COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Thirty-second session
CONSIDERATION
OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES
UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION
1. The Committee considered the second report of Iceland (CRC/C/83/Add.5), submitted on 27 April 2000, at its 856th and 857th meetings (see CRC/C/SR.856 and 857), held on 28 January 2003 and at its 862nd meeting, held on 31 January 2003, adopted the following concluding observations.
A. Introduction
2. The Committee notes that the second report followed the Committee's guidelines for reporting, and appreciates the informative written replies which were submitted. The Committee also appreciates that the presence of a high-level and cross-sectoral delegation contributed to an open and frank dialogue on the implementation of the Convention in the State party.
B. Follow-up measures undertaken and progress achieved by the State party
3. The Committee notes with appreciation the follow-up measures taken by the State party pursuant to the previous recommendations. It further welcomes:
(a) The ratification of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the involvement of children in armed conflict, and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;
(b) The adoption of the 2002 Child Protection Act;
(c) The establishment of the Centre for Child Health;
(d) The adoption of the National Health Plan, which includes strategies for children aimed at addressing alcohol and tobacco consumption and improving the reach of psychiatric services, as well as reducing accident-related injuries and deaths.
C. Principal subjects of concern and recommendations
1. General measures of implementation
Declarations
4. The Committee notes the information provided by the delegation concerning steps being taken by the State party to comply fully with articles 9 and 37 of the Convention (namely the provisions in the 2002 Child Protection Act and a proposed law expected to be passed soon giving courts the sole power to decide in child protection cases; and the 1998 agreement between the Prison and Probation Administration and the Governmental Agency for Child Protection to allow prisoners under 18, at their request, to be detained in treatment homes under the supervision of the Agency). Nevertheless, the Committee regrets that the State party has not yet withdrawn its declaration on article 9. Moreover, it considers that the 1998 agreement falls short of a legal guarantee of separation from adults, as contained in article 37, paragraph C, of the Convention.
5. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Expedite the promulgation of legislation to ensure full compliance with article 9 of the Convention;
(b) Guarantee by law the separation of detained children and adults, in accordance with article 37, paragraph C of the Convention.
Legislation
6. The Committee notes the information provided by the State party on the draft Act in Respect of Children, which concerns, among other things, the custody of children.
7. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Continue to ensure that this and other laws concerning children, as well as administrative regulations, are based on human rights and are in conformity with the Convention;
(b) Ensure that adequate provision, including budgetary allocation, is made for the effective implementation of those laws and regulations;
(c) Consider the systematic use of child rights impact assessments in the formulation of laws, policies and budgets.
Coordination
8. The Committee welcomes the State party's efforts to formulate a comprehensive, intersectoral national child rights policy. It further welcomes the requirements under the 2002 Child Protection Act for the submission of four year action plans on child protection by the Ministry of Social Affairs, as well as by each municipal authority.
9. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Consider giving the Committee established under the May 2001 parliamentary resolution a permanent mandate for intersectoral coordination in the implementation of the Convention, or establish another well-mandated and adequately resourced body for such a task;
(b) Continue to ensure that the preparation and implementation of the national plan on child rights, as well as those plans required under the 2002 Child Protection Act, are based on human rights and are undertaken through an open, consultative and participatory process;
(c) Continue to ensure that adequate resources to implement the plans are provided, especially at the municipal level (i.e. through the municipal equalization funds).
Data
10. The Committee welcomes the statistical data provided in the written replies, and is encouraged by the State party's admission of the need to collect and analyse data on children in an organized manner.
11. The Committee encourages the State party:
(a) To continue to collect statistics on all persons under 18 years for all areas covered by the Convention, including immigrant children;
(b) To continue to use this data to assess progress and design policies to implement the Convention;
(c) To consider compiling a comprehensive annual survey of statistics in this respect.
Monitoring structures
12. The Committee welcomes the excellent work being undertaken by the Ombudsman for Children. However, it is concerned that the provision of resources by the State party is not sufficiently commensurate with the Ombudsman's activities, including the increasing caseload of enquiries.
13. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that this institution has adequate human and financial resources to enable it to effectively carry out its mandate to monitor the implementation of the Convention.
Resource allocation
14. The Committee notes the comprehensive
and progressive allocation of resources, at the central and municipal levels,
for the economic, social and cultural rights of children. However, it is of
the opinion that greater efforts could be made in this regard.
15. In accordance with article 4 of the Convention, the Committee encourages
the State party to increase - to the maximum extent of available resources -
the allocation of resources for the implementation of economic, social, and
cultural rights of children.
International cooperation
16. The Committee notes with appreciation the State party's contributions and various child rights-related activities in the area of international cooperation. However, it notes that while overseas development assistance is increasing in absolute terms, it is not increasing relative to its gross domestic product (GDP).
17. The Committee encourages the State party to continue and strengthen its activities in the area of international cooperation by, among other things, striving to achieve the United Nations 0.7 per cent target of GDP for international development assistance.
Training/dissemination of the Convention
18. The Committee welcomes the efforts made by the State party to disseminate the Convention (e.g. through "My rights" booklets, and handbooks on the Convention for teachers).
19. The Committee encourages the State party:
(a) To strengthen, expand, and make ongoing its programme for the dissemination of information on the Convention and its implementation among children and parents, civil society and all sectors and levels of government, including initiatives to reach those vulnerable groups that are illiterate or without formal education;
(b) To develop systematic and ongoing training programmes on human rights, including children's rights, for all persons working for and with children (e.g. judges, lawyers, law enforcement officials, civil servants, local government officials, teachers and health personnel).
2. Definition of the child
20. Noting that a child is defined as a person under 18 years in Icelandic legislation (e.g. the 1997 Majority Act), the Committee is concerned that inconsistencies with this definition remain in other laws (e.g. child benefits are payable until age 16).
21. The Committee recommends that the State party review its legislation to ensure consistency of age-limits with existing legislation (e.g. the 1997 Majority Act).
3. General principles
The right to non-discrimination
22. Owing to the growing number of people in Iceland of foreign origin, the Committee welcomes efforts by the State party to address their needs (e.g. through the adoption of the 2003 law on foreigners, the appointment of a special representative in the State police, publications on cultural tolerance for health professionals, and the establishment of an intercultural centre in Reykjavik). Nevertheless, it is concerned that further efforts need to be taken to proactively address issues of racism that may arise with the growing numbers of immigrants in Iceland.
23. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Guarantee all children within its jurisdiction all the rights contained in the Convention in accordance with article 2;
(b) Develop comprehensive and coordinated policies to address the developing phenomenon of immigration, including public information campaigns to promote tolerance, as well as monitor and collect data on racially motivated acts;
(c) Study the situation of immigrant children in the municipalities, especially in the school system, and the effectiveness of measures taken to facilitate their integration;
(d) Include in its next report measures and programmes relevant to the Convention undertaken by the State party to follow up on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, taking account of General Comment No. 1 on article 29, paragraph 1, of the Convention (aims of education).
Best interests of the child
24. The Committee welcomes the incorporation of the principle of the best interests of the child into article 4 of the 2002 Child Protection Act.
25. The Committee recommends that the State party continue its efforts to fully incorporate article 3 of the Convention into all legislation and practice relevant to children.
Respect for the views of the child
26. The Committee welcomes the information that several structures have been set up in Iceland, through which children can make their views known, including the YouthNet Parliament. Nevertheless, the Committee is concerned that children may not be sufficiently provided the opportunity to directly contribute to policies that affect them (e.g. school governance, management of discipline, substance abuse prevention, relevant community planning issues, etc.), and that they are not adequately informed on how to contribute effectively, or how their input (e.g. resolutions of the YouthNet Parliament) will be taken into consideration.
27. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Strengthen support for the YouthNet Parliament, including through the adequate provision of resources;
(b) Continue to promote within the family, the school, the courts, administrative bodies and local authorities respect for the views of children and to facilitate their participation in all matters affecting them, in accordance with article 12 of the Convention;
(c) Develop skills-training programmes in community settings for parents, teachers, social workers and local officials to encourage children to express their informed views and opinions, and to have those views taken into consideration (e.g. using the brochure "They who will inherit the land … cannot be heard").
4. Family environment and alternative care
Violence/abuse/neglect/maltreatment
28. The Committee welcomes the adoption of the 2002 Child Protection Act, which contains a comprehensive set of provisions to protect children from neglect and ill-treatment in the home. It also notes the establishment of Children's House to treat sexually abused children.
29. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Raise awareness among parents, other caretakers and the public at large of the prohibition of corporal punishment - including in the family - under existing legal provisions;
(b) Continue to strengthen and expand the coverage of the Children's House concept throughout the State party;
(c) Conduct public education campaigns about the negative consequences of ill-treatment of children, and promote positive, non-violent forms of discipline as an alternative to corporal punishment;
(d) Allocate sufficient resources for the provision of care, recovery and reintegration of victims;
(e) Train teachers, law enforcement officials, care workers, judges and health professionals in the identification, reporting and management of cases of ill-treatment, including with respect to interviewing techniques which are the least harmful to child victims of abuse.
Parental assistance
30. The Committee appreciates the State party's approach towards a comprehensive policy in matters concerning support to families with children, as evident from the parliamentary resolution on an official family policy, the establishment of the Family Council, the adoption of the 2000 Equal Status and Equal Rights of Men and Women Act, and the Law on Paternity and Maternity of 2000. However, it is concerned that:
(a) Insufficient importance has been accorded to the formulation of family policies by municipalities because only a few have been formulated to date;
(b) Insufficient support is provided to single-parent families;
(c) Insufficient leave is afforded to parents with sick children;
(d) More generally, efforts in the area of parental assistance, including the impact of the Council's work, will be limited without adequate allocation of human and financial resources.
31. In accordance with the provisions of the Convention, particularly articles 18 and 27, the Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Make greater efforts to encourage municipalities to formulate public family policies, ensuring that these are based on human rights, and that municipalities are provided with adequate resources to meet their objectives;
(b) Make greater efforts to strengthen support to single-parent families;
(c) Increase the available leave for parents with sick children;
(d) Ensure that the Family Council is provided with the adequate resources to carry out its mandate effectively.
5. Basic health and welfare
Children with disabilities
32. The Committee welcomes the State
party's policy of inclusion of children with disabilities and notes the recently
adopted policy relating to chronically ill children, including provisions for
health, social security, education and finance. It further notes the recent
opening of a facility to care for children with long-term illnesses and for
disabled children.
33. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Increase support for families of disabled children;
(b) Continue to collect and analyse data on the enjoyment of rights by children with disabilities;
(c) Continue and strengthen its efforts to meet all the needs of children with disabilities.
Adolescent health
34. The Committee welcomes the information that:
(a) Some health centres in Iceland offer special services to adolescents, including in relation to substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, reproductive health information and mental health counselling;
(b) The Director-General of Public Health has launched a programme for the prevention of suicides.
35. The Committee encourages the State party:
(a) To strengthen efforts to expand access to health services, including through the educational system;
(b) To continue to study and assess the nature and extent of adolescent health problems and, with the full participation of adolescents, use this as a basis for formulating policies and programmes.
6. Education
36. The Committee notes with appreciation the adoption of anti-bullying campaigns in many schools, as well as the inclusion of courses in life skills. However, it is concerned:
(a) That the aims of education outlined in article 29 of the Convention (i.e. development and respect for human rights, tolerance and equality of the sexes and religious and ethnic minorities) are not explicitly part of the curricula throughout the State party;
(b) About the high drop-out rates of immigrant children, particularly at the secondary level.
37. The Committee recommends that the State party, taking into account the Committee's General Comment No. 1 on the aims of education:
(a) Explicitly include human rights
education, including children's rights, in the curricula of all primary and
secondary schools, particularly with regard to development and respect for human
rights, tolerance and equality of the sexes and religious and ethnic minorities;
(b) Strengthen measures to address the problem of immigrant children drop-outs.
7. Special measures of protection
Sexual exploitation
38. The Committee welcomes information of a newly adopted law on child pornography (2000). It further welcomes the report of a government study on the extent of child prostitution and pornography, containing various recommendations. However, the Committee is concerned at the rather low age for sexual consent (14 years), which may not provide adequate protection for children older than 14 years against sexual exploitation.
39. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Take all necessary measures to implement promptly the recommendations contained in the government report referred to above;
(b) Take legislative measures to ensure that children older than 14 years are effectively protected from sexual exploitation;
(c) Formulate and implement a national plan of action to combat sexual exploitation, in accordance with the Declaration and Agenda for Action and the Global Commitment adopted at the 1996 and 2001 World Congresses against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.
Administration of juvenile justice
40. The Committee notes that, apart from a few special measures (e.g. Regulation No. 395/1997 concerning the legal status of arrested persons and interrogations, and provisions in the amended Criminal Code of Procedure relating to the questioning of child victims of sexual crimes), there is no comprehensive system of juvenile justice in place in the State party.
41. The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Establish a system of juvenile justice, including juvenile courts;
(b) Ensure that the criminal justice system fully integrates into its legislation and practice the provisions of the Convention, in particular articles 37, 39 and 40, as well as other relevant international standards in this area, such as the Beijing Rules, the Riyadh Guidelines, the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty, and the Guidelines for Action on Children in the Criminal Justice System.
8. Dissemination of the reports
42. In the light of article 44, paragraph 6, of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the report and written replies submitted by the State party be made widely available to the public at large and that the publication of the report be considered, along with the relevant summary records and the concluding observations of the Committee thereon. Such a document should be widely distributed in order to generate debate and awareness of the Convention and its implementation and monitoring within all levels of administration of the State party and the general public, including concerned non-governmental organizations.
9. Next report
43. In the light of the recommendation on reporting periodicity adopted by the Committee and described in its reports CRC/C/114 and CRC/C/124, and noting that the State party's third periodic report is due within two years after the consideration of its second report, the Committee invites the State party to submit a consolidated third and fourth periodic report on 26 May 2008 (i.e. 18 months before the date established in the Convention for the submission of the fourth periodic report).
