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(2).  Child Rights 

The NPRS does not contain any specific reference or section addressing Child Rights” per se. However, there are multiple, albeit somewhat scattered, references to the situation regarding children. For example, NPRS Section on Street Children under 3.1.5. (Vulnerability): “Street children belong to one of the most vulnerable groups… Street children are increasingly vulnerable to drugs, “big brothers,” HIV/AIDS, prostitution, other health risks, and to feelings of no future and social exclusions.” 

There is also some reference to child trafficking in Section 4.5.2. Social Protection and the Fight Against Human Trafficking,” though this section focuses primarily on trafficking of women. 

Section 3.1.2. (Lack of Capabilities, Lack of Education and Skills) refers to the problem of high drop out rates, and includes a discussion (Box 1) concerning child labour (Children of the Poor and Opportunities for Education). It observes that “Cambodia has the largest population of children aged 10-14 years who are economically active.” The discussion suggests that the high rates of child participation in labour markets, particularly in the agricultural sector and among older girls, interfere with school attendance. 

In Section 6.1, the NPRS indicator for Child Labour is “Labor Force participation rate of children age 10-14.” The target is 5.3% (2005) from 8.3%. There is no reference anywhere as to how this is to be achieved. 

There is no specific reference to the rights of children in the section on Judicial Reform, nor are there references to juvenile courts in any of the sections, including that of Judicial Reform. 

In the Annex 3, Matrix under 5.2.1. Social Protection, the NPRS refers to the strategic objective “Prevent rehabilitate and reintegrate services of illegal acts and abuse among children juvenile at community level by “expanding awareness campaigns and informal education” and “developing guidelines, policy, and regulations.” It refers to a target of 75% -15% juvenile delinquents receiving appropriate care (2003 – 2005?).
    Also in Annex 3, Matrix under 5.2.3. (Combatting Child labour and Trafficking, and Child Protection), there are three strategic objectives:

  Among the main activities and indicators there are references to: 

 Section 3.1.5. Vulnerability under HIV/AIDS refers to the fact that 30,000 children have been orphaned because of AIDS and that this could increase to 140,000 by 2005. However, in Section 4.5.3. (HIV/AIDS), the discussion concerning follow-up action refers primarily to women, with no specific references to children. 

The discussions concerning education and health, including nutrition, include strong and clear references to the problems and needs of children, with specific references to actions to be taken. Please see the discussions concerning these sectors. 

NGO Action 

The NGO CG Statement states “The key areas needing attention include policy development, human and economic resource development and allocation, and the development, application and enforcement of laws to protect children.” 

Child Rights is a cross cutting issue and should be treated as such. The emphasis on Child Rights and access to basic services (e.g., health and education) and social protection would benefit from a more focused discussion on Children and Child Rights in the context of both the Convention on Child’s Rights in Cambodia (CRC) and the NPRS review process (APRI), similar to the discussion concerning women (though this approach also needs to be strengthened). 

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