Experts of the Committee on the Rights of the Child Commend Bolivia on the Pursuit of a More Equal S
Experts of the Committee on the Rights of the Child Commend Bolivia on the Pursuit of a More Equal Society, Raise Questions about Early Marriage and Violence in Schools
20 January 2023
The Committee on the Rights of the Child today concluded its consideration of the combined fifth and sixth periodic report of Bolivia, commending the State on its pursuit of a more equal society, while questioning the delegation about the prevalence of early marriage in the country, and violence in the educational setting.
Luis Pedernera Reyna, Committee Expert and Coordinator of the Taskforce for Bolivia, welcomed the delegation, saying much had been done at the legislative and institutional levels, and commended Bolivia’s pursuit for a more equal society. He acknowledged Bolivia was appearing against a backdrop of a coup d'état and a global health crisis.
Benoit Van Keirsbilck, Committee Expert and Member of the Taskforce for Bolivia, said the law for marriage was set at the age of 18, however, there was an exception where parents could give permission for children to get married from the age of 16. How many child marriages were held for children under the age of 18? What was the motivation of parents to approve this? How often did the judicial authorities approve a marriage which had been denied by the parents? Had discussions taken place regarding a possible amendment to this exception?
Mr. Pedernera Reyna noted that violence was a concern within the school setting, with headmasters and teachers sometimes striking children and exerting power over them in a violent manner. Children reported that the mechanisms in place were poor for combatting this violence and operated in favour of the adults. Was the State aware of this situation? What was being done to deal with these issues which took place in the educational setting?
More:
https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2023/01/experts-committee-rights-child-commend-bolivia-pursuit-more-equal-society-raise
(It's appropriate to know that only after a revolution in 1952 were Native Bolivians allowed to vote or to even walk on the sidewalks in their own country. The population has been totally and brutally controlled by the Europeans and their descendants since the Spanish invasion in the 16th century.)
