CRC/C/LUX/CO/3-4
Below is a short summary of the key issues from the CRC's 64th session Concluding Observations for Luxembourg. Click on the link above for the full text, and here for the alternative reports submitted by NGOs and the CRC's Concluding Observations for other States it reviewed.
Administration of juvenile justice: The Committee reiterates its concern about the possibility of keeping a child in solitary confinement for up to 10 days. The Committee strongly recommends the State take immediate measures to ban solitary confinement of children.
Click here for a report on creating a non-violent juvenile justice system, and here for our child-friendly justice toolkit.
Right to be heard: The Committee is concerned that it is not compulsory for judges to listen to a child, and recommends the State ensure that the child to be heard in relevant legal and judicial proceedings, as per article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Read about more about child friendly justice, including children’s right to be heard in this context, in CRIN’s toolkit.
Corporal punishment: The Committee welcomes new legislation establishing a legal framework for child welfare and expressly prohibiting corporal punishment.
Click here for CRIN’s dedicated violence microsite.
Disabled children: The Committee recommends Luxembourg ensure the best interests of the child are the primary consideration when decisions are made about a disabled child’s education. It also recommends that legislation, policies and practices are revised to ensure equality so all children can enjoy their rights to health, leisure, play and culture.
See the CRC’s General Comment No. 9 on the rights of children with disabilities.
Access to information (sexual and reproductive health): The Committee encourages Luxembourg to implement its national programme and requests information about this program in the next periodic report. It also recommends that the State prevents and addresses unwanted pregnancies.
Read more about children’s right to access information about their health in CRIN’s submission for the 2013 Human Rights Council’s Annual day on the Rights of the Child on the right to health.
Refugee children and unaccompanied minors: The Committee notes that a significant number of unaccompanied minors leave Luxembourg before completing the asylum procedure. It is also concerned that detention of unaccompanied children is explicitly allowed pending removal from the territory. The Committee further recommends that Luxembourg consider establishing mechanisms to identify, at an early stage, children who may have been involved in armed conflict and/or may have been exploited by criminal groups in order to ensure their protection, recovery and reintegration.