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COMMITTEE ON RIGHTS OF CHILD STARTS CONSIDERATION OF BELIZE'S REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
14 January 1999
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MORNING
Belize this morning presented its initial report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child on how that country was complying with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Resources of Belize, introduced the report, telling Committee experts that the problem of HIV/AIDS affected the full implementation of the Convention in her country. However, when compared to most Latin American countries and even some of the Caribbean neighbours, Belize's level of compliance with the Convention could be described as encouraging, she said.
In the course of their consideration of the report, Committee experts questioned members of the Government delegation on such issues as child mortality; the budget allocation for family and children; involvement of non-governmental organizations; dissemination of the Convention; ages of marriage and criminal liability; and domestic violence.
Belize's delegation also included Evan Dakers, from the Ministry of Human Resources, and Lisa Shoman, Juridical Counsellor.
As one of 191 States party to the Convention, Belize is obliged to submit periodic reports to the Committee on the measures it undertakes to implement the provisions of the treaty.
When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will continue its consideration of Belize's report.
The report of Belize (document CRC/C/3/Add.46) documents and describes current legislative, judicial and administrative arrangements pertinent to considering Belize's degree of compliance with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It says that there exists a fair degree of conformity with the Convention.
The report states that the Government believes there is a need for many laws and associated judicial and administrative practices to be revised and updated to better reflect contemporary values and concerns. The report reiterates that Belize will continue its strong commitment to ensuring that the Convention on the Rights of the Child is given its fullest effect.
According to a document presented with the report, Belize is a small Caribbean island with an estimated population of 221,120 in 1996.
Presentation of Report
DOLORES BALDERAMOS GARCIA, Minister of Human Resources of Belize, said that some of the main areas of success in terms of compliance with the Convention included a relatively high percentage coverage of children immunization; high coverage of potable water in urban and rural settings; high accessibility to primary education; and the enactment of a comprehensive Families and Children's Act with provisions dealing with the rights of the child.
Ms. Garcia said that besides this success in certain areas, there were also shortcomings such as a relatively high primary school level drop-out rate; low coverage of adequate sanitary facilities in rural settings; high incidence of HIV/AIDS victims; the need for the appointment of an Ombudsperson for children's rights; a relatively high incidence of mal-nutrition among young children; and the need for the establishment of a centralized database for the collection and analysis of information on specific children's issues such as child abuse.
When compared to most of Central America and even some of the Caribbean neighbours, Belize's level of compliance with the Convention could be described as encouraging, Ms. Garcia went on to state. She, however, added that her Government did not intend to be complacent and conduct business as usual. In August 1998, her Ministry had been given a solid mandate to lead Belize forward to protect the rights, well-being and best interests of all children in the country. It was also her administration's intention to strive to comply fully with all outstanding commitments to the Convention by the year 2000.
Discussion
Committee members queried the delegation on numerous issues. One expert asked why Belize had not yet ratified two main human rights conventions: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. In addition, other questions were raised on such issues as child mortality; the budget allocation for family and children; involvement of non-governmental organizations; dissemination of the Convention; ages of marriage and criminal liability; and domestic violence.
In response to oral questions raised by Committee experts, the delegation said that Belize had the highest rate of HIV/AIDS victims in the region, which had directly affected the full enjoyment of rights under the Convention. The Government was endeavouring to tackle the problem with the limited economic resources it had available.
The delegation said that Belize had not yet acceded to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which were signed on its behalf by its former colonialist power, the United Kingdom.
On the registration of new births, the delegation said the Government had extended the period allowed for registration from 42 days to one year. The hospital regulation according to which the full settlement of a hospital bill had been required for birth registration had also been changed by the Government. The Government believed that the old regulations punished the poorest of the poor. Failure to register a new birth after the lapse of one year could entail a fine, added the delegation.
Belize's officials said that they have serious problems concerning database collection to identify the needs of children. Detailed information was lacking in the course of preparing the current initial report. However, the Government had recently established a committee to collect and establish social indicators, particularly on the situation of children.
Concerning corporal punishment, the delegation said that the situation in Belize was the result of the colonial legacy in which corporal punishment was inflicted on children to maintain discipline. However, following a series of discussions on the issue, it was concluded that the concept of corporal punishment as a means to keep children disciplined had been entrenched in the minds of the population because of its long practice. In addition, it had been realized that the beating of children could not change their behaviour. The old saying that "children should be seen and not heard", which made children properties of parents, should no longer be used in the society, said the delegation.
Furthermore, the former Government had already presented a draft for the establishment of an Ombudsperson and the new Government was seeking ways to set up the office, the delegation went on to state. The delay in the establishment of the Ombudsperson was mainly due to the lack of funds.
On measures to harmonize national laws and policies with the provisions of the Convention, the Constitution and laws of Belize generally ensured a fair degree of compliance with the provisions of the Convention, said the delegation. Nevertheless, there were still several areas, with respect to harmonization, where action needed to be taken to improve that compliance. The Government continued to give urgent attention to the drafting and adoption of legislation which would give comprehensive effect to the broad care and protection of children.
With regard to domestic violence, the Government was committed to providing a professional reply to this issue and had put in place a unit in the police force which dealt with domestic and family violence, the delegation stated. Although there was legislation on domestic violence, its implementation had not been effective. For that reason, the Government was planning to undertake additional measures for the prevention of violence by enacting additional laws if necessary.
Belize's officials told Committee members that the Families and Children Act was enacted in July 1998 to reform and consolidate the law relating to families and children; to provide for the care, protection and maintenance of children; and to make provisions with respect to the fostering and adoption of children. In addition, the National Committee for Families and Children, with full financial support from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), was working to increase awareness within the society regarding the rights of children.
Belize this morning presented its initial report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child on how that country was complying with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Resources of Belize, introduced the report, telling Committee experts that the problem of HIV/AIDS affected the full implementation of the Convention in her country. However, when compared to most Latin American countries and even some of the Caribbean neighbours, Belize's level of compliance with the Convention could be described as encouraging, she said.
In the course of their consideration of the report, Committee experts questioned members of the Government delegation on such issues as child mortality; the budget allocation for family and children; involvement of non-governmental organizations; dissemination of the Convention; ages of marriage and criminal liability; and domestic violence.
Belize's delegation also included Evan Dakers, from the Ministry of Human Resources, and Lisa Shoman, Juridical Counsellor.
As one of 191 States party to the Convention, Belize is obliged to submit periodic reports to the Committee on the measures it undertakes to implement the provisions of the treaty.
When the Committee reconvenes at 3 p.m., it will continue its consideration of Belize's report.
The report of Belize (document CRC/C/3/Add.46) documents and describes current legislative, judicial and administrative arrangements pertinent to considering Belize's degree of compliance with the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It says that there exists a fair degree of conformity with the Convention.
The report states that the Government believes there is a need for many laws and associated judicial and administrative practices to be revised and updated to better reflect contemporary values and concerns. The report reiterates that Belize will continue its strong commitment to ensuring that the Convention on the Rights of the Child is given its fullest effect.
According to a document presented with the report, Belize is a small Caribbean island with an estimated population of 221,120 in 1996.
Presentation of Report
DOLORES BALDERAMOS GARCIA, Minister of Human Resources of Belize, said that some of the main areas of success in terms of compliance with the Convention included a relatively high percentage coverage of children immunization; high coverage of potable water in urban and rural settings; high accessibility to primary education; and the enactment of a comprehensive Families and Children's Act with provisions dealing with the rights of the child.
Ms. Garcia said that besides this success in certain areas, there were also shortcomings such as a relatively high primary school level drop-out rate; low coverage of adequate sanitary facilities in rural settings; high incidence of HIV/AIDS victims; the need for the appointment of an Ombudsperson for children's rights; a relatively high incidence of mal-nutrition among young children; and the need for the establishment of a centralized database for the collection and analysis of information on specific children's issues such as child abuse.
When compared to most of Central America and even some of the Caribbean neighbours, Belize's level of compliance with the Convention could be described as encouraging, Ms. Garcia went on to state. She, however, added that her Government did not intend to be complacent and conduct business as usual. In August 1998, her Ministry had been given a solid mandate to lead Belize forward to protect the rights, well-being and best interests of all children in the country. It was also her administration's intention to strive to comply fully with all outstanding commitments to the Convention by the year 2000.
Discussion
Committee members queried the delegation on numerous issues. One expert asked why Belize had not yet ratified two main human rights conventions: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. In addition, other questions were raised on such issues as child mortality; the budget allocation for family and children; involvement of non-governmental organizations; dissemination of the Convention; ages of marriage and criminal liability; and domestic violence.
In response to oral questions raised by Committee experts, the delegation said that Belize had the highest rate of HIV/AIDS victims in the region, which had directly affected the full enjoyment of rights under the Convention. The Government was endeavouring to tackle the problem with the limited economic resources it had available.
The delegation said that Belize had not yet acceded to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which were signed on its behalf by its former colonialist power, the United Kingdom.
On the registration of new births, the delegation said the Government had extended the period allowed for registration from 42 days to one year. The hospital regulation according to which the full settlement of a hospital bill had been required for birth registration had also been changed by the Government. The Government believed that the old regulations punished the poorest of the poor. Failure to register a new birth after the lapse of one year could entail a fine, added the delegation.
Belize's officials said that they have serious problems concerning database collection to identify the needs of children. Detailed information was lacking in the course of preparing the current initial report. However, the Government had recently established a committee to collect and establish social indicators, particularly on the situation of children.
Concerning corporal punishment, the delegation said that the situation in Belize was the result of the colonial legacy in which corporal punishment was inflicted on children to maintain discipline. However, following a series of discussions on the issue, it was concluded that the concept of corporal punishment as a means to keep children disciplined had been entrenched in the minds of the population because of its long practice. In addition, it had been realized that the beating of children could not change their behaviour. The old saying that "children should be seen and not heard", which made children properties of parents, should no longer be used in the society, said the delegation.
Furthermore, the former Government had already presented a draft for the establishment of an Ombudsperson and the new Government was seeking ways to set up the office, the delegation went on to state. The delay in the establishment of the Ombudsperson was mainly due to the lack of funds.
On measures to harmonize national laws and policies with the provisions of the Convention, the Constitution and laws of Belize generally ensured a fair degree of compliance with the provisions of the Convention, said the delegation. Nevertheless, there were still several areas, with respect to harmonization, where action needed to be taken to improve that compliance. The Government continued to give urgent attention to the drafting and adoption of legislation which would give comprehensive effect to the broad care and protection of children.
With regard to domestic violence, the Government was committed to providing a professional reply to this issue and had put in place a unit in the police force which dealt with domestic and family violence, the delegation stated. Although there was legislation on domestic violence, its implementation had not been effective. For that reason, the Government was planning to undertake additional measures for the prevention of violence by enacting additional laws if necessary.
Belize's officials told Committee members that the Families and Children Act was enacted in July 1998 to reform and consolidate the law relating to families and children; to provide for the care, protection and maintenance of children; and to make provisions with respect to the fostering and adoption of children. In addition, the National Committee for Families and Children, with full financial support from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), was working to increase awareness within the society regarding the rights of children.