The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has published its concluding observations on Russia. These observations concern our country’s compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. They were adopted following the consideration of the report of the Russian government .
In October last year, Citizens’ Watch sent its submission to the Committee on the situation with children’s rights in Russia. Many of our considerations were reflected in the Committee’s concluding observations. In particular, the Committee recommended an investigation into allegations of war crimes against children perpetrated by the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, as well as the repeal of a number of laws: on foreign agents, on the prohibition of LGBT propaganda, on gender transition ban. Other recommendations include the adoption of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health policies that include prevention of early pregnancy, access to information, contraception and safe abortion. In addition, the Committee recommended putting an end to politicization and militarization of schools and preventing any attempts to rewrite the school curriculum and textbooks to reflect the political and military agenda of the Government.
While the Committee repeats a number of points regularly, this is the first time it has made recommendations in the area of children’s reproductive health. These recommendations are particularly relevant due to measures taken in Russian regions to restrict reproductive rights, specifically access to abortion.
In the next few months, Russia may submit its reaction to the Committee, either agreeing or objecting. We hope that our government will take into account and implement at least some of the recommendations. Russia’s next report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and its consideration will take place in five years.