Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2016, published 106th ILC session (2017)

Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (Ratification: 2005)

Article7(2) of the Convention. Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (d). Children at special risk. 1. Street children. In its previous comments, the Committee observed that the issue of street children was one of the most serious problems in the country. It noted that one of the objectives of the Misión Negra Hipólita, which had been set up to address the situation of vulnerable persons such as street children, was to remove from the streets, rehabilitate and socially integrate street children and young persons involved in the worst forms of child labour, such as working in garbage dumps. The Government also indicated that the National Committee on the Rights of Children and Young Persons (IDENNA) had launched a family integration plan aimed at the reintegration of street children into a family setting (family of origin, host family or adoptive family) and that as a result of the plan 1,762 children had been reintegrated into their families, 436 children had been placed in host families, and 1,533 children had been adopted.

The Committee notes that the Government does not supply any information on the impact of the Misión Negra Hipólita or the family integration plan. However, it notes the Government’s indication in its report that it is drawing up a comprehensive nationwide “Household protection plan”, which includes a component dedicated to children in vulnerable situations or at risk socially. The specific objectives relating to children include developing public and community systems to take care of children in difficulty and promote their access to services providing health care, education and food. The Government also mentions various programmes and plans of action that are being developed through IDENNA. However, the Committee notes that the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), in its concluding observations of 13 October 2014, expresses regret at the lack of information on the extent of the phenomenon of street children, consistency among the various initiatives taken so far, the results of those initiatives and the actual impact on improving the living conditions of street children (CRC/C/VEN/CO/3-5, paragraph 72). The Committee strongly encourages the Government to pursue its efforts to protect street children from the worst forms of child labour by adopting effective and coherent measures and subsequently evaluating their impact. It requests the Government to provide information on the number of children removed from the streets, rehabilitated and socially integrated in the context of the various programmes and plans of action that have been adopted.

2. Indigenous and Afro-Venezuelan children. The Committee previously noted that despite the efforts made by the Government, the situation had not improved sufficiently as regards the protection of indigenous peoples. It noted the measures taken to address the situation of indigenous peoples, including through improving their living conditions and promoting their economic and social development.

The Committee notes the contribution of IDENNA to the Schipia Wachoini Communal Comprehensive Protection Centre (CCPI) as part of a protection programme for indigenous children in vulnerable situations aimed at providing them with special assistance in the areas of health care, educational advancement and nutrition. The Government indicates that during 2014–15 the CCPI catered for 182 boys, 168 girls and 42 adolescents. The Committee also notes the Government’s indication that IDENNA has implemented the “National recreation plan for good living”, a preventive programme aimed at protecting indigenous children’s right to recreation by teaching them basic values and principles such as communication, cooperation and teamwork. The Government indicates that the programme has benefited 10,468 indigenous children and 12,794 indigenous adolescents. However, the Committee notes that the CRC remains concerned at the persistent challenges for indigenous and Afro-Venezuelan children in accessing quality education (CRC/C/VEN/CO/3-5, paragraph 64). Recalling that indigenous or Afro-Venezuelan children are often the victims of various forms of exploitation and are at risk of becoming involved in the worst forms of child labour, the Committee strongly encourages the Government to pursue its efforts to protect these children from the worst forms of child labour. It requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved in the context of the various IDENNA programmes.

Article 8. International cooperation. In its previous comments, the Committee noted that the Government is participating in the Niño Sur initiative in the context of the Common Market of the Southern Cone (MERCOSUR). The initiative aims to raise awareness of sexual exploitation, improve the country’s legal frameworks, and exchange best practices to tackle issues related to victim protection and assistance. It also noted that proposals for cooperation with the Governments of Brazil and Uruguay concerning the elimination of the sale, trafficking and sexual exploitation of children were being carried out and that IDENNA had organized days for the protection of children and young persons living in border areas, in cooperation with Colombia.

The Committee notes that the Government has not supplied any information on these cooperation measures. However, the Government indicates that it is collaborating with the MERCOSUR Human Rights Public Policies Institute (IPPDH) to develop the “International humanitarian cooperation project for migrants, stateless persons, refugees and victims of trafficking” (PCHI). One of the aims of the project is to develop instruments for regional technical cooperation and regional dialogue with a view to tackling the problem of the trafficking of persons, including children, in a more inclusive manner. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of measures taken to combat the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. Noting the lack of information from the Government on this matter, the Committee requests the Government once again to provide information on cases of child victims of trafficking who have been repatriated to their countries of origin.