University of Minnesota Human Rights Library

Convention Abbreviation: CRC-OP-AC COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Fortieth session

CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES
PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 8 OF THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL
TO THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD ON
THE INVOLVEMENT OF CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICTS

Concluding observations: Denmark

1. The Committee considered the initial report of Denmark (CRC/C/OPAC/DNK/1) at its 1073rd meeting (see CRC/C/SR.1073), held on 26 September 2005, and adopted, at the 1080th meeting (CRC/C/SR.1080), held on 30 September 2005, the following concluding observations.

A. Introduction

2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the State party's report, which was submitted on time. Nevertheless, the Committee is concerned that the State party has not followed the reporting guidelines nor annexed relevant legislation.

B. Positive aspects

3. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the minimum age of compulsory recruitment has been raised, owing to a decision taken during the negotiations on the Optional Protocol that Denmark should work more actively towards a general minimum age of 18 years for compulsory and voluntary recruitment to the Armed Forces.

C. Principal areas of concern and recommendations

Assistance for physical and psychological recovery

4. The Committee requests that the State party provide information in its next report on refugee and migrant children within its jurisdiction who may have been involved in hostilities in their home country and the assistance provided for their physical and psychological recovery and their social reintegration.

Training/dissemination of the Optional Protocol

5. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to develop ongoing and systematic education and training on the provisions of the Optional Protocol for all relevant professional groups, in particular military personnel. In addition, the Committee recommends that the State party make the provisions of the Optional Protocol widely known to children through, inter alia, school curricula.
Technical cooperation and financial assistance

6. The Committee requests the State party to provide information in its next report on cooperation in the implementation of the Optional Protocol, including through technical cooperation and financial assistance, as provided for in article 7 of the Optional Protocol.

Dissemination of documentation

7. In light of article 2, paragraph 2, of the Optional Protocol, the Committee recommends that the initial report and additional information submitted by the State party and these concluding observations be made widely available to the public at large in order to generate debate and awareness of the Optional Protocol, its implementation and monitoring within the Government, the Parliament and the general public, including concerned non-governmental organizations.

Next report

8. In accordance with article 8, paragraph 2, the Committee requests the State party to include further information on the implementation of the Optional Protocol in its fourth periodic report under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, due on 17 August 2008.