United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Alternative Report by Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa November 2015 UNCROC Alternative Report ‐ November 2015 Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 1 Mihi ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Dedication ................................................................................................................................... 1 Preparation of the Report ........................................................................................................... 1 Outline of this report .................................................................................................................. 2 Children in Aotearoa NZ .......................................................................................................... 2 Overarching themes and central recommendation of this report ............................................. 2 General Measures of Implementations (Articles 4, 42 and 44 (6)) ............................................ 3 Situation Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 3 Children in Canterbury ............................................................................................................ 3 New Zealand Government Reservations .................................................................................... 3 General Reservation ‐ Children Unlawfully in New Zealand ................................................... 3 Article 32.2 ‐ Minimum Age and Hours and Conditions of Employment ................................ 4 Article 37(c) ‐ Age‐Mixing in Places of Detention .................................................................... 4 Tokelau .................................................................................................................................... 4 Harmonising Legislation with the CRC ........................................................................................ 4 Consistency of new Legislation with the CRC .......................................................................... 4 National Plan of Action ............................................................................................................ 5 Article 4 ‐ Budgetary Allocations ............................................................................................. 6 Data Collection ........................................................................................................................ 6 Children’s Rights and the Business Sector ............................................................................... 7 Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Trade and Investment Treaty ................................................ 7 Climate Change ........................................................................................................................ 8 Maintaining the functions of the Children's Commissioner .................................................... 9 Awareness raising and training ............................................................................................... 9 Conclusions and Recommendations ......................................................................................... 10 Definition of the Child (Article 1) ............................................................................................ 11 Upper age limits not consistent with CRC ............................................................................. 11 Lower age limits not consistent with CRC ............................................................................. 11 Not extending to children and young people protections enjoyed by adults ...................... 11 Limiting access to information based on age ........................................................................ 11 General Principles (Articles 2, 3, 6 and 12) ............................................................................. 12 Children, young people and non‐discrimination ................................................................... 12 The right to life, survival and development .......................................................................... 13 The right to participation ....................................................................................................... 13 Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa i UNCROC Alternative Report ‐ November 2015 Comments on Government Report .......................................................................................... 13 Conclusions and Recommendations ......................................................................................... 13 Civil rights and Freedoms (Articles 7, 8, 13‐17 and 37(a) ........................................................ 14 Situation Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 14 Birth registrations, name and nationality (Article 7) ............................................................. 14 Preservation of Identity (Article 8) ........................................................................................ 14 Freedom of expression and the right to seek, receive and impart information (Article 13) 14 Protection of privacy and protection of image (Article 16) .................................................. 15 Access to information from a variety of sources and protection from harmful material (Article 17) .......................................................................................................................................... 15 Comments on the Government Report .................................................................................... 15 Conclusions and Recommendations ......................................................................................... 16 Violence against Children (Articles 19 and 39, 24(3), 37(a) and 28(2), 34) ............................... 17 Situation Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 17 Abuse and neglect, including physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration17 Measures to prohibit and eliminate all forms of harmful traditional practices, including, but not limited to, female genital mutilation and early and forced marriages ........................... 17 Right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including corporal punishment ........................................................................ 18 Sexual exploitation and sexual abuse .................................................................................... 18 Comments on the Government Report .................................................................................... 19 Conclusions and Recommendations ......................................................................................... 19 Family Environment and Alternative Care (Articles 5, 9, 10, 11, 18, 20, 21, 25 and 27(4)) ....... 21 Situation Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 21 Separation from Parents ........................................................................................................... 21 Parents’ common responsibilities, assistance to parents and the provision of childcare services .................................................................................................................................. 22 Adoption ................................................................................................................................ 23 Children and the recovery of maintenance ........................................................................... 23 Comments on Government Report .......................................................................................... 24 Conclusions and Recommendations ......................................................................................... 24 Disability, Basic Health and Welfare (Articles 6, 18, para. 3, 23, 24, 26, 27, paras 1‐3) ............ 25 Situation Analysis ...................................................................................................................... 25 Disability ................................................................................................................................ 25 Survival and Development ..................................................................................................... 26 Preventable diseases ............................................................................................................. 27 Mental Health and Well‐Being .............................................................................................. 27 Action for Children and Youth Aotearoa Page ii UNCROC Alternative Report ‐ November 2015 Preventive Strategies ............................................................................................................. 28 Nutrition and Obesity ............................................................................................................ 28 Oral Health 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