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Summary: A compilation of extracts featuring child-rights issues from the reports submitted to the second Universal Periodic Review. There are extracts from the 'National Report', the 'Compilation of UN Information' and the 'Summary of Stakeholders' Information'. Also included is the list of accepted and rejected recommendations. Scroll to: Summary of Stakeholders' Information Accepted and Rejected Recommendations (Read about the first review cycle) 4. In order to deliver on these priorities and to fulfil its international obligations, the government reconfigured its structures and methods of work to ensure that it is , efficient, effective and accountable. To this end, the new government new fully fledged departments and/or, in other instances, realigned the of others in order to sharpen their focus, and strengthened its performance management system at both political and administrative levels. In this regard the new government established, among others, two new strategic departments, namely, (a) the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation and (b) the Department of National Planning as well as the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) in the Presidency. The Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation is established to monitor and evaluate performance across government departments, while the Department of National Planning supported by their National Planning Commission undertakes medium to long term planning in key strategic areas for the country. The NYDA is mandated to focus on the social and economic empowerment of the youth in South Africa. 5. Additionally, and with a view to enhancing its promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, the new government established, among others: a) a new Department of Women, Children & People with Disabilities to promote, facilitate, coordinate and monitor the realization of the rights of women, children and people with disabilities; 12. Child Justice Act, 2008 (Act No. 75 of 2008): to establish a criminal justice system for children, who are in conflict with the law and are accused of committing offences, in accordance with the values underpinning the constitution and the international obligations of the Republic. 20. The negative societal impact emanating from the deep seated divisions occasioned by 350 years of discrimination, in particular racial discrimination and hatred are not easy to erase in 18 years. Cognisant of this reality, South Africans adopted a constitution whose fundamental values and principles represent a bridge between a divided past and a united future sensitive to the need for social cohesion, national reconciliation and identity, healing and nation building. The scourges of poverty and underdevelopment, the abuse of substances especially among the youth, the residual and subtle forms of racism, xenophobia and homophobia are some of the factors impeding the attainment of social cohesion. 26. The Lindela Repatriation Centre is fully compliant with all the minimum standard rules for treatment of persons deprived of their liberties. Government is sensitive and responsive to the special situation and needs of children, juveniles and pregnant mothers who, as appropriate, are referred to places of safety managed or supported by government. 27. South Africa’s national and international obligations alluded to in the preceding paragraphs are also applicable to incarcerated inmates, including foreign nationals in correctional facilities. South African correctional facilities have separate amenities for juvenile inmates, women, and have also established mother and baby units. All allegations of cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment are reported to the South African Police Service for criminal investigation and, where appropriate, referred to the National Director of Public Prosecutions for prosecution. South Africa fully complies with its international obligations insofar as persons deprived of their liberty are concerned. In this regard, South African law prohibits arbitrary detentions and all persons admitted into correctional facilities are granted the opportunity to access legal representation and to notify their next of kin. The habeas corpus principle is fully applied. 33. Universal primary education (enrolment rates): South Africa’s 2010 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Country Report confirms that primary education in South Africa is characterised by very high rates of enrolment and retention. These rates show strong gender equity and, where small differences do exist, they are in the favour of female learners. Universal primary education is already effectively a reality. The adjusted net enrolment ratios indicate that enrolment in primary education was close to 98 per cent by 2009 – up from 96 per cent in 2002. More recent data shows that participation rates have increased to 99 per cent. At this level, almost the same proportion of boys of school-going age as girls of school-going age, is attending school. 36. Income Support (Social Grants): In line with the principle of equality the age of eligibility for the old age grant has been equalised at 60 both for men and women. This has allowed approximately 250,000 men between the age of 60 and 65 to qualify for the old age pension. Similarly, in line with the definition of a child as a person between 0 and 18 as set out in our constitution, the age of eligibility for the child support grant was, over the years, progressively extended from 0–6 and subsequently from 0–18. The child support grant reaches 10.3 million children. A total number of 15.3 million people are beneficiaries of social assistance constituting approximately 30 per cent of the South African population. The social assistance programme has contributed significantly to South Africa meeting MDG1. South Africa’s 2010 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Country Report confirms that its Social Assistance Programme, with annual increases in excess of the inflation rate, has contributed significantly to the country achieving MDG1. 37. Quality basic education: Despite the achievements of almost universal primary enrolment and retention, the quality of basic education remains a significant challenge. In an effort to overcome this challenge, government has adopted a new strategy, Action Plan to 2014: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2025, which aims to improve all aspects of education such as teacher recruitment, learner enrolment, school funding, mass literacy and numeracy and overall quality of education. There will be a strong focus on building the foundation of introducing children into the education system by expanding the establishment and registration of Early Childhood Development Centres (ECD), improving access to ECD Centres, standardising curricula for early learning stimulation and cognitive development of children and providing adequate training programmes for ECD practitioners. 38. Health related MDGs: South Africa faces a considerable challenge in relation to the child mortality rate (MDG 4), maternal mortality (MDG 5) and the prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS (MDG 6). There is evidence of a correlation between child and maternal mortality, and HIV and AIDS in the country. In response to this challenge, the government has introduced numerous strategies and treatment programmes, including the Comprehensive HIV and Aids Treatment and Prevention Programme, to combat the scourge of HIV and AIDS. These include, among others, the expansion of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), which aims to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. In addition, all HIV positive children are placed under treatment, irrespective of their CD 4 count. Two new child vaccines have also been introduced to the Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI), namely, the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine to prevent pneumonia and the Rotavirus Vaccine to prevent diarrhoea. South Africa has also launched a Campaign on the Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in Africa (CARMMA) as part of the programme of action of the African Union. Furthermore, the government in partnership with the UNDP has introduced a collaborative programme, namely, the MDGs Acceleration Framework (MAF), which is designed to help governments and partners systematically identify and prioritize bottlenecks to progress on particular MDG targets that are off track and find ‘accelerated’ solutions to these bottlenecks. In the case of South Africa, the MAF will be used to improve progress in achieving the health related MDG. 5. UNICEF noted that the South African Constitution provides for the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights in South Africa through the Bill of Rights (Chapter two), which in section 28 focuses on children’s particular vulnerabilities . 7. UNICEF reported that the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) had one commissioner dedicated to children’s rights and a special advisory committee to advise the Commission on issues related to child rights and education. 8. UNICEF noted that a Ministry and Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities had been created in 2009 to ensure the mainstreaming of gender, children's rights and disability considerations into all government programmes. CEDAW noted with satisfaction the establishment of the Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality branch within that Ministry, but was concerned about the Ministry’s weak institutional capacity. 10. UNICEF noted the current development of a National Plan of Action for Children as an overarching framework of the government’s commitment towards the promotion and protection of children’s rights. The Action Plan should focus on ensuring that marginalized and vulnerable children access their entitlements and realize their rights. UNICEF also took note of the National Integrated Plan for Early Childhood Development, the National Action Plan for Orphans and Other Children made Vulnerable by HIV and AIDS, and the HIV & AIDS and STI National Strategic Plan. 11. UNICEF noted delays in reporting to various treaty bodies, including the Committee on the Rights of the Child, HR Committee, CAT and CRPD. 17. CEDAW expressed concern about the persistence of harmful cultural norms and practices, including forced marriages of women and girls to older men through abduction, polygamy and the killing of “witches”. It urged South Africa to accelerate the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to modify or eliminate harmful practices and stereotypes that discriminate against women. 19. CEDAW expressed serious concern about a provision in the Children’s Act of 2005, according to which virginity testing of girls above 16 years old is allowed if the girl has given her consent. It was further concerned that the practice of virginity testing of girls as young as 3 years old is increasing. It called upon South Africa to amend the Children’s Act with the aim of prohibiting virginity tests for girl children, and to design and implement effective education campaigns to combat traditional and family pressures on girls and women in favour of this practice. 23. UNICEF stated that inequality in South Africa directly impacted on the well-being of children. It also drew attention to the negative impact of xenophobia on foreign children, in terms of access to some social services, stigma and discrimination. The Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants was pleased to note that foreign children were protected under South African legislation, but regretted that this framework was yet to be fully implemented. He found that one of the biggest challenges facing minors was the lack of education, noting that some children who migrate to South Africa had not attended school for a long time and therefore had great difficulty in adjusting and attending school. 25. In October 2008, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the murders of a Somali mother and her three children in South Africa and urged the authorities to take quick and effective measures to protect foreign migrants and refugees from any further attacks. The High Commissioner noted a pattern of targeted attacks on foreigners, especially Somalis. A concerted and long-term effort by the authorities was necessary to deter others from resorting to xenophobic violence. The High Commissioner noted that in May 2008, tensions related to the large-scale influx of migrants and refugees had boiled over into several days of attacks on foreigners that had left over 60 people dead. 28. CEDAW expressed concern at the high prevalence of sexual violence against women and girls, which appeared to be socially normalized, legitimized and accompanied by a culture of silence and impunity. It was further concerned at the low levels of prosecution and conviction, and at reports indicating that some police officers fine rape perpetrators in lieu of reporting the cases, and that social support services, including shelters, are inadequate. 31. UNICEF noted that violence against children is a major concern and that many children are exposed to violence, abuse and exploitation. Concerning child labour, UNICEF indicated that of the children engaged in economic activities, over 40 per cent were exposed to at least one hazardous condition. 32. UNICEF further noted that although corporal punishment has been outlawed in schools, nearly one in five children experience corporal punishment at school. 36. UNICEF noted that the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 had created a criminal justice system for children in conflict with the law, which came into force on 1 April 2010 and set the age for criminal capacity at 14 years. 37. UNICEF highlighted recent developments indicating that certain provisions in the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007 are not harmonized with the provisions of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. While both pieces of legislation were drafted with the protection of children in mind, there had been incidents where children have been charged under the former Act. 39. UNICEF noted that in South Africa only one in three children lives with both biological parents. The AIDS epidemic in South Africa was an important driver of the growing number of orphans, with 1.9 million children having lost one or both parents due to AIDS from 2000 to 2009. In 2009/2010 nearly 90,000 children had been declared to be in need of care by children’s courts, and close to 500,000 children were living with foster parents and benefitted from a foster child grant in January 2011. 43. A 2011 report of the Economic Commission for Africa noted that South Africa has the most extensive social protection system on the continent, focusing on the State Old Age Pension (SOAP), disability grant, child support grant, foster child grant, care dependency grant, war veteran’s grant and a grant-in-aid. These grants cover about one third of the population. 44. UNICEF noted that the social security system aims to reach poor and vulnerable children. Children’s access to social grants had much expanded, with over 10 million children receiving a Child Support Grant in 2011. Yet, 65 per cent of children lived in poverty, and one in three children had experienced hunger or was at risk of hunger. 47. UNICEF noted that South Africa was not yet on track for meeting the health targets of the 2015 Millennium Development Goals. Under-5 mortality was at the same level as it had been in 1990, with 62 deaths per 1,000 live births. The high toll of maternal and child deaths was mainly due to HIV and AIDS and poor implementation of existing packages of care. 48. CEDAW noted with deep concern that South Africa continued to face a serious HIV/AIDS epidemic, and that women and girls were disproportionately affected. It was also concerned about the prevalence of HIV-related stigma, which places women living with HIV at risk of being subjected to violence and discrimination. It called on South Africa to ensure the implementation of the Maternal Child and Women’s Health Strategy (2009-2014); and to take sustained measures to address the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls. 50. UNICEF noted that about 662,000 children were out of primary and secondary school and that repetition rates were high. It observed that violence in schools was a barrier to quality education. 51. CEDAW was concerned at high school dropout rates due to pregnancy, the high number of girls who suffer sexual abuse and harassment in schools by both teachers and classmates, or who suffer sexual violence while on their way to or from school. It was particularly concerned at reports indicating that prostitution, exploitative sex and rape are perpetrated in connection with a child’s access to education. 52. CEDAW called on South Africa to closely monitor the implementation of the Safe Schools Programme; and widely disseminate the Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Sexual Violence and Harassment in Public Schools. 54. UNICEF noted that disability was a serious barrier to accessing basic education. While there was an effort to ensure that children with disabilities were enrolled in school and received a quality education, the practical application of this policy proved difficult due to a lack of trained teachers. School infrastructure also provided a significant barrier to school participation for students with physical disabilities . 56. The Special Rapporteur noted that migrants often find it difficult to have access to adequate health-care services. The difficult material conditions in which migrants were generally forced to live, including overcrowding, poor nutrition, insufficient ventilation, lack of sanitation and little access to clean water, demand that adequate access to health- care services be ensured.95 He further expressed concern about the lack of accurate information on the number and situation of unaccompanied migrant children in South Africa. Summary of Stakeholders' Information 3. SAHRC informed that the following periodic reports remain outstanding: ICCPR initial report (overdue since March 2000); CRC 2nd and 3rd reports (overdue since 2002 and 2007), CRC-OPSC initial report (overdue since 2005) and CRC-OPAC initial report (overdue since October 2011); CAT 2nd report (overdue since 2009); CERD 4th report (overdue since 2010) and CRPD initial report (overdue since May 2010). 6. SAHRC welcomed the reinstatement of the specialised Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in 2011, but noted that measures to protect and provide redress to women at risk of, or subjected to gender-based violence needed to be strengthened. Perpetrators needed to be held to account and training be provided to police and the judiciary. 7. SAHRC noted that the traditional cultural practice of ukuthwala, by which older men abduct young women for purposes of marriage, was the subject of serious concern. SAHRC considers that this practice should be strongly condemned and called on the Government to enact legislation to ensure that women, and particularly children, are protected from such practice. It also urged to eradicate the practice of killing “witches”. SAHRC further observed that the practice of polygamous marriages had been subject to considerable debate.. 14. SAHRC noted that poverty remained a significant barrier to education and that the quality of education was uneven, largely to the detriment of poor children. SAHRC highlighted the need for a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system to track progress and areas of concern.20 SAHRC urged the Government to ensure that all children with disabilities enjoy access to education. 15. International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) recommended that South Africa become a party to ICESCR; OP-CAT; CED and ICRMW; and that it sign, with a view to ratification, the third Optional Protocol to CRC. 20. JS1 informed that the Children’s Act had undergone a review in 2011, also to improve service delivery mechanisms. Amendments to the Social Assistance Act had expanded the definition of ‘disability’ to include children with temporary and moderate chronic disabilities. JS1 commended the wide public consultations process for this review. 21. JS1 urged the Government to streamline the review and development of child specific law and policy to expedite the processes of enacting child specific legislation, and to increase budget allocations to promote the rights of children. 23. JS1 observed an increasing role of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in the promotion and protection of children’s rights. In 2011, SAHRC had nominated a dedicated commissioner to address children’s rights. 25. JS1 commended the Government for working with civil society to create a platform for children and youth to provide input into the new National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS (2012-2016). This addressed UPR recommendations made in 2008. 27. JS1 recommended that the Government establish a mechanism that will coordinate reporting about child rights to treaty bodies and the UPR. It encouraged the Government to establish and fund a formal machinery to promote the participation of many CSOs in consultations and to make reporting processes more participatory. Ubuntu Centre South Africa (UC) noted that the initial report on CRPD was overdue since May 2010. 32. JS1 noted an increase of instances in which undocumented children and children of migrants were denied access to social services because they do not possess a birth certificate or identity book. It urged the Government to carry out outreach for the provision of enabling documents and to ensure access to integrated quality social services for all children. 39. JS3 drew attention to the high rates of gender based violence, noting that many women do not receive adequate support after being raped. ICJ similarly observed that sexual violence against women and girls remained a serious problem. Notwithstanding the progressive Bill of Rights and meritorious jurisprudence, the protection of women against sexual abuse remained in practice very limited and ineffective, and perpetrators continued to enjoy impunity. Meanwhile, incidences of sexual violence had reached alarming proportions. CLC recommended stronger measures to protect and provide redress to women at risk of or subjected to gender-based violence. 43. SAPRA noted that over 40 people, including children, had been accused of 'witchcraft' and become victims of brutal violence in 2010 and 2011. SAPRA stated that its appeal for Government intervention had been ignored . 44. JS7 highlighted that South Africa had been identified as a source, transit and destination country for the trafficking of children, especially for sexual purposes. JS1 noted that although the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill had been tabled in 2010 it had not yet been enacted. JS1 recommended that the Government enact the Bill by the end of 2012. 45. JS2 expressed concern at widespread violence against children and child abuse.70 JS7 drew attention to extensive physical and sexual abuse, child trafficking, child prostitution and sexual exploitation, the entry of unaccompanied minors into the country and the growing tourism industry. JS1 indicated that statistics for 2011 had also indicated an increase in rape and violence against children. JS3 noted that child labour was a problem in the Limpopo Province, where children are subjected to work on commercial farms. In the Eastern Cape and Limpopo Provinces, children were used by adults as street beggars in the small towns. JS1 encouraged the Government to continue to provide extensive training on the prevention of child abuse to personnel in the Justice Administrative Structures; and to address this issue by 2013 through more coordinated programmes. 46. Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children (GIEACPC) was concerned that despite recommendations made during the UPR review in 2008, the legality of corporal punishment of children had not changed. While it was prohibited in schools, the penal system and alternative care settings, it continued to be lawful in the home. JS1 recommended that the Government abolish corporal punishment in all settings by 2013 and put in place programmes promoting positive discipline and alternatives to corporal punishment. 49. JS1 noted that the Child Justice Act enacted in 2009 had adopted a human rights approach to restorative justice processes involving children in conflict with the law. The Act provides that criminal cases involving children are undertaken through a child friendly process in Child Justice Courts. JS7 noted insufficient resources to operationalise certain requirements of the Act. Orphans, abandoned children and refugee children faced obstacles in accessing legal documentation necessary to obtain related services. JS7 recommended effective implementation of legislation for the protection of children throughout South Africa. 59. JS2 noted that 36 per cent of children in South Africa did not have access to safe drinking water, 39 per cent lacked adequate sanitation at home, and 18 per cent suffered from hunger. The number of orphans stood at 3.7 million. 60. JS2 expressed deep concern at the lack of health care and proper housing for children belonging to the poorest and most vulnerable communities. 64. JS1 noted a backlog in the granting of foster care grants and recommended the adoption of a simplified policy on universal access to Child Support and Foster Care Grants. 67. JS2 was concerned at high rates of early pregnancy, which mainly affected the socially underprivileged segments of the society and often made girls drop out of school. It called for the development of awareness campaigns regarding early pregnancy. 68. JS2 urged the Government to take measures aiming to reduce the high rate of suicide among youth, including the provision of counseling and adequate psychological support. 70. AI noted that substantial progress had been made to expand access to treatment for HIV/AIDS. However, physical and economic barriers regarding access to health services continued to affect poor and rural households. AI noted that rural women and girls continued to experience multiple forms of discrimination, which increased the risk of HIV infection and difficulties in accessing treatment. AI recommended that all government departments be involved in developing and implementing plans aimed at reducing physical and cost barriers to access HIV-related health services in rural areas. 71. JS1 noted with concern reports on the deteriorating quality of health services and infrastructure, and an increase in infant and maternal mortality rates. It was also concerned at the deteriorating health conditions of children, especially children living in poverty, many of whom were malnourished, did not receive meals at schools and had insufficient access to school health programmes. World Vision South Africa (WV) noted that the number of deaths of children under the age of five had risen. One in five children was stunted as a consequence of chronic nutritional deprivation. WV recommended improved efforts in realizing the MDG of reducing child mortality by 2015. JS1 recommended that the Government increase the health budget, prioritising maternal and child health and ensuring that all children have access to adequate nutritious foods, clean drinking water and sanitation. 73. JS2 noted that due to the apartheid background, public education was not yet equal. Schools in colored and black areas had much poorer infrastructures. They also had problems of attendance and a higher repetition rate. JS2 indicated that as a result of the movement to create “no school fee schools”, a certain number of schools in the poorest areas provide free education. However, the number of these schools was still insufficient and their academic standard was low. 74. JS1 noted that the Government had introduced State-subsidised Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes and services to promote a holistic physical, mental and cognitive development of children. However, ECD centres were very few and often fell short of reaching children living in poverty. JS1 recommended that the Government ensure access to quality education and implement measures to increase school attendance by 2013, in addition to constructing schools within reasonable proximity . 75. CLC recommended that the Department of Basic Education investigate the domestication of the CRPD in relation to the right to education for children with disabilities. UC recommended that South Africa designate and establish an independent monitoring mechanism as stated in article 33 (2) of CRPD. JS1 noted that the Education Laws Act had been amended to incorporate the State’s commitments towards ensuring reasonable accommodation for children with disabilities. However, limited implementation had contributed to further exclusion of children with disabilities. The Government should enable all children with disabilities to be integrated into mainstream schools by 2014. 82. JS2 stated that children of refugees were affected by lack of registration at birth and were, as a result, usually not accepted at school. JS1noted that there had been increasing numbers of unaccompanied minors who cross the border on their own and are forced to take care of themselves. Accepted and Rejected Recommendations The following recommendations were accepted: A - 124.20. Pay special attention in the adoption of laws and their implementation to change of negative social practices particularly with respect to; torture and ill treatment in detention, sexual violence and discrimination against women and the protection of children (Cape Verde); A - 124.23. Pursue the dynamics of the law on juvenile justice, the draft law to prevent and fight against human trafficking, and primary education for all (Burkina Faso); A - 124.27. That the newly established Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities be empowered to coordinate actions amongst various Government agencies to address the issue of gender-based violence (Timor-Leste); A - 124.53. Take measures improving the security of citizens and enhancing protection of particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children (Ukraine); A - 124.62. Put in place stronger mechanisms to protect women and girls against gender-based violence and provide redress to victims (Austria); A - 124.74. Rigorously apply the legislation against gender violence and sexual violence, especially against girls and boys (Spain); A - 124.88. Prohibit and punish corporal punishment both in the home, as well as in public institutions such as schools and prisons (Mexico); A - 124.109. Continue consolidating its social policies towards the achievement of decent employment, quality basic education and a healthy life with food security for all its people (Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)); A - 124.118. Seek necessary technical assistance from OHCHR, other relevant UN agencies and funds with a view to effectively implement its key national priorities for 2009–2014 related to health, education, land reform and food security (Malaysia); A - 124.120. Consolidate its efforts towards improving all aspects of education and health in accordance with its National Action Plan (Zimbabwe); A - 124.124. Consolidate its strategies and programmes to reduce the phenomenon of maternal and child mortality (Algeria); A - 124.125. Continue its efforts to accelerate the achievement of the MDGs targets, particularly those health related MDGs (Indonesia); A - 124.126. To fight against child mortality, and thus implement Millennium Development Goal number four, in particular by improving children’s living conditions and their access to adequate food (Germany); A - 124.127. Strengthen its efforts in HIV/Aids prevention and treatment and reduce child and maternal mortality rates (China); A - 124.128. Intensify its efforts in the context of attaining MDGs related to health in particular objective 6 concerning fighting HIV /AIDS, in particular in the context of the “Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Treatment and Prevention Strategy” and the “Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV” (Morocco); A - 124.129. Implement the Maternal Child and Women’s Health Strategy (2009-14) and develop sustained measures to address the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls, who are disproportionately affected (Australia); A - 124.135. Take necessary measures to eliminate the discriminatory barriers to access to HIV related health services, especially for women and girls in rural zones (Spain); A - 124.136. Closely collaborate with UNICEF and UNAIDS in order to implement programmes aimed at reducing the cases of Mother-toChild HIV Infections (Portugal); A - 124.137. Continue with action to further reduce maternal and child mortality, and the prevalence rate of HIV and AIDS (Sri Lanka); A - 124.138. Broadly promote sexual education, directing it in particular to adolescents, and giving special attention to the prevention of early age pregnancies and the control of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS (Mexico); A - 124.139. Seek to enhance overall quality of education and health services offered, in addition to greater enrolment in and access to schools and hospitals (Republic of Korea); A - 124.140. Promote rights to education and health in disadvantaged and underprivileged areas (Senegal); A - 124.141. Continue implementing programs that guarantee the success of strategies aimed at achieving quality basic education and a reduction of child and maternal mortality (Cuba); A - 124.142. Strengthen its educational strategies to ensure that all children enrol in school and receive basic education (Iran (Islamic Republic of)); A - 124.143. Continue its current efforts in the fields of social cohesion and quality of basic education (Egypt); A - 124.144. Continue its efforts to improve its education system and provide skills development programmes especially for youths (Singapore); A - 124.145. Maintain its commitment to improve the quality of education to ensure the full enjoyment of the right to education (Timor-Leste); A - 124.150. Carry out the necessary measures to eliminate the barriers that impede the birth registration of all persons born in South African territory, including migrants and refugees (Mexico); A - 124.151. Ensure that all children are issued with a birth certificate in order to access various social services, with particular focus on children of migrants (Slovakia). Recommendations left pending: P - 124.17. Consider an early ratification of the third OP to CRC (OPIC) on a communication procedure (Slovakia); P - 124.61. Adopt all necessary measures to prevent, fight and punish any violence against women and children (Switzerland); No recommendations were rejected.
Thursday 31 May 2012 - 14.30 p.m. - 18.00 p.m