CRC/C/15/Add.237
page 17
Sexual exploitation
70.
The Committee is concerned about the increasing number of child victims of sexual
exploitation, including prostitution and pornography, especially among those engaged in child
labour and street children. Concern is also expressed at the programmes for the physical and
psychological recovery and social reintegration of child victims of such abuse and exploitation,
which are insufficient and inadequate.
71.
In light of article 34 and other related articles of the Convention, the Committee
recommends that the State party:
(a)
Extend the protection from sexual exploitation and trafficking in all relevant
legislation to all boys and girls below the age of 18 years; and
(b)
Strengthen its efforts to combat sexual exploitation in accordance with
the 1996 Declaration and Agenda for Action and the 2001 Global Commitment adopted at
the World Congresses against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.
Trafficking in children
72.
The Committee notes the various activities carried out by the State party to combat
human trafficking, such as the establishment of an inter-agency working group on trafficking and
targeted research and awareness-raising activities, yet is concerned at the large number of
children being trafficked for their exploitation to neighbouring countries, notably Thailand.
73.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Formulate a national plan of action to combat trafficking;
(b)
Further strengthen the necessary measures to prevent and combat the sale
and trafficking of children, including awareness-raising campaigns and educational
programmes, targeting parents in particular;
(c)
Increase cross-border cooperation and collaboration with neighbouring
countries within the framework of the United Nations Inter-Agency Project to Combat
Trafficking in Women and Children in the Mekong Sub-region (UNIAP), including
through bilateral and multilateral agreements;
(d)
Facilitate the reunification of child victims with their families and provide
adequate care and rehabilitation for them; and
(e)
Continue to seek assistance from, among others, UNICEF.
Street children
74.
The Committee expresses its concern at reports of an increasing number of street children
and the lack of specific mechanisms and resources to address this situation and to provide these
children with adequate assistance.