I.
INTRODUCTION
1. The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
(ACERWC/ Committee) extends its compliments to the Government of the Republic
of Gabon and wishes to acknowledge with thanks receipt of the initial report on the
status of the implementation of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the
Child (the African Children’s Charter/ the Charter). The ACERWC, during its 26th
Ordinary Session, considered the Republic of Gabon’s initial report which was
submitted in accordance with the State Parties obligation under Article 43 of the
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
2. The Committee commends the State Party for its delegation led by H.E. Dr.
Seraphin MOUNDOUNGA, 2nd Vice-Prime Minister of the Gabonese Republic in
charge of Justice and Human Rights, Keeper of the Seals, for the open and
constructive dialogue.
3. The Committee notes with appreciation the fact that the State Party ratified the
African Children’s Charter and took various initiatives to implement the rights and
duties enshrined in the Charter. However, the Committee regrets that the report was
submitted with considerable delay, which prevented the Committee from reviewing
the implementation of the Charter by the Republic of Gabon for some years after the
ratification.
II.
PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHARTER
4. The Committee commends the State Party among others on the following
achievements;
a. Ratifying a number of international and regional human rights instruments;
b. Adopting various national laws such as Law No.39/2010 Legal Protection of
Juveniles, and Decree No.0031/PR/ MTEEP on the fight against child labour;
c. Establishing various institutions such as the National Observatory of Children’s
Rights, the National Human Rights Commission, and the National Human Rights
Reports Drafting Committee;
d. Progress in reducing maternal and infant mortality; and
e. Abolishing death penalty;
III.
AREAS OF CONCERN AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. General Measures of Implementation
5. The Committee commends the Government of Gabon for committing itself to
international and regional human rights instruments in general and to the African
Children’s Charter in particular. The Committee recommends the Government of
Gabon to reinforce its commitment to protect children through the harmonization of