Distr.
GENERAL
CRC/C/15/Add.6
18 February 1993
Original: ENGLISH

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION

Preliminary observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child:

Sudan [*]

1. The Committee began consideration of the initial report of the Sudan (CRC/C/3/Add.3) at its 69th, 70th and 71st meetings (SR.69 to 71), held on 26 and 27 January 1993. Due to the complexity of the situation and the problems facing children in the Sudan, the Committee decided to continue consideration of the initial report of the Sudan at its fourth session, scheduled to be held from 20 September to 8 October 1993. In this connection, the Committee requested the State party to provide it with written answers to questions which due to time constraints remained unanswered. Equally, the Committee requested the State party to provide it with additional information, in accordance with rule 69 of its provisional rules of procedure and article 44, paragraph 4, of the Convention, on particular areas of concern identified by the Committee and on the results of any recent surveys undertaken. The Committee recommended that the information requested be submitted to the Committee by 15 May 1993.

A. Introduction

2. The Committee expresses satisfaction at the State party's early ratification of the Convention without any reservations and for the timely submission of its initial report. However, the Committee feels that in the light of the adopted guidelines further information would be required, inter alia, on special protection measures and on the policies and strategies required to realize health care and education goals.

B. Positive aspects

3. The Committee welcomes the comments made by the State party on the merits of establishing a constructive and useful dialogue with the Committee and on the positive role the Committee should fulfil, in this regard, in providing advice and assistance to the State party on how to implement the Convention.

4. The Committee takes note of the statement made by the delegation of the Sudan that the Convention has been incorporated into national legislation. The Committee also notes the willingness shown by the Government of the Sudan to take into account the recommendations made by the Committee with a view to reviewing existing legislation in order to bring it into conformity with the Convention and to changing attitudes to traditional practices prejudicial to the health of children, including female genital mutilation.

5. In addition, the Committee takes note of the decision of the Government of the Sudan to make available for public distribution in one document both the report of the Sudan to the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the results of the dialogue with this Committee.

C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Convention

6. The Committee takes note of the problems which have hampered the implementation of the Convention in the State party. They include: civil war, structural readjustment measures, infrastructural inadequacies, desertification, drought and famine.

D. Principal subjects of concern

7. The Committee notes the non-compatibility of certain areas of national legislation with the provisions and principles of the Convention, including the punishment of flogging.

8. The Committee notes with concern the problems of putting into effect article 4 of the Convention as it relates to matters of international cooperation to facilitate the implementation of the Convention.

9. The Committee expresses concern as to the effects of armed conflict on children, including the provision of humanitarian assistance and relief and protection of children in situations of armed conflict. In emergency situations, all parties involved should do their utmost to facilitate humanitarian assistance to protect the lives of children.

10. The Committee is concerned at the situation of internally displaced children and refugee and neglected children.

11. In addition, the Committee expresses its concern as to the issues of criminal responsibility and the administration of juvenile justice.

12. The Committee also expresses its concern regarding the issues of forced labour and slavery.

13. The Committee requests additional information on these and other concerns raised during its dialogue with the delegation and requests clarification as to the definition of the child, the situation of disabled children and children's access to education.

* Adopted at the 73rd meeting, held on 28 January 1993.