CRC/C/GC/9
Page 21
B. Economic exploitation
75.
Children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to different forms of economic
exploitation, including the worst forms of child labour as well as drug trafficking and
begging. In this context, the Committee recommends that States parties which have not yet
done so ratify the Convention No. 138 of the International Labour Organization (ILO)
concerning the minimum age for admission to employment and ILO Convention No. 182
concerning the prohibition of and immediate action for the elimination of the worst forms of
child labour. In the implementation of these conventions States parties should pay special
attention to the vulnerability and needs of children with disabilities.
C. Street children
76.
Children with disabilities, specifically physical disabilities, often end up on the streets
for a variety of reasons, including economic and social factors. Children with disabilities
living and/or working on the streets need to be provided with adequate care, including
nutrition, clothing, housing, educational opportunities, life-skills training as well as protection
from the different dangers including economic and sexual exploitation. In this regard an
individualized approach is necessary which takes full account of the special needs and the
capacities of the child. The Committee is particularly concerned that children with disabilities
are sometimes exploited for the purpose of begging in the streets or elsewhere; sometimes
disabilities are inflicted on children for the purpose of begging. States parties are required to
take all necessary actions to prevent this form of exploitation and to explicitly criminalize
exploitation in such manner and take effective measures to bring the perpetrators to justice.
D. Sexual exploitation
77.
The Committee has often expressed grave concern at the growing number of child
victims of child prostitution and child pornography. Children with disabilities are more likely
than others to become victims of these serious crimes. Governments are urged to ratify and
implement the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography (OPSC) and, in fulfilling their obligations to the Optional Protocol, States
parties should pay particular attention to the protection of children with disabilities
recognizing their particular vulnerability.
E. Children in armed conflict
78.
As previously noted above, armed conflicts are a major cause of disabilities whether
children are actually involved in the conflict or are victims of combat. In this context,
Governments are urged to ratify and implement the Optional Protocol on the involvement of
children in armed conflict (OPAC). Special attention should be paid to the recovery and
social re-integration of children who suffer disabilities as a result of armed conflicts.
Furthermore, the Committee recommends that States parties explicitly exclude children with
disabilities from recruitment in armed forces and take the necessary legislative and other
measures to fully implement that prohibition.
F. Refugee and internally displaced children, children belonging
to minorities and indigenous children
79.
Certain disabilities result directly from the conditions that have led some individuals
to become refugees or internally displaced persons, such as human-caused or natural
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