CRC UNITED NATIONS Convention on the Rights of the Child Distr. GENERAL CRC/C/15/Add.213 10 July 2003 Original: ENGLISH COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD Thirty-third session CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 44 OF THE CONVENTION Concluding observations: Kazakhstan 1. The Committee considered the initial report of Kazakhstan (CRC/C/41/Add.13) at its 885th to 886th meetings (CRC/C/SR.885 and 886), held on 4 June 2003, and adopted, at its 889th meeting (CRC/C/SR.889), held on 6 June 2003, the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the State party’s initial report, which follows the guidelines for reporting, as well as the submission of the written replies to its list of issues (CRC/C/Q/KAZ/1). The Committee notes the informative and constructive dialogue held with the State party’s high-level delegation. B. Positive aspects 3. The Committee welcomes the adoption of the new Constitution in 1995, giving legal recognition to human rights and freedoms, the ratification of ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict. 4. The Committee notes the enactment of new legislation during the reporting period, such as the Marriage and Family Act (1998), the Education Act (1999), Family-type Children’s Villages and Young Peoples Homes Act (2000), the Civil Code (1994 and 1999), GE.03-42910 (E) 050903