ÿWPC‘ s¬þªîó¯Wå£ß|Ëé Êdâ»Tb} ¡„æ\Îx˜)¹–¿ûªÂR^ lpèBj7+°r{ôE{¼gWI]´qž®#~PÇåÄÃÖYmB-Q©àŠß\UM¥—¸p®5›½P®kRxø<5%óébZ¢ë]jÈ!'îøØcd'ógÅ}`„=–½1sœÌç®ëO ]ã.°/Ml1¼É©ßöFÞ‘C-õ›yÞ re/÷S‰A",hŽ(¤à›úûºôZà½PÅQÈu’+”zÈh5Î]‡qÛèÞ à§ß ºZ ?¶z³âÆÆ"pƒD }ëJ¾”ù™‰'¥-ã¾7ˆ;½OºojgÆ\®K´AÖÇ.D>àÃÂOÍSæ25½D9ÅI•[_xg‹™|àGU׆bè¶Ð‹3Ê­&þpÏŠÛcŒ: ã¿‘`&Šbþ@B æ·JX^Kå^ãl¼£ï—â蔃™Ÿ°Lפ±rݽþñ×úcÅ¢E¸dEí? ‚Û}Ä ±²¦Æ°YBhpç¤ÉAhRœ. ß’¥â|µû[ûI€¢-U‹í‹ä‹«&jøÅQÏ­Œ_º#9­QÓü‘l›êžßÓ]Œ‚Oú ô³`Ù€ #Á¶UNw %Å 0:ËU>^ CwO4Sgv mxN˜HP LaserJet 4P,ü,,,,,ü0(@øÐ Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ûœ$¡¡ÔUKUS.,Ôô\  `‹&Times New RomanYs, ñkr,LHª*"|à£3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀÝ ƒûœ!ÝÔUKUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôò òÔ‡X¶ºXXXÔÔ‡¼EÉ»XX¶ºÔÔUSUK.,ÔÓ  ÓCAMBODIAó óÔ#†X¶ºX»¼EÉ_#ÔÐ ° ÐÓÓÓŠÓÌÌò òCRC€Ô_ÔCRCÔ_Ô/C/97€Ô_Ô(2000)ó óÔ_ÔÐ œì ÐÌÌ331.à  àThe€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€of€Cambodia€(CRC/C/11/Add.16),€submittedÐ ` ° Ðon€18€December€1997,€at€its€629th€and€630th€meetings€(see€CRC/C/SR.629„630),€held€on€24MayÐ L œ Ð2000,€and€adopted€the€following€concluding€observations.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌA.€€òòIntroductionóóÐ `  ÐÌ332.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€submission€of€the€State€partyððs€initial€report,€whichfollowsÐ è8  Ðthe€guidelines€for€reporting,€and€of€the€written€replies€to€its€list€of€issues€(CRC/C/Q/CAM.1).€€TheÐ Ô$  ÐCommittee€is€encouraged€by€the€constructive€dialogue€it€had€with€the€State€partyððs€delegation€andÐ À  Ðwelcomes€the€reactions€to€the€suggestions€and€recommendations€made€during€the€discussion.€€TheÐ ¬ü  ÐCommittee€also€welcomes€the€presence€of€a€high„ranking€delegation€directly€involved€in€theÐ ˜è Ðimplementation€of€the€Convention€which€allowed€the€Committee€to€have€a€full€assessment€of€theÐ „Ô Ðsituation€of€the€rights€of€the€child€in€the€State€party.Ð pÀ ÐÌB.€€òòPositive€aspectsóóÐ H˜ ÐÌ333.à  àThe€Committee€€welcomes€€Cambodia€as€a€State€party€to€the€six€major€internationalÐ  p Ðinstruments€for€the€protection€of€human€rights.€€The€State€partyððs€ratification€(1999)€of€theÐ  \ ÐConvention€on€the€Prohibition€of€the€Use,€Stockpiling,€Production€and€Transfer€of€Anti-PersonnelÐ øH ÐMines€and€on€Their€Destruction€is€also€welcomed.Ð ä4 ÐÌ334.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€inclusion€by€the€State€party€in€its€1993€Constitution€(art.48)Ð ¼  Ðof€the€protection€of€the€rights€enshrined€in€the€Convention€of€the€Rights€of€the€Child.€Ð ¨ø ÐÌ335.à  àThe€memorandum€of€understanding€signed€by€the€Government€of€Cambodia€and€the€OfficeÐ € Ð Ðof€the€High€Commissioner€for€Human€Rights€(1996),€which€established€a€programme€of€technicalÐ l!¼ Ðassistance€and€advisory€services€on€human€rights,€including€the€rights€of€the€child,€is€welcomed€byÐ X"¨  Ðthe€Committee.Ð D#”! ÐÌ336.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€measures€taken€by€the€State€party€to€combat€child€labour€suchÐ %l # Ðas€the€ratification€in€1999€of€the€ILO€Minimum€Age€Convention€(No.138)€and€the€signing€of€aÐ &X!$ Ðmemorandum€of€understanding€by€the€Government€of€Cambodia€and€ILO/Ô_ÔIPECÔ_Ô€in€1997.Ð ô&D"% ÐÌ337.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€participation€of€non„governmental€organizations€in€theÐ Ì($' Ðpreparation€of€the€State€partyððs€initial€report€as€well€as€in€the€implementation€of€the€Convention.€€Ð ¸)%( ÐÌC.€€òòFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€progress€in€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionóóÐ +à&* ÐÌ338.à  àThe€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€the€State€party€is€facing€many€difficulties€in€theÐ h-¸(, ÐÔ_Ôimplementation€of€the€Convention,€in€particular€owing€to€the€legacy€of€more€than€20€years€ofÐ ° Ðgenocide,€armed€conflict€and€political€instability€as€well€as€to€the€isolation€suffered€by€the€StatepartyÐ œì Ðfor€many€years.€€The€Committee€also€notes€that€the€State€partyððs€very€difficult€socio-economicÐ ˆØ Ðsituation€is€affecting€the€most€vulnerable€groups,€including€children,€and€hampers€the€enjoyment€ofÐ tÄ Ðtheir€rights.Ð `° ÐÌD.€€òòPrincipal€areas€of€concern€and€recommendationsóóÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌ1.€€òòGeneral€measures€of€implementationóóÐ  ` ÐÌòòLegislationóóÐ è 8  ÐÌ339.à  àWhile€aware€that€the€State€partyððs€legislative€framework€covers€several€provisions€of€theÐ À  ÐConvention€and€that€efforts€have€been€undertaken€to€draft€new€legislation,€the€Committee€remainsÐ ¬ü  Ðconcerned€that€domestic€legislation€still€needs€to€be€reviewed€and€new€laws€enacted€to€fully€respectÐ ˜è  Ðthe€Convention.€€The€lack€of€enforcement€of€the€existing€legislation€is€also€a€matter€of€concern.€Ð „Ô  ÐÌ340.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€existing€laws€be€reviewed€with€a€view€to€bringing€themÐ \¬ Ðinto€line€with€the€provisions€of€the€Convention,€in€particular€with€general€principles€(arts.€2,€3,€6€andÐ H˜ Ð12).€€Special€attention€needs€to€be€paid€to€the€areas€of€birth€registration,€family€and€alternative€care,Ð 4„ Ðand€juvenile€justice.€€The€Committee€further€recommends€that€the€State€party€include€childrenððsÐ  p Ðrights€concerns€in€the€current€and€future€processes€of€drafting€legislation,€in€particular€the€draft€Civil,Ð  \ ÐCriminal€and€Criminal€Procedures€Codes.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€encourages€the€State€partyÐ øH Ðto€continue€to€seek€technical€assistance€from€OHCHR€and€UNICEF,€among€others.Ð ä4 ÐÌòòCoordinationóóÐ ¼  ÐÌ341.à  àAlthough€the€Committee€welcomes€the€establishment€of€the€Cambodian€National€CouncilÐ ”ä Ðfor€Children€(CNCC),€which€is€in€charge€of€coordinating€the€implementation€of€the€Convention,€itÐ €Ð Ðexpresses€its€concern€about€the€Councilððs€ability€to€carry€out€its€mandate€fully€in€an€effective€mannerÐ l¼ Ðthroughout€the€territory€of€the€State€party.€€In€particular,€concern€is€expressed€at€the€Councilððs€lackÐ X ¨ Ðof€human€and€financial€resources.Ð D!” ÐÌ342.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€effective€measures,€including€throughÐ #l! Ðinternational€cooperation,€to€strengthen€the€role€of€the€Cambodian€National€Council€for€ChildrenÐ $X" Ð(CNCC)€in€coordinating€the€implementation€of€the€Convention€at€the€national,€regional€and€localÐ ô$D # Ðlevels.€€Greater€efforts€should€be€made€to€provide€the€CNCC€with€more€substantial€human€andÐ à%0!$ Ðfinancial€resources€and€to€establish€closer€cooperation€and€coordination€with€non„governmentalÐ Ì&"% Ðorganizations€working€in€the€field€of€childrenððs€rights.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌòòMonitoringóóÐ )à$( ÐÌ343.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€State€partyððs€limited€capacity€to€monitor€theÐ h+¸&* Ðimplementation€of€the€Convention€and€at€the€absence€of€an€independent€mechanism€to€register€andÐ T,¤'+ Ðaddress€complaints€from€children€concerning€violations€of€their€rights€under€the€Convention.€Ð @-(, Ї344.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€consider€establishing€an€independentÐ ° Ðmechanism€(e.g.€Ombudsperson€for€Children)€to€monitor€the€implementation€of€the€Convention€andÐ œì Ðto€deal€with€childrenððs€complaints€of€violations€of€their€rights€in€a€child„friendly€and€expeditiousÐ ˆØ Ðmanner,€and€to€provide€remedies€for€such€violations.€€The€Committee€further€suggests€that€the€StateÐ tÄ Ðparty€conduct€awareness„raising€campaigns€to€facilitate€the€effective€use€by€children€of€theÐ `° Ðmechanism.Ð L œ ÐÌòòData€collectionóóÐ $ t ÐÌ345.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€measures€taken€by€the€State€party€in€the€area€of€data€collection,Ð ü L  Ðsuch€as€the€Education€Management€Information€System€and€the€Health€Information€System.€Ð è 8  ÐNevertheless,€concern€is€expressed€at€the€lack€of€a€systematic,€comprehensive€and€disaggregatedÐ Ô$  Ðquantitative€and€qualitative€data€collection€mechanism€for€all€areas€covered€by€the€Convention,Ð À  Ðincluding€child€abuse€and€ill„treatment,€children€belonging€to€minority€groups,€girls,€children€in€ruralÐ ¬ü  Ðareas,€and€child€victims€of€sale,€trafficking€and€prostitution.€€Ð ˜è  ÐÌ346.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€with€the€development€andÐ pÀ Ðstrengthening€of€its€data€collection€system,€with€a€view€to€including€all€areas€covered€by€theÐ \¬ ÐConvention.€€Such€a€system€should€include€all€children€under€18€years€of€age€and€specificallyÐ H˜ Ðemphasize€vulnerable€groups€of€children€as€a€basis€for€assessing€progress€achieved€in€the€realizationÐ 4„ Ðof€childrenððs€rights€and€be€used€to€help€design€policies€for€better€implementation€of€the€provisionsÐ  p Ðof€the€Convention.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€seek€internationalÐ  \ Ðassistance€from€UNICEF,€among€others.Ð øH ÐÌòòBudgetary€allocationsóóÐ Ð  ÐòòÌóó347.à  àWhile€the€Committee€is€aware€that€most€of€the€State€partyððs€infrastructure€and€social€servicesÐ ¨ø Ðwere€destroyed€as€a€result€of€decades€of€war,€it€expresses€its€concern€at€the€insufficient€attention€paidÐ ”ä Ðto€the€provisions€of€article€4€of€the€Convention€concerning€budgetary€allocations€to€the€ð ðmaximumÐ €Ð Ðextent€of€...€available€resourcesðð.€Ð l¼ ÐÌ348.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€give€priority€to€ensuring€that€the€maximumÐ D!” Ðavailable€resources€are€allocated€to€health,€education€and€social€services€for€children€and€thatÐ 0"€  Ðparticular€attention€is€paid€to€the€protection€of€children€belonging€to€vulnerable€and€marginalizedÐ #l! Ðgroups.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€continue€and€foster€openÐ $X" Ðcooperation€with€the€international€community,€in€particular€within€the€coordinated€framework€of€theÐ ô$D # Ðdonorsðð€Consultative€Group€on€Cambodia.€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌòòDissemination€of€the€ConventionóóÐ ¸'#& ÐÌ349.à  àWhile€aware€of€the€measures€undertaken€to€promote€widespread€awareness€of€the€principlesÐ )à$( Ðand€provisions€of€the€Convention,€such€as€the€inclusion€of€the€Convention€in€school€curricula,€theÐ |*Ì%) ÐCommittee€is€of€the€opinion€that€these€measures€need€to€be€strengthened.€Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ350.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€strengthen€its€efforts€to€disseminate€theÐ @-(, Ðprinciples€and€provisions€of€the€Convention€in€order€to€sensitize€society€about€childrenððs€rights.€Ð ° ÐSpecial€emphasis€should€be€placed€on€the€dissemination€of€the€Convention€among€minority€groupsÐ œì Ðas€well€as€in€rural€and€remote€areas.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€consider€seekingÐ ˆØ Ðtechnical€assistance€in€this€area€from€UNICEF€and€OHCHR,€among€others.€€Ð tÄ ÐòòÌTraining€for€professionalsóóÐ L œ ÐÌ351.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€State€partyððs€efforts,€in€cooperation€with€OHCHR€andÐ $ t ÐUNICEF,€providing€training€for€professionals€working€with€and€for€children.€€Nevertheless,€theÐ  ` ÐCommittee€is€of€the€opinion€that€current€programmes€need€to€be€developed€further€in€order€to€reachÐ ü L  Ðall€groups€of€professionals.€€Ð è 8  ÐÌ352.à  àThe€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€continue€to€undertake€systematic€education€andÐ À  Ðtraining€programmes€on€the€provisions€of€the€Convention€for€all€professional€groups€working€for€andÐ ¬ü  Ðwith€children,€in€particular€parliamentarians,€judges,€lawyers,€law€enforcement€officials,€civilÐ ˜è  Ðservants,€municipal€workers,€personnel€working€in€institutions€and€places€of€detention€for€children,Ð „Ô  Ðteachers,€health€personnel,€including€psychologists,€and€social€workers.€€Technical€assistance€fromÐ pÀ ÐOHCHR€and€UNICEF,€among€others,€could€continue€to€be€requested€in€this€regard.€Ð \¬ ÐÌ2.€€òòDefinition€of€the€childÐ 4„ ÐóóÌ353.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€lack€of€a€clear€legal€definition€of€the€child€in€the€StateÐ  \ Ðpartyððs€legislation.€€In€particular,€concern€is€expressed€at€the€lack€of€minimum€legal€ages€of€sexualÐ øH Ðconsent€and€of€criminal€responsibility.€€Ð ä4 ÐÌ354.à  àIn€light€of€the€principles€and€provisions€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€thatÐ ¼  Ðthe€State€party€include€in€its€legislation€a€definition€of€the€child.€€The€Committee€further€recommendsÐ ¨ø Ðthat€the€State€party€take€into€consideration,€in€the€process€of€drafting€its€new€legislation,€theÐ ”ä Ðincorporation€of€minimum€ages€of€criminal€responsibility€and€sexual€consent.€€Furthermore,€theÐ €Ð ÐCommittee€recommends€that€the€State€party€enforce€the€law€on€minimum€age€for€marriage.Ð l¼ ÐÌ3.€€òòGeneral€principlesóóÐ D!” ÐÌ355.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€measures€adopted€to€incorporate€the€general€principlesÐ #l! Ðof€the€Convention€in€the€State€partyððs€domestic€legislation€are€insufficient.€Ð $X" ÐÌ356.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€general€principles€of€the€ConventionÐ à%0!$ Ð(i.e.non-discrimination€(art.€2),€the€best€interests€of€the€child€(art.€3),€the€right€to€life,€survival€andÐ Ì&"% Ðdevelopment€(art.€6)€and€respect€for€the€views€of€the€child€(art.€12))€be€included€in€all€relevantÐ ¸'#& Ðlegislation€affecting€children€and€taken€into€account€in€all€administrative€and€judicial€decisions,€asÐ ¤(ô#' Ðwell€as€in€all€policies€and€programmes€related€to€children.€€Awareness„raising€among€the€public€atÐ )à$( Ðlarge,€including€community€and€religious€leaders,€as€well€as€educational€programmes€on€theÐ |*Ì%) Ðimplementation€of€these€principles€should€be€reinforced€in€order€to€change€traditional€perceptionsÐ h+¸&* Ðregarding€children€as€objects€and€not€as€subjects€of€rights.Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, ÐòòNon„discriminationóóÐ ° ÐÌ357.à  àWith€regard€to€article€2€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€expresses€its€concern€at€theÐ ˆØ Ðexisting€patterns€of€discrimination€on€the€grounds€of€gender,€ethnic€origin,€HIV/AIDS€status€andÐ tÄ Ðdisability.€€In€particular,€concern€is€expressed€that€the€State€partyððs€Constitution€refers€only€to€theÐ `° Ðrights€of€Khmer€citizens.€€Ð L œ ÐÌ358.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€ensure€that€all€the€rights€enshrined€in€theÐ $ t ÐConvention€are€enjoyed€by€all€children,€without€any€distinction.€€The€Committee€further€recommendsÐ  ` Ðthat€the€State€party€take€effective€measures€to€eliminate€discrimination€against€girls,€in€particularÐ ü L  Ðwith€regard€to€their€access€to€education.€€Efforts€need€to€be€made€to€eliminate€discrimination€againstÐ è 8  Ðchildren€living€and/or€working€on€the€streets€and€children€belonging€to€minority€groups,€especiallyÐ Ô$  Ðof€Vietnamese€origin.€€Furthermore,€the€Committee€endorses€the€recommendations€made€to€the€StateÐ À  Ðparty€by€the€Human€Rights€Committee€in€1999€(CCPR/C/79/Add.108,€para.17)€and€by€theÐ ¬ü  ÐCommittee€on€the€Elimination€of€Racial€Discrimination€in€1998€(CERD/C/304/Add.54,€paras.€11„Ð ˜è  Ð13)€in€this€regard.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ4.€€òòCivil€rights€and€freedomsÐ \¬ ÐóóÌòòBirth€registrationóóÐ 4„ ÐÌ359.à  àWith€regard€to€the€implementation€of€article€7€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€expressesÐ  \ Ðits€concern€that€birth€registration€is€not€compulsory€and€consequently€not€all€children€are€registeredÐ øH Ðat€birth.€€Ð ä4 ÐÌ360.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€review€its€domestic€legislation€in€accordanceÐ ¼  Ðwith€the€principles€and€provisions€of€the€Convention,€with€a€view€to€making€birth€registrationÐ ¨ø Ðcompulsory€for€all€children,€without€any€type€of€discrimination.€€Children€of€non„Khmer€citizens,Ð ”ä Ðregardless€of€their€legal€status,€or€refugees,€when€born€in€Cambodia,€should€always€be€registered€atÐ €Ð Ðbirth€even€if€they€are€not€entitled€to€Cambodian€nationality.€€The€Committee€further€recommendsÐ l¼ Ðthat€the€State€party€undertake€effective€measures€to€enforce€the€existing€sub„decrees€related€to€theÐ X ¨ ÐResident€Book€(No.€73)€and€the€Family€Book€(No.€74),€both€of€1997,€in€particular€to€ensure€that€allÐ D!” Ðchildren€who€were€not€registered€at€birth€are€registered.€€In€addition,€the€Committee€recommends€thatÐ 0"€  Ðthe€State€party€conduct€awareness„raising€campaigns€to€encourage€the€registration€of€all€children€atÐ #l! Ðbirth.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€consider€seeking€international€cooperation€fromÐ $X" ÐUNICEF€and€other€international€organizations€to€this€end.Ð ô$D # ÐÌòòNationalityóóÐ Ì&"% ÐÌ361.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€State€partyððs€Law€on€Nationality€(1996)€might€lead€toÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdiscrimination€against€children€of€non„Khmer€origin€and€might,€in€violation€of€article7€of€theÐ )à$( ÐConvention,€leave€as€stateless€a€large€number€of€children€born€in€Cambodia,€such€as€childrenÐ |*Ì%) Ðbelonging€to€minority€groups.€Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ362.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€partyððs€Law€on€Nationality€be€reviewed€in€theÐ @-(, Ðlight€of€the€Convention€with€a€view€to€eliminating€all€grounds€of€possible€discrimination€andÐ ° Ðeradicating€and€preventing€children€being€stateless.Ð œì ÐòòÌParticipatory€rights€of€childrenóóÐ tÄ ÐÌ363.à  àWith€regard€to€childrenððs€participatory€rights,€concern€is€expressed€at€the€insufficiency€of€theÐ L œ Ðmeasures€undertaken€by€the€State€party€to€promote€the€participation€of€children€in€the€family,€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðcommunity,€the€schools€and€other€social€institutions,€as€well€as€to€ensure€the€effective€enjoyment€ofÐ $ t Ðtheir€fundamental€freedoms,€including€freedom€of€opinion,€expression€and€association.€Ð  ` ÐÌ364.à  àIn€light€of€articles€12„17€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€that€furtherÐ è 8  Ðmeasures,€including€legislation€reform,€be€undertaken€to€promote€the€participation€of€children€in€theÐ Ô$  Ðfamily,€the€school€and€other€institutions,€as€well€as€to€ensure€the€effective€enjoyment€of€theirÐ À  Ðfundamental€freedoms,€including€the€freedoms€of€opinion,€expression€and€association.€€PublicÐ ¬ü  Ðawareness€of€the€participatory€rights€of€children€needs€to€be€increased€in€families,€communities,Ð ˜è  Ðinstitutions€and€schools.€Ð „Ô  ÐÌòòAccess€to€appropriate€informationóóÐ \¬ ÐÌ365.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€lack€of€legislation€to€protect€children€from€harmfulÐ 4„ Ðinformation€and€material€injurious€to€their€well„being€and€development,€as€well€as€to€guarantee€theirÐ  p Ðaccess€to€appropriate€information.Ð  \ ÐÌ366.à  àIn€light€of€article€17€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€enactÐ ä4 Ðspecial€legislation€to€protect€children€from€harmful€information,€in€particular€from€televisionÐ Ð  Ðprogrammes€and€films€containing€brutal€violence€and€pornography,€and€to€guarantee€their€access€toÐ ¼  Ðappropriate€information.€€The€Committee€further€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€intoÐ ¨ø Ðconsideration€the€Committeeððs€recommendations€during€its€day€of€general€discussion€(1996)€on€theÐ ”ä Ðchild€and€the€media€(CRC/C/57).Ð €Ð ÐÌ5.€€òòFamily€environment€and€alternative€careóóÐ X ¨ ÐÌòòChildren€deprived€of€their€family€environment€óóÐ 0"€  ÐÌ367.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€children€tend€to€be€placed€in€child€welfare€centres€orÐ $X" Ðchildrenððs€homes€rather€than€in€foster€care€or€adopted;€at€the€lack€of€regulations€for€the€operation€ofÐ ô$D # Ðsuch€centres;€and€at€the€increasing€number€of€orphans€owing€to€the€HIV/AIDS€epidemic€and€theÐ à%0!$ Ðlimited€measures€available€to€cope€with€this€situation.€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ368.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€undertake€effective€measures€to€promote,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðthrough€counselling€and€community„based€programmes,€the€family€as€the€best€environment€for€theÐ )à$( Ðchild€and€to€empower€parents€to€take€care€of€their€children€in€order€to€avoid€placement€in€childÐ |*Ì%) Ðwelfare€centres.€Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ369.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€develop€policies€and€regulations€regardingÐ @-(, Ðchildrenððs€institutions€and€other€forms€of€alternative€care.€€Social€services€need€to€be€strengthenedÐ ° Ðand€expanded€to€cover€a€larger€number€of€children,€in€particular€children€orphaned€by€the€HIV/AIDSÐ œì Ðepidemic,€and€alternative€forms€of€care,€such€as€foster€families,€need€to€be€developed.€€TheÐ ˆØ ÐCommittee€further€recommends€that€sufficient€financial€and€human€resources€be€allocated€for€theseÐ tÄ Ðpurposes.€€International€technical€and€financial€assistance€in€this€regard€is€also€recommended.€Ð `° ÐÌòòAdoptionóóÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌ370.à  àWhile€noting€the€State€partyððs€efforts€in€drafting€a€new€intercountry€adoption€law€that€accordsÐ  ` Ðwith€the€Convention€and€the€Hague€Convention€on€Protection€of€Children€and€Cooperation€inÐ ü L  ÐRespect€of€Intercountry€Adoption€of€1993,€the€Committee€remains€concerned€that€the€existingÐ è 8  Ðlegislation€on€domestic€adoption€is€not€in€accordance€with€the€Convention€and€that€existing€adoptionÐ Ô$  Ðprocedures€are€usually€not€respected€and€are€reported€to€be€marked€by€corruption€and€abuse.€Ð À  ÐConcern€is€also€expressed€at€the€prevalence€of€illegal€informal€adoption.€€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ371.à  àThe€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€continue€with€the€process€of€enacting€itsÐ „Ô  Ðlegislation€on€intercountry€adoption€and€to€undertake€legislative€reform€of€the€existing€legislationÐ pÀ Ðon€domestic€adoption.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€takes€note€of€the€State€partyððs€willingness€toÐ \¬ Ðconsider€accession€to€the€Hague€Convention€on€Protection€of€Children€and€Cooperation€in€RespectÐ H˜ Ðof€Intercountry€Adoption€of€1993€and€encourages€it€to€do€so.€€Furthermore,€the€CommitteeÐ 4„ Ðrecommends€that€the€State€party€strengthen€the€adoption€bureau.€€International€assistance€could€beÐ  p Ðsought€from€UNICEF,€among€others,€in€that€regard.€€Ð  \ ÐòòChild€abuse€and€ill„treatmentóóÐ øH ÐÌ372.à  àConcern€is€expressed€at€the€insufficient€awareness€of€the€scope€and€harmful€consequencesÐ Ð  Ðof€mistreatment€and€abuse€of€children,€including€sexual€abuse,€both€within€and€outside€the€family;Ð ¼  Ðthe€insufficient€resources,€both€financial€and€human,€to€prevent€and€combat€child€abuse;€and€theÐ ¨ø Ðinsufficient€care€and€rehabilitation€measures,€including€facilities€available€for€child€victims€of€abuse.€Ð ”ä ÐÌ373.à  àIn€light€of€articles€19€and€39€of€the€Convention,€among€others,€the€Committee€recommendsÐ l¼ Ðthat€the€State€party€take€effective€measures,€including€setting€up€multidisciplinary€programmes€andÐ X ¨ Ðcare€and€rehabilitation€measures,€to€prevent€and€combat€child€abuse€and€ill-treatment€of€childrenÐ D!” Ðwithin€the€family,€at€school€and€other€institutions,€and€in€society€at€large.€€It€suggests,€òòinter€aliaóó,€thatÐ 0"€  Ðlaw€enforcement€should€be€strengthened€with€respect€to€such€crimes;€adequate€child„friendlyÐ #l! Ðprocedures€and€mechanisms€to€deal€with€complaints€of€child€abuse€should€be€reinforced€in€order€toÐ $X" Ðprovide€children€with€prompt€access€to€justice€and€to€avoid€impunity€for€the€offenders.€€Furthermore,Ð ô$D # Ðeducational€programmes€should€be€established€to€combat€traditional€attitudes€within€societyÐ à%0!$ Ðregarding€this€issue.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€consider€seeking€internationalÐ Ì&"% Ðcooperation€from€UNICEF€and€international€non-governmental€organizations€to€this€effect.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ6.€€òòBasic€health€and€welfareÐ )à$( ÐóóÌòòRight€to€survival€and€developmentóóÐ h+¸&* ÐÌ374.à  àThe€Committee€welcomes€the€international€cooperation€initiative€ð ðStrengthening€HealthÐ @-(, ÐSystemsðð€between€the€Ministry€of€Health€and€several€United€Nations€agencies€(WHO,€UNICEF,Ð ° ÐUNDP€and€UNFPA),€which€aims€at€rebuilding€the€Governmentððs€capacity€in€the€development€of€aÐ œì Ðnational€programme€for€immunization,€in€particular€against€polio.€€Nevertheless,€concern€isÐ ˆØ Ðexpressed€that€the€State€partyððs€infant€mortality€and€under„five€mortality€rates€remain€among€theÐ tÄ Ðhighest€in€the€region.€€Child€malnutrition€is€also€an€area€of€concern.€Ð `° ÐÌ375.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€address€the€issue€of€childhood€morbidityÐ 8 ˆ Ðand€mortality€by€taking€a€multisectoral€approach€recognizing€the€critical€role€of€illiteracy,€lack€ofÐ $ t Ðclean€water€supplies€and€food€insecurity€in€the€current€pattern€of€childhood€illnesses.€€Priority€areasÐ  ` Ðmust€be€identified€on€the€basis€of€baseline€data€collected€by€careful€and€comprehensive€research.€Ð ü L  ÐSuch€a€strategy€must€take€into€account€that€most€health€care€takes€place€outside€health€facilities€andÐ è 8  Ðoutside€State€control.€€It€must€also€recognize€the€needs€of€particularly€isolated€communities.€€InÐ Ô$  Ðaddition,€the€Committee€recommends€that€measures€be€put€in€place€for€establishing€an€efficientÐ À  Ðprimary€health€care€sector,€including€strategies€to€encourage€care„seeking€for€childhood€illnesses.€Ð ¬ü  ÐIn€this€regard,€the€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€continue€working€in€cooperation€withÐ ˜è  Ðinternational€agencies.€Ð „Ô  ÐÌòòChildren€affected€or€infected€by€HIV/AIDSóóÐ \¬ ÐÌ376.à  àWhile€aware€of€the€measures€taken€by€the€State€party€for€the€prevention€of€HIV/AIDS€andÐ 4„ Ðthe€care€of€infected€persons,€the€Committee€expresses€its€deep€concern€that€the€State€party€has€theÐ  p Ðfastest€growing€rate€of€HIV/AIDS€infection€in€the€region€and€that€children€are€among€the€mostÐ  \ Ðaffected€groups,€in€particular€due€to€mother„to„child€transmission.€Ð øH ÐÌ377.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€to€take€effective€measures€for€theÐ Ð  Ðprevention€of€HIV/AIDS,€including€awareness„raising€and€educational€campaigns.€€The€CommitteeÐ ¼  Ðfurther€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€into€consideration€the€Committeeððs€recommendationsÐ ¨ø Ðadopted€on€its€day€of€general€discussion€on€children€living€in€a€world€with€HIV/AIDS€(CRC/C/80).€Ð ”ä ÐInternational€technical€assistance€from€UNICEF,€WHO€and€UNAIDS,€among€others,€shouldÐ €Ð Ðcontinue€to€be€requested€in€this€regard.€Ð l¼ ÐÌòòChildren€with€disabilitiesóóÐ D!” ÐÌ378.à  àThe€Committee€expresses€its€deep€concern€that€as€a€result€of€the€prolonged€armed€conflict,Ð #l! Ðthe€State€party€has€one€of€the€highest€levels€of€disability€in€the€world.€€In€this€regard,€the€CommitteeÐ $X" Ðnotes€that€most€services€for€children€with€disabilities€are€provided€by€NGOs,€which€need€substantialÐ ô$D # Ðresources€to€maintain€the€current€high€standards€of€care€and€rehabilitation€services.€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ379.à  àIn€light€of€the€Standard€Rules€on€the€Equalization€of€Opportunities€for€Persons€withÐ ¸'#& ÐDisabilities€(General€Assembly€resolution€48/96)€and€of€the€Committeeððs€recommendations€adoptedÐ ¤(ô#' Ðon€its€day€of€general€discussion€on€children€with€disabilities€(CRC/C/69),€the€CommitteeÐ )à$( Ðrecommends€that€the€State€party€work€in€close€collaboration€with€and€support€the€activities€of€NGOsÐ |*Ì%) Ðworking€in€this€field€in€order€to€develop€early€identification€programmes€to€prevent€disabilities;Ð h+¸&* Ðimplement€alternative€measures€to€the€institutionalization€of€children€with€disabilities;€plan€and€carryÐ T,¤'+ Ðout€awareness-raising€campaigns€to€reduce€discrimination;€establish€special€education€programmesÐ @-(, Ðand€centres€and€encourage€the€inclusion€of€disabled€children€in€the€educational€system€and€in€society;Ð ° Ðand€establish€adequate€monitoring€of€private€institutions€for€children€with€disabilities.€€TheÐ œì ÐCommittee€further€recommends€to€the€State€party€to€seek€technical€cooperation€for€the€training€ofÐ ˆØ Ðprofessional€staff€working€with€and€for€children€with€disabilities.Ð tÄ ÐÌòòRight€to€health€and€health€servicesóóÐ L œ ÐÌ380.à  àConcern€is€expressed€at€childrenððs€limited€access€to€health€services,€due€notably€to€theÐ $ t Ðshortage€of€medical€and€public€health€personnel€and€the€insufficient€number€of€primary€healthÐ  ` Ðcentres,€in€particular€in€rural€areas.€€Concern€is€also€expressed€at€the€high€cost€of€health€care€andÐ ü L  Ðmedicines,€which€lead€families€into€debt€and€greater€poverty.Ð è 8  ÐÌ381.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€health„care€services€and€medicines€be€improved€andÐ À  Ðextended€in€order€to€guarantee€the€access€of€children€belonging€to€poor€families€and€otherÐ ¬ü  Ðmarginalized€groups.€Ð ˜è  ÐÌòòAdolescent€healthÐ pÀ ÐÌóó382.à  àThe€Committee€expresses€its€concern€at€the€high€maternal€mortality€rate,€the€limited€accessÐ H˜ Ðby€teenagers€to€reproductive€and€sexual€health€education€and€counselling€services,€including€outsideÐ 4„ Ðthe€school€system,€and€the€low€level€of€contraceptive€use.€€Concern€is€also€expressed€that€insufficientÐ  p Ðattention€has€been€given€to€issues€of€adolescentsðð€mental€health.Ð  \ ÐÌ383.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€undertake€a€comprehensive€andÐ ä4 Ðmultidisciplinary€study€to€determine€the€scope€of€adolescent€health€problems,€including€mentalÐ Ð  Ðhealth,€as€a€basis€for€promoting€adolescent€health€policies€and€strengthening€reproductive€healthÐ ¼  Ðeducation.€€The€Committee€also€recommends€that€further€efforts€be€undertaken€for€the€developmentÐ ¨ø Ðof€child„friendly€counselling€services€as€well€as€care€and€rehabilitation€facilities€for€adolescents.Ð ”ä ÐÌ7.€€òòEducation,€leisure€and€cultural€activitiesÐ l¼ ÐóóÌ384.à  àWhile€welcoming€the€current€efforts€being€carried€out€by€the€State€party,€in€cooperation€withÐ D!” Ðinternational€agencies,€to€improve€its€educational€system,€the€Committee€expresses€its€concern€at€theÐ 0"€  Ðfact€that€primary€education€is€not€compulsory;€that€although€enrolment€rates€in€primary€school€areÐ #l! Ðrelatively€high,€equal€access€to€quality€education€is€not€ensured€owing€to€a€lack€of€schools€in€ruralÐ $X" Ðand€remote€areas;€that€there€are€gender€disparities€in€school€attendance;€that€there€are€high€repetitionÐ ô$D # Ðand€drop„out€rates;€and€that€a€majority€of€children€belonging€to€minority€groups€do€not€have€accessÐ à%0!$ Ðto€any€form€of€education.€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ385.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€to€undertake€effective€measuresÐ ¤(ô#' Ðto€make€primary€education€free€and€compulsory€for€all€children;€to€increase€the€enrolment€rates€andÐ )à$( Ðdecrease€drop„out€and€repetition€rates;€to€increase€access€to€schools,€in€particular€for€poor€children,Ð |*Ì%) Ðgirls,€children€belonging€to€minority€groups€and€children€living€in€remote€areas.€€The€CommitteeÐ h+¸&* Ðfurther€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€to€take€measures€to€improve€its€education€systemÐ T,¤'+ Ðby€increasing€budget€allocations€for€the€education€sector;€providing€training€to€upgrade€teachersððÐ @-(, Ðskills;€making€the€school€curricula€more€relevant€to€childrenððs€needs;€expanding€opportunities€forÐ ° Ðvocational€training€and€non„formal€education,€including€at€pre„school€and€secondary€levels;€andÐ œì Ðestablishing€an€evaluation€system€to€measure€the€effectiveness€of€the€education€system.€Ð ˆØ ÐÌ8.€€òòSpecial€protection€measuresóóÐ `° ÐòòÌRefugee€childrenóóÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌ386.à  àConcern€is€expressed€at€the€lack€of€a€legal€framework€for€the€protection€of€unaccompanied,Ð  ` Ðasylum„seeking€and€refugee€children.Ð ü L  ÐÌ387.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€the€necessary€measures€to€introduceÐ Ô$  Ðlegislation€for€the€protection€of€the€rights€of€refugee€children,€in€line€with€the€relevant€internationalÐ À  Ðstandards,€and€to€develop€a€family€reunification€procedure€to€assist€refugee€children€who€might€beÐ ¬ü  Ðseparated€from€their€families.€€Technical€assistance€from€UNHCR€could€be€sought€in€this€regard.Ð ˜è  ÐÌòòChildren€affected€by€armed€conflictóóÐ pÀ ÐÌ388.à  àWhile€welcoming€the€enactment€of€legislation€prohibiting€the€military€recruitment€of€childrenÐ H˜ Ðunder€18€years€and€the€State€partyððs€willingness€to€demobilize€the€remaining€under-age€soldiers€inÐ 4„ Ðthe€army,€the€Committee€expresses€its€concern€at€the€insufficient€measures€for€social€reintegrationÐ  p Ðand€physical€rehabilitation€of€former€child€soldiers.€€Concern€is€also€expressed€at€the€high€numberÐ  \ Ðof€landmines€planted€in€the€State€partyððs€territory€during€the€recent€armed€conflict€which€representÐ øH Ða€threat€to€the€lives€of€children.€€Ð ä4 ÐÌ389.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€effective€measures€for€theÐ ¼  Ðidentification,€demobilization€and€psychological€rehabilitation€and€reintegration€in€society€of€childÐ ¨ø Ðsoldiers€and€to€undertake€awareness„raising€campaigns€for€army€officials€to€prevent€the€furtherÐ ”ä Ðrecruitment€of€child€soldiers.€€The€Committee€further€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€toÐ €Ð Ðwork€in€cooperation€with€UNICEF€for€the€rehabilitation€and€reintegration€of€under„age€soldiers.Ð l¼ ÐÌ390.à  àWith€regard€to€the€problems€of€landmines,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€partyÐ D!” Ðincrease€budget€allocations€for€demining€in€post„conflict€areas€and€that€awareness„raising€campaignsÐ 0"€  Ðbe€conducted€to€prevent€mine„related€accidents.€€Furthermore,€the€Committee€recommends€that€theÐ #l! ÐState€party€continue€to€work€in€cooperation€with€international€agencies€for€the€elimination€ofÐ $X" Ðlandmines.€Ð ô$D # ÐÌòòEconomic€exploitationóóÐ Ì&"% ÐÌ391.à  àThe€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€large€number€of€working€children,€including€in€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðinformal€sector,€in€agriculture€and€in€the€family€context.€€Concern€is€also€expressed€at€the€inefficientÐ )à$( Ðenforcement€of€existing€labour€laws.€Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ392.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€enforce€the€provisions€of€the€Labour€LawÐ T,¤'+ Ðregarding€the€minimum€age€for€access€to€employment;€that€labour€inspectors€be€trained€and€providedÐ @-(, Ðwith€the€means€to€monitor€child€labour;€and€that€appropriate€sanctions€be€applied€to€violators.€€TheÐ ° ÐCommittee€further€recommends€that€the€State€party€enact€legislation€protecting€children€fromÐ œì Ðhazardous€forms€of€labour.€€The€Committee€acknowledges€that€the€State€party€is€consideringÐ ˆØ Ðratification€of€the€new€ILO€Convention€No.€182€concerning€the€Prohibition€and€Immediate€ActionÐ tÄ Ðfor€the€Elimination€of€the€Worst€Forms€of€Child€Labour,€1999,€and€encourages€it€to€do€so.Ð `° ÐÌòòSexual€exploitation€and€traffickingóóÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌ393.à  àWhile€welcoming€the€enactment€of€special€legislation€to€combat€sexual€exploitation€and€theÐ  ` Ðadoption€of€a€five„year€Plan€of€Action€against€Sexual€Exploitation€of€Children€(2000-2004)€and€otherÐ ü L  Ðrelated€measures€in€this€area,€the€Committee€expresses€its€concern€at€the€widespread€phenomena€ofÐ è 8  Ðchild€prostitution€and€the€sale€and€trafficking€of€children;€the€inadequate€enforcement€of€the€newÐ Ô$  Ðlegislation€on€these€issues;€and€the€shortage€of€trained€people€and€institutions€to€provideÐ À  Ðrehabilitation€to€the€victims.€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ394.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€review€its€legislation€with€a€view€toÐ „Ô  Ðreinforcing€it,€and€in€the€meantime€to€enforce€fully€its€current€legislation€against€sexual€exploitation;Ð pÀ Ðthat€the€Plan€of€Action€be€fully€implemented;€that€sufficient€resources,€both€human€and€financial,Ð \¬ Ðbe€allocated€for€the€implementation€of€the€Plan;€that€social€services€for€the€rehabilitation€of€childÐ H˜ Ðvictims€of€sexual€exploitation€be€strengthened€and€expanded;€that€violators€be€prosecuted;€and€thatÐ 4„ Ðbilateral€cooperation,€specially€with€neighbouring€countries,€be€strengthened€and€border€controlsÐ  p Ðincreased.€€The€Committee€suggests€that€the€State€party€seek€further€technical€assistance€fromÐ  \ ÐOHCHR€and€UNICEF,€among€others.€Ð øH ÐÌòòAdministration€of€juvenile€justiceóóÐ Ð  ÐÌ395.à  àWith€regard€to€the€situation€of€children€in€conflict€with€the€law,€concern€is€expressed€at€theÐ ¨ø Ðlack€of€special€legislation,€policies€and€programmes€in€this€area;€at€reports€of€children€detained€inÐ ”ä Ðprisons€with€adults;€the€situation€of€children€detained€for€extended€periods€without€being€chargedÐ €Ð Ðand€without€access€to€a€lawyer€or€to€a€court;€and€the€reports€of€detained€children€allegedly€beingÐ l¼ Ðsubjected€to€beatings€and€other€ill„treatment.€Ð X ¨ ÐÌ396.à  àThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€establish€a€juvenile€justice€system,€takingÐ 0"€  Ðinto€account€the€principles€and€provisions€of€the€Convention,€in€particular€articles37,€40€and€39,€andÐ #l! Ðother€relevant€United€Nations€standards€in€this€field,€such€as€the€UnitedNations€Standard€MinimumÐ $X" ÐRules€for€the€Administration€of€Juvenile€Justice€(the€Beijing€Rules),€the€United€Nations€GuidelinesÐ ô$D # Ðfor€the€Prevention€of€Juvenile€Delinquency€(the€Riyadh€Guidelines)€and€the€United€Nations€RulesÐ à%0!$ Ðfor€the€Protection€of€Juveniles€Deprived€of€their€Liberty.€€The€Committee€further€recommends€thatÐ Ì&"% Ðthe€State€party€develop€a€comprehensive€policy€and€programmes€regarding€the€situation€of€childrenÐ ¸'#& Ðin€conflict€with€the€law,€with€particular€attention€to€the€situation€of€children€deprived€of€their€libertyÐ ¤(ô#' Ðand€to€the€prevention€of€juvenile€delinquency.€€Furthermore,€the€Committee€recommends€to€the€StateÐ )à$( Ðparty€to€consider€seeking€technical€assistance€from€OHCHR,€the€Centre€for€International€CrimeÐ |*Ì%) ÐPrevention,€UNICEF€and€the€International€Network€on€Juvenile€Justice€through€the€CoordinationÐ h+¸&* ÐPanel€on€Juvenile€Justice,€among€others.Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, Ð9.€€òòDissemination€of€reportsóóÐ ° ÐÌ397.à  àFinally,€in€light€of€article€44,€paragraph€6,€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommendsÐ ˆØ Ðthat€the€initial€report€and€written€replies€submitted€by€the€State€party€be€made€widely€available€to€theÐ tÄ Ðpublic€at€large€and€that€the€publication€of€the€report€be€considered,€along€with€the€relevant€summaryÐ `° Ðrecords€and€concluding€observations€adopted€thereon€by€the€Committee.€€Such€a€document€shouldÐ L œ Ðbe€widely€distributed€in€order€to€generate€debate€and€awareness€of€the€Convention,€itsÐ 8 ˆ Ðimplementation€and€monitoring€within€the€Government,€the€Parliament€and€the€general€public,Ð $ t Ðincluding€concerned€NGOs.Ð  ` ÐÓïÓÔ#†X¶ºXXX¶º@#ÔÔUK.,US.,~Ô