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Summary: The violations highlighted are those issues raised with the State by more than one international mechanism. This is done with the intention of identifying children's rights which have been repeatedly violated, as well as gaps in the issues covered by NGOs in their alternative reports to the various human rights monitoring bodies. These violations are listed in no particular order.
Scroll to: __________________________________________________________________ UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee, while noting with appreciation efforts by the State party to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM) through the proclamation No. 158 of 2007 aimed at abolishing the practice and that the State party has designed a five year strategic plan to eradicate harmful traditional practices, reiterates its serious concern over the very high incidence of FGM, which still affects nearly 90 per cent of girls. The Committee, while noting awareness-raising efforts about the harmful impact of FGM, is concerned that such measures need to be strengthened and mainstreamed in a sustainable manner. The Committee recommends the State party to continue and strengthen its efforts including through effectively enforcing the criminalisation of female genital mutilation. Furthermore, the Committee recommends that the national plan of action be implemented in a comprehensive manner and that adequate resources be allocated for its implementation, in particular in rural areas. Awareness-raising campaigns on the negative effects on the health of children, especially girls, should systematically and consistently be mainstreamed, targeting all segments of the society including the general public as well as community, traditional and religious leaders. The Committee further recommends the State party to provide retraining, where appropriate, for practitioners of female genital mutilation and support them to find alternative sources of income. (Paragraphs 60 and 61 UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women While noting the entrenched cultural underpinning of female genital mutilation and while welcoming the important awareness-raising efforts implemented by the National Union of Eritrean Women towards ending the practice of female genital mutilation, the Committee is concerned at the high incidence of female genital mutilation in the country and the State party's reluctance to expedite the adoption of legislation aimed at eradicating this practice. The Committee urges the State party to speedily enact the draft legislation prohibiting female genital mutilation and to ensure that offenders are prosecuted and adequately punished and to continue its awareness-raising efforts to change the cultural perceptions connected with female genital mutilation. (Paragraph 18 and 19). Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) A - 41. Take all measures which may contribute to combat female genital mutilation (Algeria); (accepted) A - 42. Fully enforce the commitment to abolishing female genital mutilation (Ireland); (accepted) A - 43. Implement in a comprehensive manner the national plan against female genital mutilation and allocate adequate resources to this end (Norway); (accepted) A - 44. Continue and strengthen its efforts regarding the prohibition of female genital mutilation (Germany); (accepted) A - 45. Continue to apply existing legislation and adopt measures to eradicate female genital mutilation (Chile); (accepted) A - 46. Take all measures to ensure the prohibition of female genital mutilation and its effective criminalisation (Argentina, Norway); (accepted) A - 47. Implement a strategy to support the law banning female genital mutilation, including an awareness and education campaign (Canada); (accepted) 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); (accepted) __________________________________________________________________ UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee reiterates its concern, as stated in the previous concluding observations, that while the Constitution and the Civil Code formally set 18 years-old as the minimum age to enter into marriage, customary laws do not have the same minimum marriage age and are often applied differently to boys and girls. The Committee notes that in practice many children, especially girls, are married between the ages of 13 and 15. The Committee is furthermore concerned over reports which indicate that the rate of child marriages is increasing. The Committee, while noting the efforts undertaken by the State party in this regard, recommends that the State party enforce legislation on the minimum age of marriage at 18 and develop further sensitisation programmes involving community, traditional and religious leaders as well as society at large, including children themselves, in order to curb the practice of early marriage. (Paragraphs 62 and 63) UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women While noting that the Transitional Code of Eritrea adopted in 1991 establishes a minimum age at marriage, prohibits forced marriages and establishes a system of equitable division of marital property upon divorce, the Committee is concerned that these laws are not enforced and that discriminatory customary laws and practices continue to be applied. The Committee is also concerned that the Transitional Code's provisions on marriage and family relations do not apply to Muslim marriages and divorces. The Committee expresses its concern that the ongoing law reform process aimed at harmonisation and consolidation of Eritrean laws may result in the legal recognition and/or codification of discriminatory laws governing marriage and family relations, in contravention of article 16 of the Convention. The Committee calls on the State party to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the Transitional Code on marriage and divorce, including enforcement of the minimum age at marriage, prohibition of forced marriages and enforcement of equitable division of marital property upon divorce, and other laws relating to harmful traditional or customary practices that violate women's rights. The Committee recommends that the ongoing law reform process aim at promotion of gender equality, elimination of discrimination against women, especially in family relations, and full compliance with all provisions of the Convention.(Paragraphs 28 and 29). Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) 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); (accepted) __________________________________________________________________ Sexual exploitation and abuse of children, particularly affecting girls UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee welcomes the initiatives by the State party to combat sexual exploitation of children, including the establishment of a national plan of action against sexual exploitation of children. Nevertheless, the Committee is concerned over the rising numbers of children, especially girls, who are victims of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. The Committee notes that the majority of cases remain in impunity. Furthermore, the Committee is deeply concerned at the lack of information in the State party report on the extent of the problem and the number of children affected. The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Undertake a comprehensive study to document the number of children victims of sexual exploitation and abuse and to identify the root causes of the problem; (b) Carry out awareness-raising educational measures to prevent and eliminate sexual exploitation; (c) Train professionals, in particular those working with the administration of justice, in order to receive, investigate process complaints in a child-sensitive manner that respects the privacy of the victim; (d) Ensure adequate resources in order to investigate cases of sexual abuse and exploitation and prosecute and impose adequate sentences for such crimes; (e) Implement a comprehensive policy, with the participation of NGOs, for the prevention, recovery and social reintegration of child victims, in accordance with the Declaration and Agenda for Action and the Yokohama Global Commitment adopted at the 1996 and 2001 World Congresses against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. (Paragraphs 76 and 77) The Committee notes the inclusion of provisions on sexual abuse in the Transitional Penal Code, however regrets that adequate information on child abuse is lacking in the State party report. The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Take the necessary measures to prevent child abuse and neglect; (b) Establish effective mechanisms to receive, monitor though collection of data and investigate reports of cases of child abuse and, when required, initiate prosecutions of perpetrators in a manner that is child sensitive and ensures the privacy of the victims; (c) Provide children victims of sexual or other forms of abuse with the necessary psychological and other support for their full recovery and social reintegration, (d) Carry out preventive public education campaigns about the consequences of the abuse and ill-treatment of children; (e) Provide support for the operation of a 24-hour three-digit toll free helpline for children; (f) Finalise and adopt the national plan of action on violence and abuse against children. (g) Seek technical assistance from inter alia UNICEF. Follow-up to the United Nations study on violence against children With reference to the United Nations study on violence against children, the Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Take all necessary measures to implement the recommendations of the United Nations study on violence against children (A/61/299) taking into account the outcome and recommendations of the Regional Consultation for Eastern and Southern Africa, held in South Africa from 18 to 20 July 2005. In particular, the Committee recommends that the State party pay particular attention to the following recommendations; (i) Prohibit all forms of violence against children; (ii) Strengthen national and local commitment and action; (iii) Promote non-violent values and awareness-raising; (iv) Enhance the capacity of all who work with and for children; (v) Ensure accountability and end impunity; (b) Use the recommendations of the United Nations study as a tool for action in partnership with civil society and, in particular, with the involvement of children to ensure that all children are protected from all forms of physical, sexual and psychological violence and to gain momentum for concrete and time-bound actions to prevent and respond to such violence and abuse; and (c) Seek technical cooperation in this respect from OHCHR, UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO), and other relevant agencies, inter alia, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as well as NGO partners. (Paragraphs 48 to 50) Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) 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); (accepted) __________________________________________________________________ UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee notes 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. The Committee is concerned that corporal punishment is still widely practised in the home, the schools and other settings. The Committee recommends that the State party prohibit corporal punishment by law and enforce the prohibition in all settings, including in the family, the schools and alternative childcare. It also recommends that the State party conduct awareness-raising campaigns to ensure that alternative forms of discipline are used, in a manner consistent with the child’s human dignity and in conformity with the Convention, especially article 28, paragraph 2, while taking due account of the general comment No. 8 (2006) on the right of the child to protection from corporal punishment and other cruel or degrading forms of punishment. The Committee also recommends the State party to seek technical assistance from UNICEF in order to implement relevant programmes in the school environment. (Paragraphs 38 and 39) Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) A - 69. Ban child corporal punishment, notably within the penal and the educational system (France); (accepted) __________________________________________________________________ Use of, and conditions in, detention for children UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee is concerned that deprivation of liberty is not used as a measure of last resort and at the lack of separation of children from adults in pretrial detention. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that juvenile justice standards are fully implemented, in particular articles 37 (b), 40 and 39 of the Convention, as well as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (“the Beijing Rules”) and the United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (“the Riyadh Guidelines”) the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of Their Liberty (“the Havana Rules”), and in the light of the Committee’s day of general discussion on the administration of juvenile justice. In particular, the Committee recommends that the State party: (e) Ensure that detention and institutionalisation of child offenders is only recurred to as a last resort; (Paragraphs 78 and 79) Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) 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); (accepted) __________________________________________________________________ Economic exploitation of children and child labour UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee notes the information from the State party regarding child work being mostly to help parents, but is concerned over information about widespread child labour and over the lack of comprehensive measures to ensure that children are protected from economic exploitation and the worst forms of child labour. The Committee urges the State party 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 Minimum Age for Admission to Employment, which the State party has ratified. Furthermore, the Committee reiterates its recommendation that the State party ratify the ILO Convention No. 182 (1999) concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour. (Paragraphs 74 and 75) Universal Periodic review (November 2009) A - 68. Strengthen its efforts to address the problems of street children and child labour (Azerbaijan); (accepted) A - 71. Strengthen efforts in raising public awareness to eliminate child labour (Slovakia); (accepted) __________________________________________________________________ Children recruited to be soldiers and insufficient rehabilitation for former child soldiers UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee welcomes that the minimum age for recruitment is set to 18; however, it is concerned over reports of forced underage recruitment and at the detention and ill-treatment of boys under the age when they are required to serve their compulsory military service. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned over the lack of physical and psychological recovery for children affected by armed conflict, in particular those who were displaced and separated from their parents and those affected by landmines. The Committee urges the State party to: (a) Take all possible measures to prevent the recruitment of children and enforce its legislation strictly; (b) Provide physical and psychological recovery measures for all children affected by armed conflict, including those separated from their parents and landmine victims, while paying particular attention to female-headed households; (c) Consider ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court; (d) Resume support to the operation of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) in order to seek sustainable peace in the region. (Paragraphs 70 and 71) Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) 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); (rejected) 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); (rejected) 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); (rejected) 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 ); (rejected) 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); (rejected) R - 64. Make a concerted effort to prevent the use of child soldiers in its recurrent armed conflict (Ghana); (rejected) 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); (rejected) __________________________________________________________________ Torture, and degrading treatment of children by the police and military UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee is seriously 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, the Committee expresses concern at information indicating detentions and ill-treatment directed against children who seek to avoid military service. The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to protect all children from torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The Committee emphasises the urgent need to investigate and sanction those responsible for having committed abuses. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that all child victims of torture, cruel and degrading treatment are provided access to physical and psychological recovery and social reintegration as well as compensation, giving due consideration to the obligations enshrined in article 39 of the Convention. (Paragraphs 40 and 41) Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) 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); (rejected) 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); (rejected) 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); (rejected) __________________________________________________________________ Children living and working on the streets UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee, while noting information in the State party report regarding measures taken to protect street children, is concerned over the increasing number of street children, especially in major urban centres, and that these children are often victims of drug abuse, sexual exploitation, harassment and victimisation by members of the police force. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned at the stigmatisation of street children and negative attitudes in society towards them based upon their deprived social condition. The Committee recommends the State party to: (a) Undertake a systematic assessment of the situation of street children in order to obtain an accurate picture of its root causes and magnitude; (b) Develop and implement with the active involvement of street children themselves a comprehensive policy which should address the root causes, in order to prevent and reduce this occurrence; (c) Provide, in coordination with NGOs, street children with the necessary protection, adequate health-care services, shelter, education and other social services; (d) Support family reunification programmes, when it is in the best interests of the child (Paragraphs 72 and 73) Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) A - 68. Strengthen its efforts to address the problems of street children and child labour (Azerbaijan); (accepted) __________________________________________________________________ Inadequate system of birth registration UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee, while noting the reported efforts by the State party to improve the rate of birth registration, is concerned over the lack of adequate institutional structures, especially at the regional and sub-regional level, to ensure birth registration and is still concerned at information indicating that large numbers of children, in particular those of minorities, are neither registered at birth nor at a later stage. The Committee reiterates its concern from the previous periodic review and urges the State party to strengthen and further develop measures to ensure that all children born within the national territory, including those of minorities and living in remote areas, are registered. Furthermore, the Committee urges the State party to create institutional structures at all levels that are accessible and free in order to implement effective birth registration, e.g. by introducing mobile units, especially in rural and remote areas and internally displaced persons and refugee camps. The Committee recommends the State party to seek technical assistance from UNICEF for the implementation of these recommendations. (Paragraphs 32 and 33) Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) 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); (accepted) __________________________________________________________________ Inadequate education provision, high levels of illiteracy and dropouts UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee welcomes the improved enrolment rates in schools of all levels, in particular in kindergarten and community centres, the increased budget allocation for education, the provision of education in various languages, as well as, improved collection of statistics of the school attendance of children. The Committee however is concerned that the literacy rate remains high as access to primary education is insufficient and net enrolment still low. Furthermore, the Committee is 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. The Committee is 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. Finally, the Committee notes the information given during the dialogue that schools and military camps are separated, but is still concerned over information that secondary school students have to undergo obligatory military training. The Committee recommends that the State party, taking into account its general comment No. 1 (2001) on the aims of education: (a) Ensure that primary education is free and compulsory and take the necessary measures to ensure that all children are enrolled in primary education; (b) Increase public expenditure for education, in particular primary education, with specific attention to improving access and addressing sex, socio-economic, ethnic and regional disparities in the enjoyment of the right to education; (c) Train more teachers, especially female, and improve school facilities, notably water and sanitation, in particular in rural areas and among nomadic groups; (d) Undertake additional efforts to ensure access to adaptable informal education of high quality to vulnerable groups, including street children, orphans, refugee and displaced children, children with disabilities and child domestic workers, inter alia by addressing indirect and hidden costs of school education; (e) Further expand preschool facilities supplied with qualified teachers, make them free of costs and make special attempts to include children from vulnerable and school distant groups at early ages; (f) Ensure that secondary school students do not have to undertake obligatory military training; (g) Strengthen vocational training, including for children who have left school before completion; (h) Include human rights education as part of the curriculum; (i) Seek technical assistance from UNESCO and UNICEF, in particular to improve access to education for girls. (Paragraphs 66 and 67) Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) 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); (accepted) A - 113. Strengthen measures aimed at the alleviation of poverty as well as access to education and health services (South Africa); (accepted) 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); (accepted0 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); (accepted) 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); (accepted) __________________________________________________________________ Inadequate provision for children with disabilities, particular with regards to education UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee notes as positive the assistance provided by the State party to children with disabilities, in particular the measures undertaken to improve access to education. The Committee however notes that further measures are required in order to extend the coverage of assistance and rehabilitation to all children with disabilities, particularly in rural and remote areas. The Committee recommends that the State party, while taking into account the Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (General Assembly resolution 48/96) and the recommendations issued by the Committee following its day of general discussion on children with disabilities, held on 6 October1997, take all necessary measures to: (a) Continue raising awareness of children with disabilities, including their rights, special needs and potential, in order to change prevailing prejudices against children; (b) Collect adequate disaggregated statistical data on children with disabilities and use such data in developing policies and programmes to promote their equal opportunities in society, paying particular attention to children living in remote areas of the country; (c) Provide children with disabilities with access to adequate social and health services, as well as to quality education; (d) Ensure that professionals working with and for children with disabilities, such as medical, paramedical and related personnel, teachers and social workers are adequately trained. (Paragraphs 51 and 52) The Committee recommends that the State party, taking into account its general comment No. 1 (2001) on the aims of education: (d) Undertake additional efforts to ensure access to adaptable informal education of high quality to vulnerable groups, including street children, orphans, refugee and displaced children, children with disabilities and child domestic workers, inter alia by addressing indirect and hidden costs of school education (Paragraph 67) Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) 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); (accepted) __________________________________________________________________ Inadequate health care provision, high rates of infant, child and maternal mortality UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee notes improvements regarding infant, under-five and maternal mortality rates but remains deeply concerned that these remain very high. The Committee notes efforts by the State party to improve health services to remote areas and the construction of new hospitals. However, it remains concerned that medical facilities are still primarily concentrated in the urban areas, resulting in exclusion of large parts of the population, in particular those belonging to minorities, of access to necessary health services. It is also concerned over the low coverage of vaccinations, the prevalence of malaria and the high incidence of malnutrition. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to strengthen its programmes for improving health care by supporting programmes with adequate and clearly allocated resources, while paying particular and urgent attention to mortality rates, vaccination uptakes, nutrition status, breastfeeding rates and the management of communicable diseases and malaria. Specifically, the Committee recommends that the State party pay specific attention to the urban/rural divide and target financial allocations in order to address the disparities in access to services, also bearing in mind measures required to improve the access for children of minority groups. Furthermore, Committee notes with appreciation the tradition in the State party of an overall high level of breastfeeding rates, to maintain this high rate the committee recommends State party, inter alia, to promote: (a) Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months; (b) Adoption of the International Code for Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (Paragraphs 53 to 55) Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) 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); (accepted) 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); (accepted) A - 113. Strengthen measures aimed at the alleviation of poverty as well as access to education and health services (South Africa); (accepted) __________________________________________________________________ Inadequate protections for internally displaced children UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee regrets that the State party has not ratified the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and does not adequately collaborate with humanitarian agencies in order to ensure protection of internally displaced children. The Committee urges the State party to: (a) Ratify the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees; (b) Extend further cooperation with humanitarian agencies in order to assist refugee and internally displaced children; (c) 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. (Paragraphs 68 and 69) Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) A - 67. Fully cooperate with the competent humanitarian bodies in order to secure the protection of internally displaced children (Chile); (accepted) __________________________________________________________________ Poverty affecting children, including inadequate access to food, water, housing and sanitation UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (Concluding Observations, June 2008) The Committee is deeply concerned at the widespread poverty in the State party 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. The Committee recommends that, in accordance with articles 4 and 27 of the Convention, the State party 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 marginalised and disadvantaged families, and to guarantee the right of children to an adequate standard of living. In this connection, the Committee recommends that the State party give particular priority to the rights and needs of children when drafting and implementing national development plans and poverty reduction strategy papers. The Committee recommends the State party to conduct a child centred policy targeting the elimination of child poverty. (Paragraphs 64 and 65) Universal Periodic Review (November 2009) A - 113. Strengthen measures aimed at the alleviation of poverty as well as access to education and health services (South Africa); (accepted) A - 114. Continue its efforts to eradicate poverty with the support and cooperation of the international community (Bangladesh); (accepted) __________________________________________________________________
Concluding Observations published: 3 February 2006
Concluding Observations published: 3 February 2006