’WPC³  ūÉłhæß|®ńxÉ£@÷’Cm6Įå‹ł@rrš”x&^Ć}+N0ĖŚ¹„—P§gė½<³båĒä‹7k1QØĶć_=sŅ€”“ˆÅĄb CĀUčP“¤Ju¦U!—Xõvz˜oŠčDÖ|ūS<±µĒ¤ģ_õ_ļĒ@'#\¼ę :~}ќd/›–@õ*ą­žõm#ŗh‘ókĶ7ī.[,SÆm2®ĢĀ‘M‰…­kŠHŃŻw!TŌE‡G*ļū•6Ū,ŠŽ%‚Ź¦Væ)F{Xż7œ[Ö(ŒJžū#)żÄ0$šJÕüM‘­mŪęć+“3ō=æāŹR±™Ž|’7,Npø{×Ķ9źé€Ļ‘vū 3‡ŌźžwœU—‘ü4›N šu3”Ģ‰²§ ĀG’VŚ§Hb©v‚Ū¶‡bjeŖ;(mń—ęćJjuvTĒø×UųŸf÷3AT‰üOä\‡Z/įmy]WÓNźūXŽšs‚l…ó›ō—•‰äžjū6©Å ·ą‰Mäf¼#Źó˜0Ž×Ćm`B6/ž²j䶍F<>5@ųœét×G/ÜŁM–AųFd•“śÄ£Śļ“½c~ąĘQé#«ō2įw˜Īń¶Ć«ł$·…ŗ(óy>/]ż.«pg^#Į$UNå %3 0:9 U>s U,± ^ Ż wé 4ķ   m N) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 0H+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Bs s 0(  ūø ˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PSČŁŲŁŁŲČŁ0(@ųŠ Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ūœ$””ŌUKUS.,Ōō\  `‹&Times New Roman(ō\ Y`‹Symbol,„\, ½ha+<Źœø€„Ÿ3|x’U‹’ĄĄĄ<’’:Footnote Refņ ņņņó óóó d(’’$ ńŻ ƒūœ!ŻŌUKUS.,ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌŌ‡X”ūXXXŌŌ_Ōš* šŌ_ŌŌ#†X)üXXX”ū=#ŌŌ‡X)üXXX)üŌ€€At€the€669th€meeting,€held€on€6€October€2000.Ż ƒūœ!ŻŌUKUS.,ŌŻ  ŻŌ_Ōņ ņŌ‡X)üXXXŌŌ‡¼Ī=»XX)üŌÓ  ÓBURUNDIó óŌ#†X)üX»¼Ī=_#ŌŠ ° ŠÓÓĢĢņ ņCRC€Ō_ŌCRCŌ_Ō/C/100€(2000)ó óŠ “ć ŠĢĢ86.ą  ąThe€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€of€Burundi€(CRC/C/3/Add.58)€at€its€645ņņthŠ O Ÿ Šóóto646ņņthóómeetings€(see€CRC/C/SR.645€and€646),€held€on€20€September€2000,€and€adoptedŻ‚-’’’Żņ ņņņŻ  ŻŌ#†X)üXhX)ü@#ŌŌ‡X”ūXhX)üŌŌ_Ōš* šŌ_ŌŻ‚-’’’”łŻó óóóŻ  ŻŌ#†X)üXXX”ūJ#ŌŌ‡X)üXXX)üŌŌ_Ō׃]ׯ ƒ[’’ŻŻ  Ż×  ×Ō_Ō€theŠ 8 ˆ Šfollowing€concluding€observations.Š =  ŠņņĢóóA.€€ņņIntroductionņņóóŠ _  ŠóóņņóóĢ87.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€submission€of€the€State€partyššs€initial€report€and€the€writtenŠ į1  Šreplies€to€its€list€of€issues€(CRC/C/Q/BUR/1).€€The€Committee€notes€the€constructive€dialogue€it€hadŠ Ź  Šwith€the€delegation€of€the€State€party.Š ³  ŠĢB.€€ņņPositive€aspectsóóŠ …Õ ŠĢ88.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€the€State€partyššs€efforts€to€introduce€š šeducation€for€peacešš€and€š šlet€usŠ W§ Šbuild€peacešš€projects€into€national€school€curricula€and€teacher€training.€€The€Committee€notes€alsoŠ @ Šthe€State€partyššs€efforts€to€provide€unaccompanied€children€with€adequate€assistance€and€to€helpŠ )y Šthem€trace€their€families.Š b ŠĢ89.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€with€satisfaction€the€State€partyššs€ratification€of€ILO€Convention€No.Š ä4 Š138€concerning€the€minimum€age€for€the€admission€to€employment€and€the€African€Charter€on€theŠ Ķ ŠRights€and€Welfare€of€the€Child.Š ¶ ŠĢC.€€ņņFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionóóŠ ˆŲ ŠĢ90.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€peace€negotiations€have€failed€many€times€in€the€past€andŠ ZŖ Šexpresses€the€hope€that€current€efforts€will€be€successful.€€The€Committee€is€aware€that€successfulŠ C “ Šnegotiations€will€need€some€time€to€take€effect€and€that€the€armed€conflict,€with€its€manyŠ ,!| Šrepercussions€on€respect€for€childrenššs€rights,€will€continue€to€cause€serious€human€rights€violationsŠ "e  Šin€the€State€party.Š ž"N! ŠĢ91.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that,€since€it€ratified€the€Convention,€there€has€been€a€seriousŠ Š$ # Šdeterioration€in€the€Ō_ŌsocioŌ_Ō„economic€conditions€in€the€State€party,€aggravated€by€the€armed€conflict.€Š ¹% !$ ŠĢ92.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€also€the€regional€sanctions€imposed€on€the€State€party€until€1999€andŠ ‹'Ū"& Šthe€negative€impact€of€the€sanctions€on€the€situation€of€children€in€the€State€party.Š t(Ä#' ŠĢD.€€ņņPrincipal€subjects€of€concern,€suggestions€and€recommendationsóóŠ F*–%) ŠŠ /+&* ŠŌ_Ō1.€€ņņGeneral€measures€of€implementationóóŠ ° ŠĢņņLegislationóóŠ ‚Ņ ŠĢ93.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€the€efforts€being€made€by€the€State€party€to€bring€domestic€legislationŠ T¤ Šinto€conformity€with€the€Convention€including€through€new€legislation€on€adoption,€children€inŠ =  Šdifficult€circumstances€and€the€rights€of€delinquent€children€to€be€considered€by€the€NationalŠ & v ŠAssembly€at€its€present€session.€€The€Committee€remains€concerned,€however,€that€plans€to€adoptŠ  _ Ša€single€legal€instrument€gathering€together€all€provisions€relating€to€the€rights€and€duties€of€childrenŠ ų H Šhave€not€been€completed,€that€not€all€elements€of€domestic€legislation€are€in€conformity€with€theŠ į 1  Šprovisions€of€the€Convention,€and€that€customary€law€and€traditional€practices€involving,€ņņinter€aliaóó,Š Ź   Šinheritance€violate€the€rights€of€children,€and€of€girls€in€particular.Š ³  ŠĢ94.ą  ąThe€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€continue€its€efforts€in€the€area€of€law€reformŠ …Õ  Šwith€a€view€to€ensuring€full€conformity€with€the€principles€and€provisions€of€the€Convention,€toŠ n¾  Špursue€early€adoption€of€the€code€of€laws€on€the€rights€and€duties€of€children,€and€to€ensure€thatŠ W§  Šcustomary€law€and€traditional€practices€fully€respect€the€provisions€of€the€Convention.€€TheŠ @ ŠCommittee€further€recommends€that€the€State€party€make€additional€efforts€to€ensure€that€legislationŠ )y Šis€implemented.Š b ŠĢņņNational€plan€of€action€and€child€rights€policyóóŠ ä4 ŠĢ95.ą  ąNoting€the€progress€made€towards€the€establishment€at€the€provincial€and€communal€levelsŠ ¶ Šof€childrenššs€rights€committees,€the€Committee€remains€concerned€at€the€lack€of€a€comprehensiveŠ Ÿļ Šchildrenššs€rights€policy€in€the€State€party,€at€the€absence€of€policy„making€mechanisms€whichŠ ˆŲ Šsystematically€take€childrenššs€rights€into€consideration€and€at€the€absence€of€an€up„to„date€nationalŠ qĮ Šplan€of€action€for€the€implementation€of€a€childrenššs€rights€policy€in€priority€areas.€€The€CommitteeŠ ZŖ Šis€concerned,€in€addition,€that€childrenššs€rights€have€not€been€sufficiently€taken€into€considerationŠ C“ Šin€past€efforts€to€achieve€peace€in€the€State€party.Š ,| ŠĢ96.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€a€childrenššs€rights€policy€and€a€new€national€plan€of€actionŠ žN Šbased€upon€the€principles€and€provisions€of€the€Convention€be€established€and€implemented€inŠ ē 7 Šconsultation€and€coordination€with€all€relevant€ministries€and€with€civil€society.€€The€CommitteeŠ Š!   Šrecommends€that€the€State€party€pursue€efforts€to€establish€provincial€and€communal€child€rightsŠ ¹" ! Šcommittees€and€that€these€bodies€be€used€to€effectively€implement€the€childrenššs€rights€policy€andŠ ¢#ņ" Šprogrammes€related€to€the€national€plan€of€action€at€the€local€level.€€The€Committee€recommendsŠ ‹$Ū# Šthat€the€State€party€seek€assistance€from€UNICEF€in€this€regard.€€The€Committee€urges,€further,€thatŠ t%Ä $ Šthe€protection€of€child€rights€and€the€implementation€of€programmes€to€address€priority€child€rightsŠ ]&­!% Šconcerns€be€included€in€peace€agreements.Š F'–"& ŠĢņņCoordinationóóŠ )h$( ŠĢ97.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€the€State€partyššs€efforts€to€coordinate€implementation€of€theŠ ź*:&* ŠConvention€through€the€Council€of€Ministers,€the€Ministry€with€responsibility€for€human€rights€andŠ Ó+#'+ Šthe€inter„ministerial€follow„up€Committee.€€The€Committee€remains€concerned,€however,€that€theŠ ¼, (, Šefforts€to€coordinate€are€insufficient€with€regard€to€the€promotion€and€implementation€of€theŠ „-õ(- ŠConvention€and€the€involvement€of€NGOs€in€the€process.Š ° ŠĢ98.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€review€its€coordinating€mechanisms€in€orderŠ ‚Ņ Što€facilitate€the€promotion€and€implementation€of€the€Convention€and€ensure€that€adequate€humanŠ k» Šand€financial€resources€are€allocated€for€this€purpose.€€Further,€the€Committee€recommends€thatŠ T¤ Šappropriate€measures€be€taken€to€include€NGOs€in€the€coordination€process.Š =  ŠĢņņData€collectionóóŠ  _ ŠĢ99.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€with€concern€the€breakdown€of€data€collection€mechanisms€and€thatŠ į 1  Šwhere€data€are€collected€they€cover€only€children€up€to€age€15.Š Ź   ŠĢ100.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€steps€to€improve€the€collection€ofŠ œģ  Šdisaggregated€data,€including€for€children€up€to€age€18,€on€priority€areas€of€concern€within€the€scopeŠ …Õ  Šof€the€Convention€and€ensure€that€this€information€is€used€to€improve€the€implementation€of€a€childŠ n¾  Šrights€policy.Š W§  ŠĢņņMonitoring€mechanismsóóŠ )y ŠĢ101.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€there€is€no€mechanism€to€monitor€the€implementation€ofŠ ūK Šthe€Convention€or€to€report€complaints€of€violations€of€childrenššs€rights.Š ä4 ŠĢ102.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€an€independent€mechanism€be€established€to€monitorŠ ¶ Šimplementation€of€the€Convention€and€to€record€and€report€on€violations€of€childrenššs€rights.Š Ÿļ ŠņņĢAvailable€resources/budgetary€allocationsóóŠ qĮ ŠņņĢóó103.ą  ąIn€light€of€article€4€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€at€the€lowŠ C“ Šproportion€of€the€national€budget€invested€in€health,€education€and€social€welfare€in€contraventionŠ ,| Šof€the€World€Bankššs€guidelines€on€minimum€spending€on€these€areas,€and€the€high€proportion€ofŠ e Šspending€on€defence.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€that€resources,€whether€from€StateŠ žN Šallocations€or€from€direct€international€assistance,€are€not€distributed€evenly€among€the€populationŠ ē 7 Šaccording€to€need.€€Further,€the€Committee€notes€the€high€proportion€of€the€population€living€inŠ Š!   Špoverty€and€is€concerned€at€the€impact€of€this€situation€on€children.Š ¹" ! ŠĢ104.ą  ąIn€light€of€articles€2,€3€and€4€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€StateŠ ‹$Ū# Šparty€raise€the€proportion€of€spending€on€health,€education€and€social€welfare€to€the€maximum€ofŠ t%Ä $ Šavailable€resources,€with€a€view€to€ensuring€access€to€these€services€for€all€children.€€The€CommitteeŠ ]&­!% Šrecommends€in€addition€that€the€State€party€ensure€that€resources€are€distributed€as€evenly€asŠ F'–"& Špossible€according€to€the€needs€of€vulnerable€populations€and€to€all€geographical€areas.€€TheŠ /(#' ŠCommittee€recommends€further€that€the€State€party€make€every€effort€to€ensure€that€programmesŠ )h$( Šand€services€for€the€implementation€of€the€Convention€are€maintained.Š *Q%) ŠĢņņInvolvement€of€civil€societyóóŠ Ó+#'+ ŠĢ105.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€civil€society,€including€NGOs,€have€insufficientŠ „-õ(- Šopportunities€to€influence€policy€making€and€implementation€with€regard€to€childrenššs€rights.€TheŠ ° ŠCommittee€is€also€concerned€that€children€do€not€have€sufficient€opportunities€to€participate€in€thisŠ ™é Šprocess.Š ‚Ņ ŠĢ106.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€steps€to€involve€a€wide€range€of€NGOsŠ T¤ Šin€child€rights€policy„making€and€implementation€including,€in€particular,€at€the€provincial€andŠ =  Šcommunal€levels.€€The€Committee€recommends€further€that€children€be€provided€with€moreŠ & v Šopportunities€to€participate€in€the€work€of€NGOs.Š  _ ŠĢņņTrainingóóŠ į 1  ŠĢ107.ą  ąRecognizing€the€efforts€made€by€the€State€party€to€promote€the€Convention€and€to€provideŠ ³  Štraining€on€its€provisions€for€civil€servants,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€training€on€practicalŠ œģ  Šapplication€of€the€Convention,€particularly€in€the€context€of€the€developing€network€of€provincialŠ …Õ  Šand€communal€child€rights€committees,€is€insufficient.Š n¾  ŠĢ108.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€and€strengthen€its€efforts€toŠ @ Špromote€the€Convention€and€to€conduct€training€on€its€provisions€for€particular€professional€groupsŠ )y Šincluding€teachers,€health€professionals,€including€psychological€care€specialists,€social€workers,Š b Šlaw€enforcement€officials,€provincial€and€communal€administrative€officials,€the€members€ofŠ ūK Šprovincial€child€rights€committees€and€national€ministerial€officials€with€responsibility€for€childrenššsŠ ä4 Šrights,€and€the€military.€€The€Committee€recommends€further€that€the€State€party€seek€assistance€inŠ Ķ Šthis€regard€fromUNICEF.Š ¶ ŠĢ2.€€ņņDefinition€of€the€childóóŠ ˆŲ ŠĢ109.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€low€minimum€age€of€12€at€which€formal€education€is€noŠ ZŖ Šlonger€compulsory,€and€joins€with€the€State€party€in€expressing€concern€at€the€difference€in€the€legalŠ C“ Šminimum€ages€for€marriage€of€girls€and€boys,€and€at€the€low€minimum€age€of€recruitment€to€theŠ ,| Šarmed€forces.Š e ŠĢ110.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€raise€the€legal€school„leaving€age€to€16,Š ē 7 Šwhich€is€the€age€at€which€children€are€legally€permitted€to€work.€€The€Committee€recommendsŠ Š!   Šfurther€that€the€State€party€pursue€its€efforts€to€harmonize€the€minimum€ages€for€marriage€of€girlsŠ ¹" ! Šand€boys€and€that€legislative€measures€be€taken€to€raise€the€minimum€age€of€recruitment€to€theŠ ¢#ņ" Šarmed€forces€to€18.Š ‹$Ū# ŠĢ3.€€ņņGeneral€principlesŠ ]&­!% ŠóóĢņņNon„discriminationóóŠ /(#' ŠĢ111.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€at€gross€violations€of€the€right€to€be€protected€fromŠ *Q%) Šdiscrimination€and€at€the€impact€of€discrimination€upon€children€in€the€State€party,€and€notes€thatŠ ź*:&* Šdiscrimination€takes€different€forms€including€by€ethnic€origin,€gender,€geographical€origin€(withinŠ Ó+#'+ Šthe€country)€and€social€status.€€The€Committee€notes€that€killings€and€other€acts€committed€in€theŠ ¼, (, Šarmed€conflict,€and€which€have€affected€children,€have€frequently€been€perpetrated€on€the€basis€ofŠ „-õ(- Šethnic€origin.€€The€Committee€notes€in€addition€that€other€forms€of€discrimination€lead€to€concernsŠ ° Šwith€regard€to,€ņņinter€aliaóó,€access€to€resources,€inheritance€of€property,€the€right€to€a€nationality€andŠ ™é Šthe€access€of€girls€to€education.€€Further,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€State€party€does€notŠ ‚Ņ Šappear€to€have€taken€fully€into€account€either€the€provisions€of€article€2€or€the€Conventionššs€otherŠ k» Šprinciples€in€its€legislation€and€administrative€and€judicial€practice€as€well€as€in€programmes€onŠ T¤ Šbehalf€of€children.Š =  ŠĢ112.ą  ąThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€make€every€effort€to€end€all€discriminatory€practices,Š  _ Što€ensure€equal€respect€for€the€rights€of€all€children€in€the€State€party€andto€reinforce€and€ensure€theŠ ų H Šimplementation€of€existing€laws€related€to€non-discrimination.€€The€Committee€recommends€thatŠ į 1  Šthe€State€party€commission€and€publish€an€independent€study€on€the€different€types€and€causes€ofŠ Ź   Šdiscrimination€which€affect€children€in€the€State€party,€with€the€aim€of€contributing€to€publicŠ ³  Šdiscussion€and€the€identification€of€solutions.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€restate€itsŠ œģ  Šcommitment€to€protect€children€from€discrimination€and€to€work€with€national€and€internationalŠ …Õ  Špartners€to€end€discrimination.€€The€Committee€further€urges€the€State€party€to€use€promotion€of€andŠ n¾  Štraining€on€child€rights€as€a€means€of€ending€discrimination€and€to€prosecute€persons€who€violateŠ W§  Šnon-discrimination€provisions€of€the€law.Š @ ŠĢņņBest€interests€of€the€childóóŠ b ŠĢ113.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€that€the€State€party€has€not€given€the€best€interests€ofŠ ä4 Šthe€child,€as€an€individual€or€as€a€member€of€a€vulnerable€group,€priority€consideration.Š Ķ ŠĢ114.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€principle€of€the€best€interests€of€the€child,€both€as€anŠ Ÿļ Šindividual€and€as€a€member€of€a€vulnerable€group,€be€integrated€into€all€future€revisions€ofŠ ˆŲ Šlegislation€and€given€due€consideration€in€the€context€of€administrative€and€judicial€decisions.Š qĮ ŠĢņņRight€to€life,€survival€and€developmentóóŠ C“ ŠĢ115.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€at€the€extensive€violations€of€the€right€to€life€of€childrenŠ e Šby,€ņņinter€aliaóó,€armed€conflict,€deliberate€killings€by€armed€persons€including€members€of€the€armedŠ žN Šforces,€State€regroupment€policies,€other€forms€of€population€displacement,€poor€health€andŠ ē 7 Šsanitation€facilities,€severe€malnutrition€and€related€illnesses,€and€as€a€result€of€the€prevailingŠ Š!   Šconflict€between€groups€of€the€population.Š ¹" ! ŠĢ116.ą  ąThe€Committee€strongly€urges€the€State€party€to€make€every€effort€to€reinforce€protectionŠ ‹$Ū# Šof€the€right€to€life,€survival€and€development€of€all€children€within€the€State€party€through€policies,Š t%Ä $ Šprogrammes€and€services€that€target€and€guarantee€protection€of€this€right.€€The€Committee€furtherŠ ]&­!% Šurges€the€State€party€to€seek€as€much€international€assistance€as€possible€in€this€regard.Š F'–"& ŠĢņņThe€right€of€the€child€to€be€heardóóŠ )h$( ŠĢ117.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€children€are€not€given€enough€opportunities€to€express€theirŠ ź*:&* Šviews€and€that€their€opinions€are€not€taken€into€consideration€sufficiently,€in€particular€within€theŠ Ó+#'+ Šfamily€and€in€schools.Š ¼, (, ŠŠ „-õ(- Š118.ą  ąIn€the€light€of€article€12€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€partyŠ ° Šprovide€educational€information€to,€ņņinter€aliaóó,€parents,€teachers,€government€administrative€officials,Š ™é Šthe€judiciary€and€the€public€in€general€on€childrenššs€rights€to€participate€and€to€have€their€viewsŠ ‚Ņ Štaken€into€consideration.Š k» ŠĢ4.€€ņņCivil€rights€and€freedomsŠ =  ŠóóĢņņNationalityóóŠ  _ ŠĢ119.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€has€ratified€the€1954€Convention€relating€to€theŠ į 1  ŠStatus€of€Stateless€Persons,€but€remains€concerned€at€the€absence€of€legislation€to€implement€theŠ Ź   ŠConventionššs€provision,€as€they€affect€children.Š ³  ŠĢ120.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€consider€adopting€and€implementingŠ …Õ  Šlegislation€to€implement€the€1954€Convention.Š n¾  ŠĢņņBirth€registrationóóŠ @ ŠĢ121.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€very€concerned€at€the€large€numbers€of€children€whose€birth€is€not€beingŠ b Šregistered.€Š ūK ŠĢ122.ą  ąIn€the€light€of€article€7€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€make€everyŠ Ķ Šeffort€to€ensure€the€registration€of€all€children€born,€taking€into€account€the€particular€situation€ofŠ ¶ Šinternally€displaced€persons,€including€those€who€have€been€regrouped,€and€refugees.Š Ÿļ ŠĢņņCruel,€inhuman€and€degrading€treatment€or€punishmentóóŠ qĮ ŠĢ123.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€at€severe€violations€of€the€rights€to€freedom€ofŠ C“ Šmovement€and€to€choose€oneššs€residence€in€the€context€of€the€State€partyššs€regroupment€policy.€€TheŠ ,| ŠCommittee€is€concerned€further€by€the€large€number€of€children€in€regroupment€camps€and€theŠ e Šextremely€poor€conditions€in€which€they€have€to€live,€constituting,€in€many€cases,€cruel,€inhumanŠ žN Šand€degrading€treatment€and€violating€numerous€minimum€standards€with€respect€to€childrenššsŠ ē 7 Šrights.Š Š!   ŠĢ124.ą  ąThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€complete,€without€further€delay,€the€process€ofŠ ¢#ņ" Šclosing€the€regroupment€camps€and,€pending€closure,€to€guarantee€respect€of€all€the€civil€rights€andŠ ‹$Ū# Šfreedoms€of€children€and€their€families€living€in€such€camps.Š t%Ä $ ŠĢņņCorporal€punishmentóóŠ F'–"& ŠĢ125.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€corporal€punishment€continues€to€be€practised€at€home€andŠ )h$( Šin€some€schools€and€that€domestic€legislation€does€not€prohibit€its€use.Š *Q%) ŠĢ126.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€all€appropriate€measures,€includingŠ Ó+#'+ Šlegislation,€information€campaigns€and€the€promotion€of€alternative€forms€of€sanctions€which€respectŠ ¼, (, Šthe€physical€and€mental€integrity€of€children,€to€end€corporal€punishment€within€the€family,€Ō_Ōschools,Š „-õ(- Šjuvenile€justice€and€alternative€care.Š ° ŠĢņņThe€protection€of€the€lawóóŠ ‚Ņ ŠĢ127.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€violations€of€human€rights,€including€in€particular€theŠ T¤ Škilling€of€civilians,€committed€against€children€or€their€parents€are€only€rarely€addressed€throughŠ =  Šjudicial€processes€and€that€this€climate€of€impunity€is€detrimental€to€the€overall€respect€of€childrenššsŠ & v Šrights.Š  _ ŠĢ128.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€make€much€greater€efforts€to€investigateŠ į 1  Šviolations€of€human€rights€and€to€prosecute€the€perpetrators€of€these€acts.Š Ź   ŠĢņņAccess€to€informationóóŠ œģ  ŠĢ129.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€a€majority€of€children€in€rural€areas€do€not€haveŠ n¾  Šadequate€access€to€information.Š W§  ŠĢ130.ą  ąIn€light€of€article€17,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€all€appropriateŠ )y Šmeasures€to€ensure€that€children€in€all€rural€areas€are€provided€with€adequate€access€to€informationŠ b Šand€that€they€are€also€protected€from€information€which€may€be€harmful€to€them.Š ūK ŠĢ5.€€ņņFamily€environment€and€alternative€careóóŠ Ķ ŠĢņņFamily€supportóóŠ Ÿļ ŠĢ131.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€at€the€breakdown€in€nuclear€family€structures,€at€theŠ qĮ Šemergence€of€a€high€proportion€of€single„parent„headed€households,€child„headed€households€andŠ ZŖ Šgrandparent„headed€households,€and€at€the€immediate€and€long„term€consequences€that€theseŠ C“ Šweaknesses€in€the€family€structure€may€have€on€children.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€at€theŠ ,| Šstrong€bias€in€favour€of€fathers€in€the€context€of€child€custody€disputes.Š e ŠĢ132.ą  ąNoting€the€efforts€already€made€in€this€regard,€the€Committee€urges€the€State€party€toŠ ē 7 Šcontinue€and€strengthen€support€to€families,€including€through€assistance€with€agriculturalŠ Š!   Šproduction€and€legal€and€financial€assistance€in€obtaining€adequate€housing€and€land€and€counsellingŠ ¹" ! Što€help€resolve€problems.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€give€particular€attention€to€theŠ ¢#ņ" Šestablishment€of€psycho„social€andparental€guidance€programmes€to€strengthen€vulnerable€familyŠ ‹$Ū# Šunits€such€as€single„parent„,€child„€and€grandparent„headed€households.€€The€CommitteeŠ t%Ä $ Šrecommends€in€addition€that€the€State€party€ensure€that€in€granting€one€parent€custody€of€a€child€theŠ ]&­!% Šdecision€is€made€in€accordance€with€the€best€interests€of€the€child,€with€the€childššs€participation€andŠ F'–"& Šwith€consideration€for€the€emotional€needs€of€the€child.Š /(#' ŠĢņņChild€abuse€and€neglectóóŠ *Q%) ŠĢ133.ą  ąThe€Committee€joins€the€State€party€in€expressing€concern€at€acts€of€cruelty,€ill-treatment,Š Ó+#'+ Šabuse,€including€sexual€abuse,€and€neglect€and€practices€such€as€the€seizure€of€property€belongingŠ ¼, (, Što€orphans€which€are€committed€against€children€in€the€context€of€the€family,€including€the€extendedŠ „-õ(- ŠŌ_Ōfamily.Š ° ŠĢ134.ą  ąIn€light€of€article€19,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€steps€to€establishŠ ‚Ņ Šeffective€mechanisms€for€the€timely€reporting€of€and€response€to€domestic€violence€and€abuseŠ k» Šagainst€or€affecting€children,€to€prosecute€individuals€who€violate€criminal€law€and€to€protectŠ T¤ Šchildren€from€cruelty€and€other€harmful€acts€such€as€the€seizure€of€property€from€orphans.€€TheŠ =  ŠCommittee€recommends€further€that€the€State€party€take€measures€to€offer€both€physical€andŠ & v Špsychological€care€to€those€who€have€suffered,€including€assisting€child€victims€through€court€andŠ  _ Šother€proceedings€and€avoiding€the€risk€of€secondary€victimization,€and€that€these€should€beŠ ų H Šimplemented€in€accordance€with€article€39€of€the€Convention.Š į 1  ŠĢņņAlternative€careóóŠ ³  ŠĢ135.ą  ąRecognizing€the€large€numbers€of€orphans€and€other€children€in€need€of€alternative€care€inŠ …Õ  Šthe€State€party,€the€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€at€violations€of€child€rights€that€occur€in€theŠ n¾  Šcontext€of€alternative€care€at€the€lack€of€systematic€monitoring€of€the€situation€of€children€inŠ W§  Šinstitutions€or€informal€foster€families,€at€the€use€of€children€for€labour€in€some€informal€fosterŠ @ Šfamilies€and€at€reports€indicating€that€many€of€these€children€do€not€have€adequate€emotionalŠ )y Šsupport€or€access€to€health€and€education€services.Š b ŠĢ136.ą  ąIn€light€of€article€21€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€partyŠ ä4 Šurgently€develop,€and€implement,€mechanisms€to€ensure€the€provision€of€suitable€alternative€careŠ Ķ Šfor€children€in€need€of€such€assistance€and€that€monitoring€mechanisms€be€established€to€guaranteeŠ ¶ Ša€minimum€standard€of€care,€including€in€the€long„term,€and€which€ensure€that€such€children€are€notŠ Ÿļ Šused€for€labour€and€have€access€to€education€and€health€services.€€The€Committee€recommendsŠ ˆŲ Šfurther€that€a€code€of€standards€be€adopted€on€care€and€protection€of€children€deprived€of€a€familyŠ qĮ Šenvironment.€€Recognizing€the€difficulties€encountered€by€many€families€that€provide€alternativeŠ ZŖ Šcare€for€children,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€and€strengthen€its€supportŠ C“ Što€such€families,€including€by€providing€assistance€to€pay€for€health€and€education€services.Š ,| ŠĢ6.€€ņņBasic€health€and€welfareóóŠ žN ŠĢņņChildren€with€disabilitiesóóŠ Š!   ŠĢ137.ą  ąNoting€the€current€efforts€by€the€State€party,€the€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€situation€ofŠ ¢#ņ" Šchildren€with€physical€and€mental€disabilities,€and€in€particular€at€the€limited€specialized€health€care,Š ‹$Ū# Šeducation€and€employment€possibilities€available€for€them.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€further€thatŠ t%Ä $ Špoor€health€conditions€and€poverty€are€leading€to€an€increase€in€the€number€of€children€withŠ ]&­!% Šdisabilities.Š F'–"& ŠĢ138.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€review€the€situation€of€children€withŠ )h$( Šdisabilities€in€terms€of€their€access€to€suitable€health€care,€education€services€and€employmentŠ *Q%) Šopportunities€and€that€the€State€party€establish€a€programme€of€action€to€address€all€areas€of€concern.€Š ź*:&* ŠThe€Committee€recommends€in€addition€that€the€State€party€take€note€of€the€Standard€Rules€on€theŠ Ó+#'+ ŠEqualization€of€Opportunities€for€Persons€with€Disabilities€(General€Assembly€resolution€48/96)€andŠ ¼, (, Šthe€Committeeššs€recommendations€adopted€at€its€day€of€general€discussion€on€the€rights€of€childrenŠ „-õ(- Šwith€disabilities€(see€CRC/C/69).€€The€Committee€further€recommends€that€the€State€party€sensitizeŠ ° Šthe€population€to€the€rights€of€children€with€disabilities€and€the€difficulties€they€must€face€in€theirŠ ™é Šdaily€lives.€€The€Committee€also€suggests€that€the€State€party€seek€assistance€from,€ņņinter€aliaóó,Š ‚Ņ ŠUNICEF€and€WHO.Š k» ŠĢņņPoor€health€and€access€to€primary€health€careóóŠ =  ŠĢ139.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€at€low€immunization€rate,€high€levels€of€malnutritionŠ  _ Šand€micro„nutrition€deficiencies€and€extremely€poor€health€conditions€among€children€in€general€andŠ ų H Šparticularly€in€camps.€€Further,€the€Committee€is€concerned€at€high€mortality€rates€among€children,Š į 1  Šhigh€maternal€mortality€rates,€at€low€investment€in€health€care,€the€limited€number€of€hospitals€andŠ Ź   Šhealth€centres€that€are€operational,€the€limited€drug€supply€and€relatively€high€cost€of€medicines,Š ³  Šincluding€generic€drugs,€and€the€concentration€of€medical€professionals€in€Bujumbura€city.Š œģ  ŠĢ140.ą  ąThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€make€significant€increases€in€the€health€budget,€toŠ n¾  Šmake€every€effort€to€improve€public€health,€including€primary€health€care,€and€to€ensure€adequateŠ W§  Šaccess€for€all€children€to€health€services,€with€particular€regard€to€those€living€in€rural€communitiesŠ @ Šand€in€camps.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€implement€integrated€policies€andŠ )y Šprogrammes€for€the€management€of€childhood€illnesses€and€measures€to€improve€child€and€maternalŠ b Šhealth.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€seek€the€assistance€of€UNICEF€and€WHOŠ ūK Šin€this€regard.Š ä4 ŠĢ141.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€lack€of€a€comprehensive€policy€regarding€the€protectionŠ ¶ Šof€social€welfare,€and€that€such€protection€is€not€equally€accessible€to€the€children€of€parents€whoŠ Ÿļ Šare€not€employed€in€the€civil€service.Š ˆŲ ŠĢ142.ą  ąIn€light€of€article€26€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€StatepartyŠ ZŖ Šstrengthen€its€efforts€to€extend€the€protection€of€social€welfare€to€all€sectors€of€the€population,Š C“ Šincluding€through€systems€such€as€the€health€insurance€card.Š ,| ŠĢņņAdolescent€healthóóŠ žN ŠĢ143.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€lack€of€an€adolescent€health„care€policy,€particularly€withŠ Š!   Šregard€to€reproductive€health,€early€teenage€pregnancy,€mental€health€and€problems€related€to€theŠ ¹" ! Šinhaling€of€substances€such€as€glue€and€petrol€and€the€use€of€marijuana.Š ¢#ņ" ŠĢ144.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€make€additional€efforts€to€develop€aŠ t%Ä $ Šcomprehensive€adolescent€health„care€policy€and€to€provide€reproductive€health€education€andŠ ]&­!% Šspecialized€assistance€for€the€treatment€of€mental,€reproductive€and€other€health€concerns€ofŠ F'–"& Šadolescents.€€In€this€context,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€seek€assistance€fromŠ /(#' ŠUNICEF€and€WHO.Š )h$( ŠĢņņHIV/AIDSóóŠ ź*:&* ŠĢ145.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€at€the€high€incidence€of€HIV/AIDS€in€the€State€partyŠ ¼, (, Šand€its€impact,€either€direct€or€indirect,€on€children€and€adolescents.Š „-õ(- Š‡146.ą  ąNoting€the€efforts€made€in€this€regard,€including€the€national€programme€to€combatŠ ° ŠHIV/AIDS,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€pursue€and€increase€its€current€effortsŠ ™é Što€promote€awareness€and€prevention€of€HIV/AIDS,€in€the€light€of€the€recommendations€it€adoptedŠ ‚Ņ Šat€its€day€of€general€discussion€on€children€living€in€a€world€with€HIV/AIDS€(see€CRC/C/80,€chap.Š k» ŠIII.C).€€The€Committee€recommends€thatthe€State€party€seek€assistance€in€this€regard€fromŠ T¤ ŠUNAIDS,€UNICEF€andWHO.€Š =  ŠĢņņPsychological€careóóŠ  _ ŠĢ147.ą  ąNoting€the€current€efforts€to€address€trauma,€the€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€inadequacyŠ į 1  Šof€specialized€psychological€care€in€almost€all€regions€of€the€State€party€and€the€substantial€need€forŠ Ź   Šsuch€assistance€among€children€who€have€suffered€from,€ņņinter€aliaóó,€the€ongoing€armed€conflict,Š ³  Šdisplacement,€regroupment,€sexual€abuse€and€living€conditions€in€camps.€€The€Committee€isŠ œģ  Šconcerned€that€the€current€ratio€of€mental€health€workers€to€population€is€very€low.Š …Õ  ŠĢ148.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€increase€its€efforts€to€make€psychologicalŠ W§  Šassistance€available€to€those€children€who€have€experienced€trauma€and€to€increase€human€resourcesŠ @ Šin€the€area€of€psychological€care€by€providing€specialized€mental€health€training€for€existing€healthŠ )y Šprofessionals.€€The€Committeeurges€the€State€party€to€seek€assistance€from€UNICEF€and€WHO€inŠ b Šthis€regard.Š ūK ŠĢ7.€€ņņEducation,€leisure€and€cultural€activitiesóóŠ Ķ ŠĢņņEducationóóŠ Ÿļ ŠĢ149.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€very€concerned€at€the€dramatic€fall€in€the€number€of€children€attendingŠ qĮ Šprimary€and€secondary€school€in€the€State€party,€at€the€insufficient€number€of€qualified€teachersŠ ZŖ Šworking€in€rural€communities€and€in€camps,€at€the€lack€of€adequate€teaching€equipment€and€atŠ C“ Šrepeated€attacks€by€armed€persons€on€schools.€€The€Committee€is€further€concerned€at€the€limitedŠ ,| Šaccess€of€children€with€disabilities€to€formal€or€vocational€educational€opportunities€and€at€theŠ e Šproportionally€low€number€of€girls€attending€primary€or€secondary€school.Š žN ŠĢ150.ą  ąThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€continue€and€strengthen€its€efforts€to,€ņņinteraliaóó,Š Š!   Šrebuild€and€reopen€schools,€recruit€qualified€teachers€in€those€areas€where€they€are€needed,€makeŠ ¹" ! Šavailable€adequate€teaching€equipment€and€ensure€that€all€children,€including€indigent€and€displacedŠ ¢#ņ" Šchildren,€have€equal€access€to€education€opportunities.€€The€Committee€further€recommends€that€theŠ ‹$Ū# ŠState€party€develop€a€clear€programme€of€action€for€increasing€childrenššs€access€to€formal€education.€Š t%Ä $ ŠThe€Committee€recommends€in€addition€that€the€State€party€ensure€that€children€with€disabilitiesŠ ]&­!% Šhave€access€to€formal€and€vocational€educational€opportunities€and€that€every€effort€be€made€toŠ F'–"& Šensure€that€girls€and€boys€have€equal€access€to€educational€opportunities.€€In€this€regard,€theŠ /(#' ŠCommittee€recommends€that€the€State€party€seek€assistance€from€UNICEF€and€UNESCO.Š )h$( ŠĢ151.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends,€in€addition,€that€the€State€party€pursue€its€efforts€to€includeŠ ź*:&* Šš šeducation€for€peacešš,€childrenššs€rights€and€other€human€rights€subjects€in€the€curricula€of€primaryŠ Ó+#'+ Šand€secondary€schools,€and€that€assistance€be€requested€from€UNICEF€and€UNESCO€in€this€regard.Š ¼, (, ŠŠ „-õ(- Š8.€€ņņSpecial€protection€measuresóóŠ ° ŠĢņņRefugees€and€internally€displaced€childrenóóŠ ‚Ņ ŠĢ152.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€at€the€very€large€numbers€of€persons€who€have€becomeŠ T¤ Šrefugees€or€internally€displaced€within€the€country€and€at€the€situation€of€those€displaced€childrenŠ =  Šwho€are€unaccompanied.€€The€Committee€is€disturbed€in€particular€by€the€massive€numbers€ofŠ & v Špeople€who€been€forcibly€regrouped€within€the€country€and€by€the€very€poor,€sometimes€life„Š  _ Šthreatening€conditions€in€displaced€and€regrouped€persons€camps,€and€the€poor€health€and€educationŠ ų H Šservices€available€to€camp€populations.€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€has€publiclyŠ į 1  Špromised€to€end€the€regroupment€policy,€but€has€failed€to€do€so.€€The€Committee€notes€further€thatŠ Ź   Šefforts€to€trace€the€families€of€unaccompanied€children€have€had€limited€success.Š ³  ŠĢ153.ą  ąThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€make€every€effort€to€protect€the€civilian€populationŠ …Õ  Šfrom€displacement€and€to€implement€its€plans€to€end€regroupment,€giving€particular€attention€to€theŠ n¾  Šsituation€of€unaccompanied€children€and€the€need€for€effective€family€tracing.€€The€CommitteeŠ W§  Šfurther€urges€the€State€party€to€ensure€that€all€displaced€children€and€their€families,€including€thoseŠ @ Šwho€have€been€regrouped,€have€access€to€essential€health€and€education€services€and€to€consider€theŠ )y Šneed€for€continued€access€to€such€services€during€the€often€slow€process€of€return€to€communitiesŠ b Šof€origin.€€The€Committee€also€urges€the€State€party€to€provide€returning€children€and€their€familiesŠ ūK Šwith€assistance€in€re„establishing€themselves€in€their€homes.€€In€addition,€the€Committee€urges€theŠ ä4 ŠState€party€to€continue€to€work€closely€with€UNHCR€towards€establishing€conditions€conducive€toŠ Ķ Šthe€return€of€refugees€in€safety€and€in€the€context€of€a€durable€solution.Š ¶ ŠĢņņChildren€living€and€working€on€the€streets€or€in€the€hillsóóŠ ˆŲ ŠĢ154.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€situation€of€children€living€and€working€on€the€streets€andŠ ZŖ Šchildren€living€on€their€own€and€without€proper€housing€in€the€hills.€€The€Committee€is€concernedŠ C“ Šņņinter€aliaóó,€about€the€poor€access€of€such€children€to€health,€education€and€other€services,€aboutŠ ,| Šreports€that€the€number€of€children€living€or€working€on€the€streets€is€continuing€to€increase,€andŠ e Šabout€the€particular€vulnerability€of€girls€in€these€situations.Š žN ŠĢ155.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€reinforce€the€current€efforts€on€behalf€ofŠ Š!   Šstreet€and€š šhillšš€children€and€ensure€that€these€children€are€protected€and€have€access€to€health€andŠ ¹" ! Šeducation€services.€€Taking€into€consideration€the€limited€availability€of€social€workers€and€theŠ ¢#ņ" Šscarcity€of€resources,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€give€greater€support€to€theŠ ‹$Ū# Šwork€of€NGOs€in€this€domain€and€provide€the€police€services€with€training€on€childrenššs€rights€soŠ t%Ä $ Šthat€the€police€can€contribute€to€the€protection€of€children€from€acts€of€violence€or€other€abuse€whileŠ ]&­!% Šon€the€street.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€special€attention€be€given€to€improving€the€situationŠ F'–"& Šof€girls.€€The€Committee€recommends€further€that€the€State€party€seek€assistance€from€UNICEF€inŠ /(#' Šthis€regard.Š )h$( ŠĢņņChildren€in€armed€conflictóóŠ ź*:&* ŠĢ156.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€participation€of€children€in€the€State€partyššs€armedŠ ¼, (, Šforces,€either€as€soldiers,€or€as€helpers€in€camps€or€in€the€obtaining€of€information.€€The€CommitteeŠ „-õ(- Šis€also€concerned€about€reports€of€widespread€recruitment€of€children€by€opposition€armed€forces.€Š ° ŠThe€Committee€is€further€concerned€at€reports€of€sexual€exploitation€of€children€by€members€of€theŠ ™é Šarmed€forces.€€The€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€about€violations€of€the€provisions€of€internationalŠ ‚Ņ Šhumanitarian€law€relating€to€the€treatment€of€civilians€in€armed€conflict.€Š k» ŠĢ157.ą  ąThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€end€the€use€of€children€as€soldiers€or€in€any€otherŠ =  Šway€related€to€the€armed€conflict€and€to€demand,€in€the€context€of€peace€negotiations,€thatŠ & v Šopposition€armed€forces€also€cease€to€use€children€as€soldiers.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€theŠ  _ ŠState€party€ratify€the€Optional€Protocol€to€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child€on€theŠ ų H Šinvolvement€of€children€in€armed€conflicts€at€the€earliest€opportunity.€€In€addition,€the€CommitteeŠ į 1  Šurges€the€State€party€to€ensure€that€the€sexual€exploitation€of€children€by€members€of€the€armedŠ Ź   Šforces€is€brought€to€an€end€and€that€the€perpetrators€are€prosecuted.€€The€Committee€recommendsŠ ³  Šfurther€that€the€State€party€provide€demobilized€children,€and€others€who€have€been€linked€to€armedŠ œģ  Šforces€or€groups,€with€assistance€towards€their€social€reintegration.€€The€Committee€recommendsŠ …Õ  Šthat€full€respect€of€the€provisions€of€international€humanitarian€law€be€guaranteed.Š n¾  ŠĢņņJuvenile€justiceóóŠ @ ŠĢ158.ą  ąNoting€the€efforts€made€to€appoint€judges€for€cases€involving€juveniles,€the€Committee€isŠ b Šconcerned€at€the€weakness€of€juvenile€justice€facilities€in€the€State€party.€€In€particular,€theŠ ūK ŠCommittee€is€concerned€that€children€who€have€been€charged€with€a€criminal€offence€are€obligedŠ ä4 Što€wait€long€periods€of€time€before€a€trial€is€held€and€that€the€duration€of€pre„trial€detention€ofŠ Ķ Šchildren€frequently€exceeds€the€maximum€prison€sentence€to€which€a€child€can€be€sentenced€if€foundŠ ¶ Šguilty.€€Investigations€into€criminal€accusations€made€against€children€are€extremely€slow.€InŠ Ÿļ Šaddition,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€children€are€usually€detained€or€imprisoned€in€the€sameŠ ˆŲ Šfacilities€as€adults€and€that€conditions€of€detention€are€very€poor.€€The€Committee€is€also€concernedŠ qĮ Što€learn€that€children€under€the€established€minimum€age€of€criminal€responsibility€of13€areŠ ZŖ Šfrequently€detained.Š C“ ŠĢ159.ą  ąThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€make€every€effort€to€ensure€that€investigations€andŠ e Štrials€of€children€accused€of€committing€criminal€acts€are€conducted€rapidly,€that€periods€of€pre„trialŠ žN Šdetention€are€kept€to€a€minimum,€that€children€are€detained€or€imprisoned€separately€from€adults€andŠ ē 7 Šthat€conditions€of€detention€are€improved.€€The€Committee€urges€the€State€party€to€ensure€that€noŠ Š!   Šchildren€under€the€age€of€13€are€detained€or€imprisoned,€in€accordance€with€domestic€legislation.€Š ¹" ! ŠThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€make€further€efforts€to€ensure€that€the€ConventionŠ ¢#ņ" Šis€implemented€and€respected,€in€particular€articles€37,€40€and€39,€along€with€other€UnitedNationsŠ ‹$Ū# Šstandards€in€the€field€of€juvenile€justice,€including€the€United€Nations€Standard€Minimum€Rules€forŠ t%Ä $ Šthe€Administration€of€Juvenile€Justice€(the€Beijing€Rules),€the€United€Nations€Guidelines€for€theŠ ]&­!% ŠPrevention€of€Juvenile€Delinquency€(the€Riyadh€Guidelines)€and€the€United€Nations€Rules€for€theŠ F'–"& ŠProtection€of€Juveniles€Deprived€of€Their€Liberty.Š /(#' ŠĢņņSexual€exploitationóóŠ *Q%) ŠĢ160.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€children€have€been€the€victims€of€sexual€exploitation,Š Ó+#'+ Šsometimes€by€those€persons€who€are€responsible€for€their€care.Š ¼, (, ŠŌ_ŌŠ „-õ(- Š161.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€make€every€effort€to€end€and€prevent€theŠ ° Šsexual€exploitation€or€abuse€of€children,€giving€particular€attention€to€children€living€in€camps.€€TheŠ ™é ŠCommittee€recommends€in€particular€that€the€State€party€develop€and€implement€a€Ō_ŌmultidisciplinaryŌ_ŌŠ ‚Ņ Šplan€of€action€to€address€the€sexual€exploitation€of€children€and€encourages€the€State€party,€in€itsŠ k» Šefforts€to€address€commercial€sexual€exploitation,€to€take€into€account€the€recommendationsŠ T¤ Šformulated€in€the€Agenda€for€Action€adopted€at€the€World€Congress€Against€CommercialŠ =  ŠExploitation€of€Children,€held€in€Stockholm€in€1996.€€The€Committee€also€recommends€that€theŠ & v ŠState€party€consider€ratifying€the€Optional€Protocol€to€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child€onŠ  _ Šthe€sale€of€children,€child€prostitution€and€child€pornography.Š ų H ŠĢņņMinoritiesóóŠ Ź   ŠĢ162.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€about€the€poor€situation€of€Ō_ŌBatwaŌ_Ō€children€and€the€lackŠ œģ  Šof€respect€for€almost€all€of€their€rights,€including€the€rights€to€health€care,€to€education,€to€survivalŠ …Õ  Šand€development,€to€a€culture€and€to€be€protected€from€discrimination.Š n¾  ŠĢ163.ą  ąThe€Committee€urges€the€State€party€urgently€to€gather€additional€information€onthe€Ō_ŌBatwaŌ_ŌŠ @ Špeople,€to€strengthen€the€representation€of€Ō_ŌBatwaŌ_Ō€in€national€policy-making€and€to€elaborate€a€planŠ )y Šof€action€to€protect€the€rights€of€Ō_ŌBatwaŌ_Ō€children,€including€those€rights€related€to€minorityŠ b Špopulations€and€indigenous€peoples.Š ūK ŠĢņņDissemination€of€the€report,€written€answers,€concluding€observationsóóŠ Ķ ŠĢ164.ą  ąFinally,€in€light€of€article€44,€paragraph€6,€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommendsŠ Ÿļ Šthat€the€initial€report€and€written€replies€submitted€by€the€State€party€be€made€widely€available€toŠ ˆŲ Šthe€public€at€large€and€that€the€publication€of€the€reportbe€considered,€along€with€the€relevantŠ qĮ Šsummary€records€and€concluding€observations€adopted€thereon€by€the€Committee.€€Such€a€documentŠ ZŖ Šshould€be€widely€distributed€in€order€to€generate€debate€and€awareness€of€the€Convention,€itsŠ C“ Šimplementation€and€monitoring€within€the€Government,€the€Parliament€and€the€general€public,Š ,| Šincluding€concerned€non-governmental€organizations.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€StateŠ e Šparty€request€international€cooperation€in€this€regard.Š žN ŠĢĢņ ņŌ#†X)üXXX)üŁ#ŌŌ‡X)üXXX)üŌŌUSUK.,ŌĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢĢŠ ±-)- Šó óŌUK.,US.,ŽŌŌ#†X)üXXX)ü¦½#ŌÓĢÓ