Concerning the second periodic report of Panama, the Committee noted with appreciation the adoption of laws and the establishment of various mechanisms aimed at protecting and promoting the rights of children. It welcomed the ratification of a number of human rights related instruments such as the optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on children in armed conflict and the optional protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; ILO Conventions No. 138 (minimum age for admission to employment) and No. 182 (worst forms of child labour) in 2000; and The Hague Convention No. 33 on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption in 1998.
The Committee noted with satisfaction that various concerns and recommendations made upon the consideration of the State party’s initial report had been addressed through legislative measures and policies. The Committee acknowledged the legislative activities over the past five years and recommended that the State party develop and implement a comprehensive legislative policy to integrate in domestic laws the provisions and principles of the Convention. It welcomed the launch of a National Plan of Action in November 2003 and the establishment of National Council for Children and Adolescents Rights, and recommended their full implementation.
The Committee recommended that the State party, among other things, establish one independent and effective mechanism for the monitoring of the implementation of the Convention; take measures aimed at developing a culture of human rights and at changing attitudes towards children in general and in particular children belonging to indigenous groups; promote and facilitate respect for the views of children and their participation in all matters affecting them; and review the efficiency of the actual birth registration system.
While welcoming the prohibition of corporal punishment and other forms of violence against children by the adoption of Law 38, the Committee recommended that the State party take the necessary measures for the full implementation of the Law through public education campaigns about the negative consequences of ill-treatment of children in order to change attitudes about corporal punishment; and that it strengthen complaints mechanisms.