By Ahram Choi
Australia's Review by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has just wrapped up!
We will eagerly await the Concluding Observations which will provide a list of recommendations to the Australian Government to better comply with our international obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. We expect to receive the Concluding Observations by 16 June and will let you know when they are available.
Whilst there were many more questions asked than questions answered, we hope to see comprehensive recommendations from the Committee, especially with regards to Australia's most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, including:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children;
- Refugees and children in immigration detention;
- Children in the juvenile justice system;
- Children in out-of-home care; and
- Children with disabilities.
The webcast of the Review will be made available from www.treatybodywebcast.org in a few weeks for those of you who missed it or want to see it again. You can also read about what happened and what issues were raised by the UN Committee by visiting our youth reporter, Janani’s blog at http://listentochildren.tumblr.com/
We now leave Geneva and the development of the Concluding Observations in the very capable and expert hands of the Committee. We hope to share and discuss the UN's recommendations with you all soon!
Kind regards,
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Ahram Choi
National Children's and Youth Law Centre
Law Building 1st Floor, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052