COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILDFiftieth session

12-30 January 2009

OPTIONAL PROTOCOL ON THE SALE OF CHILDREN,

CHILD PROSTITUTION AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

List of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of

the initial report of the Netherlands

The State party is requested to submit in written form additional and updated information, if possible, before 24 November 2008 .

Please provide (if available) statistical data (including by sex, age group, urban/rural area) for the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 on:

The number of reported cases of sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, with additional information on type of follow-up provided on the outcome of the cases, including prosecution, withdrawals and sanctions and rehabilitation for perpetrators;

The number of reported cases of children trafficked to and from the Netherlands and Aruba, as well as those trafficked within the country, for the purpose of sexual exploitation;

The number of reported cases of crimes related to child sex tourism involving Dutch citizens, with additional information on type of follow-up provided on the outcome of the cases, including prosecution, withdrawals and sanctions for perpetrators; and

The number of child victims provided with recovery assistance and compensation as indicated in article 9, paragraphs 3 and 4, of the Optional Protocol.

Please advise if there are any plans to extend the Optional Protocol to the Netherlands Antilles.

GE.08-44596

Please indicate whether the ombudsman’s office or any other independent monitoring mechanism on child rights has the mandate to receive complaints from, or on behalf of, children on violations of the Optional Protocol.

Please indicate whether the State party has a plan of action in relation to the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and if so, please provide information on the competent authorities responsible for its implementation and coordination.

Please indicate whether the recommendation from the Board of Procurators General to apply tougher sentencing in child pornography cases has been followed up.

Please indicate if any steps have been taken towards criminalizing the production and dissemination of material advertising the sale of children, child prostitution or child pornography.

Please provide information on the relevant legal framework on domestic and inter-country adoption procedures and surrogacy, including legislation criminalizing offences under article 3 (a)(ii).

Please provide information on measures taken to strengthen international assistance in connection with investigative, criminal and extradition proceedings brought in respect of the offences covered by the Optional Protocol.

Please indicate whether special training, particularly social and psychological, is provided to persons working in the area of recovery and social reintegration of child victims of the offences under the Optional Protocol.

Please advise if any systematic investigation has been undertaken to obtain information about the existence of commercial sexual exploitation of children in Aruba.

Please advise if education concerning sexual exploitation has been included in the school curricula.

- - - - -