Summary: Conclusions and recommendations
adopted by the committee on the
Rights of the Child including the
General discussion on "the role of
the family in the promotion of the
rights of the child" (para 183 –201),
p. 35-37, list of documents
contributed for the day : October
1994 (Annex VI) pp.74-78
Report on the seventh session of the Committee on the Rights of
the Child
This extract also includes the meeting with the UN expert on the
impact of armed conflict on children (176 –178), p.34 and an
overview of the thematic issues of the committee.
CRC/C/34
8 November 1994
COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Extract of the Report on the seventh session
(Geneva, 26 September-14 October 1994)
IV. OVERVIEW OF THE OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE . . .
D. Meeting with the United Nations expert on the impact of armed
conflict on children (paragraph 176 -178), p. 34
F. General discussion on the role of the family in the promotion of
the rights of the child (paragraph 183 -201), p.35
Annexe VI. General discussion on the role of the family in the
promotion of the rights of the child, 10 October 1994: list of
documents contributed, p. 74
full Text
IV. OVERVIEW OF THE OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE . . .
D. Meeting with the United Nations expert on the impact of armed
conflict on children
176. In accordance with General Assembly resolution 48/157,
Mrs. Graça Machel, was appointed by the Secretary-General to
undertake a major study on the situation of children affected by
armed conflicts.
177. In the same resolution, the Assembly called upon the
Committee on the Rights of the Child also to contribute to the
study, in particular in view of the fact that the study had been
recommended by the Committee following the general thematic
discussion held on the issue.
178. Mrs. Machel held an important meeting with the Committee
in which she stressed that there was a clear recognition on the
part of the international community of the catastrophic conditions
to which children have been and continue to be exposed, both as
targets and perpetrators of the atrocities of war. Following an
exchange of views on the main topics to be addressed by the
study, Mrs. Machel expressed her willingness to maintain close
cooperation with the Committee within the framework of her
mandate.
F. General discussion on the role of the family in the promotion of
the rights of the child
183. In view of the importance it attaches to the enhancement of
a deeper understanding of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child, and taking into account the fact that 1994 had been
proclaimed as the International Year of the Family, the Committee
had decided to devote one day of its seventh session
to a general discussion on the role of the family in the promotion
of the rights of the child.
184. Several organizations had submitted documents on the
theme. The list of these documents is to be found in annex VI to
the present report.
185. Representatives of the following organizations and bodies
made statements on the day of the general discussion:
United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women,
United Nations Children’s Fund,
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,
International Labour Organisation,
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,
World Health Organization,
The Hague Conference on Private International Law,
Anti-Slavery International,
Associated Country Women of the World,
Children’s Rights Development Unit,
Epoch Worldwide,
Foundation for the Protection of Children Damaged from the State
of Emergency,
International Catholic Child Bureau,
International Federation Terre des Hommes,
International Movement ATD
Fourth World,
London Black Women’s Health Action,
National Children’s Bureau,
Radda Barnen International,
Women Living Under Muslim Law.
The Coordination of the International Year of the Family also
made a statement.
186. The general discussion was framed by the outline which had
been prepared by the Committee on the "Role of the family in the
promotion of the rights of the child". Two main issues were
addressed: the evolution and importance of the family, stressing
the diversity of family structures arising from different cultural
patterns and emerging family relationships, and
civil rights and freedoms within the family, including the right to
be registered with a name, to a nationality, to preserve the
child’s identity and not to be subjected to any form of mental or
physical violence.
187. In their interventions the participants emphasized some of
these issues, calling attention to the positive role the Convention
has played in promoting the consideration of the rights of the
child, the rights and responsibilities of parents and other family
members, and the need to tackle situations in which the human
dignity of the child may not be fully respected.
Representatives of United Nations bodies and specialized
agencies stressed the essential value of the Convention as a
framework for shaping and implementing their respective
programmes designed to improve the situation of
the family and to promote the protection of the rights of its
members.
188. At the conclusion of the general discussion, the Committee
reached some preliminary conclusions, which are summarized
below.
189. The general discussion on the role of the family in the
promotion of the rights of the child has allowed for extensive
consideration of a diversity of issues relating to the
responsibilities and rights of parents, the support and assistance
to be provided by the State to families and their individual
members, to the situation and the fundamental rights and
freedoms of children within the overall framework of the family.
1. What is the family?
190. On the basis of the different interventions, it would seem
hard to argue for a single notion of the family. Through the
influence of economic and social factors, and of the prevailing
political, cultural or religious traditions, the family has been
shaped in a diversity of ways and naturally faces different
challenges or living conditions. Would it therefore
be acceptable to consider that only some kinds of family or family
situations deserve assistance and support from the State and
society i.e., nuclear, extended, biological, adoptive or single-
parent families?
Could it be considered that only in certain circumstances would
the family or family life have decisive social value?
On the basis of what criteria: legal, political, religious or other?
Would it be possible to favour a perspective where only
under certain conditions would children be given the opportunity
to enjoy rights which, in fact, are inherent to the dignity of their
human nature?
191. All these questions seem to place the essential value of the
principle of non-discrimination in the forefront of the general
discussion.
2. What is the child within the family?
192. Traditionally, the child has been seen as a dependent,
invisible and passive family member. Only recently has he or she
become "seen" and, furthermore, the movement is growing to
give him or her the space to be heard and respected. Dialogue,
negotiation, participation have come to the forefront of common
action for children.
193. The family becomes in turn the ideal framework for the first
stage of the democratic experience for each and all of its
individual members, including children. Is this only a dream or
should it also be envisaged as a precise and challenging task?
194. It is well known that much remains to be done. In view of
the external circumstances surrounding the family and the
tensions arising therein, be they economic, social or cultural,
situations still often occur in which the child is supposed to work
for and with the family, the girl is expected to take care of her
siblings and replace the mother in all the tasks of the household,
encouraged at an early stage to prepare for her "role" as a
mother, etc. Children are often abused, neglected, and their right
to physical integrity ignored, on the assumption that the privacy
of the family automatically confers on parents the ability to make
correct and informed judgements with respect to the
"responsible upbringing of future citizens".
195. The hope was expressed that, by adhering to the essential
principle of the best interests of the child and making use of
active campaigns of awareness, information and education, it will
be possible to change prevailing prejudices and cultural or
religious traditions which are contrary to the dignity of the child,
detrimental to the child’s harmonious development or prevent
the effective enjoyment of the fundamental rights by children.
3. What is the child in the absence of a family?
196. The discussion also addressed the "usually forgotten"
question of what is the reality of a child, in the absence of a
family?
In such cases, would the system of protection be improved?
Would the best interests of the child ever be assessed?
Would there be any room for the participation of the child?
Would there be anyone to listen?
Would it be possible to prevent and combat discrimination?
In short, would it ever be possible to address seriously the
situation of these children within the framework of fundamental
human rights and freedoms?
197. All these questions are a natural encouragement to further
elaboration, to further studies and discussions, and to concrete
programmes and strategies both at the national level and within
the framework of international cooperation. For all of them, the
Convention was reaffirmed as the common reference and the
inspiring document. The Convention is, furthermore, the most
appropriate framework in which to consider, and to ensure
respect for, mthe fundamental rights of all family members, in
their individuality.
198. Children’s rights will gain autonomy, but they will be
especially meaningful in the context of the rights of parents and
other members of the family - to be recognized, to be respected,
to be promoted. And this will be the only way to promote them
status of, and the respect for, the family itself.
199. The Committee expressed the hope that the debate may
have played a catalysing role in the future consideration and
action in this important issue.
200. The follow-up to be ensured in the future, both by the
Committee and all other partners, in the implementation of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child, will contribute to further
developing the important conclusions of this general thematic
discussion.
201. In view of the contributions made and the importance of the
realities considered, the Committee decided to ensure a follow-up
to its general discussion and prepare to that purpose a working
paper to be discussed during its eighth session, scheduled to
take place in January 1995.
Annex IV
1994 - OVERVIEW OF THE IMPORTANT STEPS TAKEN IN THE FIELD
OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
-THEMATIC ISSUES OF INTEREST TO THE COMMITTEE
As in previous years, it becomes extremely difficult to select the
issues to be considered, in view of the long list of subjects under
discussion before other entities of the United Nations relevant to
the work of the Committee.
On the one hand, the Convention is being affirmed as a natural
reference for studies and reports undertaken; on the other, the
activities developed very often pertain to children and the
enjoyment of their rights. A significant example is the set of
Guidelines on Protection and Care of Refugee Children,
published by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,
fully inspired by the Convention and shaped in the light of its
general principles. This book undeniably shows that it is
possible, effective and meaningful to use the Convention as a
framework for action and to foster international cooperation.
At the special session of the Committee held in April, we already
had the opportunity to study some resolutions adopted by the
Commission on Human Rights in the areas of children in armed
conflicts, sale of children, child prostitution and pornography, as
well as the situation of children who to survive are forced to live
or work on the streets. The position of the Committee on those
three areas, which was widely considered in the two thematic
general discussions it has held in the past, is reflected in the
report of the session.m Now, it is important to note that the two
working groups established by the Commission, to consider the
drafting of an optional protocol raising the minimum age of
recruitment into armed forces up to 18 years, as well as the
one entrusted with the task of elaborating guidelines for a
possible draft optional protocol on the sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography, will soon meet in Geneva. 9/
In the meantime, it is interesting to note that such realities were
also considered by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of
Discrimination and
Protection of Minorities, through its Working Group on
Contemporary Forms of Slavery. States were particularly urged to
introduce and reinforce education programmes alerting children
to the risk of sexual exploitation and the consequences for
individuals and for society of such exploitation, as well as to
adopt programmes designed to protect minors from exposure to,
or involvement in, child pornography.
But the important development I would like to emphasize at this
stage is the appointment by the Secretary-General of Mrs. Graça
Machel, from Mozambique, to undertake the major study
requested by our Committee on the situation of children affected
by armed conflicts. Although recently appointed, it is hoped that a
preliminary document will be soon submitted by Mrs. Machel
during the next session of the General Assembly.
As you will recall, according to the resolution adopted last year by
the General Assembly, the Committee on the Rights of the Child is
requested to contribute to this study. We will therefore have the
opportunity of following up on our previous deliberations in this
field, [which took place] both during the relevant thematic
general discussion and as a preparation for the World
Conference on Human Rights.
A. Administration of juvenile justice
This has undoubtedly been a crucial field of our activities. For that
reason, we have often reaffirmed our decisive interest in
participating in the meeting of experts on the application of
international standards concerning the human rights of detained
juveniles. 10/ Following previous decisions of the Sub-
Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of
Minorities and the Commission on Human Rights, the seminar will
take place from 31 October to 4 November 1994, in
Vienna. It will be hosted by the Austrian Government and
organized in cooperation with the Centre for Human Rights, the
Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Branch and UNICEF. It is
hoped that the recommendations to be adopted at the end of the
meeting will be of great value to the promotion of the situation
of children involved with the system of the administration of
juvenile justice, as well as to the serious consideration of the
United Nations standards in the field.
For its part, the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination
and Protection of Minorities recently adopted a new resolution on
the situation of children deprived of their liberty.
Recalling the great vulnerability of such juveniles to various forms
of abuse, neglect and injustice and the profound and indelible
impact of such traumatic experiences on their developing
personalities, and reiterating its deep concern about the
situation of children deprived of their liberty, the Sub-Commission
invited the Committee on the Rights of the Child
to give priority to an in-depth examination of the topic "situation
of children deprived of their liberty". In my opinion, it would seem
extremely timely to devote one of our future general discussions
to this precise issue. While echoing our continuous concern for
this area where the special protection of children is
absolutely needed, and benefiting from considerable experience
arising from the consideration of an important number of States
parties reports, we would benefit from the outcome of the
Vienna meeting which will certainly offer a very special occasion
to prepare this event and to reassure us of its success.
B. Violence against children
In the framework of its mandate, the Committee has paid
particular attention to the child’s right to physical integrity. In the
same spirit, it has stressed that corporal punishment of children
is incompatible with the Convention and has often proposed the
revision of existing legislation, as well as the development of
awareness and educational campaigns, to prevent child abuse
and the physical punishment of children. This has been a concern
shared by different entities of the United Nation, often linked with
the promotion of the status of the girl child and the persistence
of traditional practices affecting the girl’s health. In fact, the last
General Assembly has adopted an important Declaration
on the Elimination of Violence against Women, 11/ which
specifically identifies a wide range of realities such as violence
within the family, sexual abuse of female children within the
household, and female genital mutilation. It emphasizes the
importance of preventing such situations, as well as protecting
and rehabilitating the victims. Moreover, it requests the
United Nations bodies, including the treaty bodies to foster their
coordination and address this matter effectively.
For its part, the Commission on Human Rights appointed a Special
Rapporteur on violence against women, 12/ recalling that the
human rights of women and of the girl child are an inalienable,
integral and indivisible part of universal human rights.
The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
adopted at its third session, held in April, still another resolution
13/ on this theme. In this text, it has specifically stressed the
importance of article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child. Furthermore, it has called upon States to take all possible
steps to eliminate violence against children in accordance with
the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to disseminate
information on this instrument and to promote its understanding,
and to withdraw their reservations which may be relevant to the
issue of violence against children and that are contrary to the
object and purpose of the Convention or otherwise incompatible
with international treaty law. It is hoped that, as requested by
the Commission, its cooperation with the Committee on the
Rights of the Child will be strengthened in the near future. The
Sub-Commission paid special attention to the question of
traditional practices affecting the health of children, as well as to
the status of the girl child. In fact, having considered the
conclusions of the second United Nations Regional Seminar, held
in July, it decided to adopt a Plan of Action on Traditional
Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children. Moreover,
the Sub-Commission has decided to consider the human rights of
the girl child under every item of its agenda as well as in all
studies undertaken by the Sub-Commission.
C. Minorities
The protection of minorities continues to deserve essential
attention by the different entities of the United Nations. In fact,
both the Human Rights Committee and the Sub-Commission on
Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities have
debated at length the question of their rights and the
implementation of those rights. The Human Rights Committee has
recently adopted a general comment, interpreting article 27 of
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This is
naturally an important reference document that will
deserve careful consideration by our Committee. Let me point
out, for the moment, some important steps reflected therein:
(a) The rights recognized by the Covenant are available to all
individuals within the territory and subject to the jurisdiction of
the State except rights which are expressly made to apply to
citizens, as in the case of political rights; they are also available
to non-permanent residents, such as migrant workers or visitors
to a State party constituting a minority;
(b) Although expressed in negative terms, article 27 nevertheless
does recognize the existence of a right and requires that it not
be denied; consequently, a State party is under the obligation to
ensure that the existence and the exercise of this right are
protected against their denial or violation, positive measures
being also required;
(c) Although the rights protected are individual rights, they
depend in turn on the ability of the minority group to maintain its
culture, language or religion; accordingly, positive measures by
States may be necessary to protect the identity of the minority
and the rights of its members;
(d) The protection of these rights is directed to ensuring the
survival and continued development of the cultural, religious and
social identity of the minorities concerned, thus enriching the
fabric of the society
as a whole.
For its part, the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination
and
Protection of Minorities, following the study of Asbjørn Eide on the
prevention of discrimination and protection of minorities, and
recalling the
significant contributions made by various treaty bodies, including
the
Committee on the Rights of the Child, recommended the
establishment of a
working group designed, inter alia, to review the practical
application of the
Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or
Ethnic,
Religious and Linguistic Minorities, adopted in 1992 by the
General Assembly.
This new mechanism, if adopted by ECOSOC, will allow for the
monitoring of the
implementation of the declaration.
D. Economic, social and cultural rights
The field of economic, social and cultural rights is probably the
one in
which the widest variety of relevant actions has taken place in
the past year.
Several resolutions were adopted, studies undertaken, thematic
discussions
held, not to mention the preparatory process for the World
Summit for Social
Development.
The situation of children living in extreme poverty is gaining a
growing
interest. For this reason, 1996 will be the International Year for
the
Eradication of Poverty. In the Commission on Human Rights, our
Committee was
encouraged to continue to take this reality into consideration
with a view to
promoting the enjoyment by all children of all rights recognized in
the
Convention on the Rights of the Child. 14/ The general discussion
to be
held soon on the role of the family in the promotion of the rights
of the
child will surely be a special occasion to reaffirm our concern and
develop
our recommendations towards the consideration of this crucial
area.
Connected with this reality, it is worth mentioning the attention
paid by
the Sub-Commission on the right to adequate housing. Following
the study
prepared by one of its members, it stressed that one of the areas
where the
indivisibility and interdependence of human rights and of the
rights of
children become more apparent is with respect to the existence
of widespread
poverty leading to inadequate housing and living conditions. In
this spirit,
the Sub-Commission requested the Committee on the Rights of
the Child to give
special attention to the issue of the housing rights of children and
their
families when examining States parties reports, as well as to
devote one day
of general discussion to the impact of poverty and inadequate
living and
housing conditions on the economic, social and cultural rights of
children.
In the light of this specific request, the Committee might wish to
include this important issue in its list of topics for study. Such an
action
might foster the attention given by all competent bodies to this
challenging
area, as well as to gather more information on the steps taken in
this field.
Positive events are, in fact, already taking place, as is the case of
the
recent decision of the Inter-American Development Bank to assist
in
non-reimbursable financing of thousands of Latin American
children living in
extreme poverty and lacking stable homes.
As we had announced at a previous session, the Committee on
Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights held a thematic discussion on the role
of social
safety nets as a means of protecting economic, social and cultural
rights,
with particular reference to situations involving major structural
adjustment
and/or transition to a free market economy, a key issue in our
consideration
of States parties reports and in particular the way they
implement article 4
of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
During the discussion, the Committee stressed that structural
adjustment
and transition policies pertain to any country in the world and are
not
imposed by external forces - Governments are, in fact, the ones
who decide
that there is a need to restructure and adapt their economies.
The Committee also recognized that international organizations
are
focusing too much on their own mandates, which are not defined
in terms of
human rights. It recalled, however, that the starting point should
always be
the access to a minimum level of enjoyment of fundamental
economic and social rights, and that both the International
Monetary Fund and the World Bank should insist on the
responsibility of States to respect human rights and empower
their people.
Moreover, it stated that if a structural adjustment programme
entails privatizing part of the economy or of the social
programme, or limiting social expenditure, and as a result leaves
more people in poverty and gives fewer people access to health
care and education, such a programme is a failure.
It is interesting to note that both IMF and UNDP took part in the
discussion. IMF stressed that its purpose was not to promote
growth but to halt deterioration, being interested in providing
opportunities for all sectors of society. For its part, UNDP
considered structural adjustment policies as necessary steps
towards economic recovery. It stressed, however, that
development had to be measured not only in terms of per capita
income, but also in terms of realization of the rights to health
care or education enshrined in human rights instruments. For this
reason, it proposed a multidisciplinary approach and links
between the bodies dealing with economic issues and those
dealing with human rights. In the course of the discussion it was
often stated that human rights must take precedence over
economic values, even in periods of economic difficulties.
Furthermore, it was recognized that the concept of social
safety nets was potentially negative, since it assumed that the
poorest members of society would bear the brunt of the social
costs involved in market-oriented policies. These considerations
bring me to the World Summit for Social Development.
This is one of the main events scheduled to take place in 1995, in
which the Committee has already expressed the intention of
participating. 15/In fact, it builds upon the World Summit for
Children and the World
Conference on Human Rights which have had a natural impact on
our work. To confirm the importance of this meeting, it would be
sufficient to mention the statement made by the Secretary-
General of the United Nations to the Preparatory Committee held
last January in New York. According to Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali,
"the level of social development in a society can be measured by
the status of women and children in that society". Some human
rights bodies have voiced some unhappiness with the
insufficient emphasis given, in the different preparatory sessions,
to human rights, and in particular to economic, social and cultural
rights. In fact, the Sub-Commission has recently suggested that
the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights act as the
monitoring body for the plan of action to be adopted by the
Summit, a proposal the Committee itself had previously
formulated.
Without taking a stand on this particular proposal, it is none the
less important that the Summit interacts with the existing human
rights bodies within the United Nations system, and naturally
takes into consideration the work developed by them. And, in
reality, the draft declaration and programme of action to be
adopted by the Summit, recently prepared in New York, stress
that the Summit provides an occasion, in the year of the fiftieth
anniversary of the United Nations, to provide a new expression of
the determination of the peoples of the United Nations to
promote social progress and better standards of life in larger
freedom.
These two documents deserve very careful study by our
Committee. In any case, it is important to stress the emphasis
put on solidarity, responsibility and freedom as essential values
of our societies.
In the light of such values, it is recognized that it is unacceptable
that those who are least able to adjust to change, bear the
greatest burden of the economic and social transformation of the
world. "To reduce social inequalities and to achieve sustainable
development is a measure of our solidarity as individuals,
members of society and of the international community".
Similarly, it is stated that addressing disparities among countries
and forging genuine international economic cooperation and
solidarity call for multilateral commitment to improve and make
more equitable the functioning of the international economy.
I am sure such principles, which in fact echo the spirit of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child, will have clear value for the
monitoring activities of the Committee.
The present overview which is long even if it only highlights some
of the essential developments that occurred during the year,
would always be incomplete. But this is exactly a sign of the
mpact of the rights of the child on the society of today. The
challenge we face, therefore, is to be able to use all this energy,
enthusiasm and political will decisively to improve the situation of
children and promote the level of the enjoyment of their rights.
Notes
1/ CRC/C/24, recommendation 1.
2/ See CRC/SP/10.
3/ See resolution 1994/91.
4/ See Commission resolution 1994/70.
5/ See E/C.12/1994/SR.6.
6/ E/CN.4/1994/78, para. 165.
7/ See General Assembly resolution 48/127.
8/ See CRC/C/24, recommendation 3.4.
9/ The Working Group on armed conflicts will meet from 31
October to 11 November, the Working Group on sale of children
from 14 to 25 November.
10/ See, inter alia, recommendation 3.3 adopted at the fifth
session of the Committee (CRC/C/24).
11/ See resolution 48/104.
12/ See resolution 1994/45.
13/ See resolution 3/1.
14/ See also the study by Leandro Despouy, Special Rapporteur
of the Sub-Commission (E/CN.4/Sub.2/1994/19).
15/ See resolution 3.3 adopted at its fifth session (CRC/C/24).
Annex VI (cf special page on the day of general discsussion)
GENERAL DISCUSSION ON THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY IN THE
PROMOTION OF THE IGHTS OF THE CHILD, 10 OCTOBER 1994:
LIST OF DOCUMENTS CONTRIBUTED*
I. By United Nations bodies and organizations
1. UNESCO
The Role of the Family in the Promotion of the Rights of the Child:
An Educational Viewpoint
2. United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women
Role of the Family in the Promotion of the Rights of the Child
3. UNICEF
3.1. Progress report on Preparatory Activities to the International
Year of the Family, Inter-Agency Meeting, 10-12 March 1993
3.2.Discussion paper on policy implications and support for
families resulting from the World Summit for Children, its World
Declaration and the Plan of Action for its implementation as well
as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF, 1993
4. United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat)
Human settlements and children
5. World Health Organization
The family cycle, family health and the Convention on the Rights
of the Child
II . By intergovernmental organizations
Hague Conference on Private International Law
Adair Dyer, "Protecting the Integrity of a Child’s Family Ties"
III. By non-governmental organizations
A. Evolution and importance of the family
1. The International School Psychology Association
"Secure Parent-Infant Attachment: a Foundation for Promoting
the Rights of the Child in the Context of Family."
2.International Catholic Child Bureau (ICCB)
Is there a conflict between the rights of the child and the rights of
the family?
3. Associated Country Women of the World
Cultural patterns and the way families can uphold moral and
ethical values
4. International Federation Terre des Hommes
Projects to strengthen family links and help children living on the
streets to reintegrate their family
B. Civil rights and freedoms within the family
1. Anti-Slavery International
1.1.Exploitation within the family (domestic services, chronic
bondage, slavery)
1.2.Video on early marriage in Ethiopia and child brides in Nepal
2. Epoch Worldwide
2.1. The child’s right to physical and personal integrity within the
family
2.2.Children’s civil rights in the family
3. Penelope Leach, Commissioner, Commission on Social Justice
(UK) Physical punishment of children
4. Minor’s Rights (Australia)
Review of research studies on the consequences of laws allowing
the corporal discipline of children in cultures derived from England
5. NAPCAN (National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse
and Neglect) (Australia)
Protection of children against all forms of physical violence
6. National Children’s and Youth Law Centre (Australia)
Entitlement of children to the protection of their bodily integrity
7.The Canadian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Brief to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General re. The
Corporal Punishment of Children
8. Institute for the Prevention of Child Abuse (Canada)
Brief to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General re. The
Corporal Punishment of Children
9. Hutt Family Violence Network (New Zealand)
Physical violence by adults against children
IV. Background papers and documentation (on file with the
Secretariat)
1. Office of the Commissioner for Children (New Zealand)
Ian Hassall, The Child’s Right to a Place, but Whose Place?
Wellington, May 1994
2. Bureau international catholique de l’enfance BICE/International
Catholic Child Bureau ICCB
2.1. L’enfance dans le monde/Children Worldwide, "Famille et
résilience de l’enfant"/"The family and child resilience", vol. 21,
No. 1/94
2.2. Jordi Cots, Famille - droits et responsabilités. Analyse des
principaux textes internationaux. BICE, Lausanne, 1994
3. Centre de recherche pour l’étude et l’observation des
conditions de vie
Les 9-14 ans: de l’encadrement vers l’autonomie. Etude
commandée et financée par le BICE
4. BICE-Afrique
Aperçu sur la famille africaine. Abidjan, 1994
5. Vienna NGO Committee on the Family
Second Preparatory Committee of the World Summit for Social
Development:statement of international NGOs on Family and
Social Development
6. Mannerheim League for Social Welfare
6.1. Discipline is needed, but not disciplinary measures
6.2. Head and heart in parent education
6.3. Why are new methods needed in the prevention and
treatment of child abuse and similar family problems
6.4. An experimental programme on social skills for the
comprehensive school
6.5. Helping young people to become adults with the help of
adults - a challenge for the International Year of the Family 1994
6.6. Education is needed, but what kind?
6.7. Parent school - the right of every parent
6.8. Some turning points of family education and its preventive
aspects
6.9. A birth in the family encourages the father to take part in
family life and child-raising (report of a study)
7. Département fédéral de l’intérieur (Suisse)
Groupe de travail Enfance maltraitée, Enfance maltraitée en
Suisse, Berne, juin 1992
8. Epoch-USA
8.1 Philip Craven, Spare the Child: The Religious Roots of
Punishment and the Psychological Impact of Physical Abuse.
Vintage Books, New York, 1992
9. Hague Conference on private international law/Conférence de
La Haye de droit international privé
9.1. Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child
Abduction/Convention sur les aspects civils de l’enlèvement
international d’enfants. The Hague/La Haye, 1982
9.2. Status of the Convention as of 2 September 1994
9.3. Seventeenth Session, Final Act, (extract), The Hague, 29 May
1993
10. Fundación de Protección a la Infancia Dañada por los Estados
de Emergencia (PIDEE) (Protection of Children Injured by States
of Emergency Foundation)
10.1. Report of the Documentation Centre on Infancy in Latin
America (Centro de Documentación sobre la Realidad de la
Infancia en América Latina (CEDIAL)). Santiago de Chile, June
1994
10.2. Loreta Alamos et al., Infancia y Represión. Historias Para No
Olividar. Fundación PIDEE, Santiago de Chile, 1992
10.3. M. Estela Ortiz R. y Chetty Espinoza M., Casa Hogar. Familia
en Emergencia. Fundación PIDEE, Santiago de Chile, diciembre
1990
10.4. Infancia: Desparición y Muerte. Informe de la Comisión
Nacional de Verdad y Reconciliación. Fundación PIDEE, Santiago
de Chile, 1991
10.5. Curso de entrenamiento para profesionales de América
Latina sobre el tema de maltrato infantil. Fundación PIDEE,
Santiago de Chile, julio 1994
10.6. Derecho a la Infancia. Revista sobre la infancia en América
Latina. Santiago de Chile, 4° Bimestre, 1993.
11. RAPCAN (Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse
and Neglect) (South Africa)
Ending parental physical punishment of children
12. National Children’s Bureau (UK)
Children’s civil rights and freedoms within the family
13. Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (Finland)
Protection of children from all forms of physical or mental violence
14. End Violence Against the Next Generation, Inc. (USA)
Lesli Taylor and Adah Maurer, "Think Twice: The Medical Effects of
Physical Punishment". Generation Books, Berkeley, CA, 1993
15. European Forum for Child Welfare/Forum européen pour la
protection de l’enfance (Belgium)
Protection of children from all forms of physical and mental
violence
16. Rädda Barnen (Sweden)
Swedish anti-spanking law
* Titles as received by the Secretariat.