’WPC‘ Iø>ØWź¾,ų…–=hī|ž)Žī=ip™œ]£ BōCģvYĆ×'žuā>Žųf§œ¶ŠCGżšT²čRž§G7{¹!…r¼ˆJ”7FūŅ!Ń·®Š¼ż™^(āXė/ųbwŻ“ĘH’½D^µŃ¢äøÜ<*dłĄ¬Qzā@ć`Ā2_$–Ć”zu"%F·Df A„Doµ3Ģ‹é *ƒ°±PG%µ.ĘkĆ »>¦Æ½Ā¹©}»yƒ ¹CēĻ£i HŌž[~óKīŖČ ·KHĄ±}3É;¤Ž×Æ—’üĆĖ !3õ&-L ńE ū0.•W Z02U79tīĻ ‡MiONÅå)t†²QĮhä’)č×A+ÖūŅŽi<ż³>Ļdæ}.n‹üN"Ö¹źų+ģžs}b3hfĮgy¢"Q]$ü)kŽŽP9eŖ?æ†"њ8©§›^ CwO4Sgv mxN˜HP LaserJet 4000 Series PSČŁŲŁŁŲČŁ0(@ųŠ Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ūœ$””ŌUKUS.,Ōō\  `‹&Times New RomanQn, —{m,rtyBarąŅØ3|x ’U‹’ĄĄĄŻ ƒūœ!ŻŌUKUS.,ŌŻ  ŻŌ_Ōņ ņŌ‡X>dXXXŌŌ‡¼ÄE»XX>dŌŌUSUK.,ŌÓ  ÓSURINAMEó óŌ#†X>dX»¼ÄE_#ŌŠ ° ŠÓÓÓõÓĢĢņ ņCRC€Ō_ŌCRCŌ_Ō/C/97€Ō_Ō(2000)ó óŌ_ŌŠ “ć ŠĢĢ449.ą  ąThe€Committee€considered€the€initial€report€of€Suriname€(CRC/C/28/Add.11),€submitted€onŠ O Ÿ Š13€February€1998,€at€its€635th€to€636th€meetings€(see€CRC/C/SR.635„636),€held€on€29May2000,Š 8 ˆ Šand€adopted€the€following€concluding€observations:Š ! q ŠĢA.€€ņņIntroductionóóŠ ó C  ŠĢ450.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€submission€of€the€State€partyššs€initial€report€which€followedŠ Å  Šthe€established€guidelines.€€The€Committee€welcomes€the€written€replies€to€its€list€of€issuesŠ ®ž  Š(CRC/C/Q/Ō_ŌSURŌ_Ō/1)€which€allowed€for€a€clearer€understanding€of€the€situation€of€children€in€the€StateŠ —ē  Šparty.€€The€Committee€is€encouraged€by€the€dialogue€it€had€with€the€State€party€and€acknowledgesŠ €Š  Šthat€the€presence€of€a€delegation€involved€in€the€implementation€of€the€Convention€allowed€for€aŠ i¹ Šfuller€assessment€of€the€situation€of€the€rights€of€children€in€the€State€party.Š R¢ ŠĢŲ! !ŲņņPositive€aspectsóóŠ $t ŠĢ451.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€the€State€partyššs€efforts€through€the€enactment€of€legislation€toŠ öF Šfacilitate€the€implementation€of€the€Convention.€€In€particular,€the€Committee€notes€the€enactmentŠ ß/ Šof€new€legislation€in€January€2000€which€eliminates€discrimination€against€children€born€out€ofŠ Č Šwedlock,€including€with€respect€to€their€inheritance€rights.Š ± ŠĢ452.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€establishment€of€the€Steering€Committee€on€Youth€(1997)Š ƒÓ Šwhich€is€mandated€to€advise€the€Government€on€childrenššs€issues.Š l¼ ŠņņĢóó453.ą  ąThe€Committee€welcomes€the€National€Youth€Council€which€was€installed€inŠ <Œ ŠNovember1999.€€It€welcomes€the€efforts€made€to€involve€children€at€the€local€level€through€theŠ % u Šhosting€of€youth€congresses€in€all€districts€of€the€country€as€well€as€a€national€youth€congress.€€TheŠ !^ ŠCommittee€also€notes€with€appreciation€the€commitment€of€the€State€party€to€allocate€adequateŠ ÷!G  Šresources€for€the€effective€functioning€of€the€National€Youth€Institute,€the€agency€through€which€theŠ ą"0! ŠNational€Youth€Council€operates.€Š É#" ŠĢC.€€ņņFactors€and€difficulties€impeding€the€implementation€of€the€ConventionóóŠ ›%ė $ ŠĢ454.ą  ąThe€Committee€acknowledges€that€the€economic€and€social€difficulties€facing€the€State€partyŠ m'½"& Šhave€had€a€negative€impact€on€the€situation€of€children€and€have€impeded€the€full€implementationŠ V(¦#' Šof€the€Convention.€€In€particular€it€notes€the€impact€of€the€structural€adjustment€Ō_ŌprogrammeŌ_Ō€and€theŠ ?)$( Šincreasing€level€of€unemployment€and€poverty.€€The€Committee€notes€the€challenges€faced€by€theŠ (*x%) ŠState€party€in€implementing€adequate€Ō_ŌprogrammesŌ_Ō€and€services€for€children€living€in€communitiesŠ +a&* Šin€the€interior€which€are€in€many€instances€isolated€and€very€difficult€to€reach.€€The€CommitteeŠ ś+J'+ Šfurther€notes€that€the€limited€availability€of€skilled€human€resources,€compounded€by€the€high€rateŠ ć,3(, Šof€emigration€and€the€brain€drain,€also€adversely€affects€the€full€implementation€of€the€Convention.Š Ģ-)- ŠŌ_Ō‡D.€€ņņPrinciple€areas€of€concern€and€recommendationsóóŠ ° ŠĢ1.€€ņņGeneral€measures€of€implementationóóŠ ‚Ņ ŠĢņņLegislationóóŠ T¤ ŠĢ455.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€has€undertaken€a€study€to€determine€the€consistencyŠ & v Šof€its€legislation€with€the€Convention.€€While€the€Committee€notes€the€recent€efforts€by€the€StateŠ  _ Šparty€to€enact€legislation€to€ensure€greater€consistency€with€the€Convention,€it€is€concerned€thatŠ ų H Šlegislation€still€does€not€fully€reflect€the€principles€and€provisions€of€the€Convention.€€Concern€isŠ į 1  Šexpressed€that€the€additional€draft€legislation€to€facilitate€the€implementation€of€the€Convention€hasŠ Ź   Šnot€yet€been€adopted€by€the€National€Assembly.Š ³  ŠĢ456.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€all€appropriate€measures€to€ensure€thatŠ …Õ  Šits€laws€conform€to€the€principles€and€provisions€of€the€Convention.€€The€Committee€alsoŠ n¾  Šencourages€the€State€party€to€consider€the€possibility€of€enacting€a€comprehensive€code€for€children.€Š W§  ŠThe€State€party€is€encouraged€to€take€all€appropriate€measures€to€adopt,€at€the€earliest€opportunity,Š @ Šthe€additional€draft€legislation.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€seek€technicalŠ )y Šassistance€from€OHCHR,€among€others.Š b ŠĢņņCoordinationŠ ä4 ŠĢóó457.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€the€State€party€has€dissolved€the€NationalŠ ¶ ŠCommission€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child,€established€in€1995€to€prepare€the€State€partyššs€report,€toŠ Ÿļ Šcoordinate€and€monitor€the€implementation€of€the€Convention,€and€to€draw€up€a€national€plan€ofŠ ˆŲ Šaction€for€children.€€While€it€is€noted€that€a€Steering€Committee€on€Youth€has€been€appointed€toŠ qĮ Šadvise€the€Government€on€issues€concerning€children,€there€are€concerns€that€it€does€not€have€asŠ ZŖ Šwide€a€mandate€as€the€National€Commission€had€and€that€it€lacks€adequate€financial€and€human€Š C“ Šresources€to€implement€its€mandate.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€that€there€continues€to€be€noŠ ,| Šeffective€mechanism€to€facilitate€the€coordination€and€systematic€implementation€of€the€ConventionŠ e Šand€to€monitor€the€progress€achieved€in€this€regard.Š žN ŠĢ458.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€all€appropriate€measures€to€strengthenŠ Š!   Šcoordination,€including€at€the€local€level€and€with€NGOs,€and€to€monitor€progress€of€theŠ ¹" ! Šimplementation€of€the€Convention€through€the€expansion€of€an€existing€governmental€mechanismŠ ¢#ņ" Šor€the€establishment€of€a€new€one€with€adequate€powers,€functions€and€resources.€€The€CommitteeŠ ‹$Ū# Šrecommends€that€the€State€party€strengthen€the€Steering€Committee€on€Youth€by,€ņņinter€aliaóó,Š t%Ä $ Šallocating€adequate€financial€and€human€resources.Š ]&­!% ŠĢņņData€collectionóóŠ /(#' ŠĢ459.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€the€initiatives€undertaken€by€the€State€party€in€1999€to€improve€dataŠ *Q%) Šcollection,€including€the€implementation€of€a€national€women€and€children€survey;€the€establishmentŠ ź*:&* Šof€a€Child€Indicators€Monitoring€System€coordinated€by€the€Central€Bureau€for€Statistics,€which€willŠ Ó+#'+ Šperiodically€generate€reliable€data€regarding€children;€and€the€announcement€of€a€census€in€2000Š ¼, (, Šafter€20€years.€€The€Committee€remains€concerned,€however,€at€the€lack€of€an€adequate€dataŠ „-õ(- Šcollection€mechanism€within€the€State€party€to€permit€the€systematic€and€comprehensive€collectionŠ ° Šof€desegregated€quantitative€and€qualitative€data€for€all€areas€covered€by€the€Convention€in€relationŠ ™é Što€all€groups€of€children€in€order€to€monitor€and€evaluate€progress€achieved€and€assess€the€impactŠ ‚Ņ Šof€policies€adopted€with€respect€to€children.€Š k» ŠĢ460.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€intensify€its€efforts€to€establish€a€centralŠ =  Šregistry€for€data€collection€and€introduce€a€comprehensive€system€of€data€collection€incorporatingŠ & v Šall€the€areas€covered€by€the€Convention.€€Such€a€system€should€cover€all€children€up€to€the€age€ofŠ  _ Š18€years,€with€specific€emphasis€on€those€who€are€particularly€vulnerable,€including€children€livingŠ ų H Šin€the€interior€of€the€country,€especially€those€belonging€to€Amerindian€and€Maroon€communities;Š į 1  Šchildren€with€disabilities;€children€living€in€poverty;€children€in€conflict€with€the€law;€children€ofŠ Ź   Šsingle-parent€families;€sexually€abused€children;€and€children€living€and/or€working€on€the€streets.€Š ³  ŠIn€this€context,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€seek€technical€assistance€from,€theŠ œģ  ŠUnitedNations€Population€Fund€(UNFPA)€and€UNICEF,€among€others.Š …Õ  ŠĢņņIndependent€monitoring€structuresóóŠ W§  ŠĢ461.ą  ąThe€Committee€expresses€concern€at€the€absence€of€an€independent€mechanism€to€registerŠ )y Šand€address€complaints€from€children€concerning€violations€of€their€rights€under€the€Convention.€Š b ŠIn€this€regard,€the€Committee€expresses€its€regret€that€the€National€Institution€for€Human€Rights€wasŠ ūK Šterminated€and€that€the€proposed€Constitutional€Court,€which€was€supposed€to€replace€it,€was€neverŠ ä4 Šestablished.€Š Ķ ŠĢ462.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€an€independent€child„friendly€mechanism€be€madeŠ Ÿļ Šaccessible€to€children€to€deal€with€complaints€of€violations€of€their€rights€and€to€Š ˆŲ Šprovide€remedies€for€such€violations.€€The€Committee€further€suggests€that€the€State€party€introduceŠ qĮ Šan€awareness„raising€campaign€to€facilitate€the€effective€use€by€children€of€this€mechanism.Š ZŖ ŠĢņņAllocation€of€budgetary€resourcesóóŠ ,| ŠĢ463.ą  ąWhile€it€is€noted€that€the€State€party€supports€the€20/20€Initiative€which€stipulates€that20perŠ žN Šcent€of€the€national€budget€and€international€cooperation€should€be€dedicated€to€childrenššsŠ ē 7 Šprogrammes,€the€Committee€is€concerned€that€in€light€of€article€4€of€the€Convention,€not€enoughŠ Š!   Šattention€has€been€paid€in€allocating€budgetary€resources,€at€both€the€national€and€district€levels,€inŠ ¹" ! Šfavour€of€children€š što€the€maximum€extent€of€...€available€resourcesšš.€Š ¢#ņ" ŠĢ464.ą  ąIn€light€of€articles€2,€3€and€6€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€encourages€the€State€partyŠ t%Ä $ Što€pay€particular€attention€to€the€full€implementation€of€article4€of€the€Convention€by€prioritizingŠ ]&­!% Šbudgetary€allocations€to€the€implementation€of€the€economic,€social€and€cultural€rights€of€children,Š F'–"& Što€the€maximum€extent€of€available€resources€including,€where€needed,€international€cooperation.€Š /(#' ŠIn€allocating€resources,€the€State€party€should€pay€particular€attention€to€districts€in€the€interior€andŠ )h$( Šseek€to€end€the€inequalities€in€service€provision€in€these€parts€of€the€country.Š *Q%) ŠĢņņDissemination€of€the€ConventionóóŠ Ó+#'+ ŠĢ465.ą  ąWhile€the€Committee€notes€the€initiatives€by€the€State€party€to€promote€awareness€of€theŠ „-õ(- Šprinciples€and€provisions€of€the€Convention,€it€is€concerned€that€professional€groups,€children,Š ° Šparents,€and€the€public€at€large€are€still€not€sufficiently€aware€of€the€Convention€and€the€rights-basedŠ ™é Šapproach€enshrined€therein.€Š ‚Ņ ŠĢ466.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€greater€efforts€to€make€the€provisions€of€the€Convention€widelyŠ T¤ Šknown€and€understood€by€adults€and€children€alike.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€recommendsŠ =  Šadequate€and€systematic€training€and/or€sensitization€of€professional€groups€working€with€and€forŠ & v Šchildren€such€as€judges,€lawyers,€law€enforcement€personnel,€teachers,€school€administrators,€healthŠ  _ Špersonnel,€including€psychologists,€social€workers€and€personnel€of€child„care€institutions.€€TheŠ ų H ŠCommittee€recommends€that€the€State€party€seek€to€ensure€that€the€Convention€is€fully€integratedŠ į 1  Šinto€the€curricula€at€all€levels€of€the€educational€system.€€The€State€party€is€encouraged€to€translateŠ Ź   Šthe€Convention€into€local€languages€and€to€promote€its€principles€through,€ņņinteraliaóó,€the€use€ofŠ ³  Štraditional€methods€of€communication.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€further€suggests€that€the€StateŠ œģ  Šparty€seek€technical€assistance€from€OHCHR€and€UNICEF,€among€others.Š …Õ  ŠĢ2.€€ņņDefinition€of€the€childóóŠ W§  ŠĢņņCriminal€responsibilityóóŠ )y ŠĢ467.ą  ąThe€Committee€expresses€concern€regarding€the€low€legal€age€of€criminal€responsibility€(10Š ūK Šyears).€Š ä4 ŠĢ468.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€raise€the€legal€age€of€criminal€responsibilityŠ ¶ Što€a€more€internationally€acceptable€age€by€amending€its€legislation€in€this€regard.Š Ÿļ ŠĢņņLegal€minimum€age€for€marriageóóŠ qĮ ŠĢ469.ą  ąThe€Committee€expresses€concern€at€the€low€legal€minimum€age€for€marriage€of€Š C“ Šgirls€„€15€years€under€the€Civil€Code€and€13€years€under€the€Asian€Marriage€Act.€€In€this€regard,€theŠ ,| ŠCommittee€notes€with€concern€the€practice€of€early€and€forced€marriages€which€affects€mostly€girls,Š e Šparticularly€those€living€in€the€interior.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€about€the€low€legalŠ žN Šminimum€age€for€marriage€of€boys€(15€years)€under€the€Asian€Marriage€Act.€€The€Committee€isŠ ē 7 Šfurther€concerned€about€the€disparity€between€the€ages€for€boys€and€girls.Š Š!   ŠĢ470.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€review€its€legislation€relating€to€the€legalŠ ¢#ņ" Šages€for€marriage€to€bring€them€into€conformity€with€the€provisions€of€the€Convention€and€toŠ ‹$Ū# Šeliminate€discrimination.€€It€is€recommended€that€the€State€party€take€all€appropriate€measures€toŠ t%Ä $ Šraise€awareness€about€the€harmful€effects€of€early€and€forced€marriages,€particularly€on€girls.ņņ€óóŠ ]&­!% ŠĢņņLegal€age€of€compulsory€education/legal€minimum€age€for€employmentóóŠ /(#' ŠĢ471.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€education€is€compulsory€for€children€between€the€ages€of7and12Š *Q%) Šyears€and€that€the€legal€minimum€age€for€employment€is€14€years.€€The€Committee€isconcerned€thatŠ ź*:&* Šinsufficient€legal€and€other€measures€have€been€taken€to€protect€adequately€the€rights€of€childrenŠ Ó+#'+ Šbetween€the€ages€of€12€and€14€years,€who€are€beyond€the€age€of€compulsory€education€but€too€youngŠ ¼, (, Što€be€legally€employed.€Š „-õ(- Ї472.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€raise€the€legal€maximum€age€of€compulsoryŠ ° Šeducation€from€12€to€at€least€14€years€to€protect€the€rights€of€those€children€between€the€ages€of€12Š ™é Šand€14€years,€who€are€beyond€the€age€of€compulsory€education€but€too€young€to€be€legallyŠ ‚Ņ Šemployed.Š k» ŠĢ3.€€ņņGeneral€principlesóóŠ =  ŠĢņņNon„discriminationóóŠ  _ ŠĢ473.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€with€concern€that€the€principle€of€non„discrimination€is€not€adequatelyŠ į 1  Šrespected€with€regard€to€certain€vulnerable€groups€of€children,€including€children€living€in€theŠ Ź   Šinterior,€especially€girls;€children€living€in€institutions;€children€with€disabilities;€children€of€single„Š ³  Šparent€families;€children€living€in€poor€urban€communities,€especially€boys;€children€in€conflict€withŠ œģ  Šthe€law;€children€living€and/or€working€on€the€streets;€child€victims€of€abuse;€and€children€belongingŠ …Õ  Što€indigenous€and€minority€groups.€€The€Committee€is€particularly€concerned€about€their€limitedŠ n¾  Šaccess€to€adequate€health,€education€and€other€social€services.Š W§  ŠĢ474.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€increase€its€efforts€to€ensure€theŠ )y Šimplementation€of€laws,€policies€and€programmes€guaranteeing€the€principle€of€non-discriminationŠ b Šand€full€compliance€with€article€2€of€the€Convention,€particularly€as€it€relates€to€the€vulnerableŠ ūK Šgroups.Š ä4 ŠĢņņBest€interests€of€the€childóóŠ ¶ ŠĢ475.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€that€the€general€principle€of€the€best€interests€of€the€child€(art.Š ˆŲ Š3)€has€not€been€taken€fully€into€account€in€the€State€partyššs€legislative,€administrative€and€judicialŠ qĮ Šdecisions,€as€well€as€in€policies€and€programmes€relevant€to€children.Š ZŖ ŠĢ476.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€all€appropriate€measures€to€ensure€thatŠ ,| Šthe€general€principle€of€the€best€interests€of€the€child€is€appropriately€integrated€in€all€legalŠ e Šprovisions€as€well€as€in€judicial€and€administrative€decisions€and€in€projects,€programmes€andŠ žN Šservices€which€have€an€impact€on€children.Š ē 7 ŠĢņņRespect€for€the€views€of€the€childóóŠ ¹" ! ŠĢ477.ą  ąWhile€the€Committee€notes€that€the€views€of€children€over€12€may€be€heard€in€cases€ofŠ ‹$Ū# Šadoption€and€that€a€bill€has€been€prepared€to€apply€the€same€rule€in€cases€of€custody€and€visitationŠ t%Ä $ Šafter€divorce,€it€is€concerned€about€the€limited€scope€of€the€bill€and€that€the€full€Š ]&­!% Šimplementation€of€article€12€of€the€Convention€continues€to€be€limited€by€traditional€practices,Š F'–"& Šculture€and€attitudes€which€consider€children€who€express€their€views€and€opinions€as€š šimpudentššŠ /(#' Šand€š šimpertinentšš.€Š )h$( ŠĢ478.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€review€and€expand€the€scope€of€the€billŠ ź*:&* Šproviding€for€the€opinion€of€children€to€be€heard€in€custody€and€visitation€rights€cases;€develop€aŠ Ó+#'+ Šsystematic€approach€to€increasing€public€awareness€of€the€participatory€rights€of€children;€andŠ ¼, (, Šencourage€respect€for€the€views€of€the€child€within€the€family,€communities,€schools,€and€in€the€care,Š „-õ(- Šadministrative€and€judicial€systems.Š ° ŠņņĢóó4.€€ņņCivil€rights€and€freedomsóóŠ ‚Ņ ŠĢņņBirth€registrationóóŠ T¤ ŠĢ479.ą  ąWhile€the€Committee€notes€that€the€law€provides€for€the€registration€of€children€at€birth,€itŠ & v Šis€concerned€that€children,€particularly€those€belonging€to€communities€in€the€interior€of€the€country,Š  _ Šare€still€not€registered.€Š ų H ŠĢ480.ą  ąIn€light€of€articles€7€and€8€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€partyŠ Ź   Štake€appropriate€measures,€including€awareness„raising€among€government€officers,€community€andŠ ³  Šreligious€leaders€and€parents€themselves,€to€ensure€that€all€children€are€registered€at€birth.€Š œģ  ŠņņĢPolice€brutalityóóŠ n¾  ŠĢ481.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€about€the€incidence€of€police€brutality€and€the€inadequateŠ @ Šenforcement€of€existing€legislation€to€ensure€that€children€are€treated€with€respect€for€their€physicalŠ )y Šand€mental€integrity€and€their€inherent€dignity.€Š b ŠĢ482.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€all€appropriate€measures€be€taken€to€implement€fully€theŠ ä4 Šprovisions€of€articles€37€(a)€and€39€of€the€Convention.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€furtherŠ Ķ Šrecommends€that€greater€efforts€be€made€to€prevent€police€brutality€and€ensure€that€child€victimsŠ ¶ Šare€provided€adequate€treatment€to€facilitate€their€physical€and€psychological€recovery€and€socialŠ Ÿļ Šreintegration€and€that€perpetrators€are€sanctioned.€Š ˆŲ ŠņņĢóó5.€€ņņFamily€environment€and€alternative€careóóŠ ZŖ ŠĢņņProtection€of€children€deprived€of€a€family€environmentóóŠ ,| ŠĢ483.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€has€submitted€to€the€National€Assembly€a€billŠ žN Šregulating€all€types€of€child€care€facilities,€but€it€remains€concerned€that€the€State€party€has€not€yetŠ ē 7 Šestablished€and€implemented€a€code€of€standards€for€alternative€care€institutions€for€children.€TheŠ Š!   ŠCommittee€also€expresses€concern€regarding€the€lack€of€facilities€and€services€for€girls€deprived€ofŠ ¹" ! Ša€family€environment;€the€absence€of€an€independent€complaint€mechanism€for€children€inŠ ¢#ņ" Šalternative€care€institutions;€the€inadequate€review€of€their€placement€in€institutions;€and€the€lackŠ ‹$Ū# Šof€available€trained€personnel€in€this€field.€€Š t%Ä $ ŠĢ484.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€expedite€as€much€as€possible€the€passingŠ F'–"& Šof€the€bill€mentioned€in€paragraph€30€above€and€establish€a€code€of€standards€to€ensure€adequateŠ /(#' Šcare€and€protection€of€children€deprived€of€a€family€environment.€€It€further€recommends€that€theŠ )h$( ŠState€party€provide€additional€training,€including€in€childrenššs€rights,€for€social€and€welfare€workers;Š *Q%) Šensure€that€placements€in€institutions€are€periodically€reviewed;€and€establish€an€independentŠ ź*:&* Šcomplaints€mechanism€for€children€in€alternative€care€institutions.€Š Ó+#'+ ŠĢņņFoster€careóóŠ „-õ(- Ї485.ą  ąWhile€the€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€has€instituted€a€foster€care€programme,€it€isŠ ° Šconcerned€at€the€insufficient€monitoring€and€follow„up€of€placements€in€the€programme€and€theŠ ™é Šwidespread€use€of€the€programme€as€a€š šfirst€stepšš€in€the€intercountry€adoption€process€rather€thanŠ ‚Ņ Šas€a€domestic€fostering€programme.€€Concern€is€also€expressed€at€the€unregulated€nature€of€theŠ k» Špractice€of€the€š šņņkweekjesóó€systemšš€which€allows€parents€facing€economic€difficulties€to€give€up€theirŠ T¤ Šchildren€to€another€family€or€person€who€may€be€in€a€better€financial€situation€to€care€for€the€child.Š =  ŠĢ486.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€measures€to€ensure€the€effectiveŠ  _ Šmonitoring€and€follow„up€of€placements€in€the€foster€care€programme;€introduce€programmes€toŠ ų H Šraise€awareness€and€promote€foster€care;€and€take€measures€to€regulate€the€š šņņkweekjesóó€systemšš€inŠ į 1  Šorder€to€ensure€that€the€best€interests€of€the€children€concerned€are€Š Ź   Štaken€into€account.€€Additionally,€the€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€consider€theŠ ³  Špossibility€of€acceding€to€the€Hague€Convention€on€the€Protection€of€Children€and€Cooperation€inŠ œģ  ŠRespect€of€Intercountry€Adoption€of€1993.Š …Õ  ŠĢņņAbuse/neglect/maltreatment/violenceóóŠ W§  ŠĢ487.ą  ąWhile€the€Committee€notes€that€the€State€party€has€appointed€a€committee€to€reviewŠ )y Šlegislation€on€sexual€offences€and€make€recommendations€for€improvements€in€this€regard,€it€isŠ b Šconcerned€about€the€high€and€increasing€incidence€of€sexual€abuse€of€children,€including€within€theŠ ūK Šfamily.€€The€Committee€also€expresses€concern€at€the€lack€of€awareness€and€information€onŠ ä4 Šdomestic€violence,€ill-treatment€and€abuse€(sexual,€physical€and€psychological)€of€children€and€theŠ Ķ Šinsufficient€financial€and€human€resources€allocated,€as€well€as€the€lack€of€adequate€programmesŠ ¶ Što€prevent€and€combat€all€forms€of€abuse€against€children.Š Ÿļ ŠĢ488.ą  ąIn€light€of€article€19,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€undertake€studies€onŠ qĮ Šdomestic€violence,€ill„treatment€and€abuse€(including€sexual€abuse€within€the€family)€with€a€viewŠ ZŖ Što€adopting€adequate€policy€measures€and€changing€traditional€attitudes.€€The€CommitteeŠ C“ Šrecommends€that€all€appropriate€measures€be€taken€to€introduce€mandatory€reporting€of€abuse,Š ,| Šincluding€sexual€abuse€of€children.€€It€also€recommends€that€cases€of€domestic€violence,€ill„treatmentŠ e Šand€abuse€of€children€be€properly€investigated€within€a€child„friendly€judicial€procedure€andŠ žN Šsanctions€imposed€on€perpetrators,€including€treatment,€with€due€regard€given€to€protecting€the€rightŠ ē 7 Što€privacy€of€the€child.€€Measures€should€also€be€taken€for€the€physical€and€psychological€recoveryŠ Š!   Šand€social€reintegration€of€victims€in€accordance€with€article€39€of€the€Convention,€and€to€preventŠ ¹" ! Šthe€criminalization€and€stigmatization€of€victims.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€partyŠ ¢#ņ" Šseek€technical€assistance€from€UNICEF,€among€others.Š ‹$Ū# ŠĢņņCorporal€punishmentóóŠ ]&­!% ŠĢ489.ą  ąWhile€the€Committee€notes€that€corporal€punishment€is€prohibited€in€schools,€it€is€concernedŠ /(#' Šthat€it€continues€to€be€used€in€schools,€families€and€care€institutions.Š )h$( ŠĢ490.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€legislative€measures€to€prohibit€allŠ ź*:&* Šforms€of€physical€and€mental€violence,€including€corporal€punishment,€within€the€family,€schoolsŠ Ó+#'+ Šand€care€institutions.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€intensify€its€public„awarenessŠ ¼, (, Šcampaigns€to€promote€positive,€non„violent€forms€of€discipline€as€an€alternative€to€corporalŠ „-õ(- Špunishment€at€all€levels€of€society.Š ° ŠĢ6.€€ņņBasic€health€and€welfareóóŠ ‚Ņ ŠĢņņRight€to€health€and€access€to€health€servicesóóŠ T¤ ŠĢ491.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€with€concern€the€health€situation€of€children,€especially€those€livingŠ & v Šin€the€interior.€€In€particular,€it€notes€their€limited€access€to€basic€health€care;€the€insufficient€numberŠ  _ Šof€trained€medical€personnel;€the€high€incidence€of€malaria;€high€maternal,€child€and€Š ų H Šinfant€mortality€rates,€including€suicides€and€accidents;€inadequate€breastfeeding€and€weaningŠ į 1  Špractices,€high€rates€of€malnutrition,€poor€sanitation€and€limited€access€to€safe€drinking€water,Š Ź   Šespecially€in€rural€areas.Š ³  ŠĢ492.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€allocate€appropriate€resources€and€developŠ …Õ  Šcomprehensive€policies€and€programmes€to€improve€the€health€situation€of€children,€especially€thoseŠ n¾  Šliving€in€the€interior;€facilitate€greater€access€to€primary€health€services;€increase€the€number€ofŠ W§  Štrained€medical€and€other€health€personnel;€take€steps€to€reduce€the€incidence€of€maternal,€child€andŠ @ Šinfant€mortality;€promote€healthier€breastfeeding€and€weaning€practices;€prevent€and€combatŠ )y Šmalnutrition,€especially€among€vulnerable€and€disadvantaged€groups€of€children;€increase€accessŠ b Što€safe€drinking€water€and€sanitation€and€reduce€the€incidence€of€malaria.€€It€is€recommended€thatŠ ūK Šthe€State€party€undertake€a€study€on€suicides€and€accidents€involving€children€with€the€view€toŠ ä4 Šunderstanding€their€nature€and€scope€and€implementing€appropriate€preventative€policies€andŠ Ķ Šmeasures.€€Additionally,€the€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€consider€technical€assistanceŠ ¶ Šfor€the€Integrated€Management€of€Childhood€Illnesses€and€other€measures€for€child€healthŠ Ÿļ Šimprovement€from€UNICEF€and€WHO,€among€others.Š ˆŲ ŠĢņņAdolescent€healthóóŠ ZŖ ŠĢ493.ą  ąThe€Committee€expresses€its€concern€with€respect€to€the€limited€availability€of€programmesŠ ,| Šand€services€and€the€lack€of€adequate€data€in€the€area€of€adolescent€health,€including€on€accidents,Š e Šviolence,€suicides,€mental€health,€teenage€pregnancy,€abortion,€HIV/AIDS€and€STDs.€€Š žN ŠĢ494.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€increase€its€efforts€in€promoting€adolescentŠ Š!   Šhealth€policies€and€counselling€services€and€in€strengthening€reproductive€health€education,Š ¹" ! Šincluding€the€promotion€of€contraceptive€use€by€men.€€The€Committee€further€suggests€that€aŠ ¢#ņ" Šcomprehensive€multidisciplinary€study€be€undertaken€to€improve€understanding€of€the€scope€ofŠ ‹$Ū# Šadolescent€health€problems,€including€the€special€situation€of€children€infected€with,€affected€by€orŠ t%Ä $ Švulnerable€to€HIV/AIDS€and€STDs.€€Additionally,€it€is€recommended€that€the€State€party€take€furtherŠ ]&­!% Šmeasures,€including€the€allocation€of€adequate€human€and€financial€resources,€to€increase€theŠ F'–"& Šnumber€of€social€workers€and€psychologists€and€to€develop€youth„friendly€care,€counselling,€andŠ /(#' Šrehabilitation€facilities€for€adolescents.€€The€State€party€is€encouraged€to€reinforce€its€efforts€inŠ )h$( Šimplementing€the€Caribbean€Regional€Health€and€Family€Life€€Education€Programme€forŠ *Q%) Šadolescents€by,€ņņinter€aliaóó,€allocating€adequate€financial€and€human€resources.€€It€is€furtherŠ ź*:&* Šrecommended€that€the€State€party€seek€technical€assistance€from€UNICEF€and€WHO,€among€others.Š Ó+#'+ ŠĢņņChildren€with€disabilitiesóóŠ „-õ(- Ї495.ą  ąThe€Committee€expresses€its€concern€at€the€absence€of€legal€protection€and€the€lack€ofŠ ° Šadequate€facilities€and€services€for€children€with€disabilities.€€While€the€Committee€notes€the€effortsŠ ™é Šof€the€National€Advisory€Board€for€the€Policy€on€Persons€with€Disabilities,€in€collaboration€with€theŠ ‚Ņ ŠGovernment,€to€elaborate€relevant€policy€and€legislation€to€guarantee€and€facilitate€the€socialŠ k» Šintegration€of€persons€with€disabilities,€it€is€concerned€that€insufficient€efforts€have€been€made€toŠ T¤ Šfacilitate€the€inclusion€of€children€with€disabilities€into€the€educational€system€and€generally€withinŠ =  Šsociety.€Š & v ŠĢ496.ą  ąIn€light€of€the€Standard€Rules€on€the€Equalization€of€Opportunities€for€Persons€withŠ ų H ŠDisabilities€(General€Assembly€resolution€48/96)€and€the€Committeeššs€recommendations€adoptedŠ į 1  Šat€its€day€of€general€discussion€on€the€rights€of€children€with€disabilities€(CRC/C/69),€it€isŠ Ź   Šrecommended€that€the€State€party€reinforce€its€efforts€to€develop€early€identification€programmesŠ ³  Što€prevent€disabilities,€increase€its€efforts€to€implement€alternatives€to€the€institutionalization€ofŠ œģ  Šchildren€with€disabilities,€establish€special€education€programmes€for€children€with€disabilities€andŠ …Õ  Šfurther€encourage€their€inclusion€in€society.€€Additionally,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€StateŠ n¾  Šparty€undertake€an€awareness„raising€campaign€to€sensitize€the€public€about€the€rights€and€specialŠ W§  Šneeds€of€children€with€disabilities€as€well€as€children€with€mental€health€concerns.€€The€CommitteeŠ @ Šfurther€recommends€that€the€State€party€seek€technical€cooperation€for€the€training€of€professionalŠ )y Šstaff€working€with€and€for€children€with€disabilities€from€WHO,€among€others.Š b ŠĢņņRight€to€an€adequate€standard€of€livingóóŠ ä4 ŠĢ497.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€with€concern€the€increasingly€high€number€of€children€living€inŠ ¶ Šhouseholds€below€the€poverty€line.€€The€Committee€is€also€concerned€about€the€poor€housingŠ Ÿļ Šsituation€and€living€standards€of€families€who€fled€their€homes€in€the€interior€during€the€civil€unrestŠ ˆŲ Šof€the€1980s€and€are€currently€living€in€urban€squatter€communities.€€Concern€is€also€expressed€atŠ qĮ Šthe€large€and€increasing€number€of€children€living€and/or€working€on€the€streets.Š ZŖ ŠĢ498.ą  ąIn€accordance€with€article€27€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€StateŠ ,| Šparty€increase€its€efforts€to€provide€material€assistance€and€support€to€economically€disadvantagedŠ e Šfamilies€and€guarantee€the€right€of€children€to€an€adequate€standard€of€living.€€The€CommitteeŠ žN Šfurther€recommends€that€the€State€party€establish€mechanisms€to€ensure€that€children€living€and/orŠ ē 7 Šworking€on€the€streets€are€provided€with€identity€documents,€food,€clothing€and€housing.€€Moreover,Š Š!   Šthe€State€party€should€ensure€that€these€children€are€provided€adequate€access€to€health€care;Š ¹" ! Šrehabilitation€services€for€physical,€sexual€and€substance€abuse;€services€for€reconciliation€withŠ ¢#ņ" Šfamilies;€and€education,€including€vocational€and€life-skills€training.€The€Committee€recommendsŠ ‹$Ū# Šthat€the€State€party€cooperate€and€coordinate€its€efforts€with€civil€society€in€this€regard.Š t%Ä $ ŠĢ7.€€€ņņEducation,€leisure€and€cultural€activitiesóóŠ F'–"& ŠĢņņRight€to€and€aims€of€educationóóŠ )h$( ŠĢ499.ą  ąThe€Committee€notes€the€efforts€of€the€State€party€within€the€school€environment,€includingŠ ź*:&* Šthe€establishment€of€a€school€nutrition€programme,€the€introduction€of€school€transportation€in€someŠ Ó+#'+ Šregions€of€the€country,€the€implementation€of€a€programme€that€provides€allowances€for€the€rentalŠ ¼, (, Šof€books€and€subsidies€for€school€uniforms€and€other€relevant€learning€materials€for€economicallyŠ „-õ(- Šdisadvantaged€children;€the€establishment€of€a€programme€that€allows€teenage€mothers€to€continueŠ ° Štheir€education;€and€the€decision€to€host€a€National€Education€Congress€in€December€2000.€€TheŠ ™é ŠCommittee€remains€concerned,€however,€about€the€situation€of€education,€particularly€in€the€interior.€Š ‚Ņ ŠIn€this€regard,€the€Committee€notes€that€there€is€still€limited€access€to€education,€high€drop-out€andŠ k» Šrepetition€rates,€insufficient€numbers€of€trained€teachers€actually€in€the€classroom,€insufficientŠ T¤ Šschools€and€classrooms,€and€a€general€lack€of€relevant€learning€material.€€The€Committee€notes€withŠ =  Šconcern€that€the€budgetary€allocations€for€education€have€been€progressively€reduced€during€the€pastŠ & v Šdecade.€€The€insufficient€efforts€made€by€the€State€party€to€incorporate€the€use€of€local€languagesŠ  _ Šinto€the€educational€curriculum€is€also€a€matter€of€concern€for€the€Committee.Š ų H ŠĢ500.ą  ąThe€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€all€appropriate€measures,€including€theŠ Ź   Šallocation€of€adequate€financial,€human€and€technical€resources,€to€improve€the€situation€ofŠ ³  Šeducation€and€ensure€that€all€children€enjoy€the€right€to€education.€€It€is€further€recommended€thatŠ œģ  Šall€appropriate€measures€be€taken€to€increase€access€to€education,€especially€as€regards€childrenŠ …Õ  Šliving€in€the€interior,€and€to€encourage€trained€teachers€to€stay€in€teaching.€€The€Committee€furtherŠ n¾  Šrecommends€that€the€State€party€seek€to€implement€additional€measures€to€encourage€children,Š W§  Šespecially€girls€in€the€interior€and€boys€in€urban€communities,€to€stay€in€school,€particularly€duringŠ @ Šthe€period€of€compulsory€education.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€reinforce€itsŠ )y Šefforts€to€include€the€use€of€traditional€languages€in€the€school€curricula.€€The€State€party€isŠ b Šencouraged€to€follow€through€with€its€proposal€to€host€a€National€Education€Congress€to€improveŠ ūK Šthe€overall€situation€of€education€in€all€regions€of€the€country,€and€in€this€context,€the€Congress€isŠ ä4 Šstrongly€encouraged€to€include€the€general€principles€of€the€Convention,€as€well€as€articles€28,€29Š Ķ Šand€31,€in€its€discussions€and€recommendations€to€the€State€party.€€It€is€recommended€that€the€StateŠ ¶ Šparty€encourage€child€participation€within€the€school€environment,€including€in€disciplinary€matters.€Š Ÿļ ŠIt€is€recommended€that€the€State€party€seek€to€strengthen€its€educational€system€through€closerŠ ˆŲ Šcooperation€with€UNICEF€and€UNESCO.Š qĮ ŠĢ8.€€€ņņSpecial€protection€measuresóóŠ C“ ŠņņĢEconomic€exploitationóóŠ e ŠĢ501.ą  ąIn€light€of€the€current€economic€situation,€the€increasing€number€of€school€drop-outs,€andŠ ē 7 Šthe€increasing€number€of€children€living€and/or€working€on€the€streets,€the€Committee€is€concernedŠ Š!   Šabout€the€lack€of€information€and€adequate€data€on€the€situation€of€child€labour€and€economicŠ ¹" ! Šexploitation€within€the€State€party.Š ¢#ņ" ŠĢ502.ą  ąThe€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€introduce€monitoring€mechanisms€to€ensureŠ t%Ä $ Šthat€the€labour€laws€are€enforced€and€to€protect€children€from€economic€exploitation,€particularlyŠ ]&­!% Šin€the€informal€sector.€€It€is€further€recommended€that€the€State€party€undertake€a€comprehensiveŠ F'–"& Šstudy€to€assess€the€situation€of€child€labour.€€The€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€considerŠ /(#' Šratifying€the€ILO€Minimum€Age€Convention€(No.138)€and€the€Worst€Forms€of€Child€LabourŠ )h$( ŠConvention€(No.182).Š *Q%) ŠĢņņDrug€abuseóóŠ Ó+#'+ ŠĢ503.ą  ąThe€Committee€is€concerned€with€the€high€incidence€of€drug,€alcohol€and€substance€abuseŠ „-õ(- Šamong€youth€and€the€limited€psychological,€social€and€medical€programmes€and€services€availableŠ ° Šin€this€regard.Š ™é ŠĢ504.ą  ąIn€light€of€article€33€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€takeŠ k» Šall€appropriate€measures,€including€administrative,€social€and€educational€measures,€to€protectŠ T¤ Šchildren€from€the€illicit€use€of€alcohol,€narcotic€drugs€and€psychotropic€substances€and€to€preventŠ =  Šthe€use€of€children€in€the€illicit€production€and€trafficking€of€such€substances.€€It€encourages€theŠ & v ŠState€party€to€support€rehabilitation€programmes€dealing€with€child€victims€of€alcohol,€drug€andŠ  _ Šsubstance€abuse.€€In€this€regard,€the€Committee€encourages€the€State€party€to€consider€seekingŠ ų H Štechnical€assistance€from€UNICEF,€WHO€and€the€United€Nations€International€Narcotics€ControlŠ į 1  ŠBoard,€among€others.Š Ź   ŠĢņņSexual€exploitation€and€sexual€abuseóóŠ œģ  ŠĢ505.ą  ąThe€Committee€expresses€its€concern€about€the€increasing€number€of€child€victims€ofŠ n¾  Šcommercial€sexual€exploitation,€including€prostitution€and€pornography,€involving€both€boys€andŠ W§  Šgirls.€€Concern€is€also€expressed€at€the€insufficient€programmes€for€the€physical€and€psychologicalŠ @ Šrecovery€and€social€reintegration€of€child€victims€of€such€abuse€and€exploitation.Š )y ŠĢ506.ą  ąIn€light€of€article€34€and€other€related€articles€of€the€Convention,€the€Committee€recommendsŠ ūK Šthat€the€State€party€undertake€studies€with€a€view€to€understanding€the€scope€of€the€problem€andŠ ä4 Šimplementing€appropriate€policies€and€measures,€including€the€physical€and€psychological€recoveryŠ Ķ Šand€social€reintegration€of€victims.€€The€Committee€recommends€that€the€State€party€take€intoŠ ¶ Šaccount€the€recommendations€formulated€in€the€Agenda€for€Action€adopted€at€the€World€CongressŠ Ÿļ Šagainst€Commercial€Sexual€Exploitation€of€Children€held€in€Stockholm€in€1996.Š ˆŲ ŠĢņņAdministration€of€juvenile€justiceóóŠ ZŖ ŠĢ507.ą  ąThe€Committee€expresses€concern€at:Š ,| ŠĢÓ XÓ(a)ą ` ąThe€inefficiency€and€ineffectiveness€of€the€administration€of€juvenile€justice€systemŠ žN Šand€in€particular€its€incompatibility€with€the€Convention,€as€well€as€other€relevant€UnitedNationsŠ ē 7 Šstandards;Š Š!   ŠÓ XÓĢÓ XÓ(b)ą ` ąThe€length€of€pre-trial€detention;Š ¢#ņ" ŠŠ ‹$Ū# Š(c)ą ` ąThe€holding€of€minors€in€adult€detention€facilities;€the€poor€conditions€in€detentionŠ t%Ä $ Šfacilities;€the€lack€of€adequate€facilities€for€children€in€conflict€with€the€law,€especially€girls;€theŠ ]&­!% Šlimited€numbers€of€trained€personnel€to€work€with€children€in€this€regard;€and€the€lack€of€aŠ F'–"& Šcomplaint€mechanism€for€children€whose€rights€have€been€violated.Š /(#' ŠÓ XÓĢ508.ą  ąThe€Committee,€while€noting€the€completion€of€a€study€on€juvenile€justice,€recommends€thatŠ *Q%) Šthe€State€party:Š ź*:&* ŠĢÓ XÓ(a)ą ` ąTake€all€appropriate€measures€to€implement€a€juvenile€justice€system€in€conformityŠ ¼, (, Šwith€the€Convention,€in€particular€articles€37,€40€and€39,€and€other€UnitedNations€standards€in€thisŠ „-õ(- Šfield,€such€as€the€United€Nations€Standard€Minimum€Rules€for€the€Administration€of€Juvenile€JusticeŠ ° Š(the€Beijing€Rules),€the€United€Nations€Guidelines€for€the€Prevention€of€Juvenile€Delinquency€(theŠ ™é ŠRiyadh€Guidelines)€and€the€United€Nations€Rules€for€the€Protection€of€Juveniles€Deprived€of€theirŠ ‚Ņ ŠLiberty;Š k» ŠÓ XÓĢÓ XÓ(b)ą ` ąUse€deprivation€of€liberty€only€as€a€measure€of€last€resort€and€for€the€shortest€possibleŠ =  Šperiod€of€time;€improve€the€conditions€in€detention€facilities;€protect€the€rights€of€children€deprivedŠ & v Šof€their€liberty,€including€their€right€to€privacy;€and€ensure€that€children€remain€in€contact€with€theirŠ  _ Šfamilies€while€in€the€juvenile€justice€system;Š ų H ŠÓ XÓĢÓ XÓ(c)ą ` ąIntroduce€training€programmes€on€relevant€international€standards€for€allŠ Ź   Šprofessionals€involved€with€the€administration€of€juvenile€justice;Š ³  ŠÓ XÓĢÓ XÓ(d)ą ` ąConsider€seeking€technical€assistance€from€OHCHR,€the€Centre€for€InternationalŠ …Õ  ŠCrime€Prevention,€the€International€Network€on€Juvenile€Justice€and€UNICEF,€through€theŠ n¾  ŠCoordination€Panel€on€Technical€Advice€in€Juvenile€Justice,€among€others.Š W§  ŠÓ XÓĢ9.€€€ņņDissemination€of€reportsóóŠ )y ŠĢ509.ą  ąFinally,€the€Committee€recommends€that,€in€light€of€article€44,€paragraph€6,€of€theŠ ūK ŠConvention,€the€initial€report€and€written€replies€presented€by€the€State€party€be€made€widelyŠ ä4 Šavailable€to€the€public€at€large€and€that€the€publication€of€the€report€be€considered,€along€with€theŠ Ķ Šrelevant€summary€records€and€the€concluding€observations€adopted€thereon€by€the€Committee.€€SuchŠ ¶ Ša€document€should€be€widely€distributed€in€order€to€generate€debate€and€awareness€of€theŠ Ÿļ ŠConvention€and€its€implementation€and€monitoring€within€the€Government€and€the€general€public,Š ˆŲ Šincluding€NGOs.Š qĮ ŠĢÓļÓŌ#†X>dXXX>d@#ŌŌUK.,US.,~Ō