CRC/C/GTM/CO/5-6

Guatemala (CRC 28-02-2018)

The Committee considered the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of Guatemala (CRC/C/GTM/5-6) at its 2256th and 2257th meetings (see CRC/C/SR.2256 and 2257), held on 16 and 17 January 2018, and adopted the present concluding observations at its 2282nd meeting, held on 2 February 2018.

Concluding observations

A. General measures of implementation (arts. 4, 42 and 44 (6))

Allocation of resources

8. With reference to its general comment No. 19 (2016) on public budgeting for the realization of children’s rights, the Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Increase budgetary resources for the implementation of children’s rights and, in particular, increase the budget allocated to social sectors and children in disadvantaged situations and for the implementation of measures related to birth registration, chronic malnutrition, health, education, measures to combat violence against children and deinstitutionalization;

(b) Address the inequality faced by, and define budgetary lines for, indigenous and Afro-descendant children, children living in poverty, both in rural and urban areas, migrant and refugee children, children with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children;

(c) Establish an open budgeting process at the national, regional and municipal levels that includes public dialogue with children-led organizations;

(d) Adopt a tracking system for the allocation and use of resources for children throughout the budget and conduct impact assessments on how investment in different sectors may serve the best interests of the child;

(e) Implement immediate measures to eradicate corruption and to reduce irregular expenditure, in order to mobilize the maximum available resources for the implementation of children’s rights.

B. General principles (arts. 2, 3, 6 and 12)

Non-discrimination

13. Noting the structural discrimination of children based on their age and the persistent discrimination and exclusion of girls, indigenous and Afro-descendant children, children with disabilities, migrant, asylum-seeking and refugee children, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children and taking into consideration measures to recognize discrimination as a criminal offence, the Committee urges the State party to:

(a) Develop and implement awareness-raising strategies at the community level and in schools, to ensure an attitude of respect for children and their recognition as rights holders, irrespective of their age;

(b) Ensure adequate budget allocation for the implementation of the public policy for coexistence and the elimination of racism and racial discrimination;

(c) Adopt a national strategy with clear benchmarks, indicators and monitoring mechanisms aimed at addressing structural and multiple discrimination against children belonging to the above-mentioned groups in areas such as health, education, social protection and standard of living;

(d) Strengthen measures to tackle poverty and extreme multidimensional poverty among indigenous and Afro-descendant children, prioritizing action at the municipal level.