’WPCw ņ‘;-÷<ŃOŗv¾KHÓ½#8†n„-_ŗüøųBB#6\\8c+”ė¶ŽT„æ¬Ŗ½Ŗū/<°#~SqŹŚ{!²ŲÕ¬_2-å%Ģ+Nö“ļ?Ų’ć³Ąón†×‘ƒĪMpgõG¶w%2B§–A¶ńó5śņóæ(č’‘o{‘ ¬e.׉ė6йįÖ”¶rEüŚSÅļĪ‹(ŹhGN±Ē;ī¶Ē®³ā௤7">™Iņ‚OSŗūąņ3A|ģ‹|£7K`F’ĶāÖK¹qČ4Ž0¹f!vį“Hn\čс0\µb™”nÆŅūćK½A;ģ#;¦ZéYŹ!h˜T!°2ŠxvWŻiļŌ -“İÜXāPą0plĄŅ 6edēēé6=¤ Ķv¦ųæŠę“øŠ¶ˆ;¶«U擘 öb{bM[_„! ݹJ°H Ą‰CņńrKš×3÷ėŸdŸč @É ōiek†„¼+FšJĒÓ|Åā FWqĢ„’Ż$“ŠCŪņēŅ# įISżrV…;^ā įVlJMr> g·ēģgųrÄ]«ĀÉæ½œuś -I „ Ż4źL*,ž0’Q,īœŽ!#ĮĪUN %Ż 0:ć^ w)4-AP mRRNiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 0¶kk 0V!˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PCL 5e,,,,0(ÖĆ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ö\$””ŌCEUS.,ŌOž. !½¾.ing0‚¢3|x ’U‹’ĄĄĄ6@ 3’’4Heading 1Ō UK ŌŌ‡XXXŌņ ņÓ  ÓŌ  ŌŌ  ŌÓ  Óó óŌ‡XXXŌŌ UK Ō6 ’’4Heading 3ņ ņŌ  ŌŌ  Ōó óŻ ƒö\!ŻŌCEUS.,ŌŻ  ŻŌ_ŌÓ  Óņ ņŌ‡¼ »XXŌSEYCHELLESó óŠ ° ŠŌ#†XŖX»¼ L#ŌÓ=ÓĢĢņ ņCRC€€CRC/C/121€(2002)ó óŠ Øų ŠÓ  ÓĢ160.€€The€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€of€Seychelles€(CRC/C/3/Add.64),€submitted€onŠ ˆ Ų Š7€February€2001,€at€its€815th€and€816th€meetings€(see€CRC/C/SR.815€and€816),€held€on€23Š x Č ŠSeptember€2002,€and€adopted,€at€the€833rd€meeting€(CRC/C/SR.833),€held€on€4€October€2002,€theŠ h ø Šfollowing€concluding€observations.€Š X Ø ŠĢA.€€ņņIntroductionóóŠ 8ˆ  ŠĢ161.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€submission€of€the€State€partyššs€initial€report€which€follows€theŠ h  Šguidelines€for€reporting,€is€self„critical€and€presents€numerous€recommendations€for€addressing€theŠ X  Šproblems.€€The€Committee€also€welcomes€the€written€replies€to€its€list€of€issues€containingŠ ųH  Šconsiderable€statistical€data€(CRC/C/Q/Ō_ŌSEYŌ_Ō/1),€which€gave€a€clearer€understanding€of€the€situationŠ č8 Šof€children€in€the€State€party.€€It€further€notes€with€appreciation€the€open€and€constructive€dialogueŠ Ų( Šand€the€positive€reactions€to€the€suggestions€and€recommendations€made€during€the€discussion.Š Č ŠĢB.€€ņņPositive€aspectsóóŠ Øų ŠĢ162.€€The€Committee€notes€the€State€partyššs€continuous€efforts€to€reform€the€Childrenššs€Act€of€1982Š ˆŲ Šand€bring€it€fully€into€conformity€with€the€Convention.€Š xČ ŠĢ163.€€The€Committee€notes€the€State€partyššs€strong€commitment€to€education€and€child€and€maternalŠ XØ Šhealth€and€the€significant€improvements€that€have€been€made€in€these€areas,€as€well€as€with€respectŠ H˜ Što€health€indicators€in€general.Š 8ˆ ŠĢ164.€€The€Committee€notes€the€State€partyššs€prohibition€of€corporal€punishment€in€the€home,€schoolsŠ h Šand€all€other€institutions€involved€in€the€care€or€protection€of€children.Š  X ŠĢC.€€ņņFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionóóŠ č!8 Šą€(#(#K(#ąˆĢ165.€€The€Committee€acknowledges€that,€despite€a€relatively€high€standard€of€living,€the€State€partyŠ Č#! Šstill€faces€Ō_ŌsocioŌ_Ō„economic€conditions€which€place€limitations€upon€the€State€partyššs€financial€andŠ ø$ " Šhuman€resources.Š Ø%ų # ŠĢD.€€ņņPrincipal€areas€of€concern€and€recommendationóóŠ ˆ'Ų"% ŠĢ1.€€ņņGeneral€measures€of€implementationóóŠ h)ø$' ŠĢņņLegislationóóŠ H+˜&) ŠĢ166.€€The€Committee,€while€noting€that€the€State€party€has€recently€initiated€a€review€of€itsŠ (-x(+ ŠŌ_Ōlegislation€on€children,€nevertheless€remains€concerned€that€reforms€ensuring€the€conformity€of€allŠ ° Šdomestic€laws€with€the€Convention€have€not€been€fully€realized.€Š  š ŠĢ167.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€continue€its€efforts€at€legislative€reform€and€takeŠ €Š Šall€necessary€measures€to€ensure€that€its€domestic€legislation€in€all€areas€concerning€childrenŠ pĄ Šconforms€fully€with€the€principles€and€provisions€of€the€Convention.Š ` ° ŠĢņņCoordinationóóŠ @  ŠĢ168.€€While€noting€the€State€partyššs€efforts€to€establish€inter-agency€committees,€such€as€theŠ  p  ŠNational€Commission€on€Child€Protection,€the€Committee€remains€concerned€that,€as€the€State€partyŠ `  Šitself€has€recognized,€coordination€between€ministries€and€agencies€working€with€and€for€childrenŠ P  Šis€insufficient,€which€limits€their€effectiveness.Š š@  ŠĢ169.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€strengthen€its€efforts€to€coordinate€policy€andŠ Š  Šprogrammes€and€ensure€a€holistic€approach€to€childrenššs€issues€both€at€the€national€and€local€levels,Š Ą Šin€particular€by€ensuring€that€coordination€mechanisms€receive€the€necessary€financial€and€humanŠ ° Šresources.€Š  š ŠĢņņIndependent€monitoring€structures€óóŠ €Š ŠĢ170.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€creation€of€various€helplines€to€allow€children€to€discuss€theirŠ `° Šproblems€in€confidence,€and€notes€that€children€may€send€complaints€to€the€National€Council€forŠ P  ŠChildren.€€Nevertheless,€the€Committee€remains€concerned€at€the€absence€of€an€independentŠ @ Šmechanism€with€a€mandate€to€regularly€monitor€and€evaluate€progress€in€the€implementation€of€theŠ 0€ ŠConvention€and€which€is€empowered€to€receive€and€address€individual€complaints€by€children.€Š  p ŠĢ171.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€pursue€its€efforts€to€develop€and€establish€anŠ P Šindependent€and€effective€mechanism,€provided€with€adequate€human€and€financial€resources€andŠ š@ Šeasily€accessible€to€children,€in€accordance€with€the€Principles€relating€to€the€status€of€nationalŠ ą0 Šinstitutions€for€the€promotion€and€protection€of€human€rights€(The€Paris€Principles)€(GeneralŠ Š  ŠAssembly€resolution€48/134,€annex),€that€would:Š Ą! ŠĢ(a)€€Monitor€the€implementation€of€the€Convention;Š  #š! ŠĢ(b)€€Deal€with€complaints€from€children€in€a€child„sensitive€and€expeditious€manner;Š €%Š # ŠĢ(c)€€Provide€remedies€for€violations€of€their€rights€under€the€Convention.Š `'°"% ŠĢņņAllocation€of€budgetary€resourcesóóŠ @)$' ŠĢ172.€€The€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€budgetary€allocations€for€children€are€insufficient€toŠ  +p&) Šensure€that€professionals€and€other€staff€dealing€with€children€in€all€services€are€adequately€trainedŠ ,`'* Šand€have€sufficient€capacity€to€respond€to€national€and€local€priorities€for€the€protection€andŠ -P(+ Špromotion€of€childrenššs€rights.Š š-@), Ї173.€€While€recognizing€the€existing€economic€difficulties,€the€Committee€encourages€the€State€partyŠ ° Što€pay€particular€attention€to€the€full€implementation€of€article€4€of€the€Convention€by€prioritizingŠ  š Šbudgetary€allocations€to€ensure€implementation€of€the€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights€ofŠ ą Šchildren€š što€the€maximum€extent€of€š8š€available€resourcesšš.€€Furthermore,€the€CommitteeŠ €Š Šrecommends€that€the€State€party€undertake€an€evaluation€of€spending€and€resources€in€the€public€andŠ pĄ Šprivate€sectors,€including€by€NGOs,€to€assess€the€cost,€accessibility,€quality€and€effectiveness€ofŠ ` ° Šservices€for€children.Š P   ŠĢņņData€collectionóóŠ 0 € ŠĢ174.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€lack€of€disaggregated€data€and€indicators€for€all€areasŠ `  Šcovered€by€the€Convention€and€in€relation€to€all€groups€of€children€in€order€to€monitor€and€evaluateŠ P  Šprogress€achieved€and€assess€the€impact€of€policies€and€programmes€adopted€with€respect€toŠ š@  Šchildren.Š ą0  ŠĢ175.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š Ą ŠĢ(a)€€Develop€a€system€of€data€collection€and€indicators€consistent€with€the€Convention,€disaggregatedŠ  š Šby€gender€and€age,€as€well€as€by€island.€€This€system€should€cover€all€children€up€to€the€age€of€18Š ą Šyears,€with€specific€emphasis€on€those€who€are€particularly€vulnerable,€including€child€victims€ofŠ €Š Šabuse,€neglect€or€ill„treatment,€children€with€disabilities,€children€in€conflict€with€the€law,€andŠ pĄ Šchildren€living€in€poverty;Š `° ŠĢ(b)€€Use€these€indicators€and€data€for€the€formulation€and€evaluation€of€policies€and€programmes€forŠ @ Šthe€effective€implementation€of€the€Convention;Š 0€ ŠĢ(c)€€Seek€technical€assistance€from€the€United€Nationššs€Childrenššs€Fund€(UNICEF)€or€otherŠ ` Šorganizations€in€this€regard.Š P ŠĢņņDisseminationóóŠ ą0 ŠĢ176.€€While€noting€the€initiatives€of€the€State€party€to€promote€awareness€of€the€principles€andŠ Ą! Šprovisions€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€professional€groups,€children,€parentsŠ °"  Šand€the€public€at€large€are€still€not€sufficiently€aware€of€the€Convention€and€the€rights-basedŠ  #š! Šapproach€enshrined€therein.Š $ą" ŠĢ177.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€strengthen€its€efforts€to€ensure€that€theŠ p&Ą!$ Šprinciples€and€provisions€of€the€Convention€are€widely€known€and€understood€by€adults€and€childrenŠ `'°"% Šalike.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€encourages€the€State€party:Š P( #& ŠĢ(a)€€To€ensure€that€the€Convention€is€translated€in€its€entirety€into€all€three€official€languages;Š 0*€%( ŠĢ(b)€€To€undertake€a€systematic€education€and€training€programme€on€the€principles€and€provisionsŠ ,`'* Šof€the€Convention€for€children,€parents€and€all€professional€groups€working€for€and€with€children,Š -P(+ Šin€particular€judges,€lawyers,€members€of€the€Family€Tribunal,€law€enforcement€officials,€staff€ofŠ š-@), Šthe€Youth€Residential€Treatment€Centre,€teachers,€health„care€personnel,€social€workers,€staff€inŠ ° Šorphanages,€parliamentarians€and€religious€leaders.Š  š ŠĢņņCooperation€with€civil€societyóóŠ €Š ŠĢ178.€€While€noting€the€participation€of€the€civil€society€in€child€protection€activities,€the€CommitteeŠ ` ° Šis€concerned€that€insufficient€efforts€have€been€made€to€involve€civil€society€in€the€fullŠ P   Šimplementation€of€the€Convention€and€the€reporting€process.Š @  ŠĢ179.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€to€involve€systematicallyŠ  p  Šcommunities€and€other€elements€of€civil€society,€including€childrenššs€associations,€throughout€allŠ `  Šstages€of€the€implementation€of€the€Convention,€including€the€formulation€of€policies€andŠ P  Šprogrammes,€and€in€the€drafting€of€the€next€report€to€the€Committee.Š š@  ŠĢ2.€€ņņDefinition€of€the€childóóŠ Š  ŠĢ180.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that:Š ° ŠĢ(a)€€Under€law€there€is€a€different€minimum€age€of€marriage€for€boys€and€girls;Š ą ŠĢ(b)€€The€age€of€compulsory€education€is€not€clear,€giving€rise€to€uneven€enforcement.Š pĄ ŠĢ181.€€The€Committee,€therefore,€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š P  ŠĢ(a)€€Review€its€legislation€with€a€view€to€rectifying€differences€in€the€minimum€age€of€marriage€byŠ 0€ Šraising€the€age€for€girls€to€that€for€boys;€Š  p ŠĢ(b)€€Establish€a€clear€age€for€compulsory€schooling€and€ensure€that€it€is€enforced.Š P ŠĢ3.€€ņņGeneral€principlesóóŠ ą0 ŠĢ182.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€principles€of€non„discrimination,€the€best€interests€of€theŠ Ą! Šchild,€the€right€to€life,€survival€and€development€of€the€child€and€respect€for€the€views€of€the€childŠ °"  Šare€not€fully€reflected€in€the€State€partyššs€legislation€and€administrative€and€judicial€decisions,€asŠ  #š! Šwell€as€in€policies€and€programmes€relevant€to€children€at€both€national€and€local€levels.Š $ą" ŠĢ183.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š p&Ą!$ ŠĢ(a)€€Appropriately€integrate€the€general€principles€of€the€Convention,€in€particular€the€provisions€ofŠ P( #& Šarticles€2,€3,€6€and€12,€in€all€relevant€legislation€concerning€children;€Š @)$' ŠĢ(b)€€Apply€them€in€all€political,€judicial€and€administrative€decisions,€as€well€as€in€projects,Š  +p&) Šprogrammes€and€services€which€have€an€impact€on€all€children;Š ,`'* ŠĢ(c)€€Apply€these€principles€in€policy„making€and€planning€at€every€level,€as€well€as€in€actions€takenŠ š-@), Šby€social€and€health€welfare€and€educational€institutions,€courts€of€law,€including€the€FamilyŠ ° ŠTribunal,€and€administrative€authorities.Š  š ŠĢ184.€€Furthermore,€the€Committee€requests€that€specific€information€be€included€in€the€next€periodicŠ €Š Šreport€on€the€measures€and€programmes€relevant€to€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€ChildŠ pĄ Šundertaken€by€the€State€party€to€follow€up€on€the€Durban€Declaration€and€Programme€of€ActionŠ ` ° Šadopted€at€the€World€Conference€against€Racism,€Racial€Discrimination,€Xenophobia€and€RelatedŠ P   ŠIntolerance,€and€taking€account€of€the€Committeeššs€General€Comment€No.€1€on€article€29,€paragraphŠ @  Š1,€of€the€Convention€(aims€of€education).Š 0 € ŠĢņņBest€interests€of€the€childóóŠ `  ŠĢ185.€€Noting€the€recognition€of€the€best€interests€principle€in€the€Childrenššs€Act,€the€CommitteeŠ š@  Šremains€concerned€that€the€principle€is€not€fully€recognized€and€implemented€in€all€legislation,Š ą0  Špolicies€and€programmes€for€children.Š Š  ŠĢ186.€€In€light€of€article€3,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€ensure€that€the€bestŠ ° Šinterests€principle€is€reflected€in€all€relevant€legislation,€policies€and€programmes€for€children,€inŠ  š Šparticular€in€the€proceedings€and€decisions€of€the€Family€Tribunal.Š ą ŠĢņņRespect€for€the€views€of€the€childóóŠ pĄ ŠĢ187.€€While€noting€the€State€partyššs€efforts€to€ensure€child€participation,€including€through€youth€andŠ P  Šschool€councils,€the€Committee€remains€concerned€that€children€have€limited€opportunities€inŠ @ Šschools,€institutions,€courts,€administrative€processes€and€in€the€home€to€express€their€views€freely.Š 0€ ŠĢ188.€€In€light€of€article€12€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€ensureŠ ` Šthat€childrenššs€views€are€given€due€consideration€in€courts,€schools,€relevant€administrative€and€otherŠ P Šprocesses€concerning€children€and€in€the€home€through,€inter€alia,€the€adoption€of€appropriateŠ š@ Šlegislation,€the€training€of€professionals€working€with€and€for€children€and€the€use€of€informationŠ ą0 Šcampaigns.€€The€Committee€further€recommends€that€the€State€party€undertake€consultations€withŠ Š  Šchildren€on€matters€affecting€them.Š Ą! ŠĢ4.€€ņņCivil€rights€and€freedomsóóŠ  #š! ŠĢņņRight€to€preservation€of€identityóóŠ €%Š # ŠĢ189.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€right€of€children€born€out€of€wedlock€to€know€theirŠ `'°"% Šbiological€fathers€can€be€limited,€inter€alia,€owing€to€the€right€of€the€mother€not€to€reveal€the€nameŠ P( #& Šof€the€father,€and€that€children€of€divorced€or€separated€parents€may€not€be€able€to€preserve€theirŠ @)$' Šidentity.Š 0*€%( ŠĢ190.€€In€light€of€article€8,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€review€its€legislation€inŠ ,`'* Šorder€to€ensure€that€all€children€born€out€of€wedlock€have,€as€far€as€possible,€the€legal€right€to€knowŠ -P(+ Šand€maintain€contact€with€both€their€biological€parents,€and€that€all€children€of€divorced€or€separatedŠ š-@), Šparents€have€the€legal€right€to€maintain€their€identity.Š ° ŠĢņņIll„treatment€and€other€forms€of€violenceóóŠ ą ŠĢ191.€€While€noting€that€the€State€party€has€prohibited€corporal€punishment,€the€Committee€remainsŠ pĄ Šconcerned€that€children€may€still€be€subject€to€violence€in€the€home,€schools€or€institutions,€and€thatŠ ` ° Šcorporal€punishment€may€be€reintroduced€in€schools.€Š P   ŠĢ192.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š 0 € ŠĢ(a)€€Carry€out€public€education€campaigns€about€the€negative€consequences€of€ill-treatment€ofŠ `  Šchildren€and€promote€positive,€non„violent€forms€of€discipline€as€an€alternative€to€corporalŠ P  Špunishment;Š š@  ŠĢ(b)€€Provide€further€training€for€all€professional€groups€working€with€or€for€children,€including€policeŠ Š  Šand€detention€officials,€on€alternative€forms€of€discipline€and€on€how€to€detect€and€address€signs€ofŠ Ą Šill„treatment€in€a€child„sensitive€manner;Š ° ŠĢ(c)€€Ensure€that€child€victims€of€ill„treatment€have€access€to€psychological€counselling€and€recoveryŠ ą Šservices;Š €Š ŠĢ(d)€€Establish€a€complaints€mechanism€that€is€accessible€to€all€children.Š `° ŠĢ5.€€ņņFamily€environment€and€alternative€careóóŠ @ ŠĢ193.€€While€acknowledging€the€State€partyššs€efforts€to€destigmatize€and€streamline€judicialŠ  p Šproceedings€with€respect€to€family€issues€through€the€creation€of€the€Family€Tribunal,€the€CommitteeŠ ` Šis€concerned€that€the€functioning€of€the€Tribunal€is€not€always€in€conformity€with€the€principles€andŠ P Šprovisions€of€the€Convention.Š š@ ŠĢ194.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š Š  ŠĢ(a)€€Ensure€that€the€general€principles€of€the€Convention,€in€particular€the€best€interests€principle€andŠ °"  Šrespect€for€the€views€of€the€child,€are€integrated€into€all€proceedings€and€decisions€of€the€FamilyŠ  #š! ŠTribunal;Š $ą" ŠĢ(b)€€Improve€the€professionalism€and€qualifications€of€all€staff€and€members€of€the€Family€TribunalŠ p&Ą!$ Šthrough€further€training€which€includes€the€principles€and€provisions€of€the€Convention;Š `'°"% ŠĢ(c)€€Ease€the€burden€on€child€witnesses€and€victims€by€minimizing€delays€and€postponements,Š @)$' Šensuring€their€right€to€privacy€and€providing€training€for€staff€on€how€to€work€with€these€victims€andŠ 0*€%( Šwitnesses€in€a€child„sensitive€manner.Š  +p&) ŠĢņņParental€responsibilityóóŠ -P(+ ŠŠ š-@), Š195.€€The€Committee€notes€with€deep€concern€the€spreading€phenomenon€of€family€disintegrationŠ ° Šin€the€State€party,€including€the€large€number€of€single„parent€families.Š  š ŠĢ196.€€In€light€of€article€18€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š €Š ŠĢ(a)€€Continue€ongoing€efforts€at€legal€reform€with€regard€to€parental€responsibilities;Š ` ° ŠĢ(b)€€Continue€to€develop€measures€for€the€prevention€of€family€disintegration€and€the€strengtheningŠ @  Šof€family€development€together€with€public€agencies,€civil€society€organizations€and€familiesŠ 0 € Šthemselves.Š  p  ŠĢņņAlternative€careóóŠ P  ŠĢ197.€€Acknowledging€the€State€partyššs€efforts€to€develop€a€foster€care€system,€the€Committee€isŠ ą0  Šconcerned€at€the€persistent€lack€of€alternatives€to€residential€care€for€children€deprived€of€a€family,Š Š  Šand€at€the€high€proportion€of€children€placed€in€institutions€because€of€social€or€economic€problemsŠ Ą Šaffecting€their€families.€€Furthermore,€the€Committee€is€deeply€concerned€that€there€is€no€periodicŠ ° Šreview€of€private€or€public€alternative€care€facilities€and€that€private€and€public€institutions€are€notŠ  š Šsubject€to€the€same€standards€or€procedures.€Š ą ŠĢ198.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€review€its€policies€on€alternative€care€forŠ pĄ Šchildren€deprived€of€a€family€with€a€view€to€developing€a€more€integrated€and€accountable€systemŠ `° Šof€care€and€support€by:Š P  ŠĢ(a)€€Strengthening€and€expanding€the€foster€care€system€through€improved€training€of€social€workersŠ 0€ Šand€increased€counselling€and€support€for€foster€families;Š  p ŠĢ(b)€€Enhancing€coordination€between€all€persons€involved€in€the€care€of€children€deprived€of€a€familyŠ P Šenvironment,€including€police,€social€workers,€foster€families€and€the€staff€of€public€and€privateŠ š@ Šorphanages;Š ą0 ŠĢ(c)€€Establishing€a€set€of€standards€and€procedures€for€all€public€and€private€organizations€workingŠ Ą! Šwith€these€children€that€encompass€the€principles€of€the€best€interests€of€the€child€and€respect€for€theŠ °"  Šviews€of€the€child€and€that€ensure€that€their€placement€is€periodically€reviewed,€in€accordance€withŠ  #š! Šarticle€25€of€the€Convention.Š $ą" ŠĢņņAbuse€and€neglectóóŠ p&Ą!$ ŠĢ199.€€The€Committee€expresses€its€concern€at€the€lack€of€reliable€data€and€information€on€child€abuseŠ P( #& Šand€neglect€in€the€home€and€in€care€institutions,€which,€nevertheless,€the€State€party€recognizes€toŠ @)$' Šbe€a€problem.€Š 0*€%( ŠĢ200.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š ,`'* ŠĢ(a)€€Undertake€studies€on€domestic€violence,€ill„treatment€and€abuse,€including€sexual€abuse,€withinŠ š-@), Šthe€family€in€order€to€assess€the€extent,€scope€and€nature€of€these€practices;€Š ° ŠĢ(b)€€Develop€awareness„raising€campaigns,€with€the€involvement€of€children,€in€order€to€prevent€andŠ ą Šcombat€child€abuse;Š €Š ŠĢ(c)€€Ensure€that€all€victims€have€access€to€recovery€and€social€reintegration€programmes;Š ` ° ŠĢ(d)€€Establish€effective€procedures€and€mechanisms€to€receive,€monitor€and€investigate€complaints,Š @  Šincluding€intervening€where€necessary;€Š 0 € ŠĢ(e)€€Investigate€effectively€cases€of€domestic€violence€and€ill„treatment€and€abuse€of€children,Š `  Šincluding€sexual€abuse,€through€a€child„sensitive€inquiry€and€judicial€procedure€in€order€to€ensureŠ P  Šbetter€care€and€protection€of€child€victims,€including€the€protection€of€their€right€to€privacy.Š š@  ŠĢ6.€€ņņBasic€health€and€welfareóóŠ Š  ŠĢ201.€€While€acknowledging€the€State€partyššs€strong€commitment€to€child€and€maternal€health,€theŠ ° ŠCommittee€is€concerned€at€the€limited€access€to€safe€drinking€water€and€sanitation€on€some€islandsŠ  š Šand€at€the€lack€of€mental€health€professionals€and€services€for€children€and€adolescents€throughoutŠ ą Šthe€State€party.Š €Š ŠĢ202.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š `° ŠĢ(a)€€Enforce€existing€environmental€regulations€so€as€to€ensure€universal€access€to€safe€drinkingŠ @ Šwater€and€sanitation;Š 0€ ŠĢ(b)€€Establish€specialized€mental€health€services€specifically€for€children€and€adolescents€staffed€withŠ ` Šspecially€trained€and€qualified€professionals.Š P ŠĢņņChildren€with€disabilitiesóóŠ ą0 ŠĢ203.€€The€Committee€is€encouraged€by€the€State€partyššs€efforts,€together€with€the€National€CouncilŠ Ą! Šfor€the€Disabled,€to€combat€discrimination€against€children€and€adults€with€disabilities.€Nevertheless,Š °"  Šthe€Committee€is€concerned€that€children€with€disabilities€have€limited€access€to€public€facilities€andŠ  #š! Šservices€because€the€physical€environment€is€not€appropriately€designed€or€because€staff€andŠ $ą" Šprogrammes€have€not€been€designed€to€ensure€integration€of€children€with€disabilities.€Š €%Š # ŠĢ204.€€Taking€note€of€the€Standard€Rules€on€the€Equalization€of€Opportunities€for€Persons€withŠ `'°"% ŠDisabilities€(General€Assembly€resolution€48/96,€annex)€and€the€results€of€the€Committeeššs€day€ofŠ P( #& Šgeneral€discussion€on€the€rights€of€children€with€disabilities,€held€on€6€October€1997€(see€CRC/C/69,Š @)$' Šparas.€310„339),€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€its€cooperation€with€theŠ 0*€%( ŠNational€Council€for€the€Disabled€and€other€relevant€civil€society€organizations,€in€particular€in:Š  +p&) ŠĢ(a)€€Developing€and€implementing€a€policy€aimed€at€the€full€integration€of€children€with€disabilitiesŠ -P(+ Šinto€the€mainstream€school€system;Š š-@), Ї(b)€€Assessing€the€extent€to€which€current€services€and€public€facilities€are€accessible€and€appropriateŠ ° Šfor€the€needs€of€children€with€disabilities€with€a€view€to€improving€the€physical€environment,€theŠ  š Šcoordination€of€service€delivery€and€the€capacity€of€all€staff€and€professionals€working€for€and€withŠ ą Šchildren€to€include€children€with€disabilities€in€their€programmes,€thereby€facilitating€their€activeŠ €Š Šparticipation€in€society€at€large.Š pĄ ŠĢņņAdolescent€healthóó€Š P   ŠĢ205.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that:€Š 0 € ŠĢ(a)€€Adolescents€face€health€risks,€including€from€sexual€exploitation,€maltreatment,€smoking,€drugŠ `  Šand€alcohol€abuse,€and€HIV/AIDS€and€sexually€transmitted€diseases;Š P  ŠĢ(b)€€The€rate€of€teenage€pregnancies€and€illegal€abortions€is€high;Š ą0  ŠĢ(c)€€Adolescents€do€not€have€full€access€to€reproductive€health€counselling€and€services.Š Ą ŠĢ206.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š  š ŠĢ(a)€€Increase€its€efforts€to€promote€adolescent€health,€including€mental€health,€by€focusing,€inŠ €Š Šparticular,€on€the€issues€of€reproductive€health,€substance€abuse€and€health€education€in€schools€andŠ pĄ Šinstitutions;Š `° ŠĢ(b)€€Consider€means€of€reducing€teenage€pregnancy,€including€through€strengthened€reproductiveŠ @ Šhealth€education€and€access€to€contraception€without€parental€consent€for€adolescents;Š 0€ ŠĢ(c)€€Ensure€the€provision€of€comprehensive€health€services,€counselling€and€support€for€pregnantŠ ` Šgirls.Š P ŠĢ7.€€ņņEducationóóŠ ą0 ŠĢ207.€€The€Committee€is€encouraged€by€the€existence€of€free€compulsory€education€and€earlyŠ Ą! Šchildhood€education€programmes€with€virtually€universal€enrolment.€€Nevertheless,€the€CommitteeŠ °"  Šis€concerned€about€the€high€drop€out€rates€and€absenteeism.Š  #š! ŠĢ208.€€In€light€of€the€Committeeššs€General€Comment€No.€1€on€article€29,€paragraph€1,€of€theŠ €%Š # ŠConvention€(aims€of€education),€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š p&Ą!$ ŠĢ(a)€€Consider€creating€study€groups€in€schools€involving€students€at€higher€and€lower€levels€in€orderŠ P( #& Što€contribute€to€the€improvement€of€the€achievements€of€students€with€learning€difficulties;Š @)$' ŠĢ(b)€€Undertake€a€study€of€the€reasons€why€students€drop€out€of€school€in€order€to€develop€solutionsŠ  +p&) Šthat€ensure€their€continuing€educational€or€vocational€training,€and€further€opportunities€forŠ ,`'* Šemployment€and€integration€into€society;Š -P(+ ŠŠ š-@), Š(c)€€Review€the€curriculum€and€teacher€training€programmes€with€a€view€to€incorporating€humanŠ ° Šrights€education,€including€childrenššs€rights,€into€the€curriculum€and€implementing€moreŠ  š Šparticipatory€teaching€methods;Š ą ŠĢ(d)€€Ratify€the€Convention€against€Discrimination€in€Education,€of€1960€of€the€United€NationsŠ pĄ ŠEducational,€Scientific€and€Cultural€Organization.Š ` ° ŠĢ8.€€ņņSpecial€protection€measuresóóŠ @  ŠĢņņSexual€exploitationóóŠ  p  ŠĢ209.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€lack€of€data€and€information€on€the€problem€of€sexualŠ P  Šexploitation€of€children,€including€child€prostitution€and€pornography.Š š@  ŠĢ210.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€undertake€a€comprehensive€study€of€childŠ Š  Šsexual€exploitation€and€prostitution€which€assesses€the€magnitude€of€the€problem,€proposes€possibleŠ Ą Šsolutions€that€address€its€root€causes€and€evaluates€the€availability€and€appropriateness€of€servicesŠ ° Šfor€the€care€and€protection,€recovery€and€social€reintegration€of€the€victims,€taking€into€account€theŠ  š ŠDeclaration€and€Agenda€for€Action€and€the€Global€Commitment€adopted€at€the€1996€and€2001Š ą ŠWorld€Congresses€against€Commercial€Sexual€Exploitation€of€Children.Š €Š ŠĢņņSubstance€abuseóóŠ `° ŠĢ211.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€at€the€increasing€use€of€marijuana€and€other€illicit€substances€byŠ @ Šchildren€in€the€State€party€and€at€the€lack€of€adequate€data€and€treatment€programmes€specificallyŠ 0€ Šfor€children€abusing€drugs.€Š  p ŠĢ212.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š P ŠĢ(a)€€In€light€of€article€33€of€the€Convention,€continue€to€take€all€appropriate€measures,€includingŠ ą0 Šadministrative,€social€and€educational€measures,€to€protect€children€from€the€illicit€use€of€narcoticŠ Š  Šdrugs€and€to€prevent€the€use€of€children€in€the€illicit€trafficking€of€such€substances;Š Ą! ŠĢ(b)€€Support€rehabilitation,€reintegration€and€recovery€programmes€specifically€designed€for€childŠ  #š! Švictims€of€drug€and€substance€abuse.Š $ą" ŠĢņņJuvenile€justiceóóŠ p&Ą!$ ŠĢ213.€€The€Committee€is€concerned€that€although€the€minimum€age€for€criminal€responsibility€is€12Š P( #& Šyears,€prosecution€of€children€between€the€ages€of€8€and€12€is€possible€under€certain€conditions.€€InŠ @)$' Šaddition,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€conditions€at€the€Youth€Residential€Treatment€Centre€areŠ 0*€%( Švery€poor,€that€it€has€few€programmes€for€rehabilitation€or€education€and€that€its€location€limitsŠ  +p&) Šcontact€between€children€and€their€families.€€Finally,€the€Committee€is€also€concerned€about€the€lackŠ ,`'* Šof€community„based€rehabilitation€alternatives€for€juvenile€offenders.Š -P(+ ŠŠ  š-@), Š214.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€additional€steps€to€reform€legislation€andŠ ° Šthe€system€of€juvenile€justice€in€line€with€the€Convention,€in€particular€articles€37,€40€and€39,€andŠ  š Šother€United€Nations€standards€in€the€field€of€juvenile€justice,€including€the€United€Nations€StandardŠ ą ŠMinimum€Rules€for€the€Administration€of€Juvenile€Justice€(the€Beijing€Rules),€the€United€NationsŠ €Š ŠGuidelines€for€the€Prevention€of€Juvenile€€Delinquency€(the€Riyadh€Guidelines),€the€United€NationsŠ pĄ ŠRules€for€the€Protection€of€Juveniles€Deprived€of€their€Liberty€and€the€Vienna€Guidelines€for€ActionŠ ` ° Šon€Children€in€the€Criminal€Justice€System.Š P   ŠĢ215.€€The€Committee€further€recommends€that€the€State€party:Š 0 € ŠĢ(a)€€Increase€the€number€of€probation€officers€and€community„based€alternatives€to€detention€forŠ `  Šjuvenile€offenders;Š P  ŠĢ(b)€€Establish€a€clear€minimum€age€of€criminal€responsibility€at€an€internationally€acceptable€levelŠ ą0  Šand€ensure€that€children€under€that€age€are€not€held€in€police€custody€or€other€forms€of€detention;Š Š  ŠĢ(c)€€Improve€the€conditions€at€the€Youth€Rehabilitation€and€Treatment€Centre€and€ensure€thatŠ ° Šrehabilitation€and€education€programmes€are€provided€while€continuing€consideration€of€theŠ  š Špossibilities€of€relocating€the€Centre€to€the€main€island€in€order€to€facilitate€contact€between€childrenŠ ą Šand€their€families.Š €Š ŠĢ9.€€ņņOptional€Protocols€to€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child€and€amendment€to€article€43,Š `° Šparagraph€2,€of€the€ConventionóóŠ P  ŠĢ216.€€The€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€has€not€ratified€the€two€Optional€Protocols€to€theŠ 0€ ŠConvention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child€on€the€sale€of€children,€child€prostitution€and€childŠ  p Špornography,€and€on€the€involvement€of€children€in€armed€conflict.Š ` ŠĢ217.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€continue€to€pursue€its€efforts€to€ratify€the€twoŠ š@ ŠOptional€Protocols€to€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child.Š ą0 ŠĢ10.€€ņņDissemination€of€documentsóóŠ Ą! ŠĢ218.€€Finally,€in€light€of€article€44,€paragraph€6,€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€thatŠ  #š! Šthe€initial€report€and€written€replies€submitted€by€the€State€party€be€made€widely€available€to€theŠ $ą" Špublic€at€large€and€that€the€publication€of€the€report€be€considered,€along€with€the€relevant€summaryŠ €%Š # Šrecords€and€concluding€observations€adopted€by€the€Committee.€€Such€a€document€should€be€widelyŠ p&Ą!$ Šdistributed€in€order€to€generate€debate€and€awareness€of€the€Convention€and€its€implementation€andŠ `'°"% Šmonitoring€within€the€Government,€the€Parliament€and€the€general€public,€including€concernedŠ P( #& Šnon-governmental€organizations.Š @)$' ŠĢ11.€€ņņNext€reportóóŠ  +p&) ŠĢ219.€€The€Committee,€aware€of€the€considerable€delay€in€the€State€partyššs€reporting,€wishes€toŠ -P(+ Šunderline€the€importance€of€a€reporting€practice€which€is€in€full€compliance€with€the€rules€set€outŠ š-@), Šin€article€44€of€the€Convention.€€Children€have€the€right€to€have€the€Committee€on€the€Rights€of€theŠ ° ŠChild,€as€the€responsible€body,€regularly€examine€the€progress€made€in€the€implementation€of€theirŠ  š Šrights,€and€it€should€have€the€opportunity€to€do€so.€€Regular€and€timely€reporting€by€States€partiesŠ ą Šis€crucial€in€this€regard.€€Moreover,€the€Committee€understands€that€the€State€party€has€hadŠ €Š Šdifficulties€with€timely€and€regular€reporting.€€In€order€to€help€the€State€party€return€to€reporting€inŠ pĄ Šfull€compliance€with€its€obligation€under€the€Convention,€the€Committee€invites€the€State€party,€byŠ ` ° Šway€of€exception,€to€submit€its€second€(due€on€6€October€1997),€third€(due€on€6€October€2002)€andŠ P   Šfourth€periodic€reports€in€one€consolidated€report€before€6€October€2007.