IV. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS, CONTINUED

CERD

•          Liechtenstein, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 33 at para. 151.

151. The Committee notes that the State party is supporting efforts made by non-governmental organizations to help foreigners to integrate into society. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to lend its support to such organizations in this work which includes providing German language courses, counselling services and information. The Committee recommends that such activities be expanded, with a view to raising multicultural awareness and enhancing mutual understanding. To that end, the State party might consider ensuring adequate financial support on a continuing basis.

•          Republic of Moldova, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 41 at para. 222.

222. With regard to article 7 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party continue and extend its educational and cultural programmes in order to raise public awareness of issues of racism and racial discrimination...The Committee also recommends that the State party ensure that minorities and ethnic groups in its territory receive information and education in their respective languages.

•          Armenia, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 50 at para. 281.

281. The Committee encourages the Government to allocate resources to facilitate publications and broadcasting in minority languages. It welcomes the statement by the delegation that a special budget is to be established for that purpose.

•          Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 21 at para. 109.

109. Noting that the State party has not provided information on the practical implementation of article 6 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party raise the awareness of the population on their rights under the Convention, including their right to an effective remedy, and to sensitize the police and judicial authorities to the issue of racial discrimination.

•          Belarus, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 50 at para. 268.

268. While taking note of the legislative provisions providing for the right to effective protection and remedies in the State party, the Committee reiterates its concern over the lack of specific information and statistics on cases where the relevant provisions of domestic legislation concerning racial discrimination were applied.

...The Committee reminds the State party that the mere absence of complaints and legal action by victims of racial discrimination may be largely an indication of the absence of relevant specific legislation, a lack of awareness of the availability of legal remedies, or insufficient will by the authorities to prosecute. It is therefore essential to provide for the relevant provisions in national legislation and to inform the public of the availability of all legal remedies in the field of racial discrimination....

•          Kazakhstan, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 54 at para. 296.

296. The Committee notes the absence of court cases regarding racial discrimination in the State party and that only two complaints of racial discrimination were brought before the Commission on Human Rights in 2000 and 2001.

The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that the paucity of complaints is not the result of victims’ lack of awareness of their rights or limited financial means, or their lack of confidence in the police and the judicial authorities, or to the authorities’ lack of attention or sensitivity to cases of racial discrimination. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that appropriate provisions are available in the national legislation regarding effective protection and remedies against violation of the Convention and to disseminate as widely as possible among the public information on the legal remedies available.

•          Madagascar, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 58 at para. 322.

322. The Committee recalls that the fact that victims of racial discrimination do not bring cases before the courts may be the result of, inter alia, the limited resources available to them, their lack of awareness of their rights, or the authorities’ lack of attention or sensitivity to cases of racial discrimination.

The State party should take steps to inform the population about their rights as regards efforts to combat racial discrimination and should make it easier for victims to gain access to justice, in particular through the effective application of a system of legal aid. It should also strengthen training for law enforcement personnel, the legal profession and customary chiefs in this regard.

•          Mauritania, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 61 at para. 350.

350. The Committee notes that no case of racial discrimination has been brought before the national courts and is concerned that victims’ opportunities to obtain a remedy are inadequate. It recalls that the fact that victims of racial discrimination do not complain to a court is not necessarily a positive indicator, and can be the result of, inter alia, the limited resources available to victims, their lack of awareness of their rights, their lack of confidence in the police and the judicial authorities, or the authorities’ lack of attention or sensitivity to cases of racial discrimination.

The Committee recommends, in particular, that the State party conduct an independent and impartial inquiry when allegations of discrimination and slavery-like practices are brought to its attention. The State party should inform the victims of all remedies available to them, facilitate their access to justice, guarantee their right to just and adequate reparation, and publicize the relevant laws.

•          Turkmenistan, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 61 at para. 325.

325. The Committee is deeply concerned by information that the State party has adopted measures drastically limiting access to foreign culture and art, foreign media and the Internet. While taking note of the abolition of the exit visa in 2004, it also remains concerned about the reported impediments imposed on Turkmen students wishing to study abroad (art. 7).

The Committee recommends to the State party that it respect the freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art or other media, in order to foster common understanding and tolerance amongst nations and ethnic groups. The Committee also recommends that the State party allow students to study abroad and that it provide detailed information on the actual regulations and practices relating to the recognition of foreign degrees.

ICCPR

•          United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, ICCPR, A/57/40 vol. I (2002) 36 at paras. 75(20) and 75(21).

(20) The Committee is concerned that provisions of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 enable prosecutors to seek a non-reviewable decision by a court to the effect that sensitive evidentiary material, which would otherwise be disclosed to a defendant, is withheld on public interest/immunity grounds. The Committee considers that the State party has failed to demonstrate the necessity of these arrangements.

The State party should review these provisions in the light of the Committee's remarks and previous concluding observations in respect of article 14, in order to ensure that the guarantees of article 14 are fully respected.

(21) The Committee is concerned that powers under the Official Secrets Act 1989 have been exercised to frustrate former employees of the Crown from bringing into the public domain issues of genuine public concern, and to prevent journalists from publishing such matters.

The State party should ensure that its powers to protect information genuinely related to matters of national security are narrowly utilized and limited to instances where it has been shown to be necessary to suppress release of the information.

•          Belgium, ICCPR, A/59/40 vol. I (2004) 56 at para. 72(25).

(25) The Committee is concerned that the Ministry of the Interior directive on double penalties, which has not been published, attaches conditions to the expulsion of aliens which make it impossible to comply fully with article 17 of the Covenant, inasmuch as it does not guarantee that aliens the majority of whose ties are to Belgium will not be expelled under any circumstances.

The State party should introduce further safeguards, publish rules to ensure that the individuals concerned are aware of and can assert their rights, and pass a law on the subject as quickly as possible.

•          Albania, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2004) 25 at para. 82(10).

(10) The Committee is concerned that women continue to face discrimination under customary law and traditional codes (Kanun), as well as about reports of high rates of domestic violence, and regrets the lack of detailed information provided on the nature and extent of those problems (arts. 2, 3 and 26).

The State party should adopt and implement appropriate policies to combat effectively and prevent the application of discriminatory customary law, to reinforce its policies against domestic violence and to assist its victims. The Committee recommends in particular that the State party establish crisis-centre hotlines and victim support centres equipped with medical, psychological and legal facilities, including shelters for battered spouses and children. In order to raise public awareness, it should disseminate information on those issues through the media.

•          Benin, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2004) 30 at paras. 83(7) and 83(10).

(7) The Committee notes with concern that the individual complaint procedure before the Court, which is highly important, is largely unknown to the public and that the Court decisions are not subject to a follow-up procedure (art. 2 of the Covenant).

The State party should make people more aware of the opportunities they have to bring matters before the Constitutional Court, ensure that the Court’s decisions are enforced, and contemplate the establishment of a body to follow up the Court’s decisions.

            ...

(10) The Committee notes that under the new Personal and Family Code, only monogamous marriage is recognized, and that custom ceases to have the force of law in all matters covered by the present Code The Committee is concerned, however, at the possible consequences of polygamous marriages that might nevertheless be concluded under customary law, particularly as regards the protection that would be afforded to women involved in such unions (articles 3 and 23 of the Covenant).

The State party should clearly prohibit the conclusion of new polygamous marriages, in accordance with the Committee’s general comment No. 28 on article 3 of the Covenant. It should provide greater protection to women who, once the new Personal and Family Code has entered into force and out of respect for tradition, may enter into polygamous unions when such unions no longer have any legal standing. The Committee invites the State party to increase its efforts to inform women and make them aware of these issues, including in the remotest parts of the country.

•          Tajikistan, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2005) 70 at para. 92(9).

(9) The Committee is concerned about information before it that, when prisoners under sentence of death were executed, the authorities systematically failed to inform the families and relatives of the date of execution or to reveal the place of burial of the executed persons. These practices amount to a violation of article 7 of the Covenant with respect to the family and relatives of the executed persons (art. 7).

The State party should take urgent measures to inform families of the burial sites of those who were executed before the moratorium.

•          Syrian Arab Republic, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2005) 78 at para. 94(13).

(13) The Committee is concerned at the extensive limitations on the right to freedom of opinion and expression in practice, which go beyond the limitations permissible under article 19(3). Furthermore, the Committee is concerned at allegations that the Government has blocked access to some Internet sites used by human rights defenders or political activists (art. 19).

The State party should revise its legislation to ensure that any limitations on the right to freedom of opinion and expression are in strict compliance with article 19 of the Covenant.

ICESCR

•          New Zealand, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 35 at para. 202.

202. Given the complexity of the social welfare system with a range of different social security benefits, assistance measures and entitlement conditions, the Committee recommends that the State party widely disseminate accessible information on the system to all, and especially to those who, owing to language, educational or cultural difficulties, need specific targeted information.

•          Lithuania, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 18 at paras. 94 and 116.

94. The Committee is concerned that the number of young women (aged 19 years and under) who have abortions is increasing...

...

116. The Committee calls upon the State party to strengthen its efforts to promote awareness of sexual and reproductive health, safe contraceptive methods and the health risk of using abortion as a method of birth control...

•          Chile, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 67 at paras. 553 and 580.

553. The Committee is concerned that, despite the progress made in controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS infections in the State party, HIV/AIDS is still on the increase. It also notes with concern the high rates of sexually transmitted infections among young women.

...

580. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen measures to promote education programmes on sexual and reproductive health and to raise awareness about and access to safe contraception methods. It also recommends that the State party intensify its efforts, including through public information campaigns, to control the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

•          China, ICESCR, E/2006/22 (2005) 26 at paras. 168 and 197.

168. The Committee notes with deep concern the restrictions placed on access to information with regard to academic research, foreign and domestic publications and the Internet.

...

197. The Committee urges the State party to remove restrictions on freedom of information and expression in the State party, to enable all persons under its jurisdiction to take part in cultural life, enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications, and benefit from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he or she is the author.

•          China (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region), ICESCR, E/2006/22 (2005) 34 at paras. 217 and 229.

217. The Committee remains concerned about the public’s low level of awareness in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of sexual and reproductive health issues. The Committee also regrets that no comprehensive sexual and reproductive health programme exists in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and that sexual and reproductive health education is not part of the school curriculum.

...

229. The Committee recommends that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region develop a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health programme, including a public awareness-raising campaign on safe contraceptive methods. The Committee also calls upon the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to introduce sexual and reproductive health education in the school curriculum.

CEDAW

•          Costa Rica, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 86 at paras. 68 and 69.

68. The Committee notes with satisfaction the comprehensive health-care programmes for women and the progress achieved, as well as the establishment of the Inter-Institutional Commission on Sexual and Reproductive Health, the 1994 Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights Counselling Services and the new comprehensive health-care model. Nevertheless, the Committee expresses its concern at the limited dissemination of women’s comprehensive health-care rights and the absence of a national sexual education and family planning information and/or education programme to permit the creation of awareness among women and men of their rights and responsibilities in relation to the reproductive process. It is also concerned that, despite the steps taken and the adoption of the Adolescent Mothers’ Protection Act, there is continued increase in teenage pregnancies and apparent lack of awareness among men, teenage or adult, of their responsibility as fathers.

69. The Committee requests the State party to strengthen its health-care programmes, including those for sexual and reproductive health, and to launch as soon as possible a national programme to provide women and men with timely and reliable information on the available contraceptive methods and those capable of allowing them to exercise their right of free and informed choice of the number and spacing of the children they wish to have, as well as to reinforce the measures for preventing sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, including the availability of condoms. It also requests the State party to continue strengthening support programmes for pregnant teenagers and mothers and sex education programmes aimed at preventing pregnancies among the teenage population.

•          Brazil, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 93 at paras. 110, 111, 126 and 127.

110. The Committee is concerned about the impact of poverty on Brazilian women of African descent, indigenous women, female heads of household and other socially excluded or marginalized groups of women and about their disadvantaged position with respect to access to education, health, basic sanitation, employment, information and justice.

111. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that its poverty eradication measures give priority attention to Brazilian women of African descent, indigenous women, female heads of household and other socially excluded or marginalized groups of women through adequately funded programmes and policies addressing their specific needs.

...

126. The Committee is concerned at the high maternal mortality rate, particularly in the more remote regions where access to health facilities is very limited. The Committee is also concerned at the health condition of women from disadvantaged groups and at the high rate of clandestine abortion and its causes, linked to, among others, poverty, exclusion and a lack of access to information. The Committee is further concerned that, notwithstanding progress in relation to the control of HIV/AIDS, the number of infected women, particularly young women, had increased.

127. The Committee recommends that further measures be taken to guarantee effective access of women to health-care information and services, particularly regarding sexual and reproductive health, including young women, women from disadvantaged groups and rural women. Those measures are essential to reduce maternal mortality and to prevent recourse to abortion and protect women from its negative health effects. It further recommends that programmes and policies be adopted to increase the knowledge of and access to contraceptive methods with the understanding that family planning is the responsibility of both partners. The Committee also recommends that sex education be widely promoted, particularly targeting adolescents, with special attention to the prevention and further control of HIV/AIDS.

•          Ecuador, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 122 at paras. 317 and 318.

317. The Committee is concerned that, although there is a National Education Plan for Love and Sexuality, it is not applied consistently and little is done to publicize women’s right to sexual and reproductive health care, which would help to make both sexes aware of their rights and responsibilities in the area of reproduction. The Committee is also concerned at the high rate of pregnancy and abortion among teenagers, particularly in rural areas.

318. The Committee urges the State party to implement the National Education Plan for Love and Sexuality and to strengthen its health-care programmes, including sexual and reproductive health, and, as soon as possible, to implement a national programme that provides women and men with adequate and reliable information on available contraceptive methods and methods that can enable them to exercise their right to make a free and informed decision concerning the number and spacing of their children and to strengthen methods for preventing sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS, including the availability of condoms. It also requests the State party to continue strengthening support programmes for pregnant teenagers and teenage mothers and sexual education programmes to prevent pregnancies among the teenage population...

•          Nepal, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 34 at paras. 212 and 213.

212. The Committee is concerned at the status of women’s health, particularly rural women. The Committee is concerned that women have a lower life expectancy than men and that there are high maternal and infant mortality rates. It is also concerned that women’s health is adversely affected by factors such as early marriage and early pregnancy, inadequate family planning services and illiteracy, which is an obstacle to obtaining and effectively using health-related information...

213. The Committee recommends that the State party take further measures to improve the access of women, particularly rural women, to health-related services and information, including in regard to sexual and reproductive health, in an effort to reduce maternal mortality. It also recommends that programmes and policies be adopted to increase knowledge of and access to contraceptive methods, bearing in mind that family planning should be the responsibility of both partners. It further recommends that sex education be widely promoted, particularly targeting boys and girls, with special attention to the prevention and further control of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS...

•          Ethiopia, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 42 at paras. 257 and 258.

257. The Committee is concerned about the very low level of life expectancy for women, the high rate of maternal mortality and the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS among women. The Committee is also concerned at the high rate of clandestine abortion and its causes, which include poverty, a lack of access to information on women’s reproductive health and rights and low prevalence of contraceptive use.

258. The Committee recommends the adoption of measures to guarantee effective access for women, including young women, to health-care information and services, in particular regarding reproductive health, with the aim of reducing clandestine abortions. It further recommends that programmes and policies be adopted to increase knowledge about and access to affordable contraceptive methods, as well as to increase the understanding that family planning is the responsibility of both partners. The Committee also recommends that sex education be widely promoted and provided, targeting men, women and adolescent boys and girls, with special attention to the prevention and further control of HIV/AIDS.

•          Lao People’s Democratic Republic, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 16 at paras. 100 and 101.

100. The Committee is concerned that the Lao People’s Democratic Republic is increasingly exposed to the danger of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, in particular around construction sites and along trade routes.

101. The Committee recommends that the State party take all measures necessary to raise awareness among men and women, especially in rural areas, around construction sites and along existing and emerging trade routes, of the risk of HIV/AIDS infection.

•          Paraguay, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 44 at paras. 287 and 288.

287. The Committee remains concerned about the persistent high maternal mortality rates, particularly deaths due to illegal abortions, the limited access of women to health care and family planning programmes and the apparently unmet need for contraceptives.

288. ...The Committee urges the Government to strengthen the implementation of programmes and policies aimed at providing effective access for women to health-care information and services, in particular regarding reproductive health and affordable contraceptive methods, with the aim of preventing clandestine abortions...

•          Lebanon, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 109 at paras. 111 and 112.

111. While welcoming the incorporation of reproductive health services into the primary health-care system, the Committee remains concerned that not all women have access to such services, especially in the rural areas...

112. The Committee urges the Government to strengthen, especially in the rural areas, the implementation of programmes and policies aimed at providing effective access for women to health-care information and services, in particular regarding reproductive health and affordable contraceptive methods, with the aim also of preventing clandestine abortions...

•          Benin, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 116 at paras. 157 and 158.

157. While noting the efforts made by the State party to improve reproductive health care to women, the Committee remains concerned about the lack of access to adequate health care for women and girls, particularly in rural areas. It is concerned about the causes of morbidity and mortality in women, particularly the number of deaths due to illegal abortions, and about inadequate family planning services and the low rates of contraceptive use. The Committee expresses its concern that women require the permission of their husbands to obtain contraceptives and family planning services.

158. The Committee recommends that the State party take measures, in accordance with general recommendation 24 on women and health, to improve and increase women’s access to health care and health-related services and information, particularly in rural areas. It calls on the State party to improve the availability of sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning, with the aim also of preventing clandestine abortions, and to make available, without requiring the permission of the husband, contraceptive services to women and girls. It further recommends that sex education be widely promoted and targeted at girls and boys, with special attention to the prevention of early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

•          Gambia, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 122 at paras. 205 and 206.

205. The Committee expresses concern about the high rates of malnutrition, malaria and HIV/AIDS affecting women and girls in the country. The Committee is further concerned that women lack access to information and services related to reproductive health and that, although contraceptive use increased from 6.7 per cent in 1990 to 13.4 per cent in 2001, it continues to remain low. The Committee regrets that women’s access to family planning services is, in general, dependent on several social and cultural factors.

206. The Committee recommends the implementation of comprehensive policies and programmes to prevent and combat malnutrition, malaria and HIV/AIDS. The Committee calls upon the State party to implement measures to guarantee effective access for women, including young women, to reproductive health-care information and services. It further recommends that programmes and policies be adopted to increase knowledge about, and access to, affordable contraceptive methods and to increase the understanding that family planning is the responsibility of both partners. It also encourages the State party to ensure that women have easy access to family planning services. The Committee also recommends that sex education be widely promoted and provided, targeting men and women, and adolescent boys and girls, and including information on the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

CAT

•          Uzbekistan, CAT, A/57/44 (2002) 54 at para. 116.

116. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(f) Adopt measures to permit detainees access to a lawyer, a doctor and family members from the time they are taken into custody and ensure that doctors will be provided at the request of detained persons without the need to obtain the permission of prison officials; and maintain a register with the names of all detainees, the times at which notifications of lawyers, doctors and family members have taken place and the results of medical examinations; this register should be accessible to the lawyers and others as appropriate;

...

•          Cyprus, CAT, A/58/44 (2002) 21 at para. 36.

36. The Committee recommends that the State party widely disseminate the Committee’s conclusions and recommendations, in all appropriate languages, in the country.

See also:

•          Spain, CAT, A/58/44 (2002) 29 at para. 70.

•          Estonia, CAT, A/58/44 (2002) 26 at paras. 48 and 52.

48. The Committee notes the following positive developments:

...

(f) The publication of the reports of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the responses by the State party, which will enable a general debate among all interested parties;

(g) The commitment of the State party to continue its practice of publishing the concluding observations of the United Nations treaty bodies, as well as the reports submitted by Estonia to those bodies, on the web site of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs;

...

52. The Committee...recommends that the State party widely disseminate in the country any reports submitted by Estonia to the Committee, the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee, as well as the summary records of the review, in appropriate languages, including Estonian and Russian, through official web sites, the media and non-governmental organizations.

•          Azerbaijan, CAT, A/58/44 (2003) 36 at para. 89.

89. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(p) Widely disseminate in the country the reports submitted to the Committee, the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee, as well as the summary records of the review, in appropriate languages.

•          Latvia, CAT, A/59/44 (2003) 48 at para. 102.

102. The Committee...recommends that the State party disseminate widely the Committee's conclusions and recommendations, in all appropriate languages, through official web sites, the media and non-governmental organizations.

See also:

•          Yemen, CAT, A/59/44 (2003) 64 at para. 148.

CRC

•          Uzbekistan, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 117 at paras. 560 and 561.

560. In the light of article 13 (the child's right to seek, receive and impart information) and article 17 of the Convention (the right of access to information, including information and material from a diversity of cultural, national and international sources), the Committee is concerned that stringent registration and licensing requirements for the media and publications, as well as restrictions on Internet access, do not comply with article 13, paragraph 2, of the Convention.

561. The Committee recommends that the State party take all effective measures, including enacting or rescinding legislation where necessary, to ensure that the child's freedom of expression and the right of access to information are guaranteed and implemented.

•          Greece, CRC, CRC/C/114 (2002) 25 at paras. 138 and 139.

138. The Committee is concerned that children and their families who do not speak, read or write Greek fluently, and children from some isolated regions of the State party and from some distinct ethnic, religious, linguistic or cultural groups do not always have adequate access to information regarding, for example, welfare or legal assistance, and information reflecting the multicultural nature of the State party. The Committee is also concerned that some harmful information, notably via the Internet, remains easily accessible to children.

139. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Make additional efforts to ensure that all children and their families have access to essential information regarding their rights, giving particular attention to isolated groups and those who do not communicate easily in Greek;

(b) Promote the development and accessibility, including through radio and television, of a wide variety of information reflecting the cultural diversity of the State party’s population;

(c) Take further steps towards the protection of children from harmful information, including on the Internet.

•          Mozambique, CRC, CRC/C/114 (2002) 65 at paras. 285, 286, 301 and 302.

285. The Committee is concerned that:

(a) Children have insufficient access to appropriate information;

(b) Children living in rural communities are particularly disadvantaged;

(c) There is an absence, as noted in the State party’s report, of administrative or legislative provisions protecting children from harm with regard to the content of information.

286. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Continue and strengthen its efforts to ensure that all children have access to appropriate information, for example through further elaboration of radio programmes for children, the provision of radios and newspapers for use by groups of children in schools and other contexts, and through itinerant theatre presentations;

(b) Develop legislation or administrative guidelines to protect children from information which may be harmful to them.

...

301. While noting the State party’s efforts in this domain, including the establishment of the National AIDS Council (NAC) in 2000 and the adoption of a comprehensive multisectoral strategic plan to combat HIV/AIDS, the Committee remains deeply concerned at:

(a) The very serious impact of HIV/AIDS on the cultural, economic, political, social and civil rights and freedoms of children infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS, including the Convention’s general principles and with particular reference to their rights to non-discrimination, health care, education, food and housing, as well as to information and freedom of expression;

...

302. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Integrate respect for the rights of the child into the development and implementation of its HIV/AIDS policies and strategies on behalf of children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as their families, including by making use of the Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights (E/CN.4/1997/37), with particular reference to children’s rights to non-discrimination, health, education, food and housing, as well as their rights to information and freedom of expression;

...

See also:

•          Guinea-Bissau, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 12 at paras. 70 and 71.

•          The Netherlands (Antilles), CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 129 at paras. 573 and 574.

•          Ukraine, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 70 at paras. 351 and 352.

•          Belarus, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 54 at paras. 233 and 234.

233. The Committee notes with concern that the implementation of articles 13, 15 and 17 is limited.

234. The Committee recommends that the State party guarantee to all children the full implementation of the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association and peaceful assembly and access to appropriate information, recognized in articles 13, 15 and 17 of the Convention.

•          Tunisia, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 68 at paras. 283 and 284.

283. The Committee is concerned that the right of the child to freedom of expression, including to receive information, and to freedom of association and peaceful assembly are not fully guaranteed in practice.

284. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to ensure the full practical implementation of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association and peaceful assembly, in accordance with articles 13 and 15 of the Convention.

•          Switzerland, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 78 at paras. 332 and 333.

332. The Committee notes that, according to article 27 of the Law on Medically Assisted Procreation, a child can be informed on the identity of his/her father only if he/she has a "legitimate interest" and is concerned at the meaning of "legitimate interest" in that regard.

333. In light of article 7 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party ensure, as far as possible, respect for the child's right to know his or her parents' identities.

•          United Arab Emirates, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 90 at paras. 371 and 372.

371. The Committee welcomes information by the delegation that the reservation to article 21 will be withdrawn. However, the Committee is concerned about the remaining reservations to the Convention entered by the State party. In particular:

(a) That the exercise of the rights in articles 7 and 17 are subject to their compatibility with domestic law...

...

372. The Committee emphasizes that it is long established in international law that States parties to a treaty cannot invoke provisions of their domestic laws as justification for their inability to perform obligations under a treaty. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Withdraw its reservations to articles 7 and 21...

...

•          United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 23 at paras. 135 and 136.

135. While noting the efforts undertaken by the State party to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies, the Committee remains concerned at the high rate of teenage pregnancies in the State party...The Committee is concerned that homosexual and transsexual young people do not have access to the appropriate information, support and necessary protection to enable them to live their sexual orientation...

136. In line with its previous recommendations ([CRC/C/15/Add.34], para. 30), the Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Take further necessary measures to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancies through, inter alia, making health education, including sex education, part of the school curricula, making contraception available to all children, and improving access to confidential and adolescent-sensitive advice and information and other appropriate support (as recommended by the independent Advisory Group on Teenage Pregnancy);

...

(d) Provide adequate information and support to homosexual and transsexual young people, and encourages the State party, further to the statement of intent made by its delegation to repeal section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, where it applies.

•          Ukraine, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 70 at paras. 342 and 343.

342. ...The Committee is concerned that adopted children do not have the right, as far as possible, to know the identity of their biological parents.

343. ...In light of articles 3 and 7 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party undertake all necessary measures to allow all adopted children to obtain information on the identity of their parents to the extent possible.

•          Solomon Islands, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 58 at paras. 325 and 326.

325. The Committee is concerned that:

(a) Adolescents do not have appropriate access to information and/or services relating to adolescent health in general and reproductive health in particular;

...

326. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Take steps to ensure that all adolescents have access to information and health-care facilities;

...

•          Syrian Arab Republic, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 116 at paras. 535, 536, 560 and 561.

535. The Committee notes that the State party has undertaken a commitment to review national legislation vis-à-vis the Convention. It further notes various recent and proposed legislative measures with respect to child rights (e.g. amendments to the Personal Status Code and higher penalties sought for infringements of the Compulsory Education Act), but the Committee is concerned that they do not sufficiently reflect a comprehensive human rights-based approach to the implementation of the Convention. Moreover, it is concerned that in the area of personal status matters, the application of different laws (e.g. 1953 Law of Personal Status) governing different religious communities (i.e. Muslims, Druze, Christians and Jews), and consequently recourse to the different court systems (i.e. Shariah, madhabi, and ruhj courts), may lead to discrimination in the enjoyment of children’s rights.

536. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Expedite the comprehensive review of its law, administrative regulations and legal procedural rules to ensure that they conform to international human rights standards, including the Convention;

(b) Take all possible measures to reconcile the interpretation of religious laws with fundamental human rights;

(c) Ensure that laws are sufficiently clear and precise, are published, and are accessible to the public.

...

560. The Committee is concerned that the reference in the report to information contained in the initial report indicates that very little or no progress has taken place with respect to the implementation of articles 13 to 17 of the Convention on these matters.

561. The Committee recommends that the State party actively promote the implementation of these rights by, among other things, making children more aware of these rights and by facilitating their active use in daily practice...

•          Kazakhstan, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 129 at paras. 615 and 616.

615. In light of articles 13 and 17 of the Convention, the Committee is concerned that the quality and quantity of printed information, including children’s books, available to children have decreased in recent years, while at the same time there is a lack of mechanisms to protect children from information and material injurious to their well-being. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned that the amendments to the Media Law may limit access to information.

616. The Committee recommends that the State party take all effective measures, including enacting or reviewing legislation where necessary, to ensure that the child’s freedom of expression and the right of access to information is guaranteed and implemented.

•          Canada, CRC, CRC/C/133 (2003) 14 at paras. 80 and 81.

80. ...The Committee is...concerned that certain provinces do not recognize the right of an adopted child to know, as far as possible, her/his biological parents (art. 7).

81. The Committee recommends that the State party consider amending its legislation to ensure that information about the date and place of birth of adopted children and their biological parents are preserved and made available to these children...

•          Pakistan, CRC, CRC/C/133 (2003) 37 at paras. 238 and 239.

238. The Committee is concerned at the high rate of drug abuse among children.

239. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Provide children with accurate and objective information about substance use, including hard drugs and tobacco, and protect children from harmful misinformation;

...

•          Madagascar, CRC, CRC/C/133 (2003) 56 at paras. 287 and 288.

287. While noting the State party’s efforts to enhance access to information for children (e.g. establishment of a library in all schools), the Committee shares the concern of the State party that children may nevertheless be exposed to harmful information through access to violent and pornographic videos.

288. The Committee recommends that the State party implement further means and measures of protecting children from information that may be harmful to them.

•          Georgia, CRC, CRC/C/133 (2003) 111 at paras. 546 and 547.

546. The Committee welcomes the steps taken by the State party to enact legislation to protect children from harmful information, such as the changes made in the Law on Advertisement in the context of prevention of pornography.

547. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure implementation of the new legislation to protect children from harmful information, while promoting the possibility of access for all children to appropriate information.

•          Indonesia, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 8 at paras. 78 and 79.

78. The Committee notes the establishment in 1999 of the Commission on Reproductive Health, to deal, inter alia, with the problems of adolescent health, HIV/AIDS prevention and family planning. The Committee is nevertheless concerned that these issues remain a problem for adolescents and that no organized system of reproductive health counselling and services, nor education on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for youth exists. The Committee is further concerned at the high number of tobacco smokers among adolescents.

79. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Promote collaboration between State agencies and NGOs in order to establish a system of formal and informal education on HIV/AIDS and STIs and on sex education;

...

(e) Ensure access to reproductive health counselling and information and services for all adolescents;

(f) Provide adolescents with accurate and objective information on the harmful consequences of tobacco use and protect them from hurtful misinformation by imposing comprehensive restrictions on tobacco advertising.

...

•          Armenia, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 36 at paras. 214 and 215.

214. The Committee notes that a set of instruments were approved by the Government in 2000 which define the conditions and standards for adoption and foster care. It also commends amendments to relevant legislation designed to give priority to domestic adoption of children and avoid adoptions from medical institutions. The Committee, however, remains concerned about the absence of established mechanisms to review, monitor and follow up placement of children.

215. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that effective mechanisms to review, monitor and follow up adoption of children are established. In this regard, serious consideration should be given to the establishment of a central authority for adoption. The Committee also recommends that the State party ensure that the Adoption Act is in full conformity with the Convention. The adoption law should guarantee the right of the child to know his or her origin and to have access to information about the background and vital medical history of both the child and biological parents. Furthermore, the Committee encourages the State party to ratify the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption of 1993.

•          Germany, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 51 at paras. 283 and 284.

283. While welcoming the State party’s efforts to protect children from harmful printed and electronic communications media (e.g. the Youth Protection Act and the interstate agreement on the protection of minors in the media, 2003), the Committee remains concerned that the legal situation might be complicated due to a multiplication of legal instruments and that the sharing of responsibilities between the federal and Land levels is not clear.

284. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Ensure the full implementation of the newly adopted regulations on the protection of children against harmful information and find ways to make the legal situation in this regard more transparent;

(b) Consider further means, including through the provision of advice to parents, of protecting children from information that may be harmful to them.

•          Slovenia, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 104 at paras. 565 and 566.

565. While welcoming the new Implementation of Fostering Activities Act of 2003, which provides for a more systematic regulation of fostering activities, the Committee is concerned that the mechanisms for reviewing and monitoring the placement of fostered children are not sufficient. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned at the lack of standards and regulations on adoption and of a national adoption register.

566. The Committee recommends that the State party ensures that the legislation on foster care and adoption is in conformity with the Convention and the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption of 1993. The law on adoption should guarantee the right of the child to know his/her origin and access to information about his/her background. Furthermore, the Committee recommends that the State party: (a) establish a national register of children to be adopted and of families qualified to adopt, which takes full account of the best interests of the child; (b) put in place mechanisms for monitoring the situation of fostered and adopted children; and (c) ensure that procedures of fostering and adoption are handled by a qualified and efficient multidisciplinary team.

•          Sao Tome and Principe, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004) 54 at paras. 270, 271, 285 and 286.

270. The Committee is concerned that children have easy access to pornographic DVDs sold locally.

271. In the light of article 17 (e) of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to protect children from exposure to harmful information, including pornography. The Committee further recommends that the State party take into consideration the Committee’s recommendations emanating from its day of general discussion on the child and the media during its thirteenth session (CRC/C/57).

...

285. The Committee notes with interest the Reproductive Health Programme. However, the Committee is concerned that:

(a) Only adolescents over 16 years are able, in practice, to seek medical counselling without parental consent;

(b) Alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse is affecting an increasing number of young people and that the existing legislation does not provide effective protection for children;

(c) The rate of teenage pregnancies is high;

            ... 

286. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Promote collaboration between State agencies and NGOs in order to establish a system of formal and informal education on HIV/AIDS and STIs, on sex education and on family planning;

...

(d) Ensure access to reproductive health counselling and information and services for all adolescents;

(e) Provide adolescents with accurate and objective information on the harmful consequences of alcohol, drug and tobacco use, and develop and implement a legislation adequately protecting them from harmful misinformation, including through comprehensive restrictions on alcohol and tobacco advertising;

...

•          Myanmar, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004)81 at paras. 410 and 411.

410. The Committee notes that article 22 of the 1993 Child Law refers to access to information, but is concerned that many children, notably those living in remote and border areas, do not have adequate access to appropriate information.

411. In light of article 17, the Committee recommends that the State party take all appropriate measures to ensure that all children, in particular those in remote and border areas, are provided with adequate access to information.

•          Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004) 111 at paras. 553, 554 and 566.

553. The Committee is concerned at the information that the whereabouts of parents may not be provided to children if the parents have been sentenced to reform through labour or have been punished by death for a crime.

554. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures in line with article 9, paragraph 3, of the Convention to keep children informed about the whereabouts of their parents, and to fully implement their right to maintain personal relations and direct contact with both parents on a regular basis.

...

566. The Committee welcomes the recent efforts of the State party to increase the quality of its education system and encourages that these efforts be pursued. It also recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Facilitate children’s access to information, including strengthening of efforts to increase access of the population to materials from other countries, and strengthen student exchange programmes;

...

•          France, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004) 124 at paras. 602, 603, 606 and 607.

602. The Committee takes note of the law adopted on 22 January 2002 related to the right to know one’s origins. However, the Committee remains concerned that the rights enumerated in article 7 of the Convention may not be fully respected by the State party and that the right to conceal the identity of the mother if she so wishes is not in conformity with the provisions of the Convention. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned at the low level of birth registration in French Guyana.

603. The Committee recommends that the State party take all appropriate measures to ensure that the provisions of article 7, especially the right of the child to know, as far as possible, his or her parents, be fully enforced in the light of the principles of non-discrimination (art. 2) and the best interests of the child (art. 3). It also encourages the State party to continue and strengthen its efforts to address the situation of birth registration in French Guyana.

...

606. The Committee is concerned at the absence of appropriate laws or guidelines relating to the sale or accessibility of CD-ROMs, video cassettes and games, and pornographic publications facilitating access of a child to information and materials which may be injurious to her or his well-being.

607. The Committee recommends that the State party take necessary measures, including legal ones, to protect children from harmful effects of violence and pornography, in particular, in printed, electronic and audiovisual media.

•          Croatia, CRC, CRC/C/143 (2004) 36 at paras. 202 and 203.

202. While noting the State party’s efforts to protect children from harmful information, the Committee remains concerned about pornographic and other harmful material in printed and electronic media that is easily available and accessible to children. It is also concerned at the lack of adequate measures to encourage the mass media to disseminate information that would promote a spirit of understanding of differences.

203. The Committee recommends that the State party pursue its efforts to protect children from information and material injurious to their well-being. It also urges the State party to disseminate information and material of social and cultural benefit to the child, in line and with the spirit of articles 17 and 29 of the Convention. To that end, the State party should provide children with access to diversity of cultural, national and international sources, taking into particular account the linguistic and other needs of children who belong to a minority group.

•          Equatorial Guinea, CRC, CRC/C/143 (2004) 64 at paras. 343 and 344.

343. The Committee is concerned at the information that freedom of expression and opinion is limited in the State party as well as at the lack of libraries, and about the limited information it received concerning the practical implementation of articles 13-17 of the Convention.

344. The Committee recommends that the State party continue and strengthen the promotion of freedom of expression in schools and other places, inter alia by means of student publications and other means. It also recommends that the State party increase the number and quality of libraries and consider the establishment of mobile libraries freely accessible for children...

•          Sweden, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 8 at paras. 49 and 50.

49. The Committee is concerned about the degree of violence accessible to children on the Internet and shown on television early in the evenings. The Committee is further concerned about the insufficient protection of children against child pornography and violent computer games.

50. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures, including by enforcing appropriate legislation, providing parental education and awareness-raising of children, to effectively protect children against violence on the Internet, television and computer games, and against the display of child pornography and encourage international cooperation in this respect.

•          Albania, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 19 at paras. 113 and 114.

113. The Committee welcomes that children have improved access to information technologies, but is concerned at the lack of an efficient system to protect children from harmful information, including television programmes, printed material and other media containing, inter alia, violence, racism and pornography and at the accessibility of these to children.

114. The Committee recommends that the State party enact special legislation and develop appropriate guidelines to protect children from harmful information while fully guaranteeing their access to appropriate information. The Committee further recommends that the State party take into consideration the Committee’s recommendations emanating from its day of general discussion on “The child and the media” (see CRC/C/57, paras. 242-257).

•          Luxembourg, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 36 at paras. 184-187.

184. The Committee remains concerned about the fact that the children born anonymously (“under x”) are denied the right to know, as far as possible, their parents, and notes with interest the proposal of the National Consultative Commission on Life Sciences and Health Ethics (CNE) which seems to allow for significant improvements in this regard.

185. The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to prevent and eliminate the practice of the so-called anonymous birth. In case anonymous births continue to take place, the State party should take the necessary measures so that all information about the parent(s) are registered and filed in order to allow the child to know - as far as possible and at the appropriate time - about his/her parent(s).

186. While the Committee appreciates the measures taken by the State party to prevent and combat child pornography on the Internet, as well as the introduction of article 384 of the Criminal Code punishing the possession of pornographic material involving children, it remains concerned about the exposure of children to violence, racism and pornography, especially through the Internet.

187. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to take all appropriate measures to effectively protect children from being exposed to violence, racism and pornography through mobile technology, video movies, games and other technologies, including the Internet. The Committee further suggests that the State party develop programmes and strategies to use mobile technology, video advertisements and the Internet as a means for raising awareness among both children and parents of information and material injurious to the well-being of children.

•          Austria, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 47 at paras. 251-254, 263 and 264.

251. The Committee is concerned at the practice of anonymous birth in the State party (also known as “baby flaps” or “baby nests”) and notes the information that some data on the parent(s) are collected in an informal manner.

252. The Committee recommends that the State party undertake all necessary measures to prevent the use of the so-called “baby flaps”. It further recommends that the State party, as a matter of urgency, introduce and implement legal provisions and regulations for the separate registration of all relevant medical and other data, in particular the name and date of birth of the parent(s) and allow the child at an appropriate time to have access to these data.

253. While welcoming the State party’s efforts to protect children from harmful media influence, the Committee shares the concern of the State party that the existing legal instruments for the limitation of the dissemination of racist, violent and violence-inducing images, texts and games through the Internet and mass media as well as video computer games need to be reviewed and extended.

254. The Committee recommends that the State party continue and strengthen its efforts to protect children from harmful information. It further recommends that the State party provide parental education and raise the awareness of children to effectively protect children against violence on the Internet, television and computer games and encourage international cooperation in this respect.

...

263. ...[T]he Committee is concerned at the suicide forums accessible on the Internet where young people can exchange experiences and suicidal thoughts.

264. ...The Committee recommends that the State party undertake practical measures to prevent access to information through the Internet inciting suicide.

•          Islamic Republic of Iran, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 88 at paras. 478 and 479.

478. The Committee is concerned that access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources is very limited for persons under 18 years of age in the State party.

479. The Committee recommends that the State party take appropriate measures to allow access to appropriate information from a diversity of sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of the child’s social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health.

•          Togo, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 104 at paras. 553, 554, 579 and 580.

553. The Committee is concerned that access to information and material from a diversity of national and international sources is very limited for persons under 18 years of age in the State party. The Committee is further concerned at the little protection provided to children from viewing offensive and pornographic materials.

554. The Committee recommends that the State party take appropriate measures to allow access to appropriate information from a diversity of sources, especially those aimed at the promotion of the child’s social, spiritual and moral well-being and physical and mental health.

...

579. The Committee welcomes the adoption on 18 March 1998 of Act No. 98/008 on drugs control and the setting up in 1996 of the National Anti-Drug Committee (CNAD) and in 2000 of the National Anti-Drugs Plan. However, the Committee remains concerned about the large number of children, in particular street children, using and selling drugs.

580. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Provide children with accurate and objective information about substance use, including tobacco use, and protect them from harmful misinformation through comprehensive restrictions on tobacco advertising;

            ...

•          Bolivia, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 121 at paras. 654 and 655.

654. The Committee notes with concern the increasing number of children who use drugs and harmful substances in the State party.

655. The Committee recommends that the State party:

            ...

(b) Provide children with accurate and objective information about the harmful consequences of substance abuse;

...

See also:

•          Indonesia, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 8 at para. 94.

•          Saint Lucia, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 10 at paras. 93 and 94.

93. While the Committee is encouraged that the State party has taken measures to ensure the school environment remains drug-free for children, it remains concerned that measures for monitoring drug abuse among children as well as their involvement in drug trafficking outside of schools have not been fully developed in the report.

94. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its measures to combat drug abuse by children, including through public education awareness-raising campaigns and ensure that children who abuse drugs have proper access to effective structures and procedures for treatment, counselling, recovery and social reintegration.

•          Philippines, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 24 at paras. 128, 131, 165-168, 184 and 185.

128. The Committee also notes with concern the deficiencies in the reporting system of newborn deaths and stillbirths due to limited access to civil registrars.

...

131. As regards reporting of newborn deaths and stillbirths, the Committee recommends that the State party facilitate access to civil registrars, particularly in the remote areas of the country.

...

165. The Committee notes with appreciation the State party’s efforts to promote adolescent health, including through implementation of the Reproductive Health Programme and a joint project on adolescent health in collaboration with the Population Commission and UNFPA. The Committee is concerned about alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse among adolescents, early pregnancies and in this respect adolescents’ limited access to reproductive health counselling and accurate and objective information about, for example contraception...

166. The Committee recommends to the State party that it:

            ...

(b) Ensure access to reproductive health counselling and provide all adolescents with accurate and objective information and services in order to prevent teenage pregnancies and related abortions;

...

(e) Provide adolescents with information on the harmful consequences of alcohol, drug and tobacco use;

...

167. ...While noting that the AIDS Prevention and Control Act guarantees access to complete HIV/AIDS information in schools, the Committee expresses its concern about the inadequate level of HIV/AIDS awareness among Philippine adolescents.

168. In the light of the Committee’s general comment No. 3 (2003) on HIV/AIDS and the rights of the child and the International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights (E/CN.4/1997/37), the Committee recommends that the State party continue to:

...

(c) Provide adolescents with accurate and comprehensive information about HIV/AIDS, including condom use, in schools;

(d) Ensure access to child-sensitive and confidential HIV/AIDS counselling without parental consent when required by a child;

...

184. While noting the State party’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and drug and substance abuse, inter alia, through implementing the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9165), and the increased number of treatment and social reintegration services for children, the Committee is deeply concerned at the massive narcotic trade in the Philippines and its adverse effects on children and adolescents. It shares the State party’s concern about the high incidence of drug and substance abuse, including glue and solvent sniffing among street children...

185. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to strengthen its efforts to:

...

(b) Provide children and adolescents with accurate and objective information about drug and substance use, including hard drugs, glue and solvent sniffing, through public school programmes and media campaigns and protect children from harmful misinformation and models;

...

•          Bosnia and Herzegovina, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 49 at paras. 254 and 255.

254. The Committee is concerned that high-risk behaviour among young people - (i.e. injecting drug use and risky sexual behaviour) - may expose the State party to serious HIV/AIDS problems in the future. The Committee also notes that this issue was recognized by the Government only in 2002 - with the creation of the National Advisory Board for the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the development of a “Strategy for Preventing and Combating HIV/AIDS in Bosnia and Herzegovina” - whereas it is still not perceived as a threat by most of the population.

255. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Launch campaigns and programmes to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS among adolescents, particularly among those belonging to vulnerable groups as well as the population at large, so as to reduce discrimination against children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS;

...

•          Nepal, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 66 at paras. 326, 327, 341 and 343.

326. The Committee notes with concern that “the identity of child offenders, rape victims or children in difficult circumstances continues to be disclosed in the media” (para. 124), which is a clear infringement of article 16 of the Convention.

327. The Committee urges the State party to establish mechanisms to ensure that all materials broadcast in Nepal respect the child’s right to privacy such as a code of conduct and/or self-regulation, and to ensure that appropriate human rights training is given to media professionals, paying particular attention to children’s rights to privacy.

...

341. The Committee welcomes the establishment of a working group to implement the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness strategy in 1997 and commends the State party’s efforts in improving the immunization coverage for children under 5, including the recent completion of the comprehensive measles vaccination campaign. The Committee nevertheless shares the concerns of the State party that the health and social services are under tremendous resource constraints and that the overall quality and availability of health care available to children in the State party is seriously inadequate, in particular among poor families and in rural areas. In particular, the Committee is concerned about:

...

(e) Low awareness about health, hygiene and sanitation, particularly in rural areas and prevalence of traditional practices which could be harmful to the health of children, such as that of consulting witch doctors instead of modern medical facilities and withholding water from children suffering from diarrhoea.

...

343. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(e) Engage in awareness-raising efforts to provide the general public, in particular, families, children and health-care providers, including traditional health practitioners, with appropriate knowledge of basic first aid and health care;

...

•          Mongolia, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 113 at paras. 556 and 557.

556. The Committee expresses its grave concern about the situation of children with disabilities and regrets that discrimination against them exists...

557. The Committee urges the State party, taking into account the United Nations Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities and the recommendations adopted by the Committee on its day of general discussion on the rights of children with disabilities (see CRC/C/69):

...

(e) To take measures to provide children with disabilities with access to the physical environment, information and communication;

...

•          Nicaragua, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 132 at paras. 642 and 643.

642. The Committee is concerned at the high rate of teenage pregnancies and at the lack of adequate sexual and reproductive health services. In this regard, the Committee is also concerned at the information that the authorities reportedly prohibited in 2003 the publication of a manual elaborated by experts on sexual education and reproductive health (“Manual for life”).

643. In the light of the Committee’s general comment No. 4 (2003) on adolescent health and development in the context of the Convention (CRC/GC/2003/4), the Committee recommends that the State party ensure access to reproductive health services to all adolescents and immediately adopt a manual on sexual education and reproductive health which would take into account the above-mentioned general comment of the Committee.

•          Costa Rica, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 149 at paras. 696, 697, 726 and 727.

696. The Committee notes the media involvement in the dissemination of information on the Convention inter alia via a weekly educational programme. But it is concerned at the incidence of sensationalized coverage of problems children may encounter or cause. The Committee is also concerned at the lack of information regarding the legal and other provisions which protect children from harmful information.

697. The Committee recommends the State party to call on the media to promote and strengthen its role in the dissemination of information on the Convention, address the incidence of sensationalist news regarding children, for example by duly regulating the activities of mass media and the Internet with a view to preventing the dissemination of harmful information and by promoting the training of professionals working for mass media on the adequate treatment of child issues, in conformity with the provisions of the Convention and on the guidelines on reporting on children adopted by the International Federation of Journalists.

...

726. With respect to indigenous communities, the Committee takes note of the State party’s efforts to increase the number of schools providing bilingual education. It is however concerned at the insufficient number of indigenous teachers and schools, and at the fact that education does not fully take into account indigenous culture.

727. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to increase the number of indigenous schools and adequately trained indigenous teachers, and ensure the right of indigenous children to learn to read and write in their own language through methods adapted to their own culture. The Committee recommends that the State party provide relevant information to indigenous children and their communities on, inter alia, birth registration procedures, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, child abuse and neglect, child labour and sexual exploitation in order to raise awareness of their rights...

•          Yemen, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 161 at paras. 774 and 775.

774. The Committee takes note of the measures undertaken by the State party to guarantee children’s access to information. However, it remains concerned about the limited access to information for children living in remote and rural areas.

775. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its effort to ensure the right to information for children, especially those who live in remote and rural areas through, inter alia, mobile libraries.