CRC/C/OPAC/LAO/CO/1
Held by the Committee: 27 May 2015
Published by the Committee: 3 June 2015
Issues raised:
Age verification procedures:
The Committee reiterates its concern (CRC/C/LAO/CO/2, para. 34) that births in small isolated villages may not be registered due to communication difficulties or lack of knowledge of legal procedures on the part of parents and administrative authorities in villages, or the absence of a civil status registry in small rural districts. The Committee also regrets that parents from rural areas often have difficulty accessing the services that provide birth certificates, resulting in a situation which hinders effective age verification procedures. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned that the system for birth certificates in the State party has yet to be computerised. (para. 14)
Human rights education:
The Committee notes as positive the efforts of the State party to inculcate a culture of peace through its educational initiatives on the negative effects of the conflict. However, the Committee is concerned about the absence of clear modules on human rights education and international humanitarian law in the curricula of primary and secondary schools. (para. 16)
Criminal legislation and regulations in force:
The Committee notes that the State party’s Law on National Defence Obligations and Law on the People Security Protection Forces prohibits the recruitment of persons under the age of 18 years into the military. However, the Committee is concerned that this legislation does not explicitly provide for criminal liability for recruitment of children into the State military. The Committee is also concerned that there is no legislation explicitly criminalising the recruitment of children by non-State armed groups or private security services. (para. 18)
Extraterritorial jurisdiction and extradition:
The Committee is concerned that the State party does not exercise jurisdiction over violations of the Optional Protocol outside its territory. The Committee also regrets that extradition is subject to the double criminality requirement. (para. 20)
Measures adopted to protect the rights of child victims:
The Committee regrets the lack of mechanisms in place to identify children who may have been recruited or used in hostilities abroad, particularly among asylum-seeking, refugee, migrant and unaccompanied children present within the territory of the State party. (para. 22)
Land mines and unexploded ordinances:
While acknowledging the efforts of the State party to establish the National Regulatory Authority for Unexploded Ordinances and Mine Action, the Committee expresses its concern at the remaining high risk faced by children of being killed and/or maimed by mines and unexploded ordinances (UXO). It is further concerned that current programmes for mines and UXO victims do not sufficiently provide rehabilitation for child victims or address their specific needs. (para. 24)
