SENEGAL: Children's 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.

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Senegal - 4th Session - 2009
6th February, 2.3pm to 5.30pm

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National report - Summary (English)

Senegal has ratified both the UN Convention on the Rights of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, together with the two optional protocols to the CRC.

The main child rights issue identified by the government is the exploitation of children in prostitution and pornography. It has therefore strengthened its laws in these domains. In the domain of education, a pre-school system has been instituted in order to provide care for vulnerable children between 0 and 6 years. Education is a main portfolio of the government, who invests 40 percent of the national budget into education.

Another problem identified by Senegal is child begging. Together with France, UNICEF and the World Bank, Senegal has created different programmes to target street children and to integrate them into coranic schools, while the laws on begging have been strengthened.

The national health programmes include special initiatives targeted towards children and infants, most notably in the domain of action towards HIV/AIDS orphans.

Compilation of UN Information

1. A 2007 UNHCR report noted as a positive development the accession of Senegal to the two international conventions relating to statelessness. In 2006, the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) recommended completing the ratification process of the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation of Inter-country Adoption.

5. In 2006, CRC welcomed the incorporation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child into the Constitution of 2001, as well as the enactment of : the Labor Code of 1997, which fixes the minimum age of employment at 15; the Law No. 99-05 of 1999 prohibiting all forms of sexual mutilation, sexual violence and corruption of minors; the 2004 amendments to the Law No. 91-92 making education free and compulsory for children aged 6-16; the adoption in 2005 of the Law No. 2005-02 against human trafficking and for the protection of victims. In December 2004, Senegal adopted Law No. 2004-38 abolishing death penalty.

7. In 2006, CRC welcomed the establishment of an inter-ministerial Directorate on the rights of the child, as recommended in its previous concluding observations, to coordinate actions taken by all institutions dealing with the implementation of the Convention. It also noted the establishment of the Haut Commissariat aux Droits de l’Homme et à la Promotion de la Paix within the office of the President, which is mandated to receive complaints from children.

9. In 2006, CRC took note of the overall policy environment such as various plans of action in favorof children, and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). A 2005 International Monetary Fund (IMF) report noted that in 2003, the IMF’s Executive Board approved a three-year Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility arrangement for Senegal covering 2003–05 to support implementation of the Government’s PRSP. CRC also welcomed the efforts made in the area of juvenile justice, especially the project entitled Renforcement de la Protection Juridique des Mineurs au Sénégal. However, it regretted the absence of a comprehensive National Plan of Action for children covering all areas of the Convention.

16. In 2006, CRC expressed its concern at the fact that discrimination against certain groups of children still exists in practice, particularly towards children born out of wedlock, children with disabilities, children affected by HIV/AIDS, girls, street children and talibés. It urged Senegal to adopt a comprehensive strategy to eliminate discrimination on any grounds and against all vulnerable groups of children.

17. CRC recommended that measures be taken to further encourage the inclusion of children with disabilities into the regular educational system and into society. It also recommended that Senegal adopt an inclusive and right-based legal framework that addresses the specific needs of children with disabilities, implement all relevant provisions of existing legislation related to children with disabilities, and undertake awareness-raising campaigns with the involvement of children, which focus on children with disabilities.

18. In 2006, CRC noted with appreciation the efforts made by Senegal in combating female genital mutilation. However, it remained concerned at the persistence of practices harmful to girls, including female genital mutilation, early and forced marriages, and other emerging forms of violence such as infanticide. UNICEF estimated that, in 2006, 28 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 49 had undergone genital mutilations. CRC recommended that Senegal continue with awareness-raising campaigns to combat and eradicate female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to the health, survival and development of children. It also recommended introducing education and awareness-raising programmes for practitioners and the general public to encourage change in traditional attitudes and discourage harmful practices. It further recommended that Senegal ensure the implementation of the Law No. 99-05 regarding, inter alia, the prohibition of all forms of sexual mutilation, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

19. In 2006, while noting that corporal punishment is prohibited in schools, CRC was concerned that corporal punishment within the family is not prohibited by law and that corporal punishment is used in schools and other institutional settings. It recommended that Senegal, taking into account its general comment No. 8 (2006) on the right of the child to protection from corporal punishment and other cruel or degrading forms of punishment, amend all relevant laws to ensure that corporal punishment is explicitly prohibited in all settings, and sensitize parents, guardians and professionals working with and for children.

22. In 2006, CRC recommended that Senegal ensure the application of the Law No. 2005-02 against human trafficking and other forms of exploitation and the implementation of the Penal Code law prohibiting sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 12. It also recommended that Senegal reinforce legal measures protecting children victims of sexual exploitation, prioritize recovery assistance, and ensure that education and training as well as psychological assistance and counseling are provided to victims. It further recommended training law enforcement officials, social workers and prosecutors on how to receive, monitor and investigate complaints, and implementing appropriate policies and programmes in accordance with the Declaration and Agenda for Action and the Global Commitment adopted at the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. In 2008, an ILO Committee of Experts indicated that, in its previous comments, it asked the Government to provide information on the application in practice of Law No. 2005-02. It also requested the Government to provide information on the measures taken or envisaged to combat trafficking, in terms of both prevention and repression.

23. In 2006, CRC noted the measures taken by Senegal to prevent girls from being used as domestic servants (petites bonnes) and subjected to economic exploitation and sexual abuse. It recommended taking all necessary measures to raise awareness on the threats a girl child is facing by being used as a domestic servant, and enacting laws to protect girls from economic exploitation.

24. CRC recommended that Senegal strengthen its efforts to eliminate child labour, in particular by addressing the roots causes of child economic exploitation through poverty eradication and access to education, and take measures to ensure effective implementation of the ILO Conventions No. 138 concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, which Senegal had ratified.

25. CRC was concerned by the large number of working children and in particular by the current practice of the Koranic schools, run by marabouts who use the talibés on a large scale for economic gain. It noted with appreciation the establishment of projects with a view to improving the curriculum of education of talibés. CRC reiterated its previous concluding observations and recommended that Senegal adopt further measures to ensure the effective enjoyment of the fundamental rights of talibés and undertake efforts to ensure an effective monitoring system of their situation.

26. While noting the steps taken by Senegal to address the rights and needs of street and begging children, CRC remained concerned about their increasing number. It recommended addressing their rights and needs and facilitating their reintegration into society by undertaking a study and assessment of the situation, and developing a comprehensive policy, which should provide them with necessary protection and social reintegration services.

28. In 2006, CRC was concerned by the lack of specialized juvenile judges, by the insufficient number of relevant juvenile courts and by the limited number of adequately trained social educators. It was also concerned by the fact that deprivation of liberty is not used as a last resort and by the fact that girls were detained in adult prisons. It recommended, inter alia, that Senegal continue to provide training on relevant international standards to those responsible for administrating the juvenile justice system. It also recommended to the Government to ensure that deprivation of liberty is used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time. It also recommended that Senegal ensure that persons below 18 years of age are detained in separate facilities from those of adults, and that they have access to appropriate legal aid. It further recommended that Senegal ensure detained juveniles are provided with educational opportunities and social reintegration services, establish specialized juvenile courts throughout the country, and continue to seek technical assistance from the United Nations Inter-agency Panel on Juvenile Justice.

29. While noting that domestic adoption is practiced at a large extent in conformity with tradition and customs, CRC remained concerned at the lack of proper regulations for this adoption in order to provide for proper registration. It recommended that Senegal regulate domestic adoption within the extended family and community, in accordance with the Convention with a view to strengthening the protection of the rights of the adopted child.

31. In 2006, CRC remained concerned that traditional societal attitudes appear to limit children to freely express their views within the family, schools, communities, courts and other institutional settings, and recommended that Senegal strengthen its efforts to ensure that children’s views are given due consideration, and undertake awareness-raising campaigns among the public at large, including traditional communities through religious leaders.

33. In 2008, an ILO Committee of Experts noted that, when ratifying Convention No. 138 (Convention Concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment), Senegal specified 15 years as the minimum age for admission to employment or work. However, it noted that this age does not apply “to unpaid traditional work in fields or rural work performed in the family context by children under 15 years of age intended to improve their integration into their social context and their environment”. The Committee reminded the Government that, under the terms of Article 1 of the Convention Concerning Minimum Age (Agriculture - No. 10), children under the age of 14 years may not be employed or work in any public or private agricultural undertaking, or any branch thereof, save outside the hours fixed for school attendance, and that such work, where they are so employed, shall not be such as to prejudice their attendance at school. The Committee indicated that it had previously noted that, according to the results of a study carried out by the ILO on child labour in Senegal, approximately 40 per cent of children between the ages of 5 and 14 are in work, of whom 75.3 per cent work in the agricultural sector.

35. In 2006, CRC remained concerned at the disparities of access to health services between different regions and departments and the persistence of the high maternal and child mortality rate, the high rate of child malnutrition and prevalence of malaria. It was further concerned at the fees (tickets modérateurs) imposed, which may limit access to appropriate health services.

36. CRC recommended that Senegal strengthen its efforts to ensure universal access to maternal and child health-care services and facilities, in particular in rural and remote areas, andtake all the necessary measures to prevent malnutrition and malaria. It also recommended that Senegal reinforce its efforts to provide support and material assistance, with particular focus on the most marginalized and disadvantaged families, and to ensure to the extent possible the right of children to an adequate standard of living.

37. The 2006 CCA report noted that under-five malnutrition continues to be a public health problem and that weight insufficiency continues to affect 16 per cent of the children in 2005. In rural areas, the rate of malnutrition is 23.3 per cent against 12.2 per cent in urban areas. The CCA report also informed that the low level of schooling of women is one of the aggravating factors of malnutrition. Indeed, the malnutrition is much more frequent in the case of children born of non-educated women (21 per cent in contrast to less than 10 per cent among children born of educated women).

39. A 2008 United Nations Statistics Division source indicated that the proportion of people between 15-49 years old living with HIV, increased from 0.40 per cent in 2001 to 1.00 per cent in 2007. CRC recommended, with reference to its general comment No. 3 (2003) on HIV/AIDS and the rights of the child and to the International Guidelines on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights, that Senegal involve children in the programme to fight against HIV/AIDS in particular by ensuring that more attention is given to the issue of children and HIV/AIDS. CRC also recommended that Senegal strengthen its efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, to prevent discrimination against children infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS, and to improve protection and support for AIDS orphans.

41. In 2006, CRC recommended that Senegal, while taking into account its general comment No. 1 (2001) on the aims of education, continue to take all necessary measures to ensure that teachers are adequately trained, and that girls and boys of urban, rural and least developed areas have equal access to educational opportunities. It also recommended that the Government strengthen its efforts to significantly increase the enrolment in primary education, pay special attention to urban and rural disparities, implement measures to reduce dropout rates, and cancel the administrative circular preventing pregnant girls to continue with their education on the basis of their individual ability, in accordance with article 11 (6) of the 1990 African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Children.

42. According to UNESCO, 70 percent of girls and 71 percent of boys attend primary school, while 18 percent of girls and 23 percent of boys attend secondary school. Poverty plays a role in gender disparity in education: parents will often show a preference for sending boys to school, or girls who begin school are forced to drop out to work, get married or care for other siblings. A 2005 UNESCO report noted that the literacy gap between the poorest and wealthiest households is more than 40 percentage points. It also noted that many literacy classes are taught orally and that the few books available are poorly designed and written.A 2006 UNESCO report noted that Senegal plans to introduce literacy courses coupled with vocational training or income-generating activities to allow early school leavers to catch up with formal education at the lower-secondary level.

46. A 2004 UNESCO report noted that Senegal demonstrated strong commitment to “Education for All”. It was successful in expanding access to primary education and made big efforts to increase the quality of education in terms of learning outcomes. The report noted that the major challenge was to close the enrolment gap in primary education while at the same time addressing quality.

Stakeholder's Information

14. ONDH and FIDH noted that the right to education is endangered by repeated strikes by teachers in primary schools and emphasized that an agreement between the government and unions for 2007-2008 has only been found in June. This undermined practically all chances for the pupils to see their right to reach an acceptable level of education met. These organisations have recommended the Senegalese authorities to double their efforts to ensure a good functioning of schools, so that young pupils can be guaranteed an acceptable level of education.

Final Report

9. Senegal has allocated significant financial resources to education in recent years: at present, 42 per cent of the State budget is spent on education. These efforts have led to a significant improvement in primary education enrolment. They have enabled Senegal to move towards universal enrolment and, above all, to reduce the disparities between genders, regions and backgrounds.

10. With regard to early childhood, in 2004 Senegal set up the national kindergarten programme, “Case des tout petits”, which was praised by UNESCO and provides for the care of children up to the age of 6 years from disadvantaged backgrounds, guaranteeing them access to education, health care and food.

11. In furtherance of the right to health Senegal has allocated public resources that exceed the international standards set by WHO, thus demonstrating its commitment to ensuring universal access to health care. Various national programmes have been set up, including some addressing the specific problems of certain vulnerable social groups, such as street children, the pupils of certain Koranic schools, children affected by HIV/AIDS and persons with disabilities. Senegal has also set up a plan called “Sesame”, which provides destitute older persons with free health care and certain medications.

12. To fulfil its international commitments relating to non-discrimination against women, Senegal has been undertaking progressive and irreversible reforms with the aim of steadily improving its legislation. With regard to the protection of women’s physical integrity, Senegal has not only adopted punitive measures, including the criminalization of female genital mutilation, violence against women and human trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation, but is also making significant ongoing efforts to raise awareness of these issues. To this end, the National Observatory of Women’s Rights was set up on 15 December 2008. The question of women’s access to land ownership was resolved in article 15 of the Constitution.

13. The protection of children remains a high priority in Senegalese policies. In addition to the ratification of the main relevant international instruments, Senegal has taken significant action to enforce children’s rights. In that connection, a Children’s Code is being drafted.

18. Nigeria noted that Senegal has continued to strengthen its human rights infrastructure. It noted Senegal’s policies and action plans for children’s and women’s empowerment, and efforts made regarding juvenile justice. Nigeria noted Senegal’s challenges, including inadequate finances, capacity-building and technical know-how. Nigeria called on the international community to support Senegal in the creation of wealth, the fight against poverty, and the provision of basic social services to further promote and protect human rights. Nigeria encouraged Senegal to continue to improve its policies and programmes for strengthening the capacities of its national institutions and public decision-making authorities and to improve the legislative and judicial environment, as well as the overall human rights infrastructure.

21. Sudan noted the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the African Convention on the Welfare of the Child. It noted the Pre-School Children Fund, programmes to combat human trafficking, and laws to protect women’s rights. Sudan recommended that Senegal continue its efforts to eradicate poverty, achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and coordinate its efforts with other developing countries and stakeholders.

24. Indonesia commended the laws: making education free and compulsory for children aged 1–16; prohibiting the employment of children under 15 years of age, and prohibiting all forms of violence against and corruption of minors. Indonesia stressed that Senegal has ratified and participated in the codification of many international conventions. It recommended that Senegal continue its efforts to diminish the proportion of the urban population living in slums, so as to fulfil the rights of families to decent housing conditions. It noted the challenge identified by UNESCO of closing the primary-education enrolment gap while at the same time addressing issues of quality and recommended that the Government of Senegal take steps to address it.

25. Turkey, while noting Senegal’s delay in reporting to treaty bodies, welcomed the Government’s willingness to submit several of its reports. Turkey encouraged Senegal to welcome special procedures mandate holders and to provide the best possible conditions in order for them to carry out their missions. It commended the priority given to education and the importance given to the protection of children’s rights. Turkey recommended that Senegal take into consideration the comments made by the Committee on the Rights of the Child concerning the adoption of a global strategy in order to eliminate all forms of discrimination against vulnerable groups of children. Turkey also encouraged Senegal, which has significant experience thanks to its active participation in the 2001 Durban World Conference, to continue to contribute positively to the review process.

27. Cuba noted the strategy to fight poverty, promote social services and improve living conditions. It congratulated the promotion of the right to food, social protection, health, education and the rights of children and women. Cuba welcomed Senegal’s initiatives in strengthening dialogue among civilizations, cultures and religions. Cuba recommended that Senegal continue its efforts and initiatives to promote dialogue, peace and tolerance amongst peoples, cultures, religions and civilizations.

29. The Libyan Arab Jamahiriya noted the enshrinement of human rights in the Constitution, the number of laws enacted and the ratification of several international instruments, including the Convention against Torture (CAT) and the optional protocols to the CRC. It asked about the measures taken to launch the campaign for agriculture and the right to food and to increase the production of basic food.

31. Switzerland welcomed Senegal’s determination to make human rights a priority. It recommended that Senegal […] (c) ensure the implementation of the provisions of law 99-05 prohibiting female genital mutilation (FGM) and organize an effective national campaign to prevent and eradicate this practice; and (d) step up its efforts to implement the CRC, particularly in the areas of juvenile justice, trafficking of children and child labour. Switzerland expressed concern about reports of arbitrary detentions of individuals based on their sexual orientation and emphasized the importance of ensuring the full enjoyment of the rights of all persons without discrimination.

33. France asked about women’s rights and the elimination of discrimination, including polygamy, succession rules, and FGM. [...]

35. The United Kingdom [...] recommended that Senegal continue its awareness-raising campaigns to combat and eradicate FGM and other traditional harmful practices against women and girls. […]

36. Côte d’Ivoire noted Senegal’s political will concerning the provision of sanitation in areas where this service is lacking and the realization of land and housing rights. It also noted Senegal’s commitment to implement the “Education for All” project, which has increased access to primary education and improve the quality of teaching. It recommended that the international community strengthen its support for Senegal, which remains a model for democracy in Africa, particularly with respect to the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights.

38. […] Sweden noted the concerns expressed by the Committee on the Rights of the Child regarding corporal punishment, despite a legal ban, and recommended Senegal continue its efforts and take necessary policy measures to ensure that children are protected from corporal punishment and other forms of violence or exploitation.

39. Luxembourg supported the recommendation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child that Senegal continue carrying out awareness-raising campaigns to combat and eliminate FGM and other traditional practices that are harmful to health and seek to bring about positive trends in traditional behaviour. [...] It also supports the recommendations by the Committee on the Rights of the Child that Senegal ensure that the law against sexual exploitation of children be better implemented and take better measures to protect girls engaged in domestic work from economic exploitation and sexual abuse. […]

40. Slovenia [...] expressed concern over working children and over arbitrary arrests, harassment and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. […] It noted the concern of the Committee on the Rights of the Child at the lack of juvenile judges, the insufficient number of juvenile courts and the detention of girls in adult prisons.

42. […] Acknowledging the priority given to education, the Holy See recommended that Senegal further invest in education and give special attention to the education of girls and young women.

45. Germany asked about measures to guarantee equality and to abolish discrimination of children born out of wedlock, children with disabilities, children affected by HIV/AIDS, girls, street children and talibés. Germany recommended that Senegal continue its efforts to effectively combat human trafficking, to protect child victims of sexual exploitation and to prevent the abuse of girls as domestic servants. It also recommended that Senegal expand its efforts to ensure universal access to maternal and child health-care services and facilities, in particular in rural and remote areas. Germany recommended that Senegal continue to take all necessary measures to ensure that teachers are adequately trained, that girls and boys from all areas have equal access to education and that enrolment in primary and secondary education, including in rural and less developed areas, increases significantly.

48. The head of the delegation thanked all the delegations for their positive remarks on the human rights situation in Senegal. With regard to juvenile justice, Senegal is committed to strengthening capacities, improving structures and training staff. A significant effort is being made because children must be protected.

60. The Government has embarked on the second phase of the poverty reduction programme, which primarily targets women and children. Children receive special protection. In addition to ratifying all the relevant conventions, Senegal has provisions in place for children in families, schools and public areas, such as the streets. In that regard, Senegal is addressing the question of talibés by helping the Koranic schools. Corporal punishment is prohibited; one Koranic teacher has been convicted for that offence.

67. Haiti […] recommended that they be ratified as soon as possible. It also recommended Senegal take steps to ensure the right to education to Senegalese children who cannot follow the regular curriculum.

68. Bahrein […] requested further information on the financial resources allocated to the education sector.

69. Angola […] welpcomed the initiatives undertaken in the education sector, including the budget increase. It recommended that Senegal continue to promote measures to strengthen the educational system.

70. Argentina noted the concern of the Committee on the Rights of the Child at discrimination against children born out of wedlock, children with disabilities, children affected by HIV/AIDS, young girls, street children and the Committee’s request to adopt a strategy to eliminate all discrimination. It also noted the Committee’s recommendations for inclusion of children with disabilities in the educational system and society, adoption of an inclusive legal framework directed to their needs, and awareness-raising campaigns.

71. Botswana acknowledged Senegal’s institutional legal framework. It welcomed Senegal’s ratifications of international human rights instruments. It recommended that the government of Senegal continue its positive efforts towards implementation of relevant legislation pertaining to, inter alia, the prohibition of certain cultural practices adjudged harmful. It also recommended that Senegal continue application of measures aimed at the implementation of the Criminal Code, law and other legal mechanisms in place to protect children. Lastly, it recommended that the Government continue its commendable efforts to combat HIV & AIDS and share its experiences, particularly regarding the involvement of youth in the programmes designed to fight this scourge.

72. Mexico, […] [n]oting reports of discrimination against women and girls, it recommended that Senegal take immediate measures to deal with the problem of discrimination, to facilitate women’s access to education and health and to fully ensure the protection of women. Mexico expressed concern over reports of discrimination against children. Mexico recommended that Senegal develop a national comprehensive action plan for children, complete ratification of the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co- operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption and strengthen legal measures for the protection of minors.

76. Saudi Arabia […] Senegal’s efforts to combat poverty and to strengthen rights to food, education and health were welcomed, including the efforts to combat illiteracy and educate children. It recommended that the upcoming visit of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education be used to set up national plans for the promotion of this right.

77. Latvia welcomed Senegal’s efforts to expand access to and raise the quality of primary education […]

78 […] Malaysia recommended Senegal further strengthen efforts to eliminate economic exploitation of children, including child labour, by implementing more effective measures on poverty eradication and access to education.

79. […] Ireland recommended a more effective enforcement of law 99-05 which prohibits FGM, and encouraged Senegal to undertake an awareness-raising campaign about the practice.

80. […] Azerbaijan welcomed the attention to education and recommended that Senegal strengthen its efforts to achieve the MDGs.

83. […] The Czech Republic also recommended Senegal enhance the effectiveness of the judiciary, including with respect to the length of pretrial detention. It recommended giving law enforcement and judicial officials specific training with regard to protection of the human rights of women, children and persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, and ensuring proper investigation and punishment of any human rights violations committed by such officials.

89. The Republic of Korea welcomed Senegal’s democratic transition and noted its protection of freedom of expression and its commitment to “Education for All”. It noted concerns expressed by the Committee on the Rights of the Child regarding child labour and recommended that Senegal strengthen its efforts to eliminate such labour, in particular by addressing the root causes of child economic exploitation through poverty eradication and access to education.

91. South Africa […] recommended that Senegal continue to strengthen its efforts to eradicate poverty and that it review policies aimed at protecting the rights of children, with a view to establishing a juvenile justice system to address violations of children’s rights, in particular, discrimination against children affected by HIV/AIDS, disabled children and children born out of wedlock.

95. The delegation recalled that education is a priority in Senegal, as evidenced by the proportion of the national budget allocated to it, the fact that education is compulsory, and the financial assistance provided. Another priority is the eradication of female genital mutilation, with severe penalties in place and expanded awareness-raising efforts in villages. As a result of efforts to combat AIDS, the prevalence rate has declined among all population groups.

Accepted and Rejected Recommendations

The following recommendations were accepted by Senegal:

97. 2. Continue to apply measures aimed at the implementation of the Criminal Code and other legal mechanisms in place to protect children (Botswana);

7. Enforce more effectively/ensure the implementation of law 99-05, which prohibits Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) (Ireland, Switzerland), undertake an awareness-raising campaign (Ireland) to prevent and eradicate this practice (Switzerland);

9. Continue positive efforts towards implementation of relevant legislation pertaining to, among others, the prohibition of certain cultural practices adjudged as harmful (Botswana); as recommended by CRC (Luxembourg) continue awareness-raising campaigns to combat and eradicate FGM and other traditional practices harmful (United Kingdom) to health (Luxembourg) against women and girls (United Kingdom) and seek to bring about positive trends in traditional behaviour (Luxembourg);

12. Expand efforts to ensure universal access to maternal and child health- care services and facilities, in particular in rural and remote areas (Germany);

13. Pursue policy regarding persons with HIV and elderly persons which makes the commitment of Senegal more concrete for the cause of human rights (Democratic Republic of the Congo); continue to pursue commendable efforts to combat HIV & AIDS, and share experiences, particularly regarding the involvement of youth in programmes designed to fight this scourge (Botswana);

19. Continue to promote measures in order to strengthen the educational system (Angola); take steps to address the challenge of closing the enrolment gap in primary education while at the same time addressing issues of quality of education (Indonesia); further invest in education and give special attention to the education of girls and young women (Holy See); continue to take all necessary measures to ensure that teachers are adequately trained, that girls and boys from all areas have equal access to education and that enrolment in primary and secondary education, including in rural and less developed areas, significantly increase (Germany); undertake measures to ensure the right to education to Senegalese children who cannot follow the regular curriculum (Haiti); use the upcoming visit of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education to set up national plans for the promotion of the right to education (Saudi Arabia);

23. Develop a national comprehensive action plan for children and strengthen legal measures for the protection of minors (Mexico); take into consideration the comments made by CRC with respect to the adoption of a global strategy in order to eliminate all forms of discrimination against vulnerable groups of children (Turkey);

24. Step up efforts to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child, particularly in the areas of juvenile justice, trafficking of children and child labour (Switzerland); as recommended by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, ensure that the law against trafficking of human being and sexual exploitation of children be better implemented and take b etter measures to protect girls engaged in domestic work from economic exploitation and sexual abuse (Luxembourg); continue efforts to effectively combat human trafficking, to protect child victims of sexual exploitation and to prevent abuse of girls as domestic servants (Germany); review policies aimed at protecting the rights of children, with a view to establishing a juvenile justice system to address violations of children’s rights, in particular, discrimination against children affected by HIV/AIDS, disabled children and those born out of wedlock (South Africa);

25. Further strengthen efforts in eliminating economic exploitation of children, including child labour, by implementing more effective measures on poverty eradication and access to education (Malaysia); strengthen efforts to eliminate child labour, in particular by addressing the root causes of child economic exploitation through poverty eradication and access to education (Republic of Korea);

26. Continue efforts and take necessary policy measures to ensure that children are protected from corporal punishment and other forms of violence or exploitation (Sweden);

The following recommendations were pending:

98. 1. Ratify CPD, CPD-OP and CED as soon as possible (Haiti); complete the ratification process of the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Mexico);

10. Provide law enforcement and judicial officials with specific training regarding the protection of human rights of women, children and persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, and ensure proper investigation and punishment of any human rights violations committed by this personnel (Czech Republic).

Senegal did not reject any recommendations

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