COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

Forty-sixth session

Geneva, 17 September – 5 October 2007

OPTIONAL PROTOCOL ON THE INVOLVMENT OF CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT

List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of the initial report of Croatia ( CRC/C/OPAC/HRV/1)

Under this section the State Party is requested to submit in written form additional and updated information, if possible, before 6 August 2007 .

1.With reference to paragraphs 43 to 46 of the State party’s report, please clarify which authority is in charge of the implementation of the Optional Protocol. Please also indicate whether there is any specific mechanism available for monitoring and periodically evaluating its implementation.

2.Please indicate whether there is any legal provision in the Defence Law or in any other piece of legislation which criminalizes compulsory recruitment or involving in hostilities of a person under 18.

3.Please provide detailed information as to whether Croatia assumes extraterritorial jurisdiction over the war crime of conscripting or enlisting children under the age of 15 into the armed forces or using them to participate actively in hostilities. Also in relation to extraterritorial jurisdiction, please indicate whether Croatian courts have jurisdiction in case of the compulsory recruitment or involvement in hostilities of a person under 18 if committed outside Croatia, by or against a Croatian citizen.

GE.07-437804.Please provide disaggregated data (including by sex, age and country of origin) covering the years 2004, 2005 and 2006 on the number of unaccompanied asylum-seeking, refugee and migrant children coming to Croatia from areas affected by armed conflict. In this respect, please provide information on measures adopted with regard to the physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration of refugee, asylum-seeking and migrant children entering Croatia who may have been recruited or used in hostilities abroad.

5.Please provide information on the measures taken to implement the Committee’s recommendation to the State party related to children in armed conflict, upon consideration of the second periodic report. In particular, the State party should provide more information on:

(a)The programmes implemented both at national and at local level for children recruited or used in hostilities and the type of assistance provided;

(b)The numbers of children who have benefited from these programmes and any assessment/evaluation on their effectiveness and results.

6.Please explain how access to arms is regulated within the State party. Also, please provide information on the rules regulating the production, sale and distribution of small arms and other weaponry.

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