I.
INTRODUCTION
1. The African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
(ACERWC/the Committee) extends its compliments to the Government of the
Republic of Madagascar and wishes to acknowledge with thanks the 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 25th Ordinary Session which was held from 20 to 24 April, 2015
considered the report which was submitted in accordance with the State Parties
obligation under Article 43 of the Charter.
2. The Committee extends its compliments to the Government of Madagascar for
ratifying the Charter. The Committee also welcomes the productive discussion with
the delegation of Madagascar which was led by H.E. Mme Noeline
RAMANANTENASOA, the Minister of Justice. The dialogue enlightened the
Committee about the measures the State Party has taken towards the
implementation of the Charter. Subsequent to the fruitful dialogue, the Committee
adopted the following concluding observations and recommendations.
II.
PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHARTER
3. The Committee welcomes the measures the Government of Madagascar is taking to
protect the rights of children including:
i.
setting the minimum age of employment at 15 years;
ii.
establishment of an Independent National Human Rights Institution;
iii.
establishment of National Child Protection Committee;
iv.
adoption of Decree No. 2009-1147 of 1 September 2009 which provides for
inclusive education;
v.
ratification of various international human rights instruments such as the
Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights; the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on
the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts; and the Convention on
Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Inter-country Adoption.
vi.
adoption of the National Action Plan on Ending Violence Against Children and
the establishment of a Child Protection Network; and
vii.
establishment of the Central Authority to monitor and follow-up inter-country
adoption.
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