Implementation Handbook for the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Contents......Page 7
Foreword......Page 18
Preface......Page 20
Acknowledgements......Page 22
Aims and structure......Page 24
How to use the Implementation Checklists......Page 26
Explanation of references......Page 27
Article 1 Definition of the child......Page 30
Starting point of childhood......Page 31
The end of childhood......Page 32
Defining specific minimum ages in legislation......Page 33
Implementation Checklist......Page 42
Article 2 Non-discrimination......Page 46
Definition of discrimination......Page 47
Active implementation of non-discrimination......Page 50
All children in juridiction......Page 52
Grounds for discrimination......Page 53
Legitimate forms of discrimination......Page 55
Gender discrimination......Page 56
Children with disabilities......Page 58
Discrimination on basis of status of parents, etc. (article 2(2)......Page 59
Implementation Checklist......Page 61
Article 3 Best interests of the child......Page 64
Best interests......Page 66
To be reflected in legislation......Page 68
States duty of care (article 3(2))......Page 69
Standards for institutions, services, facilities (article 3(3))......Page 70
Implementation Checklist......Page 72
Article 4 Implementation of rights in the Convention......Page 76
General measures of implementation......Page 77
Maximum extent of available resources......Page 79
Progressive implementation......Page 81
All appropriate legislative measures......Page 82
Administrative and other measures......Page 84
A comprehensive national strategy......Page 87
Permanent government mechanisms......Page 88
Budgetary analysis......Page 90
Monitoring implementation......Page 93
Independent human rights institutions for children......Page 95
International cooperation......Page 98
Implementation Checklist......Page 101
Article 5 Parental guidance and the child’s evolving capacities......Page 104
Definition of “family”......Page 105
Child as a subject of rights and evolving capacity......Page 106
Preparation for parenthood......Page 109
Implementation Checklist......Page 110
Article 6 Children’s right to life and maximum survival and development......Page 112
The inherent right to life......Page 113
Abortion and euthanasia......Page 114
Infanticide......Page 116
The death penalty......Page 117
Armed conflict......Page 118
Other life-threatening violence......Page 119
Honour killings......Page 120
Investigation and registration of death......Page 121
Survival and development......Page 122
Implementation Checklist......Page 123
Article 7 Birth registration, name, nationality......Page 126
The child’s right to be “registered immediately after birth”......Page 127
What details should be registered......Page 130
Right to a name......Page 131
Right to acquire a nationality......Page 132
Meaning of “parent”......Page 134
Meaning of “as far as possible”......Page 135
Right, as far as possible, to be cared for by parents......Page 137
Implementation Checklist......Page 139
Article 8 Preservation of identity......Page 142
Family relations......Page 143
“Preserving identity”......Page 144
State assistance to speedily re-establish identity......Page 145
Implementation Checklist......Page 147
Article 9 Separation from parents......Page 150
Child’s right not to be separated except when necessary for best interests......Page 151
Children in state care......Page 152
Parents in prisons......Page 153
Immigration and deportation......Page 154
Armed conflict......Page 155
To be taken by competent authorities......Page 156
To be subject to judicial review......Page 157
All parties to be heard in proceedings......Page 158
Information about parents or children separated by an action of the State......Page 159
Protection of those seeking information about separated family member......Page 160
Implementation Checklist......Page 161
Article 10 Entering or leaving countries for family reunification......Page 164
In a positive manner......Page 165
In an expeditious manner......Page 167
Child’s right to maintain contact with parents residing in different States......Page 168
Right to enter own country......Page 169
Implementation Checklist......Page 170
Article 11 Illicit transfer and non-return of children abroad......Page 172
Measures to combat illicit transfer and non-return......Page 173
Implementation Checklist......Page 175
Article 12 Respect for the views of the child......Page 178
The child as a subject of rights......Page 179
The child “capable of forming views”......Page 182
Administrative and judicial proceedings: article 12(2)......Page 184
To be reflected in domestic legislation......Page 187
Without discrimination......Page 188
Education, training......Page 189
Monitoring implementation and impact......Page 190
In government and in overall policy-making......Page 191
Children’s parliaments......Page 192
In local government and services......Page 193
Within the family......Page 194
In alternative care......Page 195
In schools......Page 196
In health......Page 197
In asylum seeking......Page 198
In juvenile justice......Page 199
Implementation Checklist......Page 201
Article 13 Child’s right to freedom of expression......Page 206
Restriction on child’s right......Page 209
Implementation Checklist......Page 212
Article 14 Child’s right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion......Page 214
Freedom of religion......Page 215
Parental direction......Page 217
Schooling and freedom of religion......Page 218
Discrimination on grounds of religion......Page 221
Implementation Checklist......Page 223
Article 15 Child’s right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly......Page 226
Freedom of association......Page 227
Restriction on child’s right......Page 228
Implementation Checklist......Page 230
Article 16 Child’s right to privacy......Page 232
Confidential advice for children......Page 233
Privacy in institutions......Page 235
Privacy in juvenile justice and other proceedings......Page 236
Files on children......Page 238
“Family”, “home” and “correspondence”......Page 239
Unlawful attacks on honour and reputation......Page 240
Implementation Checklist......Page 241
Article 17 Child’s access to appropriate information......Page 246
Function of mass media......Page 248
Committee’s Day of General Discussion on the media......Page 247
Information from diversity of sources......Page 249
Social and cultural benefits from media......Page 250
Children’s books......Page 252
Guidelines for protection from injurious information......Page 253
Privacy and the media......Page 255
Implementation Checklist......Page 256
Article 18 Parents’ joint responsibilities, assisted by the State......Page 260
Child’s best interests will be parents’ basic concern......Page 261
Parent education......Page 262
Single-parent families......Page 264
When parents separate......Page 265
States to provide parents with appropriate assistance......Page 266
States to ensure institutions, facilities and services for children......Page 267
Appropriate measures for working parents......Page 268
Committee’s General Comment No. 7......Page 271
Implementation Checklist......Page 275
Article 19 Child’s right to protection from all forms of violence......Page 278
Global movement to end violence against children......Page 279
Study on violence against children, principles and recommendations......Page 280
A World Fit for Children: recommendations on violence......Page 283
“All forms” of violence......Page 285
Children with disabilities......Page 287
Adolescence......Page 288
Protection from corporal punishment......Page 289
Committee’s General Comment No. 8......Page 291
Violence in schools, care and justice......Page 293
Protective and preventive measures: article 19(2)......Page 294
Committee’s Days of General Discussion on violence against children......Page 299
Implementation Checklist......Page 303
Article 20 Children deprived of their family environment......Page 306
“Family environment”......Page 307
Right to special protection and assistance......Page 308
Alternative care, including adoption and foster care......Page 309
Institutional care......Page 311
Children with disabilities......Page 314
Children who live and/or work on the streets......Page 315
Continuity of upbringing in alternative care......Page 317
Implementation Checklist......Page 319
Article 21 Adoption......Page 322
States which recognize and/or permit adoption......Page 323
Adoption authorized only by competent authorities in accordance with law......Page 324
The child’s views......Page 325
Intercountry adoption under certain conditions......Page 326
Only if child cannot be cared for in his or her country......Page 327
No improper financial gain......Page 328
International agreements and arrangements on adoption placement......Page 329
Implementation Checklist......Page 330
Article 22 Refugee children......Page 334
Law on refugee status......Page 335
Committee’s General Comment No. 6......Page 338
Children seeking refugee status whether unaccompanied or accompanied......Page 337
Internal displacement and migration not covered by article 22......Page 340
Responsibilities of countries of origin/transit countries, and bilateral cooperation......Page 341
Right to protection and assistance......Page 342
Detention of children......Page 343
States’ cooperation with intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations......Page 344
Protection of children whose family members cannot be found......Page 345
Nationality......Page 346
Implementation Checklist......Page 347
Article 23 Rights of children with disabilities......Page 350
Background......Page 351
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities......Page 353
Committee’s General Comment No. 9......Page 356
Definitions of “disability”......Page 360
Discrimination on grounds of disability......Page 361
Causes of disability......Page 362
Participation rights......Page 363
Inclusive education......Page 364
Avoiding institutionalization and detention......Page 366
International cooperation......Page 367
Implementation Checklist......Page 369
Article 24 Child’s right to health and health services......Page 372
International Bill of Human Rights......Page 373
Declaration on Primary Health Care......Page 374
A world fit for children – follow-up to 1990 World Summit for Children......Page 376
Progressive implementation of health rights......Page 380
Discrimination issues......Page 382
Reducing infant and child mortality......Page 384
Necessary assistance and health care......Page 385
Combating disease and malnutrition......Page 386
Breastfeeding......Page 388
Accident prevention......Page 390
HIV/AIDS......Page 391
Committee’s General Comment No. 3......Page 393
Family planning......Page 392
Adolescent health services......Page 396
Committee’s General Comment No. 4......Page 397
Mental health......Page 399
Abolishing harmful traditional practices......Page 400
International cooperation......Page 404
Implementation Checklist......Page 405
Article 25 Child’s right to periodic review of treatment......Page 408
Placements for care, protection or treatment......Page 409
Periodic review......Page 410
Implementation Checklist......Page 412
Article 26 Child’s right to benefit from social security......Page 414
Child’s right to benefit from social security......Page 415
Duty to realize this right in accordance with national law......Page 417
Applications for benefits made by and on behalf of the child......Page 418
Implementation Checklist......Page 420
Article 27 Child’s right to an adequate standard of living......Page 422
Standard of living adequate for physical, mental, spiritual, moral and social development......Page 423
States’ duty qualified by national conditions and resources......Page 424
States’ duty to support parents in cases of need......Page 426
Housing......Page 427
Child’s right to maintenance......Page 430
Recovery of maintenance from abroad......Page 431
Implementation Checklist......Page 432
Article 28 Child’s right to education......Page 436
Education system fit for children......Page 438
Definition of education......Page 440
Education on the basis of equal opportunity......Page 442
Girls......Page 443
Rural children......Page 444
Minority groups......Page 445
Children with disabilities and children with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS......Page 447
Children in forms of detention......Page 449
Compulsory and free primary education......Page 450
Development of different forms of secondary education available to all......Page 451
Vocational information available to all......Page 454
Measures to reduce education drop-out rates......Page 455
School discipline......Page 457
Bullying......Page 460
Promotion of international cooperation......Page 461
Implementation Checklist......Page 462
Article 29 The aims of education......Page 466
International agreement on aims......Page 467
Committee’s General Comment No. 1......Page 468
Developing child to his or her fullest potential......Page 469
Developing respect for human rights and freedoms......Page 471
Developing respect for all cultural and national values......Page 473
Preparing the child for responsible life in a free society......Page 474
Developing tolerance and friendship among peoples......Page 476
Equality of sexes......Page 477
Peace......Page 478
Respect for the natural environment......Page 479
Freedom to establish private schools which conform to the Convention......Page 480
Implementation Checklist......Page 481
Article 30 Children of minorities or of indigenous people......Page 484
Minority cultures and human rights......Page 486
Indigenous children......Page 489
State initiatives......Page 491
Child’s right to practise his or her religion......Page 492
Child’s right to use his or her language......Page 493
Implementation Checklist......Page 496
Article 31 Child’s right to leisure, play and culture......Page 498
Child’s right to rest and leisure......Page 499
Child’s right to play and recreation......Page 500
State’s duty to promote children’s opportunities......Page 502
Equal opportunities......Page 503
Implementation Checklist......Page 506
Article 32 Child labour......Page 508
The International Labour Organization......Page 509
ILO Minimum Age Convention (No.138)......Page 510
ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No.182)......Page 511
ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Recommendation (No.190)......Page 512
International Bill of Human Rights and child labour......Page 515
A World Fit for Children – follow-up to 1990 World Summit for children......Page 517
Girls and economic exploitation......Page 518
Children whose liberty is restricted......Page 519
Committee’s Day of General Discussion on economic exploitation of children......Page 520
Minimum ages for admission to employment......Page 524
Violence against children in the workplace......Page 525
Enforcement of article......Page 527
Implementation Checklist......Page 528
Article 33 Children and drug abuse......Page 532
Threat to children......Page 533
Understanding drug abuse......Page 535
Legislative and administrative measures......Page 536
Social and educational measures......Page 537
Implementation Checklist......Page 539
Article 34 Sexual exploitation of children......Page 542
Other international instruments......Page 543
Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteurs......Page 544
United Nations Secretary-General’s Study on Violence Against Children......Page 545
Groups particularly vulnerable to exploitation......Page 547
Children with disabilities......Page 548
Children in armed conflict......Page 549
Refugees and internally displaced children......Page 550
Legislative measures......Page 551
Age of consent......Page 552
Other measures......Page 553
Implementation Checklist......Page 557
Article 35 Prevention of abduction, sale and trafficking......Page 560
The Committee’s general concerns......Page 562
Trafficking and adoption......Page 564
Trafficking and sexual exploitation......Page 565
Trafficking and organ transplants......Page 566
Victims, not criminals......Page 567
Implementation Checklist......Page 569
Article 36 Protection from other forms of exploitation......Page 572
Research and experimentation......Page 573
Implementation Checklist......Page 574
Article 37 Torture, degrading treatment and deprivation of liberty......Page 576
Torture, etc.......Page 577
Other international instruments......Page 579
Enforced disappearance......Page 580
Forms of inhuman or degrading punishment......Page 581
Death penalty; life imprisonment......Page 583
Deprivation of liberty......Page 585
Arrest, pre-trial detention......Page 587
Imprisonment......Page 588
Detention outside juvenile justice system......Page 589
Treatment when deprived of liberty......Page 592
Separation from adults......Page 593
Legal safeguards......Page 594
Training......Page 595
Implementation Checklist......Page 597
Article 38 Protection of children affected by armed conflict......Page 602
International humanitarian law......Page 603
Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols......Page 604
Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict......Page 605
Study on Impact of Armed Conflicton Children......Page 606
Security Council resolutions......Page 608
Comments by the Committee......Page 609
Results of armed conflict......Page 610
Recruitment of under-18-year-olds......Page 612
International Criminal Court......Page 613
Anti-personnel mines......Page 614
Implementation Checklist......Page 616
Article 39 Rehabilitation of child victims......Page 618
Rehabilitating child victims......Page 619
Victims of neglect, exploitation or abuse......Page 620
Victims of economic exploitation......Page 622
Victims of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment......Page 624
Victims of armed conflict......Page 625
Implementation Checklist......Page 627
Article 40 Administration of juvenile justice......Page 630
Establishing a child-oriented juvenile justice system......Page 632
Committee’s General Comment No. 10......Page 633
Non-discrimination......Page 636
Effect of public opinion......Page 638
Prevention of offending......Page 639
Legal safeguards......Page 640
Need for a distinct system of juvenile justice......Page 645
Age of criminal responsibility......Page 646
Avoiding resort to judicial proceedings......Page 647
Variety of dispositions......Page 648
Implementation Checklist......Page 649
Article 41 Respect for existing human rights standards......Page 654
Implementation Checklist......Page 655
Article 42 Making the Convention widely known......Page 656
A comprehensive strategy for dissemination......Page 657
Training concerning Convention......Page 658
Information on training requested by Committee......Page 659
Examination of States’ reports......Page 660
Implementation Checklist......Page 663
Article 43 The Committee on the Rights of the Child......Page 666
Meetings......Page 668
Documentation......Page 670
Article 44 Reporting obligations of States Parties......Page 672
Initial reports and periodic reports......Page 673
Reporting guidelines......Page 674
Pre-sessional Working Group meetings......Page 676
Making reports widely available......Page 681
Implementation Checklist (article 44(6))......Page 683
Article 45 Cooperation with United Nations agencies and other bodies......Page 684
Articles 46-54 Miscellaneous provisions concerning the Convention......Page 686
Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict......Page 688
Provisions of the Optional Protocol......Page 689
Criminalizing the use of child soldiers......Page 692
Rehabilitation and prevention......Page 693
Reporting obligations......Page 694
Implementation Checklist......Page 695
Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography......Page 698
Provisions of the Optional Protocol......Page 700
Implementation Checklist......Page 705
Appendices......Page 708
1 Guide to the United Nations system......Page 709
2 Convention on the Rights of the Child......Page 714
Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict......Page 721
Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography......Page 724
Revised Guidelines regarding the form and content of periodic reports to be submitted by States Parties under article 44, paragraph 1(b), of the Convention......Page 728
Guidelines regarding initial reports tobe submitted by States Parties under article 8 (1) of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict......Page 733
Revised Guidelines regarding initial reports to be submitted by States Parties under Article 12, paragraph 1, of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography......Page 736
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948......Page 744
Declaration of the Rights of the Child, 1959......Page 746
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966......Page 748
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 1966......Page 754
ILO Minimum Age Convention, 1973......Page 758
United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (“Beijing Rules”), 1985......Page 761
United Nations Guidelines for the Protection of Juveniles Delinquency(Riyadh Guidelines), 1990......Page 768
United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty, 1990......Page 771
Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Intercountry Adoption, 1993......Page 776
Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, 1993......Page 780
ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999......Page 788
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, 2000......Page 790
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2006......Page 794
5 Bibliography......Page 803
Acronyms......Page 816