CMNT_TITLE

Repetition

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (a). All forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery. Sale and trafficking of children. The Committee previously noted that section 188 of the Criminal Code prohibits the procuring of any female to become, either within or outside Grenada, a prostitute or to leave Grenada with the intent that she may become an inmate of a brothel elsewhere. The Committee noted, however, that the Criminal Code did not seem to prohibit the sale and trafficking of boys for prostitution, as well as the sale and trafficking of children for labour exploitation.

The Committee notes the Government’s statement that the Ministry of Legal Affairs has been advised to make the necessary amendments to section 188 of the Criminal Code so as to prohibit the sale and trafficking of all children under 18 years for labour exploitation, as well as of boys for sexual exploitation. The Committee expresses the firm hope that amendments to section 188 of the Criminal Code prohibiting the sale and trafficking of all children under 18 years for labour exploitation, as well as of boys for sexual exploitation, will be finalized and adopted soon. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard and to provide a copy, once it has been adopted.

Clause (b). Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. 1. Prostitution. The Committee previously noted that section 188 of the Criminal Code which criminalizes the procuring of girls for prostitution, did not appear to criminalize the use of a child for sexual exploitation and, furthermore, did not seem to prohibit the use, procuring or offering of boys for prostitution.

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that the Ministry of Legal Affairs has been directed to take immediate measures to amend the relevant provisions in this regard. The Committee expresses the firm hope that amendments to the Criminal Code will prohibit the use of children under the age of 18 years for sexual exploitation as well as the use, procuring or offering of boys for sexual exploitation, and will be adopted soon. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard and to provide a copy, once the amendments have been adopted.

2. Pornography. The Committee previously observed that the national legislation did not seem to prohibit the use, procuring or offering of a child for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances.

The Committee notes with interest the Government’s indication that it enacted the Electronic Crimes Act of 2013 which prohibits the use and procuring of children under the age of 18 years for the production of pornography (section 12). The Committee requests the Government to provide a copy of the Electronic Crimes Act of 2013.

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (a). Preventing the engagement of children in the worst forms of child labour. Access to free basic education. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that Education Act No. 21 of 2002 provides for free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 16 years. It also noted the measures taken by the Government, including the implementation of the Educational Development Project of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to achieve universal secondary education. It noted, however, that the Committee on the Rights of the Child, in its concluding observations of June 2010, while noting the high enrolment rates at the primary level, regretted that 21 per cent of enrolled students drop out of school before reaching grade five, and that one child in six is not enrolled in secondary school (CRC/C/GRD/CO/2, paragraph 53).

The Committee notes the Government’s indication that it is taking measures to reduce school dropout rates at both primary and secondary levels. These measures include: the School Books Assistance Programme which provides books to students at a minimal cost and at no cost for vulnerable children; the School Feeding Programme; and the School Bus Assistance Programme. The Government also indicates that it has increased the number of Truancy Officers within the Ministry of Education and the Community Affairs Office of the Police Force to monitor children who are out of school during school hours. Considering that education contributes to preventing children from being engaged in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee requests the Government to continue to take measures to reduce school drop-out rates at the primary and secondary level. It also requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this regard. Lastly, it requests the Government to provide updated statistical data on primary and secondary school enrolment and drop-out rates, and on the number of out-of-school children identified by the Truancy Officers.

Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee previously noted that, in its concluding observations of February 2012, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) regretted the limited data available on trafficking and sexual exploitation (CEDAW/C/GRD/CO1-5, paragraph 25).

The Committee notes the Government’s indication regarding the existence of an Inter-Agency Group of Development Organizations which actively monitors matters related to child labour. The Government further indicates that there are no reported cases of trafficking of children.