ACERWC - 8 -Tribune 25 Years Anniversary of the Charter / Ratification and Reporting Campaign by Kameni Ngankam, Communication Officer, ACERWC Secretariat LAUNCHED! A longside the 22nd AU Summit (21 – 31 January, 2014), the launching of the campaign took place, in presence of partners organizations (Unicef, Save the Children, Plan International) and the Media. Planned to be conducted within a 2 year period culminating on 29 November, 2015, the Campaign aims at achieving universal ratification and respect for States Parties’ fulfillment of their reporting obligations by 2015 and increasing the visibility of the ACRWC and its monitoring body. It also promotes the effective implementation of the ACRWC and advocates for the withdrawal of reservations. To date, April 2014, only seven AU member States are not party to the African Children’s Charter. Forty Seven countries have ratified the Charter though four State Parties have placed reservations on the application of some its provisions. With regard to reporting, Twenty Three State Parties have submitted their reports on the measures they have adopted which give effect to the provisions of the Charter and on the progress made in the enjoyment of the Charter in accordance with Article 43 of the ACRWC. In his address to Media, the Rapporteur of the ACERWC, Justice Alfas Chitakunye highlighted the untiring efforts of the Committee in advocating for reporting on the implementation of the Charter. However, only 23 countries Editorial Board Publishing Director: Deputy- Publishing Director: Editorial Team: Justice Alfas Chitakunye Dr. Félicité Muhimpundu Dr. Azza Ashmawy Dr. Benyam Dawit Mezmur Dr. Fatéma-Zohra Sebaa-Delladj Prof. Julia Sloth-Nielsen Dr. Clément Mashamba Mrs. Amal Al-Henguary Mrs. Sidikou Alassane Moulaye Mr. Joseph Ndayisenga have duly complied with their obligations to submit reports. For most of the countries, the due date for submission of their periodic reports has already lapsed. Some countries reports are overdue by more than ten years, he announced with regret. Mme Fatima-Zohra SEBAA-DELLADJ, 1st Vice-President of the Committee insisted on the urgency of reporting under the Charter, since it is based on those reports that the Committee can formulate recommendations on the implementation of the Charter and therefore ensure that children’s rights are promoted, respected and fulfilled. Reporting on the implementation of the Charter is also a fundamental require- Press Conference, launching of the Campaign, 29 November 2013 - ment for the Committee to effectively undertake its mandate. In their solidarity Statement, Partners reaffirmed their commitment to support the Committee during the Campaign. The Campaign has started with the objectives of achieving universal ratification and States Parties’ fulfillment of their reporting obligations by 2015, promoting the effective implementation of the African Children’s Charter and advocating for the withdrawal of reservations, and increasing the visibility of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and its monitoring body. The countdown is set. 2015 is around the corner! Editor-in-Chief: Contributors: Design & Layout: Mrs. CISSE Mariama Mohamed Ayalew Getachew Assefa Philippe Sekone Wendyam Catherine Wanjiru Maina Kameni Ngankam Contact: P.O. Box: 3243 Roosevelt Street, Addis-Ababa Tel: (+251 ) 115 182 215 Fax: (+251 1) 553 5716 Email: KameniY@africa-union.org