CRC/C/CHN/CO/3-4 independently monitor and evaluate progress in the implementation of the Convention at the national and local levels and to deal with complaints from children in a childsensitive and expeditious manner. The Committee, furthermore, recommends that a children’s commission or another independent human rights institution with a clear mandate to monitor children’s rights be established in Hong Kong, China and provided with adequate financial, human and technical resources. Cooperation with civil society 21. The Committee is deeply concerned about the obstacles faced by NGOs and the limited scope for human rights defenders and journalists to report, inter alia, on children’s rights violations in mainland China due to continuous threats, police harassment, enforced disappearances and arrests of human rights defenders. The Committee further notes with serious concern reports of government persecution of families, including children of human rights activists and dissidents, and retaliation against and harassment of families advocating for children’s rights, as in the case of parents seeking accountability for the deaths of children due to the collapse of schools during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. 22. The Committee strongly recommends that the State party: (a) Take immediate action to allow journalists, human rights defenders and all NGOs to monitor, investigate and report human rights violations and exercise their right to freedom of expression and opinion without any kind of threats, harassment or repercussions; (b) Urgently end all forms of intimidation and retaliation against families seeking accountability for violations of children’s rights and against children of human rights defenders; (c) Ensure that reported instances of intimidation and harassment of families pursuing children rights and of human rights defenders and their families are promptly and independently investigated, and that those responsible for such abuses are held accountable. Child rights and the business sector 23. The Committee is deeply concerned about the incidence and prevalence of lead poisoning of children in mainland China, which has resulted in permanent mental and physical disabilities among hundreds of thousands of children, especially in poor and rural areas. The Committee is particularly concerned about the lack of remedial solutions for the affected children and their families, reports of threats against individuals seeking treatment and information and of refusals to provide appropriate treatment for the affected children. 24. The Committee draws the State party’s attention to its general comment No. 16 (2013) and recommends that it strengthen the implementation of regulations in mainland China to ensure that the business sector complies with international and national human rights, labour, environment and other standards, particularly as regards child rights. The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Immediately conduct a nationwide, publicly accessible assessment to determine the extent of lead poisoning affecting children and communities across the country, and design a comprehensive public health strategy to tackle chronic lead exposure and its long-term consequences; (b) Effectively monitor the implementation of the regulatory framework for the industries, including chemical factories operating in the State party, to ensure that their activities do not affect children’s rights and have adverse impact on children; and ensure appropriate sanctions and remedies are provided when violations occur; 5