ERITREA: Child Rights References in the Universal Periodic Review

Summary: A compilation of extracts featuring child-rights issues from the reports submitted to the first Universal Periodic Review. There are extracts from the 'National Report', the 'Compilation of UN Information' and the 'Summary of Stakeholder's Information'. Also included is the final report and the list of accepted and rejected recommendations.

National Report

18. In Eritrea, the death penalty is applied with extreme caution. It is the mandate of the Ministry of Justice to forward the judgments where death penalty is pronounced, together with its opinions, to the President of the State of Eritrea. The President of the State of Eritrea may remit or commute the sentence. The Constitution of Eritrea guarantees against deprivation of life without due process of law. The Transitional Penal Code of Eritrea, on its part, provides that a sentence of death may not be passed except in cases where there are no extenuating circumstances. It further provides that the death penalty may not be pronounced on any person who commits an offence under the age of eighteen years or in a state of limited responsibility. In the case of a prisoner who is seriously ill, carrying out execution of the sentence is prohibited while that prisoner continues to be in that state. In the case of convicted woman who is pregnant or have children less than three years of age the sentence is commuted to rigorous imprisonment for life.

28. The Constitution of Eritrea and other pertinent laws provide that the State is under obligation to endeavour, within the limits of its resources, to make education available to all citizens. Eritrea’s goal in the education sector is to produce well educated, skilled and motivated citizens that can make effective contribution to its development. To this end, the Government is striving to develop an educational system that is accessible to all, including the girl child in rural areas, and has the capacity to provide relevant, high quality and affordable education at all levels of the educational ladder, using an integrated approach to develop a sound education system. As a first step towards building the requisite human and institutional capacity, Eritrea’s principal education objective has been to achieve universal elementary education. However this is only the first step. In order to develop the required pool of skilled and educated people capable of leading and managing the country in all spheres of its national affairs, the educational system at all levels must be greatly enhanced, in access, quality, and relevance. 29. Since independence, substantial resources and efforts have been expended to increase access and improve the quality of education at the Pre School - 12 grade levels, in all regions of the country. Along with the expansion of educational opportunities there has also been a determined effort to redress the gender and regional imbalance that had characterized the educational system. Furthermore in appreciation of the importance of early childhood development the government has been channeling resource as well as encouraging communities to establish and operate early childhood programs.

30. The net primary school enrolment ratio rose from 30 per cent in 1993 - 1995 to 44 per cent in 2001 -2003, an increase of 47 per cent. More progress has also been made since then. For example the net enrollment ratio (NER) at the elementary level has reached 50 per cent by 2007. In 2003/2004, 44 per cent of the enrollees at elementary level and, 40 per cent at middle level and 33 per cent at secondary school level were girls, and this figure continues to improve. Likewise, the literacy rate of the country has reached 67.4 per cent and a more reliable figure is expected from the ongoing Second Demographic and Health Survey (DHS2). This reflects the importance Eritrea attaches to education and determination to commit resources to accelerate the development of its educational system. An indication of this is that public expenditure on education doubled between 2000 and 2005.

31. Regarding culture, Eritrea is a multi ethnic society composed of nine ethnic groups. This diversity is considered a source of strength. All ethnic groups are encouraged to develop their language and culture. To mention a few examples; children are instructed in their mother tongue at the primary school level of education. All have the right and are indeed encouraged to develop their own language and culture through the provision of commensurate time in all media outlets.

33. Child and maternal health have been the main focus of the public healthcare system in Eritrea during the last 18 years. As part of this focus, in 2001, the Government launched the Early Childhood Development Program (ECD). The program’s main objectives include a comprehensive early childhood education and care, improving child and maternal nutrition, strengthening child and maternal health services, improving nutrition education, public awareness of health issues, and provision of vitamin A, iron and iodine, and supporting children with special needs. Moreover, tackling reproductive health issues and immunization against childhood diseases have been given priority. Priority has also been given to the establishment of basic healthcare facilities such as clinics, health stations, health centers and hospitals throughout the country. Continuing efforts are being made to fully equip and staff these facilities. Overall, while a lot more needs to be done to improve access to reliable, affordable and high quality healthcare services for all Eritreans, what has been accomplished within a relatively short period of time in establishing healthcare facilities and in improving the healthcare system, especially primary care, is significant.

55. Children, being significant and vital assets of the nation, have been accorded top priority and special programmes, such as the protection of vulnerable children. The State of Eritrea has various provisions for the protection of children’s rights under its Transitional Civil Code, Transitional Penal Code and the Transitional Criminal Procedure Code.

56. The State of Eritrea signed and ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in August 1994 and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children (ACRWC) in January 2000. Moreover, Eritrea acceded to the CRC optional Protocol on the Sale of children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography as well as CRC optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflicts in February 2005. This shift was imperative to ensure the protection of the rights, freedoms and dignity of children.

57. In order to popularize the CRC among the public the English version of the CRC was translated and published into six local- languages and distributed to all regions. National, regional and sub-regional workshops were convened. The objectives of the workshops were to create awareness on the main provisions of the CRC among the public; to create awareness of the general situation of children in Eritrea and the main provisions of the CRC as well as to create advocacy and integration of the CRC in legal and policy matters relevant to Eritrea. All CRC Articles were broadcasted through national media programmes in six local-languages. Community and religious leaders as well as elementary school teachers have received training on the implementation of the CRC. Child wellbeing committees have been established in every region to monitor the implementation of the CRC.

58. The first as well as the second and third combined country reports on the implementation of the CRC and a detailed clarification and additional information on the list of issues have been submitted to the International CRC Committee. A higher level Government delegation headed by the Minister of Labour and Human Welfare the comprised members from Ministries of Justice, Health and Education traveled to Geneva in 2002 and 2008 and provided further explanation on the two CRC country reports.

59. A national survey conducted in 2006 puts the number of orphans who had lost one or both parents at 105,000. In order to address the psychosocial needs of orphans, the Government of the State of Eritrea adopted a policy to phase out the institutionalization of orphaned children and to organize their integration with extended families, their adoption and foster care by unrelated families; and to provide decent social environment (small group-homes) for orphans who could be placed in other ways.

60. Implementing its policy guidelines, the Government responded to the challenge of orphans by reunifying them with their blood relatives. The orphan reunification programme focused both on the placement of children with extended families and on strengthening the economic resources of host families. During 1994-2008, close to 70,000 orphans were reunified with their kin and income-generating schemes have been made available to 26,797 vulnerable host families supporting orphans.

61. The socio-economic benefit of host families have not only had a direct effect on the welfare of orphans but have been extended to the rest of the family. The effects have increased the availability of food in a household, improved nutritional status and school performance.

62. Several evaluations have revealed the general success of the programme, its feasibility and cost effectiveness, its relevance to the Eritrean social and cultural context and suitability of its practical supposition that also resulted in the phasing out of three Governmental orphanages. The programme has obtained high regard and appreciation by the World Bank, International NGOs and Many African countries.

63. Based on the lessons learnt during 1993-2000 with regard to intervention on street children, the Government has designed a community-based street children prevention and rehabilitation programme. This community-based service aims to address the needs and problems of street and high-risk children in their own community. The philosophy behind this approach is that the immediate environment influences the street children like any other person.

64. The programme comprises placement of street children with their parents or blood relatives and strengthening the economic base of the disadvantaged host families through income generation schemes, educational support programme for young children; vocational training for children between the ages of 15-17 as well as guidance and counseling service. During the previous 14 years, 31,409 high-risk and street children were supported with school stationeries and uniforms to continue their education, 2,132 street children were provided vocational training and 856 families of street children benefited from the income-generating scheme. The majority of the beneficiaries, (85 per cent) were female-headed households.

65. The Government of the State of Eritrea has taken major steps in improving the protection of Children in Conflict with the Law (CCWL). The Government has established a probation service, which attempts to provide counseling for Children in Conflict with the Law in their community in order to help them integrate into their neighborhoods and schools. The Ministry of Justice has established separate chambers where cases of children in conflict with the law are heard in a closed session separate from adult offenders.

66. The Government has also organized after-care services to CCWL who complete probation and correctional services. Advocacy is considered as one mechanism for improving the existing custody and detention centers where children are kept while awaiting trial, or when their parents/guardians cannot be located. In this regard, the Government has financed the improvement of the existing detention and the new rehabilitation center in Central Region.

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Compilation of UN information

2. In 2008, the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) encouraged Eritrea to ratify the ILO Convention No. 182 (1999) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour,11 the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court 12 and the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.13

3. In 2008, CRC welcomed the incorporation of the principle of non-discrimination into the Constitution,14 and the adoption of the law abolishing female genital mutilation (FGM).15 It called on Eritrea to consider the adoption of a comprehensive Children’s Code in order to incorporate the provisions of the Convention and take into account the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.16

4. In 2008, CRC recommended that Eritrea establish an independent national human rights institution in full compliance with the Paris Principles.17 As of 20 April 2009, Eritrea did not have a national human rights institution accredited by the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC).18

5. While noting the adoption of several specific action plans and programmes, CRC recommended to Eritrea to adopt a National Plan of Action for Children covering all areas of the Convention and ensure its implementation with adequate human and financial resources, accompanied with assessment and evaluation mechanisms.19 It also requested Eritrea to pay attention to the protection of the rights of children belonging to vulnerable groups, including children belonging to minority groups, children with disabilities, children affected by and/or infected with HIV/AIDS and children living in poverty and in remote and rural areas.20

6. In 2008, CRC noted with satisfaction that certain concerns and recommendations made upon the consideration of the initial report of Eritrea in 2003 had been addressed. However, it expressed concern that recommendations regarding, inter alia, legal reform, national plan of action, independent monitoring, resources allocation, data collection, harmful traditional practices, birth registration, child labour and juvenile justice had not been given sufficient follow-up.22

10. In 2008, CRC was concerned that de facto discrimination against certain groups of children persisted, particularly with regards to girls, children living in poverty, children affected by and/or infected with HIV/AIDS, orphans and children belonging to nomadic and pastoralist minorities.37 It recommended that Eritrea make combating discrimination against vulnerable groups a national priority, in particular design programmes which enable the girl to access her rights without discrimination and to raise awareness among all stakeholders and society at large of the value of the girl child.38 It also recommended that Eritrea develop a legal framework and strategy in order to protect children and prevent discrimination against children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS.39

14. In 2008, CRC was concerned over the information that children, including those in high schools, are victims of torture, cruel and degrading treatment by the police and military, in particular children seeking to avoid military service.46 It requested Eritrea to take effective measures to protect all children from torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment; to investigate and sanction those responsible for having committed abuses; ensure that all child victims of ill-treatment are provided access to physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration as well as compensation.47

15. While welcoming that the minimum age for recruitment into the military was set to 18, CRC was concerned over reports of forced underage recruitment, detention and ill-treatment of boys under the age when they were required to serve their compulsory military service, as well as over the lack of physical and psychological recovery for children affected by armed conflict.48 It, inter alia, urged Eritrea to take all possible measures to prevent the recruitment of children.49

16. In 2008, CRC noted that the provision on corporal punishment in the Transitional Penal Code only applies to children under 15 when endangering gravely their physical and mental health and that “reasonable chastisement” remains permitted. CRC was concerned that corporal punishment was still widely practiced in the home, the schools and other settings.50 It recommended that Eritrea prohibit corporal punishment by law and enforce the prohibition in all settings.51

17. In 2008, while noting with appreciation efforts by Eritrea to eradicate FGM through the adoption of the law abolishing it, the adoption a five-year strategic plan as well as awareness- raising campaigns, CRC reiterated its serious concern over the very high incidence of FGM.52 It recommended that Eritrea continue and strengthen its efforts including through effectively enforcing the criminalization of FGM; that the national plan of action against FGM be implemented in a comprehensive manner and that adequate resources be allocated for its implementation; that retraining be provided, where appropriate, for practitioners of FGM and that they were supported to find alternative sources of income.53 On the same issue, the 2009 UNHCR Eligibility Guidelines indicated that although recently banned, FGM is still prevalent in the country, continuing to affect an estimated 90 per cent of the female population; and that the enforcement of the law abolishing FGM is still difficult to ascertain.54

21. In 2008, CRC welcomed the initiatives by Eritrea to combat sexual exploitation of children, including the establishment of a national plan of action. Nevertheless, it was concerned over the rising numbers of victims, especially girls.59 It recommended that Eritrea undertake a comprehensive study on children victims of sexual exploitation and abuse, carry out awareness- raising educational measures to prevent and eliminate sexual exploitation, train professionals working in the field of juvenile justice, ensure adequate resources and implement a comprehensive policy for the prevention, recovery and social reintegration of child victims.60

22. In 2008, CRC was concerned over information about widespread child labour and over the lack of comprehensive measures to ensure the protection of children from economic exploitation and the worst forms of child labour.61 It urged Eritrea inter alia to ratify the ILO Convention No. 182 (1999) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.62

23. While noting information regarding measures taken to protect street children, CRC was concerned about the increasing number of street children, especially in major urban centres, and about the fact that these children are often victims of drug abuse, sexual exploitation, harassment and victimization by members of the police force.63 It recommended that Eritrea undertake a systematic assessment of the situation of street children and develop and implement a comprehensive policy addressing the root causes.64

25. In 2008, CRC regretted the absence of a child friendly juvenile justice system in the country. It reiterated its concern that children between 15 and 17 are tried as adults; deprivation of liberty was not used as a measure of last resort; the lack of separation of children from adults in pretrial detention.66 It recommended, inter alia, that Eritrea develop a juvenile justice system with specialized juvenile courts, and that detention of child offenders is used as a measure of last resort.67

26. In 2008, CRC reiterated its concern as to the lack of consistency between the minimum marriage age set at 18 years old in the Constitution and the Civil Code and customary laws, which also applied differently to boys and girls. It also expressed concern about children, especially girls, being married between the ages of 13 and 15.68 While noting the efforts undertaken in this regard, it recommended that Eritrea enforce legislation on the minimum age of marriage at 18 and develop further sensitization programmes involving community, traditional and religious leaders as well as society at large, including children themselves.69
35. In 2008, CRC was concerned at the widespread poverty in Eritrea and the large numbers of children who do not enjoy the right to an adequate standard of living, including access to food, clean drinking water, adequate housing and sanitation.93 CRC recommended that Eritrea improve its coordination and reinforce its efforts to allocate adequate human and financial resources to provide support and material assistance, with a particular focus on the most marginalized and disadvantaged families.94

37. CRC welcomed in 2008 the information by Eritrea that anti-retroviral treatment is available free of charge. However, it noted the challenges involved in ensuring its accessibility to all those who need it. It was concerned about the increasing HIV/AIDS infection rates and notes that children, and in particular adolescent girls in urban areas, are highly vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS. It was also concerned that prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services are inadequate and that testing and counseling services are insufficient.97
38. In 2008, CRC welcomed the improved enrolment rates in schools of all levels, the increased budget allocation for education, the provision of education in various languages, as well as the improved collection of statistics on school attendance of children. However, it was concerned that the literacy rate remains high as access to primary education is insufficient and net enrolment still low. It was also concerned at the large number of school dropouts; overcrowding in classrooms; the low rate of transition to secondary school; the limited provisions for vocational training; the insufficient number of trained teachers and available school facilities; and the poor quality of education. Furthermore, it was concerned that considerable challenges still hamper eliminating inequalities which disadvantage children’s access to education, in particular in rural regions and among nomadic groups, and on the basis of ethnicity and sex. It also expressed concern over information that secondary school students have to undergo obligatory military training.98 The Committee recommended that Eritrea, inter alia, ensure that primary education is free and compulsory; increase public expenditure for education, in particular primary education; undertake additional efforts to ensure access to adaptable informal education of high quality to vulnerable groups, inter alia, by addressing indirect and hidden costs of school education.99

41. In 2008, CRC regretted that Eritrea did not adequately collaborate with humanitarian agencies in order to ensure protection of internally displaced children and requested Eritrea to extend further cooperation with such agencies in order to assist refugee and internally displaced children; to take all measures to guarantee protection of refugee children in line with international human rights and refugee law, while taking into account the Committee’s general comment No. 6 (2005) on the treatment of unaccompanied and separated children outside their country of origin.103

46. In 2008, CRC recommended that Eritrea seek technical assistance from UNICEF in order to improve access to education for girls and increase the rate of birth registration by the creation of accessible and free institutional structures.107 It also requested Eritrea to develop and implement, with the support of ILO, UNICEF and NGOs, a comprehensive assessment study and a plan of action to prevent and combat child labour, in full compliance with ILO Convention No. 138 (1973) concerning the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, which Eritrea has ratified.108

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Summary of Stakeholder Information

14. The Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children (GIEACP) reported that corporal punishment is lawful in the home43 and in alternative care settings under the provisions for the “right of correction” in the Transitional Penal Code.44 A code of conduct states that corporal punishment should not be used in schools, but there is no explicit prohibition in law.45 GIEACP noted that it has been unable to ascertain the legality of corporal punishment as a disciplinary measure in penal institutions, that in the penal system, corporal punishment is lawful as a sentence for crime under article 172 of the Transitional Penal Code and that it is abolished in the Draft Penal Code.46

45. According to JS1, the right to education is negatively impacted by two Government’s policies: militarization and cultural homogenization.137 Beginning in eighth and ninth grades, students spend the larger part of their summer break in military-supervised outings assisting the Government-owned agro-businesses. The nation’s only 12th grade classes are all located in Sawa, which is also the nation’s major military boot camp. Because students associate education with conscript service, many have dropped out and there is an incentive to do poorly and repeat classes.138 JS1 informed that the Government pursues a policy of equality of languages which is hindered by the lack of resources and the Government’s tendency to use Tigrinya as the default official language.139 JS1 requested that the Government abolish all military linked summer break activities and replace them with summer break activities organised by the Ministry of education to which young people can assist on a voluntary basis.140

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Final Report

11. With respect to the rights of the child, Eritrea signed and ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in August 1994. In 2000, Eritrea also signed and ratified the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and in 2005 acceded to the Optional Protocols to CRC on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and on the involvement of children in armed conflict. Various initiatives have been carried out to ensure the implementation of CRC.

12. The delegation indicated that the idea that Eritrea recruits underage children for military service, subjects them to detention or maltreats them is inconsistent both with the ideals of the Government and its practice on the ground. National service, as a legal requirement, begins at 18 years of age and there is no such a thing as forced recruitment. Students attending the twelfth grade and preparing for the school leaving certificate exam in Sawa should not be confused with national service conscripts.

18. Concerning the right to education, Eritrea has since independence been expending large amounts of resources to implement its education policy and realize its vision. Consequently, significant progress has been made in all spheres of education.

27. Turkey stated that the 1997 Constitution upholds the rule of law and provides a solid basis forthe protection of human rights. It encouraged Eritrea to pursue its efforts to implement the Constitution and commended its cooperation with the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. It further encouraged Eritrea to accede to other international conventions and to cooperate with the Special Rapporteurs on freedom of opinion and expression and on freedom of religion or belief. Turkey encouraged Eritrea to continue to combat female genital mutilation and wished to have Eritrea’s views on capacity building in human rights. Turkey made recommendations.

30. Egypt thanked Eritrea for its national report, which reflected both steps undertaken and challenges faced for the protection of human rights. Egypt commended Eritrea for its concrete results notably regarding the launch of the early childhood development programme, its commitment to combating female genital mutilation and the advocacy work carried out by the National Union of Eritrean Women and the initiatives to combat sexual exploitation of children. Egypt made several recommendations.

31. The United Arab Emirates noted that the Eritrean national report was drafted through a large national consultation. It also took note with satisfaction of the efforts made by Eritrea on the protection of children’s and women’s rights.

60. Poland noted with appreciation the ratification of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and encouraged Eritrea to ratify other core universal human rights treaties. Poland made recommendations.

63. China noted that, despite numerous difficulties, Eritrea had made some major achievements, including the ratification in 2007 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and the adoption of a law on female genital mutilation and actions plans for the protection of children rights and safe maternity. By 2015, Eritrea could realize the Millennium goal of gender equality in primary schools. Meanwhile, the country continues its efforts to meet goals in the areas of child health, access to safe water, HIV/AIDS and malaria. All this progress is hard-won because, as a developing country, Eritrea lacks structures and financial means.

64. Saudi Arabia noted that the Constitution enshrines provisions for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the principle of non-discrimination. The Committee on the Rights of the Child had welcomed the progress made in promoting the rights of children. Saudi Arabia referred to the national report mentioning the active role of non-governmental organizations in various human rights fields. Saudi Arabia noted that Eritrea ratified various international human rights instruments and reported on their implementation. It added that OHCHR is involved in human rights activities in Eritrea. Saudi Arabia noted the commitments of Eritrea to promoting and protecting human rights and its efforts to meet the Millennium Development Goals, notably in the areas of education and children’s health.

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Accepted and Rejected Recommendations

The following recommendations were accepted by Eritrea:

A - 10. Ratify ILO convention 182 on the worst forms of child labour following the relevant recommendation made by Committee on the Rights of the Child in 2008 (France);

A - 23. Adopt a national action plan for children in order to cover all areas included in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Algeria);

A - 36. Implement the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (Norway);

A - 37. Fully implement the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child contained in paragraph 61 of document CRC/C/ERI/CO/3 (Slovenia);

A - 41. Take all measures which may contribute to combat female genital mutilation (Algeria);

A - 42. Fully enforce the commitment to abolishing female genital mutilation (Ireland);

A - 43. Implement in a comprehensive manner the national plan against female genital mutilation and allocate adequate resources to this end (Norway);

A - 44. Continue and strengthen its efforts regarding the prohibition of female genital mutilation (Germany);

A - 45. Continue to apply existing legislation and adopt measures to eradicate female genital mutilation (Chile);

A - 46. Take all measures to ensure the prohibition of female genital mutilation and its effective criminalization (Argentina, Norway);

A - 47. Implement a strategy to support the law banning female genital mutilation, including an awareness and education campaign (Canada);

A - 48. Continue its efforts to raise awareness as well as effectively enforce the abolishment of female genital mutilation by providing adequate resources and bringing perpetrators of such cruelty to justice (Austria);

A - 49. Strengthen its implementation of the laws to protect women and girls from rape and other forms of sexual violence and sexual exploitation and hold accountable those responsible for such crimes (Ghana);

A - 53. Take appropriate measures to guarantee that all legal provisions, and especially those of the Civil Code and customary practices, are in conformity with the minimum age for marriage which, under the Constitution, is 18 years (France);

A - 67. Fully cooperate with the competent humanitarian bodies in order to secure the protection of internally displaced children (Chile);

A - 68. Strengthen its efforts to address the problems of street children and child labour (Azerbaijan);

A - 69. Ban child corporal punishment, notably within the penal and the educational system (France);

A - 70. Consider developing a comprehensive plan for the care and protection of children as recommended by the Committee on the Rights of the Child (South Africa);

A - 71. Strengthen efforts in raising public awareness to eliminate child labour (Slovakia);

A - 72. Put in place a separate system of juvenile justice which will provide for the creation of separate detention facilities for children and adults (France);

A - 110. Intensify efforts aimed at achieving health-related Millennium Development Goals including child health, maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major diseases and access to safe water (Malaysia);

A - 111. Continue its efforts to promote human rights, above all the education of children and the provision of health services for children (Saudi Arabia);

A - 113. Strengthen measures aimed at the alleviation of poverty as well as access to education and health services (South Africa);

A - 114. Continue its efforts to eradicate poverty with the support and cooperation of the international community (Bangladesh);

A - 117. Continue and strengthen the positive ongoing efforts aimed at increasing the school enrolment rate of its citizen, with special emphasis on girls and boys (Cuba);

A - 118. Continue its efforts to guarantee the rights of education to children with disabilities in order to facilitate their integration in the society (Qatar);

A - 128. Follow-up on the recommendation of the Committee on the Rights of Child to seek technical assistance from UNICEF on specific areas, including improving access to education for women and girls and in increasing the rate of registrations births (Malaysia);

The following recommendations were rejected by Eriteria:

R - 56. Take all possible measures to prevent the recruitment and torture or cruel and degrading treatment by the police and military of children (Germany);

R - 57. Make means available to give effect to the norm which raises the minimum age for military service and guarantees that minors not be subjected to any treatment that violates fundamental human rights and that they be ensured the right not to do their military service (Argentina);

R - 61. Look to ensure the avoidance of national service conscripts being used as forced labour for private enterprises and to end the recruitment of children under the age of 18 into military service and training (United Kingdom);

R - 62. Curb abuses of Eritrean citizens in the national service programme, pass and enforce a comprehensive anti-trafficking statute, and cease the conscription of children into military services (United States );

R - 63. Take effective measures to eradicate underage recruitment (under 18), to elaborate programmes for protection of children from torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and to provide independent access to physical and psychological recovery, social reintegration and compensation for victims of armed conflicts (Poland);

R - 64. Make a concerted effort to prevent the use of child soldiers in its recurrent armed conflict (Ghana);

R - 65. Take effective measures to protect all children against torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment as well as investigating and punishing those responsible (Argentina);