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 People’s
Democratic Republic of Algeria 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 Algeria’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.
Ambassador Soualem Lazhar, Director of Political Affairs and International Security,
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 Algeria 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. Adopting various international and regional human rights instruments
including the African Children’s Charter;
b. Harmonizing the definition of the child in its national laws in line with article 2
of the African Children’s Charter;
c. Adopting the National Action Plan for Children;
III.
AREAS OF CONCERN AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. General Measures of Implementation
5. The Committee commends the Government of Algeria 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
Algeria to reinforce its commitment to protect children through the harmonization of
national laws in line with the principles and provisions of the African Children’s
Charter.