Committee on the Rights of the Child

Fifty-fifth session

13 September-1 October 2010

Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict

List of issues concerning additional and updated information related to the consideration of the initial report of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CRC/C/OPAC/BIH/1)

The State Party is requested to submit in written form additional and updated information, if possible, before 2 August 2010, not exceeding 15 pages.

1.The Committee may take up all aspects of children’s rights contained in the Optional Protocol during the dialogue with the State Party.

2.Please indicate the governmental department or body responsible for the coordination and evaluation of activities to implement the Optional Protocol and please inform the Committee about the current status of the Council of Children

3.Please provide information on the number of persons under the age of 18 years who attend military secondary-school training abroad. In addition, please provide information on any existing agreements (formalizing such arrangements) between the State party, or any of the Entities, and receiving States and on the type of education provided and the proportions of academic education and military training in such schools.

4.Please clarify whether since the submission of the initial report the State party has taken any measures to explicitly prohibit and sanction the recruitment of children under the age of 18 years into armed forces and armed groups, and their direct participation in hostilities.

5.Please explain whether the State party can assume extraterritorial jurisdiction over the war crime of conscripting or enlisting children under the age of 15 years into the armed forces or using them to participate actively in hostilities. Also in relation to extraterritorial jurisdiction, please inform the Committee whether courts have jurisdiction in cases of forced recruitment or involvement in hostilities of a person under 18 years if committed outside the State party by or against one of its nationals.

6.Please indicate whether national legislation prohibits the trade and export of small and lights arms as well as military assistance to countries where children are involved in armed conflict. In addition, please clarify whether the State party has taken measures to improve the security and physical condition of sites where surplus ammunition is stored.

7.Please inform the Committee of the results of the State party’s efforts to clear landmines, in particular close to schools and in areas where children play.

8.Please provide information on the number of asylum-seeking, refugee and unaccompanied children present in the territory of the State party, disaggregated by age, sex, and country of origin. In addition, please indicate whether there are mechanisms in place to identify children who have been involved in armed conflict, in order to provide them with physical and psychological recovery and rehabilitation.