Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2008, publiée 98ème session CIT (2009)

Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Clause (a). All forms of slavery or similar practices. Sale and trafficking of children. In its previous comments, the Committee noted the Government’s statement that there is child trafficking between Benin and the Congo for the purpose of forcing children to work in Pointe-Noire in trading and domestic work. According to the Government, the children are forced to work all day in harsh conditions by their host families, and are subjected to all kinds of hardships. The Committee noted that sections 345, 354 and 356 of the Penal Code lay down penalties for anyone found guilty of the forcible or fraudulent abduction of persons including young persons under 18 years of age. It requested the Government to indicate to what extent sections 345, 354 and 356 of the Penal Code have been implemented in practice. The Committee requests the Government once again to supply information on the application of sections 345, 354 and 356 of the Penal Code in practice, including, in particular, statistics on the number and nature of offences reported, investigations, prosecutions, convictions and penalties imposed.

Article 7, paragraph 2. Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (b). Removal of children from the worst forms of child labour and ensuring their rehabilitation and social integration. Sale and trafficking of children. In its previous observations, the Committee noted the Government’s statement acknowledging that the trafficking of children between Benin and the Congo for the purpose of forcing children to work in Pointe-Noire in trading and domestic work is contrary to human rights. It also noted that the Government has taken certain measures to curb child trafficking, including: (a) the repatriation by the Consulate of Benin of children who have either been picked up by the national police or removed from families; and (b) the requirement at borders (airport) for minors (young person under 18 years of age) to have administrative authorization to leave the territory of Benin. The Committee asked the Government to provide information on the impact of the measures taken with regard to the rehabilitation and social integration of children following their withdrawal from labour. It notes that the Government’s report does not contain any information on this subject. The Committee requests the Government once again to supply information on the time-bound measures taken to remove young persons under 18 years of age from this worst form of child labour and to ensure their rehabilitation and social integration. It also requests the Government to supply information on the impact of these measures.

Part V of the report form. Application of the Convention in practice. The Committee notes that, according to the concluding observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child on the initial report of the Congo of October 2006 (CRC/C/COG/CO/1, paragraph 85), a study of the root causes and repercussions of trafficking is due to be conducted in the country. The Committee requests the Government to supply information on the results of this study and to supply a copy of it once is has been prepared.

The Committee is also raising a number of other matters in a direct request to the Government.