CRC/C/PAN/CO/3-4 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Distr.: General 21 December 2011 Original: English Committee on the Rights of the Child Fifty-eighth session 19 September – 7 October 2011 Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 44 of the Convention Concluding observations: Panama 1. The Committee considered the consolidated third and fourth periodic reports of Panama (CRC/C/PAN/3-4) at its 1650th and 1651st meetings (see CRC/C/SR.1650 and 1651), held on 26 September 2011, and adopted, at its 1668th meeting, held on 7 October, the following concluding observations. I. Introduction 2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the consolidated third and fourth periodic reports of the State party (CRC/C/PAN/3-4) and the written replies to its list of issues (CRC/C/PAN/Q/3-4/Add.1), which allowed for a better understanding of the situation in the State party. The Committee expresses appreciation for the constructive and open dialogue held with the high-level and cross-sectoral delegation of the State party. II. Follow-up measures undertaken and progress achieved by the State party 3. The Committee welcomes the adoption of Law 61/2008 (General Adoption Act) which establishes safeguards for Panamanian children in international adoptions and is harmonized with the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption. 4. The Committee also welcomes the ratification of: (a) The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in 2011; (b) The Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture in 2011; (c) The 1954 Convention relating to the status of stateless persons and the 1961 Convention on the reduction of statelessness, both ratified in 2011; and GE.11-47921