Third and Fourth Periodic Report on CRC - Unicef

Convention on the Rights of the Child
5.1 Measures taken on the concluding observations
The State Party has significantly enhanced the provisions <strong>and</strong> capacity of shelter, orphanage, baby home, etc
to accommodate more children deprived of family environment. In KUK, large number children in conflict with
the law are housed. There is a plan to increase the number <strong>and</strong> to improve the environment of the existing
KUKs. An initiative has been taken for assessment of children in institutions in order to develop minimum care
st<strong>and</strong>ards <strong>and</strong> alternative care for the children without parental care.
The State Party has not yet established a legal provision for domestic <strong>and</strong> international adoption of children.
Also it has not considered being a party to the1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children <strong>and</strong>
Cooperation in respect of Inter-country adoptions.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) took a leading role in repatriation of children who worked as camel jockeys
in Middle East. With the support of UNICEF <strong>and</strong> some NGOs, the Government has repatriated over 200 children
formerly involved in camel racing in UAE. Of them, almost all were reintegrated in their families, <strong>and</strong> others are
in the process of being rehabilitated. With the assistance of UAE Government, financial assistances are being
provided. MoHA is extending this initiative to further support to the families of these children to strengthen their
social reintegration <strong>and</strong> simultaneously a child protection mechanism will be developed in 65 Upazilas where
the children were reintegrated.
Presently a process of amendment of the Children Act, 1974 is on. The proposed amendment will review the
KUK issues also. Under Suppression of Violence against Women <strong>and</strong> Children Act, 2000 (as amended in 2003),
42 Special Tribunals have been established in 33 districts for trying cases only relating to violence against
women <strong>and</strong> children including trafficking. This initiative was taken to facilitate the quick disposal of cases related
to violence against women <strong>and</strong> children.
Large-scale awareness campaigns are underway by television drama, jingles, street theatre, <strong>and</strong> other types of
mass awareness methods to promote behavioural change <strong>and</strong> make stakeholders aware about CRC including
child protection, care <strong>and</strong> related issues.
The Government is modernizing the police administration through 'model thana (police station) development'
concept in making the police people-friendly. Based on the experiences, the concept will be replicated
throughout the country. It is believed that the children issues will be addressed with special care under the
initiative.
The State Party with support from UNICEF is commencing initiatives to strengthen Department of Social
Services through training <strong>and</strong> motivation of relevant officials on reintegration methodologies <strong>and</strong> proactive social
work concept. Besides, capacity development of staff of KUK <strong>and</strong> vagrant homes on child-friendly behaviour is
under way.
Through the Early Childhood Development Project, the State Party is trying to enhance the caregivers'
(parents/guardians) knowledge <strong>and</strong> skills towards optimal development of their children.
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