CRC/C/15/Add.227
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11.
In light of the Vienna Declaration and Plan of Action adopted by the World
Conference on Human Rights in 1993, the Committee recommends that the State party
withdraw its reservations to the Convention.
Legislation
12.
As noted in paragraph 6 above, the Committee welcomes the legislative reforms aimed at
improving conformity with the Convention. However, the Committee is concerned that some
domestic legislation in the Netherlands and in Aruba does not yet fully conform with the
principles and provisions of the Convention, inter alia, with regard to education in minority
languages and juvenile justice as well as compulsory education in Aruba.
13.
The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to
ensure that its domestic legislation in the Netherlands and in Aruba conforms fully with the
principles and provisions of the Convention, in particular with regard to education in
minority languages, juvenile justice as well as compulsory education in Aruba.
Coordination
14.
While recognizing efforts to improve policy coordination, the Committee is concerned
about coordination between ministries and between the national and local authorities.
15.
With respect to the Netherlands, the Committee recommends that the State party
ensure that the Youth Commissioner facilitate coordination between ministries and also the
federal and local authorities, and that the Commissioner is allocated sufficient financial
and human resources to fulfil his mandate. The Committee further recommends that the
State party evaluate the effectiveness of the Youth Commissioner with a view to
establishing a permanent mechanism to coordinate the implementation of the Convention.
16.
With respect to Aruba, the Committee recommends that the State party ensure that
the National Committee on the Rights of the Child is allocated sufficient financial and
human resources to carry out its mandate effectively.
National Plan of Action
17.
The Committee regrets the lack of a comprehensive national plan of action for children in
the State party.
18.
The Committee recommends that in the Netherlands, the State party expedite the
elaboration and adoption of the current plan of action to implement the outcome document
of the General Assembly special session on children held in May 2002, entitled “A World
Fit for Children”, and ensure that the plan of action takes into account all aspects of the
Convention.
19.
In Aruba, the Committee recommends that the State party review its Youth Policy
Programme 2001-2005 with a view to expanding it so as to include all areas of the
Convention for all persons under the age of 18.