In Belgium, a remarkable law passed on vote in 2014, which removed all age restrictions from euthanasia. The dealing with unaccompanied children needs improvement as well as the dealing with females and girls’ self-determination.

Sexual harassment in public spaces is commonplace and sexual abuse by religious personnel in the Catholic church is persistent. Also, Child marriage and female genital mutilation, which is prevalent among populations with a migrant background, remains underreported.

The Committee urges the State party to establish protection schemes and care programmes for victims of child marriage and female genital mutilation.

The Committee urges Belgium to improve the collection of data on children with disabilities and to improve providing inclusive education for all children with disabilities.

The Committee reminds the State party of the need to ensure the fullest possible review and control of decisions on euthanasia in relation to children, including by a judge, to guarantee that such decisions are not the subject of undue influence or misapprehension.
The Committee recommends to strengthen the efforts to prevent and combat obesity and the incidence of substance abuse, particularly of cannabis, tobacco and alcohol. The Committee urges the State party to raise the legal age for buying tobacco to 18 years.

The Committee is deeply concerned at the growing number of children suffering from psychological problems, such as stress, and at the high prevalence of suicide in children. Seeking mental health care is negatively perceived in Belgium.
The Committee further recommends to address the increased diagnosis of ADHD and other behavioural specificities, and the use of drug treatments for the children diagnosed.

The Committee notes a high level of air pollution, particularly from road transport and its negative impact on the climate and on children’s health, contributing to an increase in asthma and respiratory diseases.

A national forum on the topic the Children’s Rights and Business Principles was established.

The Committee welcomes the extension of the right to legal assistance to every suspect from the first interrogation and the establishment of the family and youth court. Meanwhile, it is concerned that the age for imposing penalties was lowered from 16 to 14 years old, and that new penalties were introduced.
The Committee recommends to eliminate all possibility that a child is tried in an adult court or detained with adults and recommends to ensure that accessible and qualified legal assistance is provided without delay.

The Committee recommends to carry out a legislative review to consider access to information of children born through assisted reproduction about their origins.