CRC/C/TLS/CO/1
page 3
11.
The Committee recommends that the State party adopt a time-bound national plan
of action for children, which should be rooted in the National Development Plan and the
National Human Rights Action Plan, and cover in a comprehensive manner the rights of
the child enshrined in the Convention, with due regard to the outcome document of the
2002 Special Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations “A World Fit for
Children” and the “A World Fit for Children Plus 5 Declaration”. The Committee also
recommends that the State party ensure a specific and adequate budget allocation as well
as follow-up and evaluation mechanisms for the full implementation of the plan of action to
regularly assess progress achieved and identify possible deficiencies.
Coordination
12.
As regards the implementation of the Convention, the Committee notes that the Office of
the Human Rights Adviser coordinates national implementation measures by the National
Division of Social Reinsertion of the Ministry of Social Solidarity and the Ministry of Education
and Culture. The Committee also notes that the National Division of Social Reinsertion is in the
process of elaborating an inter-agency approach. The Committee welcomes the intended
establishment of a National Commission for the Rights of the Child, which will be charged with
supporting the process of implementing child rights.
13.
The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen coordination between
the various governmental bodies and mechanisms involved in children's rights both at the
national and local level, and entrust a single entity or intersectoral mechanism with the
coordination of activities relating to the implementation of the Convention. The
Committee recommends that the State party expedite its efforts to establish an effective
National Commission for the Rights of the Child and entrust it with coordination both at
the national and regional level. The Committee further recommends that the State party
involve members of civil society, child rights experts and other professionals in the
coordination and evaluation of the implementation of the Convention.
Independent monitoring
14.
The Committee welcomes the establishment of the Provedor de Direitos Humanos e
Justiça, but regrets that no specific information on its role with regard to child rights has been
provided.
15.
The Committee recommends that an appropriately staffed and resourced section for
child rights be established within the Office of the Provedor, which may receive, investigate
and address complaints from children without the need for a guardian’s consent. The
State party should ensure the functioning of this section, within the Office of the Provedor,
as a fully independent monitoring mechanism, in accordance with the Principles relating to
the status of National Human Rights Institutions (the “Paris Principles”) and taking into
account the Committee’s general comment No. 2 (2002) on the role of independent national
human rights institutions in the protection and promotion of the rights of the child
(CRC/GC/2002/2). The structure of the section should be such as to enable children in all
parts of the State party’s territory to avail themselves of its functions.
Allocation of resources