TNAG-2808-FCO40-4053-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IR-1994 — Page 58

Background and Argument

3. The UK ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child

on 16 December 1991. None of the Dependent Territories or

Crown Dependencies was, at that stage, in a position to do

the same.

4. The majority of the Dependent Territories are now ready

for the instrument of ratification to be extended to them.

There is, however, a difficulty with the Channel Islands, where there is a need to enact legislation. This is expected

to take at least eighteen months. In addition, Gibraltar

has, so far, steadfastly refused to consider ratification,

because of concern at possible implications for children of

Moroccan workers in the territory.

5.

There would be no advantage to holding up ratification

for those Territories now in a position to proceed.

Extending the instrument of ratification to most of the

Territories shortly before the World Conference on Human

Rights would underline the UK's commitment to protecting

human rights in general, and children's rights in particular.

FR Baker

Human Rights Policy Department

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