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[3 April 2007] - The International Bureau for Children’s Rights (IBCR) has released today its second report on Making Children’s Rights Work analysing the status of implementation the Convention on the Rights of the Child that was unanimously adopted in November 1989 by the General Assembly of United Nations. This report feature five countries of North Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia. The report highlights that there have been significant accomplishments in these countries, particularly in the area of national legislation reform to ensure compatibility with the Convention and also the enjoyment by children of their rights to health and education – although there are still disparities between girls and boys and between urban and rural areas. The Constitutions of almost all the countries make references to the rights of children. There has also been good progress in the establishment at country level of an appropriate government structure to coordinate actions for the realisation of the children’s rights. The report also underlines that there has been little progress in creating at country level an independent institution to monitor compliance with the Convention principles, to promote and protect the children’s rights, although Morocco and Egypt have taken steps in that direction. Progress is somewhat limited in relation to the application of the best interests of the child and child participation principles, to listening to the child views and concerns and also in the area of protecting the child from all forms of discrimination. The study also underscores the serious efforts being made to promote a change of attitudes, cultural and traditional practices for ensuring the full respect of the rights of the children. Overall, the report shows that there have been some advances in the area of child protection but far more rigorous actions are needed to address factors that impede progress, including negative social attitudes, stigma, discrimination, taboo and cultural and traditional practices and beliefs. The enforcement of some of the new laws that protect children’s rights is also a significant challenge, according to the study. The report notes that committed political leadership in all five States gives high priority to children in national agendas, although the level of commitment may vary. This commitment, combined with a heightened awareness of children’s rights both within Government and civil society is a good foundation for progress in the effective implementation of the Convention through further legislative reforms and enactment of laws adopted, more and better policies and programmes specifically targeted the realisation of the children’s rights, and, most importantly, an increased allocation of resources to address the remaining challenges identified. Based on the findings of the study, IBCR concludes that the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in the five North African countries is work in progress with some challenges ahead that require further and more vigorous actions in some areas and also an enhanced partnership with civil society and the children themselves. Created in 1994 and based in Montreal, Canada, the International Bureau for Children’s Rights (IBCR) is an international non-governmental organisation with special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). IBCR's mission is to contribute to the promotion and protection of the rights of the child as laid out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The expertise of the Bureau resides in the sharing of knowledge and good practices and in the development of tools and models to inspire implementation of children’s rights. IBCR’s expertise also lies in raising awareness about children’s rights to persuade decision-makers to adopt laws and programmes that more effectively respect the rights of the child. Among its current programme, IBCR is bringing together concerned actors from government and civil society to document the nature and scope of child trafficking in Canada with the objective to develop an effective intervention strategy and implement measures to combat this phenomenon and, most importantly, to protect child victims. The Bureau continues to support the implementation of the UN Guidelines on Justice in Matters Involving Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime, which were elaborated under the initiative of IBCR to provide professionals working with child victims and witnesses of crime in ways to respect the rights of the child in their day-to-day activities. Further information: