CHAPTER 3 - REPORT OF THE LAW REFORM AND INTERNATIONAL TREATIES WORKING GROUP 4. RIGHTS OF CHILDREN (a) Report on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 2012 to the United Nations In the Government Response on the Commission’s Annual Report 2010, it states that the Government will preserve its reservation to Article 2, 7, 14, 28(1)(a) and 37 CRC. This is for the reason that, the compliance with these provisions is difficult and contrary to the Constitution, State law and Government policies. However, the Commission reiterates that the withdrawal of reservations to the provisions will be able to fully realize the objectives of the CRC to ensure the children’s right to life, protection, development and participation. The Commission is preparing to submit the report to highlight issues of concern affecting children and the protection of their rights. In upholding children’s rights to expression and opinion as emphasised by the CRC, the Commission plans to engage students to obtain their views on specific issues, for example, bullying in school, freedom of expression and racism. The Commission has identified a group of children from various backgrounds whose opinions will be sought in preparing the report. The Commission has contacted the Ministry of Education and the respective State Education Departments for approval to involve the students. ... the Commission reiterates that the withdrawal of reservations to the provisions will be able to fully realize the objectives of the CRC to ensure the children’s right to life, protection, development and participation. (b) National Advisory and Consultative Council for Children The Commission has been appointed a member of the National Advisory Consultative Council for Children, under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (MWFCD). The Commission appreciates the MWFCD’s gesture and hopes to be able to assist the Council in discharging its duties in protecting and promoting the rights of children. 5. MONITORING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW) The Commission welcomes the move by the MWFCD to consider ratifying the Optional Protocol to the CEDAW, as discussed at a meeting in 2010. The Commission has since sent a justification paper for the Ratification of the Optional Protocol to the CEDAW, for the MWFCD’s consideration. The Commission is also in the midst of preparing an independent CEDAW report for presentation to the United Nations in 2012. 58