The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) urges the state to repeal the Russian law

On April 15, 2024, GYLA submitted an alternative report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC). The function of the CRC is to assess the measures taken by the member state of the Convention on the Rights of the Child to fulfil its obligations under the mentioned international treaty.

The document describes the challenges in Georgia regarding children's rights, both in legislation and in practice. The report covers the following issues: 1. Children's access to justice; 2. Sexual violence against children, including children with disabilities; 3. Early marriage of children; 4. Children's school and pre-school education, including information on educational programmes on the territory beyond the effective control of Georgia (Abkhazia, Tskhinvali, South Ossetia); 5. Children under state care; 6. Child labour and economic exploitation; 7. Children in street.

In addition, GYLA presented information to the Committee on the Rights of the Child about the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, initiated in April 2024, which constitutes a significant obstacle to the effective implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the high contracting state. Moreover, this legislation directly undermines the peaceful existence of civil society and the media in Georgia. Therefore, GYLA asked the Committee on the Rights of the Child to consider this issue within its mandate. 

In its concluding observation of May 30, 2024,the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child notes with serious concern the adoption of the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence at the State Party’s Parliament, which can negatively impact the work of child rights organisations. The committee urges the state party to repeal the law. The observations also share number of other problematic issues, about which GYLA has referred in its alternative report based on the evidence.