UNITED NATIONS CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child Distr. GENERAL CRC/C/15/Add.122 22 February 2000 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD Twenty-third Session CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION Concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child: South Africa 1. At its 609th, 610th and 611th meetings (see CRC/C/SR.609, 610 and 611), held on 25 and 26 January 2000, the Committee on the Rights of the Child considered the initial report of South Africa (CRC/C/51/Add.2), which was submitted on 4 December 1997, and adopted* the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the State party’s initial report which followed the established guidelines and provided a critical assessment of the situation of children. The Committee also welcomes the efforts of the State party to ensure that its initial report was submitted on time. The Committee takes note of the written replies to its list of issues (CRC/C/Q/SAFR.1). The Committee is encouraged by the constructive, open and frank dialogue it had with the State party and welcomes the positive reactions to the suggestions and recommendations made during the discussion. The Committee acknowledges that the presence of a high-ranking delegation directly involved in the implementation of the Convention allowed for a fuller assessment of the situation of the rights of children in the State party. * At the 615th meeting, held on 28 January 2000. GE.00-40856 (E)