CMNT_TITLE

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Cabo Verde (RATIFICATION: 2001)

Article 3(b) of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances. The Committee previously noted that the Penal Code established penalties for encouraging or facilitating the prostitution of children under 16 years of age (section 148) and the use of a child under 14 years of age in pornographic performances (section 150). The Committee requested the Government to take the necessary measures to bring its legislation into conformity with Article 3(b) of the Convention in order to ensure that the use, procuring or offering of children for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances is prohibited for young persons under 18 years of age.

The Committee notes the Government’s information in its report that the Penal Code was amended by Legislative Decree No. 4/2015 of 11 November 2015. The Committee notes with satisfaction that the use of minors under 18 years of age for purposes of prostitution is criminalized and punishable by imprisonment of two to 12 years pursuant to section 145A. Sections 148 and 150 are also amended and supplemented by subsections criminalizing the offences related to encouraging or facilitating the prostitution of children aged 16–18 and the use of minors aged 14–18 in pornography production and pornographic performances. Additionally, section 149 criminalizes the offences related to encouraging or facilitating sexual exploitation or prostitution of children under 18 years in a foreign country and provides for aggravated sanctions. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application of sections 145A, 148, 149 and 150 of the Penal Code in practice, including the number of investigations, prosecutions and convictions, as well as sanctions imposed with regard to the use, procuring or offering of a child under 18 years of age for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances.

The Committee is raising other matters in a request addressed directly to the Government