CRC/C/SUR/CO/3-4

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Suriname (CRC 09-11-2016)

The Committee considered the combined third and fourth periodic reports of Suriname (CRC/C/SUR/3-4) at its 2146th and 2147th meetings (see CRC/C/SR.2146 and 2147), held on 21 and 22 September 2016, and adopted the present concluding observations at its 2160th meeting, held on 30 September 2016.

Concluding observations

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

Non-discrimination

  1. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that all children in the State party enjoy equal rights under the Convention, both in law and in practice, without discrimination, and intensify efforts to ensure the effective elimination of any form of discrimination against children from Amerindian and Maroon communities, children of Haitian migrants, children living with HIV/AIDS, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children and other groups of children in marginalized situations through, among other things, awareness-raising campaigns and education, especially at the community level and in schools.

Respect for the views of the child

  1. While noting the adoption of the bill on Hearing Children in Judicial Proceedings, in 2008, the Committee, in the light of its general comment No. 12 (2009) on the right of the child to be heard, recommends that the State party:

(a) Take measures to ensure the effective implementation of legislation recognizing the right of the child to be heard in relevant legal and administrative proceedings, including by establishing systems and/or procedures for social workers and courts to comply with the principle;

(b) Conduct research to identify issues that are most important to children, including by consulting children to hear their views on those issues and to find out how well their voices are heard in family decisions affecting their lives and the channels through which they currently and potentially have the most influence on national and local decision-making;

(c) Develop toolkits for public consultation on national policy development so as to standardize such consultation at a high level of inclusiveness and participation, including consulting with children on issues that affect them;

(d) Conduct programmes and awareness-raising activities to promote the meaningful and empowered participation of all children in the family, community and schools, including in student council bodies, with particular attention to girls and children in vulnerable situations;                                        

(e) Promote inclusive participation in the Youth Parliament by ensuring that eligible children from Amerindian and Maroon communities, children in situations of poverty, children with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children are able to fully participate, as well as provide the Youth Parliament with adequate resources.

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