CRC/C/VEN/CO/3-5
Below is a short summary of some of the key issues from the Committee on the Rights of the Child's 67th session concluding observations for Venezuela’s combined third to fifth periodic reports to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
You can find other documents related to the Committee's 67th session (including alternative reports submitted by NGOs and the Committee's concluding observations for other States reviewed in this session) on the Committee’s session page.
Allocation of resources: The Committee regrets that it remains difficult to disaggregate the precise spending on children in the total public expenditures and recommends that the State party ensure the allocation of adequate budgetary resources in accordance with article 4 of the Convention for the implementation of children’s rights.
Non-discrimination: The Committee is concerned at the persistent patriarchal attitudes and gender stereotypes that discriminate against girls and the lack of adequate measures undertaken by the State party to address this situation. The Committee is also concerned at reports of cases of bullying and discrimination against children because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Committee recommends that the State party undertakes all necessary measures to translate the legal and political advances to combat racial and ethnic discrimination into greater protection of children’s rights.
Right to life, survival and development:
The Committee is concerned at reports that the mortality rate in the age group 15 to 17 years has tripled between 1997 and 2009, and, even if, according to the information provided by the State party during the dialogue, that rate has decreased in 2013, it remains very high. The Committee reiterates its serious concern about reports concerning the high number of extrajudicial killings of children, such as the Barrios family case, and at the very low number of prosecutions undertaken. The Committee urges the State party to make every effort to reinforce protection of the right to life, survival and development of children.
Freedom of expression: The Committee is concerned at reports that a number of children have been arrested in the framework of the demonstrations in early 2014 in the State party and recommends that the State party undertake all necessary measures to protect children from harassment and arbitrary detention and ensure the right of children to participate in demonstrations.
Sexual exploitation: The Committee is deeply concerned about reports that sexual violence against children is widespread and increasing, that alleged perpetrators are not prosecuted, and that official data on the extent of the problem is not available. The Committee urges the State party to strengthen mechanisms, procedures and guidelines to ensure accessible, confidential, child-friendly, effective and mandatory reporting of cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation; Proactively investigate cases of sexual abuse and exploitation, prosecute the perpetrators, punish those convicted with appropriate sanctions, and adequately protect, rehabilitate and compensate the victims.
Violence: The Committee is deeply concerned about the still existing high incidence of violence against children in all settings, including schools, home, public spaces and the Internet and recommends that the State party prioritize the elimination of all forms of violence against children.
Health: The Committee is deeply concerned at the high rates of maternal mortality, and the lack of information provided on the measures taken to reduce it.
Drugs and substance abuse: The Committee recommends that the State party address the incidence of drug use by children by, inter alia, providing children with accurate and objective information as well as life skills education on preventing substance abuse, and develop accessible and youth-friendly drug-dependence treatment and harm reduction services.
HIV/AIDS: The Committee recommends that the State party continue implementing measures to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission, including through educational and awareness raising activities; Address the sporadic shortages of antiretroviral drugs and ensure that all HIV/AIDS positive pregnant women receive adequate treatment.
Education:
The Committee remains deeply concerned about the persistent challenges in accessing quality education for children from rural areas, indigenous and afro-descendant children, as well as refugee and asylum-seeking children; The high rate of adolescent mothers with children not attending school; and the military approach which permeates the educational programmes of regular schools.
Asylum-seeking and refugee children: The Committee recommends that the State party collect disaggregated data on asylum seeking children; Ensure that all children and their families in need of international protection receive appropriate and fair treatment at all stages, and that decisions on refugee status determination are dealt with expeditiously; Provide adequate assistance and psychosocial support to children who have been involved in armed conflicts abroad; and consider ratifying the Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
Juvenile justice: The Committee urges the State party to expedite the adoption of a law reform on juvenile justice in accordance with international standards, including raising the age of criminal responsibility, unify the juvenile justice system throughout the country and provide facilities and services with adequate human, technical and financial resources.
Child victims and witnesses of crimes: The Committee reiterates its recommendation (CRC/C/VEN/CO/2 para 9) that the State party ensure, through adequate legal provisions and regulations, that all children who are victims and/or witnesses of crimes, e.g. children victims of abuse, violence, sexual and economic exploitation, and trafficking, are provided with the protection required by the Convention and that the State party take fully into account the United Nations Guidelines on Justice in Matters Involving Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime (annexed to Economic and Social Council resolution 2005/20).
