CRC UNITED NATIONS Convention on the Rights of the Child Distr. GENERAL CRC/C/SRB/CO/1 20 June 2008 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD Forty-eighth session CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION Concluding observations: REPUBLIC OF SERBIA 1. The Committee considered the initial report of the Republic of Serbia (CRC/C/SRB/1) at its 1326th and 1327th meetings (CRC/C/SR.1326 and 1327), held on 27 May 2008, and adopted, at the 1342nd meeting, held on 6 June 2008, the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial report of the State party under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (“the Convention”) as well as the written replies to the list of issues (CRC/C/SRB/Q/1 and Add.1). The Committee welcomes the frank dialogue with the high level and multisectoral delegation. B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee notes the inclusion of several fundamental rights concerning children in the new Constitution of the State party (2006) and welcomes the progress made through the adoption of laws, inter alia the Law on Family Relations (2005), the Law on Protection of Disabled Persons against Discrimination (2006) and the Law on Juvenile Delinquents and Penal Law Protection of Juveniles (“Law on Juveniles”) (2006). 4. The Committee welcomes the establishment of the Council of the Rights of the Child, consisting of representatives of both governmental and non-governmental entities with relevant expertise. The Committee also welcomes the development of a National Action Plan (NAP) by the Council, which defines the relevant policies and priorities of the State party until 2015 and provides for the monitoring of progress. The Committee further notes the establishment of three levels of Ombudsman offices (Defender) at the national, provincial and local levels. GE.08-42623