of Stakeholder's Information'. Also included is the final report and the list of accepted and rejected recommendations.
Micronesia - 9th Session - 2010
9 November, 2.30pm to 5.30pm
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National Report
UN Compilation
Stakeholder Compilation
Accepted and rejected recommendations
41. Primary schooling (grades 1-8) for children ages 6 to 13 is compulsory; while secondary schooling (grades 9-12) for ages 14-17 is non-compulsory. FSM is approaching universal school participation at the primary school with a gross and net enrolment ratio above 90 per cent.
43. High school education is free in all public high schools. The National Government pays a subsidy to private high schools to encourage in their continuing role to provide basic education to children.
46. Child is uniformly defined under the state laws of Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae and Yap as a person below 18 years of age. For Yap State, however, the term child may at times have a different meaning depending on its usage. For example, in a wrongful death claim involving a 19-year old girl who continued to live with her parents up to the time of her death, the FSM Supreme Court held that under Yapese custom, a 19-year old is considered as a child. Leeruw v. FSM, 4 FSM Intrm. 250 (Yap 1990).
47. FSM acceded to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on May 5, 1993. FSM also signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, on May 8, 2002. Domestic ratification process for the two Optional Protocols will be completed soon.
48. FSM’s obligations under the CRC are fulfilled through the various national and state legislations. State laws for Pohnpei, Kosrae and Chuuk require a person examining, attending, teaching or treating a child, and who has reason to believe that the child has suffered serious injury, to promptly make a report to the police. Civil and criminal immunity is granted by law to the reporter. Violation of a duty to report constitutes a crime. Moreover, Pohnpei has implemented a “no-drop policy” for criminal cases involving victims who are minors. Pursuant to such a policy, criminal charges are to be pursued in court whenever the victim involved is a minor.
49. Sale of cigarettes and tobacco products to a minor is prohibited. In the case of Yap, this prohibition applies to a person 17 years of age and younger. In Pohnpei, a person who owns, operates or controls a vending machine or other dispensing device that mechanically or electronically dispenses any tobacco product is required to maintain at all times physical supervision and control over such device to ensure that it is not used by a minor. Kosrae law specifically prohibits per-piece sale of cigarette.
50. Consumption by and sale of alcohol to a minor is prohibited by state law. For Kosrae and Pohnpei, sale of alcohol to persons below 21 years of age is prohibited.
51. Under Pohnpei State law, minors between ages 6 and 16 who do not attend, or who are habitually absent from, schools are considered as truants, for which the law provides a penalty. Parent, guardian or other person having responsibility for or care of minor whose attendance in school is compulsory shall be responsible for seeing that a minor is enrolled in school. In Chuuk, any person who is found to be encouraging, causing or contributing to delinquency of a child may be ordered by court after hearing to perform a specific act which falls within a duty owed to the child, and failure to perform as required by the court may constitute a basis for contempt of court proceeding.
52. Pohnpei law prohibits any juvenile from participating in any form of gambling, of which dice, playing cards, and billiards are examples, and in which stakes are money or property. A penalty is imposed on any person found to be encouraging, enticing or permitting a juvenile to violate the prohibition. In Kosrae, wagering by a minor is considered a misdemeanor. In Chuuk and Yap, gambling in any form except for charitable, educational or public fundraising purposes is prohibited by law.
53 The judicial procedures accord special treatment on minors, in that applicable procedures are made flexible whenever the defendant is a minor. The procedures to be applied are based on accepted practices of juvenile courts of the United States of America. An adjudication that a person is a delinquent child shall not constitute a criminal conviction under state law. A person adjudged to be a delinquent child may be confined in such place, under such conditions, and for such period as the court deems the best interests of the child require.
56. FSM data shows equality in school enrollment between males and females. The ratio of girls to boys in primary schooling increased from 0.92 to 0.94 between 1994 and 2000. In the secondary education the figures were 0.98 and 1.05, respectively. The indicator shows a ratio of 0.70 in 1994 and 1.07 in 2000 in tertiary education. Literacy rate (age 15 to 19) was 96.4 for females while it showed 94.5 per cent for males. The age group 20—24 years old showed a literacy rate of 95.6 per cent for females and 93.9 per cent for males in 2000literate females to males, ages 15-24 years was 96 per cent in 1994 and 97 per cent in 2000. The FSM Policy on compulsory education has assisted in female enrollments.
61. Pursuant to these goals, FSM implements an immunization program to avert the spread of major or communicable diseases. Children are required to complete immunization before attending schools. The government provides free services for this program. The state governments on the other hand provide indispensable role and assistance in the implementation of health programs in their respective jurisdiction.
62. Both infant mortality13 and immunization rates are sensitive indicators of access to essential primary health care services. Under-five mortality rate14 measures overall standard of living as young children are susceptible to diseases related to poverty, inadequate access to quality water and sanitation, and substandard housing.
63. Census data in 2000 showed a sharp decline in infant mortality between 1969 and 1976 (from 68 in 1969 to 40 in 1996). The results from 2010 Census will allow generating more accurate infant mortality rate estimates up to 2015. Estimates for the FSM based on census data reveal a similar pattern for the indicator under-five mortality rate. It decreased from 95 in 1969 to 52 in 1996. The proportion of two-year old children completing all immunizations decreased from 74 per cent in 1999 to 63.4 per cent in 2008. Administrative data showed a slight decrease in the proportion of two-year old children immunized against measles (from 93 per cent to 91 per cent between 1999 and 2008). It is noted however that there is difficulty in obtaining clear data on immunization of children due to movement of families either from the outer islands to the main islands or abroad, and vice versa.
86. As explained earlier in this report, the constitutions of the national and state governments afford broad application to protection of rights of children. In the areas of education and health, several statutory measures in place are geared towards protecting the interests and well-being of children, for example, compulsory education.
87. Nonetheless, certain gaps in the domestic laws exist wherein FSM recognizes needs and opportunities for improvement, particularly on inter-country adoption. It is further noted that anti-human trafficking measures, particularly as impacting on children’s rights, are yet to be legislated.
88. Similar to the challenges faced in implementing CEDAW, implementation of CRC needs data gathering for purposes of documentation and reporting, as well as to serve as a basis for policy formulation. It is envisaged that more capacity building initiatives and assistance, domestically and internationally, will be made available in order for FSM to achieve the objectives and ideals set by the CRC.
90. Micronesian families are characterized by extended family units, whereby spouses and children are protected. Harm or abuse committed against a family member is considered an offense against the whole family and not just against an individual member. Respect for elders is instituted as part of cultural tradition. Disrespect can lead to familial rebuke.
103. Under the FSM Special Education Act of 1993, FSM recognizes its obligation to provide special education and necessary supplementary services to children with disability. Special education program is a specially designed instruction at no cost to the parents to meet unique needs of children with disability, including instruction conducted in the classrooms, homes, hospitals and institutions. Children with disability includes individuals from birth through age 21 who are evaluated as having mental retardation, hearing and visual impairments, serious emotional disturbance, other health impairments, learning disabilities, deaf-blindness, or multiple impairments, and who because of those impairments need special services.
109. FSM needs to address social issues that impact mostly on student population and youth, such as teen pregnancy, alcohol, drugs, and truancy. There is no information indicating these issues to have reached a significant proportion, but the government will nonetheless take them into consideration as a preventive, if not remedial, strategy.
115. FSM will also take appropriate steps to progress in the ratification process for the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, which it signed on May 8, 2002; and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, which it signed on May 8, 2002.
1. In 1998, the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) encouraged the Federated States of Micronesia to accede to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR); the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD); the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or DegradingTreatment or Punishment (CAT); and the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption of 1993.
4. A 2007 UNDP/UNIFEM report indicated that through the national constitution of the Federated States of Micronesia, which is the basis for all legal authority, the power to legislate is divided between the national parliament and the state parliaments. In 1998, CRC was concerned at the disparities between the different states (Chuuk, Kosrae, Ponhpei and Yap) in terms of legislation and practices, as well as the insufficient coordination between the central level and the four states.
5. CRC was also concerned at the possible conflicts between customary and statutory law, in particular for marriage and adoption, and recommended harmonizing customary practices and law with the Convention. A 2007 UNDP/UNIFEM report noted that all states expressly recognize customary law in their constitutions.
6. CRC highlighted that domestic legislation did not fully conform to the provisions and principles of the Convention. In particular, it was concerned at the absence of legislation regulating child labour providing for a minimum age for employment, the absence of a clear definition of the minimum age for criminal responsibility, the low minimum age for sexual consent, the lack of harmonization between the different ages of sexual consent among the four states, and the lack of legislation on neglect, abuse and sexual exploitation. CRCrecommended that the Federated States of Micronesia initiate a comprehensive review of existing legislation, with a view to undertaking legislative reforms to ensure full conformity of its legislation with the Convention. Furthermore, it suggested that the country envisage the adoption of a specific code or legislation for children and adolescents, with a separate section on children who need special protection.
9. A 2007 UNDP/UNIFEM report indicated that there is a National Gender Office located in the Department of Health Education and Social Affairs. It added that the Office is not established by legislation and therefore is more easily subject to removal in times of economic or political upheaval. CRC expressed concerns at the lack of an operational budget for the President’s National Advisory Council for Children, its lack of human resources, and its unclear role in relation to the monitoring of all areas covered by the Convention and all groups of children. It recommended that the Advisory Council be provided with adequate financial and human resources in order to carry out its mandate and that its composition be broadened. It also stressed the need to strengthen the capacity of the Council to ensure coordination between all levels and to monitor and assess progress achieved and difficulties encountered in the realization of the rights recognized by the Convention, and in particular to monitor regularly the impact of economic transition on children.
11. In 1998, CRC recommended that the Federated States of Micronesia begin to develop a comprehensive system of collecting disaggregated data in order to gather all necessary information on the situation of children in the various areas covered by the Convention, including on children belonging to the most vulnerable groups. CRCalso encouraged it to pay particular attention to the full implementation of article 4 of the Convention concerning budgetary allocations, and to ensure appropriate distribution of resources at all levels. It highlighted that budget allocations should be ensured to the maximum extent of available resources and where needed within the framework of international cooperation, as well as in the light of the principles of non-discrimination and of the best interests of the child.
12. In 1998, CRC was concerned that the school curriculum did not include education on the rights of the child. In 2005, the Federated States of Micronesia adopted the United Nations Plan of Action (2005-2009) for the World Programme for Human Rights Education focusing on the national school system.
15. CRC was particularly concerned about the insufficient measures adopted to ensure the full enjoyment by girl children of the rights recognized in the Convention. It was also concerned at the difference between boys and girls with regard to the minimum age of marriage, and the existence of a caste system, especially in Yap State, and its incompatibility with the Convention. In 2009, UNESCAP indicated that in some parts of the Federated States of Micronesia, where more emphasis is placed on inherited chiefly status, a female born into a chiefly family may be considered of higher social standing than a male. Generally, however, gender inequalities still exist within society. CRC emphasized that the principle of non-discrimination, as provided under article 2 of the Convention, must be fully implemented, including with regard to the girl child and disparities between states and social status.
17. In 1998, concern was expressed by CRC about the lack of measures to protect children from harmful effects of the print, electronic and audiovisual media, in particular violence and pornography. It was also concerned at the insufficient awareness of and the lack of information on ill-treatment and abuse, including sexual abuse, both within and outside the family, at the absence of specific laws in all the states and of appropriate resources, both financial and human, as well as at the lack of adequately trained personnel to prevent and combat such abuse. It recommended that the Federated States of Micronesia take all appropriate measures, including revision of legislation, to prevent and combat ill-treatment within, inter alia, the family and institutions, and sexual abuse of children. It suggested that the authorities initiate a comprehensive study on abuse, ill-treatment and domestic violence, to improve the understanding of the nature and the scope of the problem and strengthen social programmes to prevent all types of child abuses as well as to rehabilitate the child victims.
19. In 1998, CRC expressed concerns about the limited access to justice and highlighted that adequate procedures and mechanisms to deal complaints of child ill-treatment should be developed.
20. CRC was also concerned at the absence of a clear definition for minimum age of criminal responsibility, as well as the apparent absence of special legal procedures for juvenile offenders. It recommended that legal reform in the field of administration of juvenile justice fully take into account the Convention , in particular articles 37, 39 and 40, as well as other relevant standards such as the Beijing Rules, the Riyadh Guidelines and the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty.
21. A 2007 UNDP/UNIFEM report indicated that the Federated States of Micronesia and the State of Yap have not legislated in the area of marriage. According to UNESCAP, the States of Kosrae, Chuuk and Pohnpei have specified 18 years as the age of marriage for males, but 16 years for females, which is not in compliance with CEDAW. If the female is under 18 years of age, the consent of either parent is required in all three states. This does not constitute full compliance with CEDAW, which would require the consent of both parents to ensure that the father does not assume the role of authority in such matters. UNESCAP added that in Chuuk and Pohnpei, customary marriages are valid and may therefore be conducted without adherence to these minimum ages for marriage.Further, bigamy was prohibited only in Pohnpei.
24. Concerns were expressed by CRC at the lack of conformity of the birth registration system with the Convention, as well as at the unreliability of the death registration system. It also noted with concern that both customary and statutory adoption, including intercountry adoption, did not conform fully with the Convention.
26. In 1998, CRC strongly encouraged the Federated States of Micronesia to strengthen cooperation with non-governmental organizations, in implementing the Convention. CRC also encouraged it to further develop a systematic approach to increasing public awareness of the participatory rights of children.
28. CRC recommended that further measures be taken to implement the provisions of article 32 of the Convention, including in relation to the minimum age for employment; and that efforts should be undertaken to prevent and combat economic exploitation or any work that is likely to be hazardous or to interfere with the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health or social development. It emphasized that particular attention should be paid to the conditions of children working with their families, in order to protect them.
29. UNDP noted that the extent of poverty and hardship within the Federated States of Micronesia rose between 1998 and 2005, and that while the cost of living was high the opportunities for income generation were low, especially in the rural parts of the country. The 2008-2012 CPAP indicated that due to lack of employment opportunities, increasing hardship and social instability, inequality has a disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups, such as rural poor, women and girls, who remain disadvantaged to varying degrees in education, access to labour markets and political representation as well as young people aged 15-24, who comprise almost half of the population.
31. A 2007 UNDP/UNIFEM report indicated that there was no comprehensive social security system in the Federated States of Micronesia. In 2007, UNDP indicated that rapid rural to urban migration was putting pressure on the provision of social services in the urban centres. It added that maternal mortality stood at 40 and neonatal child mortality at 12 per 1,000 live births, which is attributed to poor health services; inadequate nutritional intake; and the absence of family planning facilities, especially for pregnant women. According to UNDP, improving health infrastructure and training of health professional was urgently required to address maternal and child mortality for the achievement of MDGs. UNFPA indicated that the Federated States of Micronesia has made the development of its health workforce a priority and that a significant proportion of the health budget was spent on secondary level care and on off-island referrals for tertiary care.
32. In 1998, CRC was concerned at the prevalence of malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency, as well as at the limited access to safe water and adequate sanitation. UNICEF indicated that the proportion of children under five moderately or severely underweight was 15 per cent from 2003 to 2008, and that 94 per cent of the population was using improved drinking water sources in 2006.
33. CRC was concerned at problems of adolescent health, in particular the high and increasing rate of early pregnancies, the lack of access by teenagers to reproductive health education and services and the insufficient preventive measures on HIV/AIDS. It highlighted the high rate of suicides among teenagers, the incidence of drug and alcohol abuse among youth, and the insufficient social and medical programmes or services to tackle those issues. It suggested that the Federated States of Micronesia promote adolescent health policies by strengthening reproductive health education and services, and undertake a comprehensive and multidisciplinary study to understand the scope of the phenomenon of adolescent health problems such as early pregnancies and suicide. It alsorecommended undertaking further efforts for the prevention and care of adolescents’ health problems and for the rehabilitation of victims, and strengthening efforts to prevent and combat drug and substance abuse among children, while taking all appropriate measures including public information campaigns in the schools and elsewhere.
35. According to UNESCO, the Federated States of Micronesiaspends more than 6 per cent of its GDP on education. A 2007 UNDP/UNIFEM report noted that it guarantees free elementary education for all and established student loans for all young men and women to undertake higher education. Furthermore, all states introduced compulsory schooling at both primary and secondary levels and Pohnpei established a fund specifically for women’s vocational training. However, the report highlighted that girls and women continue to access education in lower numbers than boys and men. It added that the Federated States of Micronesia did not prohibit expulsion from school because of pregnancy, in non-compliance with CEDAW.
36. In 2008, UNDP noted that few students proceeded beyond the early years of secondary school and that many of those that do enter tertiary education fail to complete their training. It further noted that the poorest children frequently missed school due to ill-health or because school fees had not been paid, or families simply could not afford the costs of uniforms, books and other related costs. UNICEF indicated that the net enrolment ratio in primary education was 92 per cent from 2003-2008.
41. In 1998 CRC recommended that the Federated States of Micronesia seek technical assistance from relevant United Nations entities regarding economic exploitation, including child labour, and legal reform in the field of juvenile justice. It also encouraged it to seek technical assistance/cooperation regarding child victims of drug and substance abuse; data collection; and training of professional groups working with and for children.
1. Joint Submission 1 (JS1) noted that the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
5. JS2 recommended that the FSM include women’s rights in the educational curricula starting in primary school; implement regular and effective programs to raise men’s awareness about women’s rights and violence against women and take necessary legal actions against the perpetrators of violence. (unsure)
6. JS2 stressed that women and girls face discrimination within the family. Furthermore, they have unequal access to health care, education, vocational training, employment and income generation opportunities, and suffer from a lack of inclusion in social and community activities.
7. JS2 noted that following the “tradition” of bride price, girls are regarded as a valuable resource to be traded between groups of men as brides in exchange for payments, which nowadays include cash. It added that “culture” is frequently invoked as justification for discrimination against women and girls, and even violent and abusive treatment. However, the “customs” and “traditions” invoked are often distorted versions of the original, which have been modified to suit the needs of the males in the family.
8. JS2 recommended that the FSM eliminate all practices that discriminate against women, and promote their economic security. It also recommended improving the status of girls, through special education and public information efforts to promote equal treatment of girls and boys with respect to nutrition, health care, education and social, economic and civil rights, including equitable heritable rights.
10. According to JS2, the dynamics around child sexual abuse make it go unnoticed and grossly under-reported. Sexual abuse is surrounded by a culture of silence and stigma, especially when it occurs within the home. If the perpetrator is a family member, then there is a strong element of denial and guilt and preserving or protecting the 'good' name and honour of the family becomes the number one priority of adults. When the perpetrator is a powerful member of the community, there are major challenges for effective prevention, reporting, care and management. In this context, the rights of children are often sacrificed to protect the honour of the group (family, clan, community, religious group, school, etc) and the character of the abuser. JS2 added that there are no specific laws against rape, domestic violence or child and women sexual abuse. Furthermore, there is an absence of foster homes or separate homes for abused children and shelters for women.
11. JS2 recommended that the FSM undertake comprehensive measures to eliminate all forms of exploitation, abuse, harassment and sexual violence against women, adolescents and children, and to assure that full assistance is provided to victims for their physical and mental rehabilitation. JS2 also recommended establishing accessible mechanisms for school girls to make confidential complaints regarding sexual harassment or violence by other students, teachers, staff or principals and to ensure the prompt and effective investigation of such complaints, as well as prompt and appropriate disciplinary action against perpetrators, including counselling, suspension, termination and prosecution, bringing criminal charges where necessary.
12. Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children (GIEACPC) indicated that corporal punishment is lawful in the home.20 GIEACPC also stated that corporal punishment is prohibited in schools, but that it had been unable to ascertain if this was by policy or law, and there is no mention of corporal punishment or school discipline in the State Codes of Yap, Pohnpei and Kosrae, or the draft State Code of Chuuk. According to GIEACPC, in the penal system, corporal punishment is unlawful as a sentence for crime, but it is not explicitly prohibited as a disciplinary measure in penal institutions. GIEACPC also noted that there is no prohibition of corporal punishment in alternative care settings. It strongly recommended that the Government enact and implement legislation to ensure complete prohibition of corporal punishment of children.
13. JS2 recalled that early and forced marriages persist in the FSM and that a significant age gap between an older husband and his young wife are considered culturally acceptable. JS2 added that the imposition of early marriages results in early pregnancies and affects the psychological and sexual health and rights of women and their economic and social progress, as well as encouraging discrimination against girls. It also noted other problems associated with early marriage, such as early divorces that result on account of incompatibility.
14. JS2 recommended the FSM, inter alia, promote laws ensuring that women enter into marriage with free and full consent, and design and implement rules and regulations for marriage registration. It added that those who force their daughters to marry in their childhood and those who marry underage girls should be legally prosecuted.
15. JS2 further recommended that the FSM implement public awareness-raising campaigns on early and forced marriage throughout the country, particularly in the rural areas, and increase the general level of awareness about the harms caused by child marriage. Awareness programmes should clearly explain the stance of the government and the law in this regard, and people should be informed that the government will prosecute violators of marriage laws. JS2 also recommended promoting equal participation of men and women in family and household responsibilities and sexual reproductive health, throughout legislation and fostering an enabling environment.
19. JS2 noted that the effects of poverty fall heavily on women and girls, leaving them very vulnerable to various forms of exploitation and exposed to greater risk of physical and sexual abuse. JS2 added that although the FSM has integrated reproductive health services into the primary health care system, women and adolescents still lack access to sexual and reproductive facilities and information. According to JS2, contraceptive and family planning information are not sufficiently widespread to allow women to choose and to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Further, reproductive health services are characterized by inadequately trained personnel, low staff capacity and insufficient resources to strengthen the quality of services.
20. JS2 noted that even girls who have access to education are usually not taught about reproductive health. It observed that traditional beliefs and practices, social taboos and inadequate health care facilities are factors that inhibit young people from seeking reproductive and sexual health services and put them at risk of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and STI/HIV infections. In addition, existing services are adult-oriented and do not offer young people the opportunity to discuss their sexual and reproductive health needs and concerns freely.
22. JS2 recommended, inter alia, that the FSM ensure the widest and earliest possible access by girls and women to secondary and higher levels of education, vocational education and technical training; provide economic assistance to encourage parents to keep girls in school, which will also reduce child labour and early marriage; and, in the same way, create scholarship programmes to help poor families to keep their children in school.
25. JS2 noted that the FSM faces a number of problems rooted in its traditions and culture, including lack of education, gender discrimination, gender based violence, and poverty. In this context, negative traditional practices adversely affect the health of women and children and violate their physical integrity and fundamental rights.
Accepted and Rejected Recommendations
The following recommendations were accepted:
61.2. Consider ratifying the remaining United Nations core treaties, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and conclude the ratification of the two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Brazil).
61.5. Ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Optional Protocol thereto, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms Discrimination against Women, and the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Spain).
61.9. Consider acceding to covenants on human rights such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Germany).
61.11. Fully accede to the principles of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Protocol), with a view to providing effective protection for victims of trafficking and punishing the perpetrators of this crime (Mexico).
61.12. Accede to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and implement the Protocol in its domestic law, with penalties commensurate with this serious crime (New Zealand).
61.28. Adopt laws against domestic violence and against the sexual abuse of women and children (Slovenia).
61.29. Pass a comprehensive anti-trafficking law applicable in the Federated States of Micronesia, and promptly ratify the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (United States).
61.31. Implement the outstanding legislative and administrative reforms required under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular all the necessary measures to prevent and address violence against children and child abuse (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland).
61.32. Adopt legislation against child exploitation and sexual abuse, along with measures to disseminate information about the legislation to the population (Canada).
61.33. Continue to develop legislation in order to adapt it to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular in areas such as the care of children who are without protection, protection against abuse and sexual exploitation, birth registration, the prohibition of child labour, the minimum age for criminal responsibility and the administration of justice for minors (Spain).
61.36. Adopt laws banning child labour and define the minimum age for criminal responsibility, in conformity with the provisions of the international norms related to human rights (France).
61.37. Define the minimum age for criminal responsibility in compliance with international standards (Slovakia).
61.38. Set a minimum age for criminal responsibility, as well as special procedures for minor offenders (Ecuador).
61.47. Report regularly to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Committee on the Rights of the Child (Slovenia).
61.55. Continue implementing measures in its ongoing efforts to eliminate discrimination and all forms of violence against women and children, and, in particular, undertake appropriate measures to prevent and combat ill treatment, sexual abuse and violence against children, as well as rehabilitate child victims (Thailand).
61.64. Take all appropriate measures, including the revision of legislation, the initiation of a comprehensive study on child abuse, ill treatment and domestic violence, to prevent and combat ill treatment within, inter alia, the family and institutions, as well as the sexual abuse of children (Slovakia).
61.66. Intensify measures to prevent and combat mistreatment and sexual abuse against boys and girls in accordance with recommendations by the Committee on the Rights of the Child (Chile).
The following recommendations were rejected:
61.65. Improve services for victims of family violence, including the provision of separate homes for children away from abusive family members, and shelters for women (New Zealand).
The following recommendations were left pending or no clear position was given:
92.12. Withdraw reservations to CRC (Ecuador).
61.34. Undertake a legal reform on the issues of the neglect, abuse and sexual exploitation of children, the lack of conformity of the birth registration system, the absence of legislation on child labour, and the non-existence of a clear definition of the minimum age for criminal responsibility (Hungary).
61.35. Adopt labour laws and social security norms in accordance with international protection standards, criminalize sexual abuse, and adequately regulate child labour (Ecuador).
92.40. Take measures to reduce widespread child labour.