Follow on the implementation of Children's rights in the Republic of Congo

Wednesday 04 July 2018

REIPER, a partner of FAAI and Fondation Apprentis d’Auteuil has submitted a report to the UN on the implementation of children’s rights in the Republic of Congo, in view of the Universal Periodical Review which will take place on Nov. 14, 2018 at the UN in Geneva. This report draws the current situation of children’s rights according to REIPER and suggests recommendations. Below is a summary of the report :

Congo ratified the most important texts for childhood protection :

  1. The International Convention on Children's rights on 13 November 1993
  2. The African Charter on the rights and welfare of children on 31 may 2006

To be in line with the standard of international law, the Republic of Congo has a national legal arsenal for better child protection :

1). The Constitution of November 6 2015, a fundamental text which states within article 39 that "All children without discrimination shall have the right, from their family, society and the State, to the measures required by their condition ". It also requires, within Article 40, "the obligation from the State to protect children and adolescents against economic or social exploitation and prohibits child labor under the age of 16."

2). Law No. 4-2010 of June 14 2010 on childhood protection which states all the principles and rights of the child as enshrined in the International Convention on children's rights and the African charter on the rights and welfare of children. It enforces special for children with special needs (disabled, street children, without resources, at risk, displaced persons, asylum seekers, refugees, etc.).

Despite this juridical arsenal and the voting of the law n°2010-4 from June 14, 2010, these measures haven’t been implemented yet, delaying the implementation of children’s rights in the country. As a consequence of the misunderstanding of children’s rights by local authorities and the lack of human and material means, today, social workers see a worsening of the conditions in their daily work with children.

Read the full report from REIPER: rapport_epu_reiper_apprentis_dauteuil_avril_2018.pdf

Back to the list