Source: http://www.worldlii.org/int/other/UNCRCSPR/2004/2.html
Timestamp: 2019-06-27 05:28:12
Document Index: 518327749

Matched Legal Cases: ['art. 1', 'art. 2', 'art. 3', 'art. 6', 'art. 12', 'art. 7', 'art. 8', 'art. 14', 'art. 15', 'art. 16', 'art. 37', 'art. 5', 'art. 18', 'art. 9', 'art. 10', 'art. 27', 'art. 20', 'art. 21', 'art. 11', 'art. 25', 'art. 23', 'art. 24', 'art. 26', 'art. 27', 'art. 28', 'art. 29', 'art. 31', 'art. 30', 'art. 38']

You are here: WorldLII >> Databases >> United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child - States Parties Reports >> 2004 >> [2004] UNCRCSPR 2
Introduction 1 - 8	4
I.	GENERAL MEASURES OF IMPLEMENTATION 9 - 21	5
II.	DEFINITION OF THE CHILD (art. 1) 22 - 49	6
III.	GENERAL PRINCIPLES 50 - 102	9
A.	Non-discrimination (art. 2) 50 - 55	9
B.	Best interests of the child (art. 3) 56 - 91	10
C.	Right to life, survival and development (art. 6) 92 - 100	14
D.	Respect for the views of the child (art. 12) 101 - 102	15
IV.	CIVIL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS 103 - 130	16
A.	Name and nationality (art. 7) 103 - 106	16
B.	Preservation of identity (art. 8) 107	16
C.	Freedom of expression and access to appropriate
information (arts. 13 and 17) 108 - 109	17
D.	Freedom of thought, conscience and religion (art. 14) 110 - 113	17
E.	Freedom of association and of peaceful assembly (art. 15) 114	18
F.	Protection of privacy (art. 16) 115 - 116	18
G.	Torture and degrading treatment (art. 37) 117 - 130	18
V.	FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND ALTERNATIVE CARE 131 - 203	20
A.	Parental guidance (art. 5) 131 - 146	20
B.	Parental responsibilities (art. 18) 147 - 162	22
C.	Separation from parents (art. 9) 163 - 179	24
D.	Family reunification (art. 10) 180 - 184	26
E.	Recovery of maintenance for the child (art. 27, para. 4) 185	26
F.	Children deprived of a family environment (art. 20) 186 - 190	26
G.	Adoption (art. 21) 191 - 192	27
H.	Illicit transfer and non-return of children (art. 11) 193 - 195	27
I.	Protection from abuse and neglect (arts. 19 and 39) 196 - 201	27
J.	Periodic review of placement (art. 25) 202 - 203	28
VI.	BASIC HEALTH AND WELFARE 204 - 244	28
A.	Survival and development 204 - 214	28
B.	Disabled children (art. 23) 215 - 225	30
C.	Health and health care (art. 24) 226 - 234	31
D.	Social security and childcare services and
facilities (art. 26) 235 - 241	32
E.	Standard of living (art. 27) 242 - 244	33
VII.	EDUCATION, LEISURE AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES 245 - 285	34
guidance (art. 28) 245 - 266	34
B.	Aims of education (art. 29) 267 - 268	36
C.	Leisure, recreation and cultural activities (art. 31) 269 - 285	37
VIII.	SPECIAL PROTECTION MEASURES 286 - 351	42
A.	Children in situations of emergency 286 - 289	42
B.	Children in conflict with the law 290 - 297	42
C.	Children in situations of exploitation, including physical
and psychological recovery and reintegration 298 - 348	43
D.	Children belonging to minority or indigenous
groups (art. 30)	349 - 351	49
IX.	PRIORITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE ARTICLES OF
THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD 352 - 355	49
X.	CONCLUSION 356 - 359	50
Under the Children and Young Persons (Administration of Justice) Act, a “child”
means a person under 14 years of age and a “young person” someone who has attained the age of 14 years, but is under the age of 18 years.
(a)	Life, liberty, security of person and the protection afforded by the law;
(b)	Freedom of conscience and of expression;
(c)	Protection of the privacy of his home and other property and from deprivation of property without compensation.
Further, under this Act, a search warrant may be issued authorizing any peace officer or probation officer named in the warrant to search for a child who is suspected of having been illtreated or neglected within the meaning of the Act.
The Department of Social Services, a government agency, has been the major provider of social services in the Bahamas since its establishment in 1964. Prior to 1964, work in this area was conducted by a voluntary body called the Child Protective Committee. An impressive range
of services have been developed and implemented over the years to meet the needs of children, individuals and families in distress. In 1997, all social services were amalgamated in an attempt to provide such services to the populace in a more efficient and effective manner.
(a)	Children and Family Services Division;
(b)	Community Support Services Division;
(c)	Student Services Division;
(d)	Rehabilitative and Welfare Services Division;
(e)	Health Social Services Division;
(f)	Childcare Facilities Division.
(a)	Individual and group counselling;
(b)	Coordination of activities with other government ministries;
(c)	Liaison with the Bahamas National Council;
(d)	Assisting with monitoring of grants awarded to non-governmental organizations;
(e)	Participating in ongoing research and development of needassessments to identify financial needs;
(f)	Engaging in evaluation procedures to ensure quality services for the disabled population.
The Penal Code of the Bahamas, 1924, outlines general criminal codes regarding offences pertaining to children. Under section 269 of the Penal Code, any person who unlawfully exposes, or abandons a child, under 7 years of age, in such a manner that any grievous harm is likely to be caused to the child is liable to imprisonment for
With regard to the development of the child, the Minister of Education is empowered under the Education Act to promote the education of the people of the Bahamas by the progressive development of schools and other educational establishments devoted to that end. The purpose of such development is to enable the children of the Bahamas to understand their privileges and responsibilities as members of the community, to contribute to the progress and wellbeing of the Bahamas by the full development of their natural abilities, and to earn an adequate livelihood as adults.
Under the Constitution, every person born in the Bahamas after 9 July 1973, date on which the Constitution became effective, shall become a citizen of the Bahamas at the date of his birth, if, at that date, either of his parents is a citizen of the Bahamas.
Under article 8 of the Constitution, “A person born outside the Bahamas after 9 July 1973 shall become a citizen of the Bahamas at the date of his birth if, at that date, his father is a citizen of the Bahamas.” Article 9 (i) provides that “not withstanding anything contained in article 8 of the Constitution, a person born legitimately outside the Bahamas after 9 July 1973, whose mother is a citizen of the Bahamas, shall be entitled upon making application or his attaining the age of eighteen (18) years and before he attains the age of twentyone (21) years, in such a manner as may be prescribed, to be registered as a citizen of the Bahamas”. However, if he is a citizen of some country other than the Bahamas, he shall not be entitled to be registered as a citizen of the Bahamas unless he renounces his citizenship of that other country.
information (arts. 13 and 17)
(a)	In the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or
(b)	For the purpose of protecting the rights and freedoms of other persons, including the right to observe and practise any religion without the unsolicited interference of members of
any other religion, and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof, is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society”.
The Constitution of the Bahamas makes provision for the protection and right of
(a)	In the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, town and country planning, the development of mineral resources, of the development or utilization of any other property in such a manner as to promote the public benefit;
(b)	For the purpose of protecting the rights and freedoms of other persons;
(c)	To enable an officer or agent of the Government of the Bahamas, a local government authority or a body corporate established by law for public purposes to enter on the premises of any person in order to inspect his premises or anything thereon for the purpose of any tax, rate or due or in order to carry out work connected with any property that is lawfully to those premises and that belongs to that Government, authority or body corporate, as the case may be; or
(d)	To authorize, for the purpose of enforcing the judgement or order of a court in any civil proceedings, the search of any person or property by order of a court or the entry upon any premises by such order, and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof, is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society”.
Contributions from all members of the team guarantee for each “atrisk” child a continuity of care. This further helps to ensure that no abused child “slips through the cracks” and gets lost in the system and thereby fails to receive the level and quality of care needed. With this protocol in place, each abused child is now able to access needed help through an established process, which also provides for ongoing monitoring.
(a)	Have attained the age of 25 years and be at least 21 years older than the infant in respect of whom the application is made;
(b)	Have attained the age of 18 years and be a relative of the infant; or
(c)	Be the mother or father of the infant.
(a)	The Salvation Army School for the Blind located in New Providence, which accommodates 12 children and young adults, aged 5 to 21 years. The Government provides an annual grant for the salaries;
(b)	The Stapledon School for the Mentally Retarded, a public facility in New Providence, is an all-age school which can accommodate up to 140 children and young adults between the ages of 5 and 22 years. Special projects include gardening, animal husbandry, poultry-rearing, ceramics and craft. One hundred and three students are currently registered and attending this school;
(c)	Every Child Counts is a privately owned and operated facility on the island of Abaco;
(d)	The Centre for Deaf Children, a public facility in New Providence, accommodates up to 70 children and young adults aged 2½ to 20 years;
(e)	The Hopedale Centre is a privately owned and operated facility, located in New Providence. Its facility provides academic and vocational training for 40 children and adults;
(f)	The Beacon School for Exceptional Children is located on Grand Bahama Island and is also a public facility which accommodates 90 children between the ages of 6 and 16 years. The facility primarily caters to children who are mentally retarded;
(g)	A special class for autistic children is attached to Garvin Tynes Primary School, a public facility in New Providence.
The Ministry of Health and Environment is responsible for the health needs of the nation. Services are provided through three public facilities, Princess Margaret Hospital, Sandilands Rehabilitative Centre, which includes the Geriatric Hospital located in New Providence, and the
Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Additionally, the Ministry operates approximately 118 community clinics throughout New Providence and the Family Islands, to address the health needs of adults as well as children.
Additionally, legislation was enacted in 2000 to regulate health professionals and healthcare facilities in an effort to ensure that quality care and services are provided for all persons, including children.
(a)	If the employee is employed by the week the minimum wages shall be 150 dollars per week;
(b)	If the employee is employed by the day the minimum wages shall be 30 dollars per day;
(c)	If the employee is employed by the hour the minimum wages shall be 4 dollars per hour.
The programme “Success Ultimately Resources Everyone” (S.U.R.E.) accepts chronically ill-behaved children from secondary schools in order to help them develop selfesteem, instil interest in learning and experience a sense of accomplishment. Students return to their respective schools after they demonstrate improvement in their behaviour.
(a)	Suspension for a short period of time for serious offences;
(b)	Detention, which requires students to spend extra time in class studying or receiving instruction under the supervision of a teacher;
(c)	Participation in special programmes and projects conducted by guidance counsellors.
Provision is made in the Education Act for the establishment of institution for further education of children over compulsory school age. To this end, the college of the Bahamas, a Government-sponsored institution established in 1974, is housed on one campus situated on
New Providence Island and offers a wide range of programmes leading to Advanced Level General Certificate of Education (G.C.E.) London, and baccalaureate degrees in social work, education, banking, nursing and hotel hospitality. There are now extension campuses in Freeport, Grand Bahama, Exuma and Abaco. The College of the Bahamas also has a Centre for Continuing Education and Extension Services, situated in New Providence. Courses offered are designed for personal development and at the end of 1999, 42 courses were being offered, some of which included cake decorating, interior decoration, public speaking, and marketing for small businesses.
(a)	The provision of opportunities for a sound liberal and general education, which provides possibilities for all persons in the Bahamas to attain full development of their potential;
(b)	The pursuit of excellence at all levels of the educational system. Emphasis is being placed on the continued expansion of appropriate forms of education and training for children with special needs and the pursuit of excellence at all levels of the educational system;
(c)	The pursuit of knowledge that will allow the nation to keep abreast of new trends and techniques in education;
(d)	The encouragement of a knowledgeable appreciation for the physical environment, and the cultural and sound heritage of the Bahamas;
(e)	The development of appropriate attitudes, values and behaviours that are consonant with the Bahamian ethos;
(f)	The development within our society of an understanding of the role of education in nation-building;
(g)	The development of communitywide education for young people and adults to encourage the wise use of leisure time, which leads to individual satisfaction and a meaningful life for all;
(h)	The improvement of manpower resources of the country;
(i)	The continued expansion of appropriate forms of education and training for those with special needs;
(j)	The encouragement of the choice and acceptance of those ideals of conduct and endeavours that are valued by a democratic Christian society;
(k)	The pursuit of those ideals that will promote peace and unity internally, and between the Bahamas and other nations;
(l)	The recognition that education is a lifelong process.
(a)	Elisha Obed Boxing Championship (target date: 7-12 April): This is a developmental programme catering to schoolchildren aged 10-18 years;
(b)	Bahamas Inter-collegiate Sports Association: The Association sponsors basketball, volleyball and inter-collegiate sports activities. These various events are held throughout the year, and targets male and female athletes between the ages
of 17 and 25 years;
(c)	20th Annual Primary Track and Field Championships (target date: 7-9 May): This is a developmental programme for primary school track and field athletes from throughout the Bahamas;
(d)	Certification Course in Life Guarding (target date: 12 and 13 June): This is a training and certification course in water safety/life-saving procedures;
(e)	Community Track and Field Championships (target date: 12 and 13 June): This is a communitywide recreational track and field meet for business houses, hotels, government ministries and masters division for senior citizens;
(f)	Annual Summer Sports Programme (target date: 7 July-8 August): Hosting of development camps and use of all the facilities at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre/Blue Hills in the following disciplines: basketball; soccer, track and field; baseball; swimming; boxing; volleyball; and cycling;
(g)	Community Swim Championship (target date: 21 and 22 August): This is a community recreational programme in swimming similar to that of the Community Track and Field Championships;
(h)	Primary Schools Basketball Championships (target date: 20-27 October): This event is the culmination of a primary schools district basketball tournament, featuring the various Islands champions;
(i)	19th Annual Father Marcian Peters Basketball Tournament (target
date: 712 December): This is an event hosted by the Ministry as a national basketball tournament for boys and girls throughout the Bahamas.
(a)	The Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre which includes the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium, the Andre Rogers Baseball Stadium and Netball Courts and the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex;
(b)	The South Beach Pools;
(c)	The Baillou Hills Sporting Complex which consists of softball and baseball fields as well as basketball and tennis courts;
(d)	The Kendal G. L. Isaacs Multi-purpose Gymnasium which was officially opened in July 1994.
(a)	National Arts Festival - A competitive festival which includes the disciplines of music, drama, dance arts and crafts. During 2000 there were approximately 41,000 participants from 13 islands in the Bahamas and New Providence. The annual festival is held continuously during March, April and May;
(b)	National Poetry Competition - This competition climaxes in July during independence celebrations. The work of participants from around the Bahamas is adjudicated, and an awards ceremony held in the Ballroom of Government House;
(c)	Theatre in the Park - This is an attempt to bring music, drama and dance to the people. It is held on the parks located in the various constituencies in Nassau and Freeport. Performances are held three times a year;
(d)	National Dance School - The school has been in existence since 1974. It has a student body of approximately 120. The three full-time teachers and one part-time teacher offer ballet lessons, modern dance, and ethnic and tap dance;
(e)	Summer Dance and Drumming Programme - The Programme runs for five weeks during July and August, at the end of which a grand closing production is held. It usually attracts 170 to 200 participants (the maximum capacity of the school). In order to attract more participants drumming (African, Bahamian, Afro-Caribbean) is taught;
(f)	UNESCO Project - The Cultural Affairs Division has a permanent representative on the UNESCO Committee which meets at the Ministry of Education. Recently, three of the cultural affairs officers were given a grant to research Bahamian oral traditions sponsored by UNESCO, while another project, research into Bahamian folk songs, has been submitted to UNESCO for approval and funding;
(g)	Cultural Grants - Numerous financial grants have been given to deserving associations/individuals to assist with various cultural projects and activities. These grants have varied, depending on the size, budget, demands, standing, etc. of the grantee. As little as $500 has been awarded, with grants rarely exceeding $10,000 the following is a list of some of the grantees:
−	L. W. Young Senior High School Music Department
(producing a compact disc)	$3,000
−	Patty Glinton Meicholas/Culture Group	$10,000
−	Freeport Players	$5,000
−	College of the Bahamas Music Club	$1,000
−	Bahamian Students Association of the University of
the West Indies - Goat skin drums and cowbells	$3,000
−	Cat Island Cultural Association (rake and scrape
homecoming)	$3,000
(h)	Junior Junkanoo, Junkanoo Boxing Day and New Years Day Parades - The Cultural Affairs Division is actively involved in the organization and administration of these parades along with the National Junkanoo Committee. The Division is also working on the establishment of a national Junkanoo commission and renders assistance to Family Island communities in the form of workshops, materials or advice;
(i)	National Junkanoo Competition - This competition is offered to participants throughout the Bahamas and consists of various categories such as a “belling” competition, “drumming” competition, and numerous compos. Participants from the Family Islands are flown to Nassau for the national finals which are still held in December of each year, although the competition has now been integrated into the National Arts Festival;
(j)	Assistance given to other ministries - Cultural affairs officers frequently sit on the planning committees of other government ministries to advise on matters pertaining to culture. The following are examples:
(i)	Bahamas Electricity Corporation - Fortieth Anniversary Celebrations;
(ii)	Royal Bahamas Police Force - International Police Conference;
(iii)	Ministry of Education - Magnet School for the Performing Arts Committee;
(iv)	Ministry of Tourism - Numerous Committees;
(v)	Department of Archives - Slave Route Project Committee;
(vi)	Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Training - Cultural Committee;
(vii)	Ministry of Health - “Say No to Drugs Ad Committee”, First Conference on Environmental Health and Sustainable Tourism Development in the Caribbean;
(viii)	Broadcasting Corporation - Numerous committees;
(ix)	Cabinet Office - Assistance is given annually in the planning of cultural and religious activities in celebration of Bahamian independence;
(x)	Office of the Attorney-General - Cultural presentation at a regional legal conference;
(xi)	Central Bank of the Bahamas - Cultural presentation for twenty-fifth anniversary celebrations.
2.	Children in armed conflicts, including physical and psychological
recovery and social reintegration (art. 38)
(a)	The charge is one of homicide or other grave crime;
(b)	It is necessary in the interests of such person to remove him/her from association with any undesirable person; or
(c)	The officer has reason to believe that the release of such person would defeat the ends of justice,
and psychological recovery and reintegration
(a)	Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre
The Detoxification Unit was established in 1980. This Unit is the first phase of the treatment approach to substance abuse. The therapeutic milieu is provided by a multidisciplinary team of professional caregivers. It serves a 28bed unit with accommodation for male and female clients seeking recovery from substance addiction.
The Humblestone House is the second phase of inpatient treatment in rehabilitation for individuals wishing to abstain from alcohol. The goal is to rehabilitate alcoholics so that there is a change of lifestyle, abstinence from drugs, development of social skills, elimination of antisocial behaviour and overall personal development. The bed complement is 15. The duration of treatment is six months.
(b)	Teen Challenge Bahamas
Teen Challenge Bahamas is another nongovernmental organization which has been waging war against drug abuse since 19 October 1988. The Programme caters to residents aged 18 years and older.
The aim of Teen Challenge is to evangelize people who have lifecontrolling problems, such as drug or alcohol abuse, and to initiate discipline to the point where the individual can function as a good Christian in society, applying spiritually motivated biblical principles in relationships, family, church, chosen vocation and community.
(c)	Bahamas Association for Social Health (BASH)
The Bahamas Association for Social Health institution located in New Providence is based on the 12step spiritual principles of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, which is widely accepted as perhaps the most successful approach to recovery.
(d)	The Haven
This initial sixmonth phase enables students to withdraw from their addictive environments and to address their critical needs.
In the afternoons, time is spent in “Work Groups”, either in the carpentry shop, with the honey bees or the lawncare service. These activities prepare students for re-entry into daily work routine.
During the next three months, residents commence or return to fulltime employment. They remain residents of The Haven and continue their studies through group therapy and counselling sessions. A bank account is opened for each participant and money management is taught. Weekend breaks are planned and structured for the purpose of visiting family and friends to re-establish relationships. A local church meets the recovering addicts’ needs and ensures their acceptance and participation amongst the congregation.
The Haven provides a 12month residential rehabilitation programme to persons needing help with their drug and alcohol abuse. This threephase programme houses 14 men.
In 1982, the Women’s Crisis Centre was initially established. However, in 1995, this nonprofit organization changed its name to the Crisis Centre in order to provide services to victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. The Centre makes referrals to the Department of Social Services and vice versa. In some cases where children and adults are unable return to their homes, they are placed at the Salvation Army on a temporary basis.
Children in the Bahamas are given access to free education and free medical care. In special circumstances where there is a family breakdown, or deprived families, due to socioeconomic conditions, the Government provides subsistence, depending on need.
−	With regard to the principles of the Convention, the Government of the Bahamas continues to reform legislation affecting the Bahamian people, in particular as it relates to the welfare of children;
−	The Community Support Services Division was designed specifically to extend assistance to families with dependent children. This is definitely necessary for the strengthening of the socio-economic and cultural spheres of the Bahamas. These programmes will be frequently reviewed to ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery;
−	In order to implement the objectives of the Convention, there has to be a collaborative approach among the government ministries/departments, non-governmental organizations, the Church, civic organizations and the general public at large;
−	With respect to education, the Government of the Bahamas is in the forefront. However, further efforts would be made to provide additional education/training to the disabled children of the nation;
−	Through the efforts of the government ministries and nongovernmental organizations, the nation’s children would be encouraged to become more expressive, where appropriate;
−	The Affiliation Proceedings Act was amended to empower the court to utilize its discretion to adjudge the putative father of a child to make payments based on his ability to pay. There is no system in place whereby the father is automatically arrested, if he reneges on his responsibilities; the child’s mother has to return to the court frequently to state that the father disobeyed the court’s order. The attachment order whereby payments are deducted from the payroll of the father’s place of employment is seldom utilized.
The Government is committed to initiating programmes that would strengthen the socioeconomic and cultural spheres of the Bahamas so as to respond to these needs as they relate to the child and the family.
Generally, the standard of living in the Bahamas is reasonably high. However, there are still some economically depressed areas. Therefore, a living standard survey was conducted throughout the Bahamas in 2002 in an attempt to determine the level of poverty in the country (a report regarding this issue will be published shortly). The Government continues to make
efforts to organize local programmes involving all aspects of society, especially the Church and the business sectors to deal with this matter. The aim is to eradicate poverty through incomegenerating activities and self-sufficiency.
In the Bahamas, adoption is supported only after thorough investigation and assessment are completed, and the authorities are assured that it is in the best interest of the child.
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