CRC/C/GTM/CO/3-4
(b)
The Act on Sexual Violence, Exploitation and Trafficking in Persons (2009),
the Early Warning System Law (2010), and the creation of the Secretariat on Sexual
Violence, Exploitation and Trafficking in Persons in 2010; the policy on trafficking in
persons and comprehensive victim protection and the drafting of the National Strategic
Action Plan 2007-2017;
(c)
The Act on Universal and Equitable Access to Family Planning Services and
their Integration in the Reproductive Health Programme (2005); and
(d)
The “PINA” (Protección Integral de la Niñez y Adolescencia) Law for the
protection of children and adolescents (2003).
5.
The Committee notes with satisfaction that a number of policies, governmental
agreements and administrative measures designed to promote and coordinate public
policies relating to indigenous affairs have been adopted. It particularly welcomes
initiatives including the policy on coexistence and the elimination of racism and racial
discrimination, adopted in 2006, related to indigenous children.
6.
The Committee welcomes the collaboration with the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) since the establishment of an office in the State
party in January 2005.
7.
The Committee welcomes the fact that the State party has accepted a number of
visits from special procedure mandate holders of the Human Rights Council.
8.
The Committee notes with appreciation the establishment of the International
Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) on 12 December 2006.
9.
The Committee also welcomes the ratification of the following international treaties:
(a)
The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (2008); and
(b)
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional
Protocol (2009).
C. Factors and difficulties affecting the implementation of the
Convention
10.
The Committee takes note of the negative impact of natural disasters faced by
Guatemala, such as drought, tropical storm Agatha and the Pacaya volcano eruption, on the
rights of children.
D. Main areas of concern and recommendations
1.
General measures of implementation (arts. 4, 42 and 44, para. 6, of the
Convention)
The Committee’s previous recommendations
11.
The Committee notes that several concerns and recommendations made in its
previous concluding observations (2001) (CRC/C/15/Add.154) on the State party’s second
periodic report under the Convention and concluding observations on its initial reports
under the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict
(CRC/C/OPAC/GTM/CO/1) and the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child
2