THIMPHU: Bhutan, along with the rest of the world, will today celebrate the 20th anniversary of the United Nations (UN) convention on the rights of the child (CRC). But nearly two decades after ratifying the convention, Bhutan’s progress on ensuring children’s rights is mixed, according to the lead agency on such issues, the national commission for women and children (NCWC).

Although Bhutan has made significant progress, a lack of awareness on child rights, insufficient state and political commitment to concerned agencies, and the lack of a comprehensive law is hindering the securing of the rights of Bhutanese children.

“If we’re to use the yardstick of greater awareness about human rights in general and rights of women and children in particular, we’ve done quite well in the last few years,” said NCWC executive director, Dr Rinchen Chophel. “If we look at the keenness and commitment of the monastic body to embrace child rights, we’ve made tremendous leaps in the right direction.” However, Dr Chophel added that, “It is still too early to quantify the improvements.”

UNICEF representative in Bhutan, Dr Gepke Hingst, listed the establishment of a women and children committee in parliament and NCWC, the allocation of more than 20 percent of the national budget for the social sector, improvements in education, over 90 percent immunisation coverage, and less infant mortality, as some of the achievements in ensuring child rights.

Several challenges remain for Bhutan in implementing CRC, particularly in protection rights. These refer to protection from all forms of child abuse, neglect, exploitation and cruelty.

“We still have many children, whose lives or childhood are lost in the struggle for existence,” said Dr Chophel. He attributed this to a lack of understanding on the issues of children in difficult circumstances and the responsibility of the state as the primary actor on the issue. “It’s yet to be clearly appreciated and adequately budgeted for in our plans and policies,” said Dr Chophel.

Similarly, Dr Hingst also pointed out that new challenges are emerging that require more focus on protection rights. Increasing urbanisation and rural-urban migration are contributing to issues, such as anti-social behaviour and substance abuse, bringing them into conflict with the law, she said.

One major issue on child rights in Bhutan is child labour. A significant portion of around 55,000 Bhutanese children, who do not attend school, could be engaged in child labour today, according to a study conducted by NCWC this year. The most common forms of child labour are domestic helpers in the service sector, such as restaurants, automobile workshops and transportation. Dr Hingst said that UNICEF was ready to help the government in addressing such issues.

Another major impediment towards the implementation of CRC is the absence of a national plan of action or comprehensive law. Although Bhutan is working towards a Child Care and Protection Act to address this, its review and adoption has been delayed by parliament since 2008. “This is the most important and the most ambitious activity for our children and I hope the government and law makers realise this,” said Dr Chophel. “It’ll be sad if the Bill isn’t ratified on time.” The bill is scheduled to be reviewed next year during the summer session.

On whether all the provisions of CRC, like a blanket ban on corporal punishment and strict enforcement policies for it, are absolutely necessary for Bhutan, Dr Chophel, said that, while it is necessary to uphold international obligations, “the pace has to be defined by our own capacity and situations.” On corporal punishment, Dr Chophel, said, this was not negotiable, especially with Bhutan being predominantly Buddhist.

Two events will mark Bhutan’s CRC celebrations today. In Thimphu, a mural, or painting on a large surface, by children will be completed, along with competitions on poetry and photography, organised by VAST, in collaboration with NCWC and UNICEF. In Punakha, His Holiness the Je Khenpo will conduct a tshokhor or prayer ceremony for the well being of children globally, followed by His Holiness speaking on child rights to about 250 child monks and nuns.

CRC was established in 1990, after the UN general assembly, in 1989, recognised that people under age 18 usually require special care and protection. The convention is designed to affirm and ensure children of their human rights, by setting standards in health care, education, and legal, civil and societal services. Bhutan was one of the first countries to ratify the convention, and is now accountable to the international community for its implementation.

Only two UN member nations have not ratified CRC, the USA and Somalia.