CRC/C/15/Add.112
page 9
D.8.
Special protection measures
29.
Although the Committee is aware of the measures taken by the State party, in particular
by INI, it remains concerned about the living conditions of children belonging to indigenous
groups, especially with regard to the full enjoyment of all the rights enshrined in the Convention.
In the light of articles 2 and 30 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the
State party take effective measures to protect children belonging to indigenous groups
against discrimination and to guarantee their enjoyment of all the rights recognized by the
Convention on the Rights of the Child.
30.
While welcoming the fact that the State partys legislation complies with international
labour standards and the measures taken for the eradication of child labour, the Committee is still
concerned that economic exploitation remains one of the major problems affecting children in
the State party. The Committee is particularly concerned that the State party, in its second
periodic report, categorized only street children as working children. The Committee is of
the opinion that this misconception affects the scope and perception of this social phenomenon.
In this regard, the Committee is particularly concerned that a large number of children are still
involved in labour activities, especially in the informal sector and in agriculture. The Committee
expresses its concern at the insufficient law enforcement and the lack of adequate monitoring
mechanisms to address this situation. In light of, inter alia, articles 3 and 32 of the
Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party reconsider its position
regarding the issue of child labour. The situation of children involved in hazardous labour,
especially in the informal sector, deserves special attention. Furthermore, the Committee
recommends that child labour laws should be enforced, the labour inspectorates
strengthened and penalties imposed in cases of violation. The Committee recommends that
the State party consider seeking technical assistance from the International Labour
Organizations International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC).
The Committee encourages the State party to consider ratifying ILO Convention (No 138)
regarding Minimum Age for Admission to Employment (1973) and the new ILO
Convention (No 182) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination
of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (1999).
31.
In view of the assessment and recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur on the
sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (see E/CN.4/1998/101/Add.2)
regarding the situation of the sexual exploitation of children in Mexico, the Committee
welcomes the measures taken by the State party to combat this phenomenon, in particular, the
establishment of the Inter-institutional Commission to Eradicate the Sexual Exploitation of
Children. In this regard, and in the light of article 34 and other related articles of the
Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party take all effective measures to
implement the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur following her visit to
Mexico. In particular, the Committee recommends that the State party conduct a study on
the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children with a view to designing and
implementing appropriate policies and measures, including care and rehabilitation; and
that it reinforce its legislation, including punishment against perpetrators; and that it
conduct awareness raising campaigns on this issue.