Glasgow: 2 Anti-Deportation Workshops
Saturday 15 February and Saturday 15 March 2009 - 1:30-3:00 pm

Facilitator: Pol Yates:  polyates@phonecoop.coop
Hosted by: Umoja Inc Women's Group
Venue: YWCA Glasgow,
3 Newton Terrace,
Sauchiehall Street,
Charing Cross,
Glasgow G3 7PJ

The aims of the workshop are to discuss:
1. Reasons to set up an anti-deportation campaign
2. How to set up an anti-deportation campaign (basics)
3. Empowering of asylum seekers

Enquiries/further information: Pol Yates:  polyates@phonecoop.coop

An Anti-deportation Campaign can defeat an attempt to deport someone
 http://www.ncadc.org.uk/campaigns/neverdoubt.html



Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child: Democratic Republic of the Congo: Published Friday 6th February 2009

The Committee is alarmed over the grave violations committed against children by both State party forces and non-State armed groups in the context of the armed conflict. The Committee is gravely concerned that children's right to life, survival and development are violated as a consequence of being the most vulnerable of victims in hostilities. The Committee also expresses grave concern at the very high rates of infant, under-five and maternal mortality, as well as at deaths caused by preventable diseases or by HIV/AIDS, conditions all of which are aggravated by the armed conflict.
(Full report UN-DRC-Children.pdf attached)

United Nations: Committee on the Rights of the Child
 http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/crc/crcs50.htm

8)  The Committee welcomes efforts by the State party to implement the Committee's concluding observations on the State party's initial report.  Nevertheless, the Committee notes with regret that many of these concluding observations, including on such issues as data collection, best interests of the child, respect for the views of the child, child abuse and neglect, children with disabilities, the right to health, child soldiers and juvenile justice have not been significantly addressed. 

10)  Nevertheless, the Committee is concerned that the enacted laws are not always followed by the issuance of appropriate decrees for implementation, that law enforcement mechanisms are weak and that no activities have been carried out to raise awareness of these laws which are, consequently, not applied or implemented. The Committee also expresses concern at the existence of conflicting laws since older laws are often not repealed when new laws are adopted.

16) The Committee notes as positive the establishment of the National Human Rights Monitoring Centre by the Transitional Constitution, however is concerned that it was not integrated into the new Constitution of 18 February 2006. The Committee further notes that the State party is committed to supporting the creation of a new independent national institution for human rights.

28) The Committee is nevertheless deeply concerned that certain groups of children face discrimination and marginalization, including children with disabilities, children accused of witchcraft, Batwa children, hidden children, demobilized child soldiers and internally displaced children, and that measures to implement legislation against discrimination, including administrative measures, have been insufficient. The Committee also expresses its concern at the persisting societal discrimination against girls.

67) The Committee is gravely concerned that the State party, through its armed forces, bears direct responsibility for violations and that the State party has failed to protect children and prevent violations of children's rights by non-State groups. The Committee, while noting the Goma peace agreement of 2008, is concerned that it is not being implemented and that the armed conflict continues to have a horrific impact on civilians, particularly children, and is further restricting already weak services for children, including in the areas of education, health care and social care. The Committee is particularly concerned over the very high number of children who have been abducted by armed groups for use in hostilities and are victims of violence, rape, sexual and commercial exploitation.

74) The Committee is deeply concerned that violence against child refugees or IDPs continues in the eastern part of the country.

78)  While the Committee notes that awareness-raising and rehabilitation activities for children accused of witchcraft have been developed, however remains concerned that a large number of children are labeled as witches and consequently suffer serious stigmatization. The Committee is also concerned that violence against children accused of witchcraft is increasing, and that children are being kept as prisoners in religious buildings where they are exposed to torture and ill-treatment or even killed under the pretext of exorcism.

80)  Committee is concerned that child labour persists, noting with particular concern the presence of child workers as young as five years old, working in dangerous conditions in the mining industry, particularly in the Katanga region.

82) The Committee is concerned that children continue to be trafficked and sold for sexual exploitation, as well economic exploitation.

84) The Committee is seriously concerned that marginalized children, such as children involved in armed conflict, refugees and internally displaced persons, are victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned that young girls in urban centres are often forced to engage in prostitution, sometimes by their parents, at a very low age.