TNAG-0873-FCO40-1083-Employment-of-children-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 36

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31. She proposed that the Working Group on Slavery should submit a report on the exploitation of children annually to the Sub-Commission, that the Working Group should meet annually to consider the problems caused by the exploitation of child labour and that Sub-Commission resolution 6 B (XXXI) should be amended accordingly. In addition, the Sub-Commission should request that consideration be given to the possibility of launching information campaigns aimed at villagers in countries where debt bondage or the exploitation of child labour still existed, in order that they might be informed of their rights under national legislation and international instruments. Lastly, the Sub-Cormission should appeal, through the Commission on Human Rights, to all Governments to enact legislation designed to protect the rights. of working children and to ensure that it was properly enforced. Within the framework of its terms of reference, the Sub-Commission should co-operate with UNICEF, FAO, ILO, UIESCO, UNHCR and the Red Cross with a view to eliminating the exploitation of child labour and the sale of children for adoption.

32. Ir. MARTINEZ BAEZ said that he had read with satisfaction the report of the Secretary-General on the exploitation of child labour (B/CN.4/Sub.2/433), a question which had been included on the Sub-Commission's agenda on the occasion of the International Year of the Child. That precise and specific document had the merit of placing the exploitation of child labour in the context of the questions traditionally studied by the Sub-Commission. It mentioned the relevant instruments, the studies on the question conducted by the specialized agencies and the work of the Working Group on Slavery.

33. The celebration of the International Year of the Child enabled the Sub-Commission to study more closely the exploitation of child labour and the conditions imposed on working children. Children constituted a significant proportion of the world's population, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and that fact created scrious problems. It was necessary not only to ensure their protection but also to prevent the exploitation, prostitution and sale of children. The children of the world required continuing attention and, while welcoming the work done by the International Labour Organisation, he agreed with previous speakers that the Sub-Commission should undertake a more general study which would deal with the total personality of the child and be concerned not only with his physical and mental health, but also with his spiritual and cultural development. A study had already been carried out on another aspect of the personality of children the legal status of children born out of wedlock. However, the work done so far had been sectoral and fragmentary and inadequate in current conditions. A more comprehensive study was required on the protection and development of children in general; the Sub-Commission included sufficient qualified persons among its members to enable such a study to be entrusted to one of them.

34. Mr. MARTINEZ COBO said that the principle of the privileged rights of children should prevail in all United Nations bodies, which should accord priority attention to the problem of the exploitation of child labour.

35. Child labour was a distressing problem, particularly in the developing countries. In some countries, young people had to start work much too early in life in order to contribute to the family income instead of attending school or merely playing. The fact that in the streets of many cities there were children trying to sell small articles or performing other small jabs showed how much remained to be done in that area.