United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child CRC/C/SLV/CO/3-4 Distr.: General 17 February 2010 Original: English Committee on the Rights of the Child Fifty-third session 11-29 January 2010 Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 44 of the Convention Concluding observations: El Salvador 1. The Committee considered the combined third and fourth periodic report of El Salvador (CRC/C/SLV/3-4) at its 1479th and 1481st meetings (CRC/C/SR.1479 and 1481), held on 21 January 2010, and adopted, at the 1501st meeting, held on 29 January 2010, the following concluding observations. A. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the State party’s combined third and fourth periodic report as well as the replies to the Committee’s list of issues. The Committee further welcomes the frank and constructive dialogue held with a multi-sectoral delegation. 3. The Committee reminds the State party that these concluding observations should be read in conjunction with its concluding observations on the second periodic report of El Salvador (CRC/C/15/Add.232) as well as with those adopted following the review of the State party’s initial report under both the Optional Protocols to the Convention (CRC/C/OPAC/SLV/CO/1) and (CRC/C/OPSC/SLV/CO/1). B. Follow-up measures undertaken and progress achieved by the State party 4. The Committee welcomes a number of positive developments in the reporting period, including the adoption of legislative and other measures taken with a view to implementing the Convention, such as: (a) The enactment of the Presidential Decree, on 16 January 2010, creating a new Commission of Investigation to continue the search for children who disappeared during the internal armed conflict, following the Head of State’s formal apology to the victims, including children, recognizing the responsibility of the State for the grave human rights violations which occurred during the internal armed conflict; GE.10-40686