UN focus on child rights in France

As positive developments in the second periodic of France, the Committee welcomed the ratification of the optional protocols to the Convention, as well as that of ILO Convention No. 182. The Committee noted with appreciation the positive developments relating to the implementation of the Convention, such as the adoption by the State party in recent years of numerous laws and regulations; and the measures taken to follow-up the recommendations of the Committee in particular the establishment of an Ombudsman for Children; the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry on the Rights of Child in France; and the Parliamentary Delegations on the Rights of the Child, as well as the establishment of a National Observatory for Childhood in Danger.

The Committee urged, among other things, the State party to establish a central registry for data collection and to introduce a comprehensive system of data collection incorporating all the areas covered by the Convention, adding that such a system should cover all children up to the age of 18 years, with specific emphasis on those who were particularly vulnerable. Such information should include the Overseas Departments and Territories.

The Committee recommended that the State party review legislation with a view to removing inconsistencies related to the respect for the views of the child. Furthermore, it was encouraged to continue to promote and facilitate, within the family, schools, institutions, as well as in judicial and administrative proceedings, respect for the views of children and their participation in all matters affecting them.

Referring to the new legislation of 15 March 2004 on wearing religious signs in public schools, the Committee recommended that the State party, when evaluating the effects of the legislation, use the enjoyment of children’s rights as a crucial criteria in the evaluation process and also consider alternative means, including mediation, of ensuring the secular character of public schools, while guaranteeing that individual rights were not infringed upon and that children were not excluded or marginalized from the school system and other settings as a result of such legislation. The dress code of schools might be better addressed within the public schools themselves, encouraging participation of children. The Committee further recommended that France continue to closely monitor the situation of girls being expelled from schools as a result of the new legislation and ensure they enjoyed the right of access to education.

The Committee recommended that the State party pursue its efforts to prevent and combat child abuse and neglect, to sensitize the population, including professional workers with and for children, on the magnitude of the problem with a view to preventing further occurrence and to provide adequate treatment programmes for victims of abuse and neglect.

The Committee recommended that the State party conduct a comprehensive study to assess the causes, nature and extent of trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children; and establish or strengthen existing cooperation with the authorities of countries from which children were trafficked.