UNITED NATIONS CRC Distr. GENERAL Convention on the Rights of the Child CRC/C/15/Add.93 26 October 1998 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD Nineteenth 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: Ecuador 1. The Committee considered the initial report of Ecuador (CRC/C/3/Add.44) at its 479th to 481st meetings (see CRC/C/SR.479-481), held on 22 and 23 September 1998, and adopted* the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the initial report of the State party. Though the report was constructive and comprehensive, the Committee regrets that it did not strictly follow the guidelines. The Committee also takes note of the written replies to the list of issues (CRC/C/Q/ECU/1) and the additional information provided to it in the course of the dialogue, which enabled it to assess the situation of the rights of the child in the State party. The Committee welcomes the frank, self-critical and cooperative tone of the dialogue the State party's delegation undertook with the Committee. However, it regrets the absence of a delegation from the capital, directly involved in the implementation of the Convention in the State party. B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee welcomes the recent adoption by the State party of a National Plan for Human Rights (March 1998) and welcomes the expanded provisions for the protection of human rights, including the promotion and protection of the rights of the child. * At the 505th meeting, held on 9 October 1998. GE.98-19034 (E)