The International Affairs Committee (IAC) met with the Principal Secretary for the Department of Social Affairs, Mrs. Linda William who was accompanied by Mrs. Beryl Laboudallon, Director of Social Services and Ms. Michelle Marguerite, Legal Officer.
The purpose of the meeting was for the Committee to review the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure before it will soon be brought forward before the House for ratification.
The Members of the Committee were briefed by the delegation from the Department of Social Affairs on the the different articles of the Protocol, its importance and specific details relating to the Convention that Seychelles has made major improvements on. PS William stated Seychelles will present its next Report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2022 and also discussed some pertinent issues relating to the protection of the rights of children in the country. The Members had the opportunity to address questions and concerns on the compliance of the Protocol as well as the whether or not the law reforms are required and the implications of certain constraints that Small Island Developing States face.
The Committee will be presenting a Report to the House when the Protocol will be presented for ratification.
The Chairperson of the IAC, Hon. William, was accompanied by the Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Wavel Woodcock, Hon. Kelly Samynadin, Hon. Egbert Aglae, Hon. Wallace Cosgrow and Hon. Philip Arissol. Furthermore, the Committee was assisted by the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly and Secretary to the Committee, Miss Alexandria Faure and Mrs. Nada Delafontaine, the Assistant Secretary.
