CRC/C/COL/CO/3
page 20
pornography, with specific provisions regarding Internet providers, and Law No. 747 of 2002
banning trafficking of minors. However, the Committee is concerned over the high and rising
number of children who are victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking, and over information
indicating that they risk being criminalized. It further notes with concern the increased risk of
sexual exploitation and trafficking faced by children of vulnerable groups, such as the internally
displaced and children living in poverty. Furthermore, unequal law enforcement and lack of
effective implementation of anti-trafficking measures in the State party give cause for serious
concern.
87.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Undertake further in-depth studies on the sexual exploitation of children in
order to assess its scope and root causes and enable effective monitoring and measures to
prevent, combat and eliminate it;
(b)
Include adequate reference to child labour in the reformed Minors’ Code
and implement a national plan of action against sexual exploitation and trafficking of
children, taking into account the Declaration and Agenda for Action and the Global
Commitment adopted at the 1996 and 2001 World Congress against Commercial Sexual
Exploitation of Children;
(c)
Provide adequate programmes of assistance and reintegration for sexually
exploited and/or trafficked children and in particular ensure that they are not
criminalized;
(d)
Take the necessary and effective implementation of measures and ensures
equal enforcement of the law to avoid impunity;
(e)
Train law-enforcement officials, social workers and prosecutors on how to
receive, monitor, investigate and prosecute cases, in a child-sensitive manner that respects
the privacy of the victim;
(f)
Seek further technical assistance from among others, UNICEF and
ILO-IPEC (International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour).
Drug abuse
88.
The Committee is concerned over the high incidence of alcohol and drug abuse,
especially among street children. Furthermore, the Committee is seriously concerned over the
manufacture and the export of drugs from Colombia, which affects children who are pickers of
coca leaves (raspachines), as well as children forced or lured into trafficking drugs, including
within their bodies (mulas).
89.
The Committee recommends that the State party take effective preventive measures
to counteract the high incidence of drug abuse among children and ensure rehabilitation,
counselling and other recovery assistance.