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Summary: This report extracts mentions of children's rights issues in the reports of all UN Treaty Bodies and their follow-up procedures. This does not include the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child which are available here: http://www.crin.org/resources/treaties/index.asp
Please note that the language may have been edited in places for the purpose of clarity.
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- UN Human Rights Committee
- UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- UN Committee against Torture
- UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
- UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- UN Committee on Migrant Workers
- UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
- UN Committee on Enforced Disappearance
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CCPR/C/PRT/CO/4
Last reported: 23 and 24 October 2012
Concluding Observations issued: 23 November 2012
Issues raised and recommendations given:
Trafficking: The Committee is concerned that the State party continues to be a destination, transit and source country for women, men and children subjected to trafficking for sexual exploitation and forced labour. It is also concerned that article 160 of the Penal Code employs an overly broad definition of trafficking that includes lesser crimes, complicating the assessment of the extent of prosecution, conviction and sentencing of trafficking offenders (art. 8). Para 13.
The State party should intensify its efforts to combat trafficking in persons and should change its methods of collecting and reporting data in order to present a more useful description of the legal response. It should also provide in its next periodic report information, for each year since 2011, on the number of victims of the crime of trafficking for sexual and other exploitative purposes, such as forced labour, as well as the number of prosecutions and convictions of perpetrators.
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CCPR/CO/78/PRT
Last Reported: 21 July 2003
Concluding Observations Adopted: 31 July 2003
Issues raised and recommendations given:
Expulsion: The Committee notes that an accessory penalty of expulsion may not be imposed on a resident alien when the person concerned was born and lives in Portugal, or exercises parental authority over under-age children residing in Portugal, or has been in Portugal since he/she was less than 10 years old. The Committee is concerned, however, that those limitations may not protect the family life in all cases and that non-resident aliens do not benefit from such guarantees. The Committee calls on the state party to: (a) Amend its legislation in order to ensure that the family life of resident and non-resident aliens sentenced to an accessory penalty of expulsion is fully protected (Paragraph 17)
Child Labour: The Committee notes with concern that, despite numerous protective legislative measures, the proportion of juvenile workers has increased in Portugal since 1998 and that no statistics have been gathered regarding the worst forms of child labour. The Committee calls on the state party to: (a) Intensify its efforts to eliminate child labour, conduct studies on the existence of the worst forms of child labour and strengthen the effectiveness of its supervisory system in this area. In its next periodic report, the State party should provide the Committee with detailed information regarding the practical application of article 24 of the Covenant, including on criminal and administrative sanctions which have been pronounced (Paragraph 19).
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UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
E/C.12/PRT/CO/4
Adopted by the Committee: 28 November 2014
Published by the committee: 8 December 2014
Issues raised:
Ratification:
The Committee welcomes the ratification by the State party of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure, on 24 September 2013 and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure, on 24 September 2013(para.4).
Legal reforms:
The Committee appreciates the measures taken by the State party to the expansion of compulsory education until the age of 18 or until students complete secondary education,under Law No.85/2009 of 27 August 2009 (para.5).
Poverty:
The Committee is concerned that, despite State party’s efforts to combat poverty,including through social transfers, the resident population at risk of poverty reached 18.7 per cent in 2012,the highest value since 2005, with households that include dependent children.The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to combat poverty, in particular among households with dependent children (para.14).
Education:
The Committee, while acknowledging the progress made by the State party in decreasing the early school leaving (dropout) rate from 43.6 percent in 2000 to 18.9 percent in 2013, remains concerned that this rate is still high(arts.13and 14).
The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to reduce further the early school leaving (dropout) rate, including by addressing the factors that lead to early school leaving, in particular socioeconomic factors that put at risk the most disadvantaged and marginalized children; raising awareness of the importance of education and training as a tool towards reducing the future risk of unemployment, poverty and social exclusion; and providing comprehensive support for children at risk of leaving school early and adequate opportunities for education and training tailored to their specific needs (para.17).
The Committee expresses concern at the low level of education of Roma, as reflected by the poor school enrolment of Roma (arts.13and 14). The Committee recommends that the State party redouble its efforts to address the insufficient level of education of Roma and take urgent measures to increase attendance rates of Roma students and their retention in school by, inter alia, providing sufficient financial support to cover education-related expenses and raising awareness of the importance of education among Roma families (para.18).
E/C.12/1/Add.53
Last Reported: 14 and 15 November 2000
Concluding Observations Adopted: 24 November 2000
Issues raised and recommendations given:
Poverty: The Committee regrets that approximately one fifth of the population of the State party still lives below the poverty line and that no comprehensive study of the problem of poverty has been undertaken by the State party. The Committee calls on the state party to: (a) Review its general strategy for the eradication of poverty and step up its activities to combat it. (Paragraphs 8 and 16)
Child Labour: The Committee expresses its concern about the occurrence of child labour in breach of the State party's international obligations, in particular, its obligations under the Covenant. The Committee calls on the state party to: (a) Strictly implement the measures at its disposal to monitor and impose the appropriate penalties on persons or companies using child labour. (Paragraphs 10 and 21) Paedophilia, Child Pornography, and Sex Trafficking: The Committee is concerned at the increase of trafficking in women, which is linked to organized crime.
Paedophilia and child pornography: These phenomena are associated with the increase in drug trafficking and consumption and other criminal activities, which endanger the security and health of the population of the State party. The Committee calls on the state party to: (a) Intensify its efforts to prevent drug addiction among young people and impose appropriate penalties on persons who commit offences relating to paedophilia, child pornography and trafficking in women. The Committee also recommends that the State party give due consideration to ratifying ILO Convention No. 138 (minimum age). (Paragraphs 13, 14, and 22)
Education: The Committee notes with concern the relatively high school drop-out rates and the rate of high illiteracy in the State party. The Committee calls on the state party to: (a) Intensify its campaign against the persisting problem of illiteracy in the State party. (Paragraphs 15 and 23)
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UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
CERD/C/PRT/CO/15-17
Last reported: 16 November 2015
Concluding observations issued: 9 December 2016
Positive developments: The Committee also welcomes the State party’s accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure, in 2013 (para 4).
Discrimination against the Roma: The Committee is concerned that, despite projects developed and implemented throughout the period under review, Roma continue to face discrimination in many walks of life, notably in access to housing and education. The Committee is also concerned about reports of insufficient efforts to consult the Roma at all stages of the implementation and evaluation of the National Roma Communities Integration Strategy (para 20).
Recalling its general recommendations no. 27 (2000) on discrimination against Roma, and no. 32 (2009) on the meaning and scope of special measures in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial, the Committee recommends that the State party continue implementing the Roma Integration Strategy in close collaboration and strengthened consultation with the Roma community, including through the effective functioning of the Consultative Group for the Integration of the Roma Communities, as well as with civil society organizations working on Roma issues; Ensure that the Roma Integration Strategy is adequately financed; Reinforce the capacity of, and funding for, Roma mediators and ensure their equal distribution throughout the country; Intensify its measures, including by adopting special measures, in order to continue improving Roma housing conditions and facilitating their access to mainstream and quality education (para 21).
School curricula: The Committee notes with appreciation the efforts to portray aspects of Portugal’s history on its landscape. The Committee is also aware of efforts to reform the school curriculum. The Committee is however concerned that school textbooks may still portray discriminatory and stereotyped images of the Roma community and Africans/ people of African descent,(para 26).
The Committee recommends that the State party take measures to remove any images from school textbooks that perpetuate prejudices or discrimination against the Roma, Africans/people of African descent, and any other affected minority group. Moreover, the State party is requested to adequately reflect in school curricula and textbooks its colonial past and the cultural heritage and history of groups protected under the Convention living in the State party and their contribution to the Portuguese society and culture (para 27).
CERD/C/PRT/CO/12-14
Last Reported: 20 and 21 February 2012 Concluding Observations issued: 13 April 2012
Issues raised and recommendations given:
Roma Community: The Committee notes efforts to address discrimination against Ciganos and Roma peoples, including the launch in December 2011 of the Strategy for Inclusion of the Roma communities in compliance with European Union requirements and public awareness campaigns regarding non-discrimination against Roma communities. However, it expresses its deep concern that, as confirmed by the State party, Ciganos and Roma are still the most discriminated against and most vulnerable people in Portugal. In addition to housing, there are persistent and continuing concerns with regard to their right to education, health, employment, access to public services or participation in public life.
The Committee requests that the State party provide information on the implementation and impact of the Strategy for Inclusion of the Roma communities. In implementing this Strategy, the State party should ensure that concrete measures are taken to improve the living conditions of these communities by improving their access to adequate housing, education, health services, employment and public services. (arts. 2, 5 and 7) (Para. 19)
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CERD/C/65/CO/6
Concluding Observations Adopted: 19 August 2004
Concerns Raised:
Family Reunification: The Committee notes the new rules for family reunification following the recent enactment of new legislative provisions governing the entry, stay, departure and removal of aliens from the national territory. The Committee calls on the state part to: (a) Take measures to facilitate family reunification of immigrants in a regular situation. Furthermore, the Committee invites the State party to consider signing and ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. (Paragraph 14)
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UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
CEDAW/C/PRT/CO/7
Last Reported: 3 November 2008
Concerns Raised:
Autonomous Regions: The Committee notes that under Portuguese legislation the Azores and Madeira enjoy the status of autonomous regions. Noting that the State party provided only patchy information on the situation of women and girls in these regions in the sixth and seventh periodic reports, that no reply was provided to the specific question on their situation in the written responses to the list of issues and questions raised by the pre-session working group, and that the three national plans do not automatically apply in the Azores and Madeira, the Committee is concerned that the State party may have not put in place sufficient measures and monitoring structures to ensure the full implementation of the Convention in all parts of its territory.
The committee urges the state party to: (a) Ensure that there are adequate structures and mechanisms in place to ensure effective coordination and consistent application of CEDAW in all parts of its territory. It recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to ensure the full implementation of its national strategy and policy for the advancement of women and gender equality, including in the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira. The Committee requests the State party to include detailed information on the implementation of the Convention in the Azores and Madeira, including through the provision of sex-disaggregated statistical data, in its next periodic report. It further calls upon the State party to ensure that representatives from the Azores and Madeira are included in the State party delegation at the time of the next constructive dialogue with the Committee. (Paragraphs 12 and 13)
Genital Mutilation: While welcoming the amendment to the Penal Code that criminalizes female genital mutilation, the Committee is concerned at the lack of information on the prevalence of this practice and of the impact of the new law and its interpretation. The Committee urges the state party to: (a) Ensure the full implementation of legislation prohibiting female genital mutilation, including the prosecution of perpetrators, with a view to eliminating this harmful traditional practice. The Committee invites the State party to design and implement targeted prevention strategies, as well as education and awareness-raising programmes involving health-service providers, community and religious leaders and women's organizations, as well as to launch specific culturally sensitive information campaigns. The Committee requests the State party to provide, in its next periodic report, comprehensive information on the prevalence of the practice of female genital mutilation in its territory and the impact of the measures taken to eradicate this practice. (Paragraphs 30 and 31)
Violence: The Committee is concerned at the continuing prevalence of violence against women and girls, including domestic violence. While welcoming the expansion of the network of shelters for women victims of violence to cover all administrative districts of the State party by the year 2010, the Committee notes with concern that sometimes these shelters may be used not only to accommodate women victims of violence, but also persons experiencing other social emergency situations. While noting the possibility of protective measures, such as electronic means of surveillance of the perpetrators subject to restraining orders and ban on their possession of firearms, the Committee is concerned that these measures seem not to be widely used by judges, and that no information on the use of such protective measures is systematically collected.
The Committee calls on the state part to: (a) Accord priority attention to the adoption of comprehensive measures to address all forms of violence against women in accordance with its general recommendation 19. The Committee calls on the State party to ensure the full implementation of legislation on violence against women and the national plan against domestic violence, as well as the prosecution and conviction of perpetrators. The Committee also recommends that the State party disseminate information on domestic remedies available against acts of violence against women, and expand its training activities and programmes for the judiciary and public officials so as to ensure that they are sensitized to all forms of violence against women and are aware of all measures that can be taken to protect the victims. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that a sufficient number of safe crisis centres and shelters are available to women victims of violence in all parts of the State party, staffed by expert personnel and provided with adequate financial resources for their effective functioning. (Paragraphs 32 and 33)
Trafficking: While acknowledging the measures taken by the State party to combat trafficking in women and children, including the adoption of the First National Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings, the Committee is concerned at the continuing prevalence of this problem, the lack of information on the prosecution and punishment of alleged perpetrators, and the low number of places available in the one shelter provided for women victims of trafficking. The Committee urges the state party to: (a) Continue to strengthen its measures to combat all forms of trafficking in women and children in line with article 6 of the Convention. In this respect, the Committee urges the State party not only to ensure the prosecution and penalization of traffickers, but also to take measures aimed at ensuring the protection and rehabilitation of women victims of trafficking, including through the establishment of additional shelters for victims. (Paragraphs 34 and 35)
Health: While welcoming the new legislation relating to the voluntary interruption of pregnancy within the first 10 weeks, the Committee is concerned at the low awareness among younger women of this legislation. It is also concerned that some women may encounter difficulties in availing themselves of the new regulations given the fact that health-care personnel may decide not to perform an interruption of pregnancy on the basis of their conscience. The Committee further regrets that the extensive data provided by the State party on the health and health care of its population in its periodic reports was not disaggregated by sex.
The Committee is concerned at the high HIV/AIDS prevalence among women in Portugal and the fact that a very low percentage of the population, i.e. only 13 per cent in 2005, use condoms as a contraceptive method. The Committee calls on the state party to: (a) Promote sexual health education targeted at adolescent girls and boys, and ensure access to sexual health information and all services, including those directed at interruption of pregnancies, for all women and girls. The Committee also requests the State party to provide, in its next report, sex-disaggregated data on health and the provision of health care and more information and data on the prevalence of, and measures taken against, sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, among women. (Paragraphs 42 and 43)
Poverty: The Committee is concerned at the feminization of poverty in the State party and notes that 57 per cent of women are beneficiaries of the non-contributory social security scheme and that 36 per cent of families receiving the guaranteed minimum income are women living alone or women supporting children. While acknowledging the benefit for women of the 2005 law on Solidarity Complement for the Elderly, the Committee is concerned, in particular, at the vulnerability of elderly rural women to poverty. The Committee calls on the state party to: (a) Closely monitor the incidence of poverty among women, include specific women-oriented measures into its anti-poverty schemes and monitor their impact so as to combat poverty among women in general, and vulnerable groups of women in particular, including elderly rural women. (Paragraphs 44 and 45)
Education: The Committee is concerned at the high rate of illiteracy and the low level of formal education among rural women. It is particularly concerned that only 0.2 per cent of women farmers have formal vocational training in agriculture and only 0.3 per cent a polytechnic or university degree in this field. The Committee calls on the state party to: (a) Continue its efforts to strengthen rural women's and girls' access to education and formal vocational training and to encourage them to pursue their education after primary school. The Committee further recommends that the State party take targeted measures to ensure that women working on family farms have real possibilities to acquire formal training in farming to enhance their economic empowerment. The Committee also recommends that the State party provide concrete information on education, vocational training, employment, and self-employment opportunities of younger rural women in its next periodic report. (Paragraphs 48 and 49.
Persistence of traditional stereotypes in the education system. While welcoming the efforts taken by the State party to eradicate stereotyped attitudes regarding the characteristics and roles of women and men, in particular through the publication and distribution of didactic and substantive material on gender equality for teachers at all levels of the education system and in many teachers' training institutions, the Committee is concerned at the persistence of traditional stereotypes in the education system in the State party and that gender- related issues and these new teaching support materials are not mandatorily integrated into teacher training. The Committee is further concerned that it does not have a clear picture of the persistence of sex role stereotypes in the media and in advertisements and whether there are legal regulations that prohibit them and institutions that monitor their elimination or that can receive complaints regarding sexist elements contained in them. The Committee calls on the state party to: (a) Mainstream gender equality policies in the education sector. Noting that the Convention is directly applicable in the national legal system and its article 5 (a) provides a basis for adopting legislative and other measures aimed at the elimination of gender stereotypes, the Committee recommends that gender issues and sensitivity training are made an integral, substantive and mandatory component of all teacher training at all levels. The Committee further recommends that the State party provide information on the possible existence of sex role stereotypes in the media and in advertisements and on legal and institutional measures for monitoring the elimination of such stereotypes. (Paragraphs 28 and 29)
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Concluding observations on the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of Portugal
CAT/C/PRT/CO/5-6
Last reported: 7 and 8 November 2013
Concluding Observations adopted: 20 November 2013
Domestic violence: The Committee welcomes the legislative and other measures to prevent and combat domestic violence (para. 5 (e) above), including the criminalisation of domestic violence and corporal punishment of children under article 152 of the Criminal Code and the adoption of the Fourth National Action Plan against Domestic Violence (2011-2013). However, the Committee recalls its previous concern (CAT/C/PRT/CO/4, para.15) regarding the high prevalence of this phenomenon, including the high number of deaths, and notes the insufficient data provided regarding prosecutions, type of sanctions imposed and reparation on these cases (arts. 2, 12, 13 and 16).
The State party should continue its efforts to combat domestic violence, inter alia, by: (a) Ensuring the effective implementation of the legal framework and the Fourth National Action Plan against Domestic Violence, including by promptly, effectively and impartially investigating all incidents of violence against women and prosecuting those responsible; (b) Continue conducting public awareness-raising campaigns to fight domestic violence and gender stereotypes, particularly among young people, as well as increased training for law enforcement officers, judges, lawyers, and social workers; (c) Undertake research into the impact of preventive measures and criminal justice responses to counter domestic violence, with a view to increasing their efficiency; and (d) Compile and provide the Committee with disaggregated data on the number of complaints, investigations, prosecutions and sentences handed down for acts of domestic violence, on the provision of redress to the victims and on the difficulties experienced in preventing such acts. (para. 17)
Ill-treatment of Roma and other minorities: While welcoming the measures for the integration of immigrants and the recent adoption of the Strategy for Inclusion of the Roma Communities (2013-2020), the Committee is concerned at reports of discrimination and abuses against Roma and other minorities by the police, including allegations of excessive use of force against various members of the Roma community, including minors, during an arrest in Regalde, Villa Verde Municipality, in 2012. The Committee is further concerned at reports that mention the perceived lack of confidence of victims in the judicial system, which may result in underreporting (arts. 2, 12, 13 and 16).
The State party should: (a) Take effective measures to ensure the protection of members of the Roma community, including through enhanced monitoring, and to encourage reporting of any ill-treatment, for example through the Special Programme on Proximity Policing. All acts of violence and racial discrimination should be promptly, impartially and effectively investigated, the alleged perpetrators brought to justice, and redress provided to the victims; (b) Publicly condemn attacks against Roma, ethnic and other minorities, and increase the awareness-raising campaigns, including among the police, promoting tolerance and respect for diversity; and (c) Enhance training to law enforcement officials on combating crimes against minorities and encourage recruitment of members of the Roma community into the police force. para. 18)
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CAT/C/PRT/CO/4
Last Reported: 14 and 15 November 2007
Concluding Observations Adopted: 21 November 2007
Issues raised and recommendations given:
Domestic Violence: The Committee is concerned about reports received of numerous cases of domestic violence affecting women and children, as well as a high number of deaths among women due to such violence. Moreover, the Committee is deeply concerned at the Supreme Court decision of 5 April 2006, according to which "moderate corporal punishment of a minor by a duly entitled person for solely appropriate educational purposes is not illegal" in the family context (art. 16). The Committee calls on the state party to:(a) Strengthen its efforts to establish a national strategy to prevent and combat domestic violence against women and children. It should take the necessary legislative measures to prohibit corporal punishment of children in the family. The State party should: guarantee that women and children who have been victims of violence have access to complaints mechanisms; punish the perpetrators of these acts in an appropriate manner; and facilitate the physical and psychological rehabilitation of the victims. (B) Ensure that public law enforcement agents receive ongoing and targeted training on the issue of violence against women and children. (Paragraph 15)
Human Trafficking: The Committee notes with satisfaction that, under Act No. 23/2007 of 4 July 2007, victims of human trafficking can obtain residence permits, and welcomes the awareness-raising campaign launched by the State party to combat this problem. The Committee is, nonetheless, concerned about the extent of human trafficking, which affects a very high number of women, for the purposes of economic and sexual exploitation (art. 16). The Committee calls on the state party to: (a) Continue its efforts to combat human trafficking and should adopt the necessary measures to punish the perpetrators with appropriate penalties. (Paragraph 16)
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UN Committee on Migrant Workers
No mentions of children's rights
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UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
(CRPD/C/PRT/CO)
Report published: 18 April 2016
Issues raised and recommendations given:
National Legislation: The Committee is pleased to note the efforts made by the State party to give effect to the Convention through the adoption of laws among which law 21/2008, dated 12th May, thanks to which 98% of students with disabilities in the State party attended mainstream schools in 2015 (para 6).
Women with disabilities: The Committee is concerned about the lack of actions by the State party focusing specifically on preventing and combating the multiple and intersectional discrimination faced by women and girls with disabilities, as well as about the lack of information in this respect. It is also concerned that women with disabilities are not consulted when designing programmes and measures related to women in general or to persons with disabilities (para 17).
The Committee recommends that the State party incorporate the perspective of women and girls with disabilities in its gender equality policies, programmes and strategies, and the gender perspective in its disability strategies, employing a twin-track approach which also includes levelling and affirmative action measures to eliminate multiple and intersectional discrimination from all areas of life, both in urban and in rural areas. Likewise , the Committee recommends that the State party ensure that women with disabilities are consulted, through their representative organisations, on the design of programmes and measures related to all issues affecting them directly (para 18).
Children with disabilities: The Committee notes with concern the negative impact of austerity measures taken by the State party on the range of support services for families who have children with disabilities, and on support measures to ensure a quality inclusive education for children with disabilities. It also notes that the State party’s disability strategies and strategies for children do not take into account the requirements of children with disabilities (para 19).
The Committee recommends that the State party adopt necessary measures, including the use of European Structural and Investment Funds and other pertinent funds, in order to minimise the impact of austerity measures on children with disabilities, enhancing support for families and ensuring the measures necessary for children with disabilities to receive a quality inclusive education. It also recommends that the State party ensure consultations with children with disabilities and with the organisations representing them on all issues affecting them, and that they are given disability- and age-appropriate support (para 20).
Accessibility: The Committee recommends that the State party pay attention to the links between article 9 of the Convention and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11, targets 11.2 and 11.7 to provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, notably by expanding public transport, paying special attention to the needs of vulnerable people, women, children, persons with disabilities and the elderly; and provide universal access to green and public spaces that are safe, inclusive and accessible, particularly for women and children, the elderly and persons with disabilities (para 22).
The Committee recommends that the State party take effective measures, in close consultation with representative organisations of persons with disabilities, in order to adopt swiftly an amended accessibility act which is in compliance with the Convention, as set forth in the Committee’s General Comment No 2 (2014) on accessibility, including effective and accessible complaints and implementation mechanisms (para 23).
Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse: The Committee notes with concern that despite State party legislation and the measures taken to protect persons with disabilities, and especially women and children, from exploitation, violence and abuse, these have not been sufficient. The Committee recommends that the State party, in consultation with organisations of persons with disabilities, explicitly include the disability perspective in its legislation, strategies and programmes to prevent exploitation, violence and abuse, including the Law on domestic violence (Law 112/2009), and step up intensifying measures to protect persons with disabilities, and especially women and children, including the continuation of police training , prosecutors and judges in the implementation of a due diligence framework (paras 34, 35).
Education: The Committee notes that although the vast majority of students with disabilities in the State party attend mainstream schools, there is a lack of support, and that due to the austerity measures, there have been cuts in human and material resources that compromise the right and opportunity for an inclusive and quality education. The Committee also notes that the State party has established ‘schools of reference’ for deaf, deaf blind, blind and partially sighted students and for students with autism, which constitutes a form of segregation and discrimination (para 44).
The Committee recommends that the State party, in close consultation with representative organisations of persons with disabilities, revise its legislation in the field of education to bring it into line with the Convention, and take steps to increase human and material resources and to facilitate access and enjoyment of a quality inclusive education for all pupils with disabilities, providing state schools with adequate resources to ensure the inclusion of all students with disabilities in mainstream classrooms. The Committee also recommends that the State party pay attention to the links between article 24 of the Convention and SDG 4, targets 4.5 and 4(a) to ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training; as well as build and upgrade education facilities that are disability-sensitive and safe (para 45).
The Committee is concerned that, despite there being a special quota for students with disabilities to enter public universities, the State party has not adopted regulations governing the support universities are obliged to provide to said students. In addition, it is concerned that access to certain university degrees and professional qualifications is restricted for students with specific disabilities. The Committee recommends that the State party regulates the legislation of general access for students with disabilities to further education and vocational training, under the same conditions as other students and ensuring the provision of the reasonable accommodations and necessary support services (paras 46, 47).
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UN Committee on Enforced Disappearance
No mentions of children's rights