IV. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS, CONTINUED

CERD

•          Austria, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 15 at para. 32.

32. The Committee is concerned about the significant number of allegations which have been brought to its attention which reflect the existence of racist and xenophobic attitudes among some sections of the population. It is further concerned about allegations of racist incidents involving police officers and other State employees. In the light of general recommendation XIX, the Committee encourages the State party to continue to monitor all tendencies which may give rise to racial or ethnic segregation and to endeavour to combat the negative consequences of such tendencies. The Committee further recommends that the State party strengthen existing educational measures for civil servants who deal with issues involving foreigners. Efforts should be made to recruit more members of minority groups into the public administration, in particular law enforcement.

•          Belgium, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 17 at para. 56.

56. While noting the positive efforts undertaken by the State party in the field of education against racial discrimination, the Committee expresses concern about the absence or insufficiency of educational measures for some professional groups, such as judges, prosecutors, lawyers and civil servants. The Committee recommends that the State party give full effect to the provisions of article 7 of the Convention by adopting effective measures, particularly in the fields of education and training, in order to prevent racial discrimination.

•          Croatia, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 24 at paras. 91, 97 and 102.

91. The Committee welcomes the efforts of the State party to introduce legislative reform in accordance with international standards, and to establish institutions, programmes and policies to promote equality. In particular, the Committee welcomes the adoption of the Associations Act, the establishment of the Office for Human Rights, the elaboration of a project of education aimed at achieving equality for minorities and promoting multiculturalism, the implementation of programmes of human rights education within the school environment, and the introduction of human rights training for police officers and judges.

...

97. The Committee expresses concern at the continued practice of segregation of Roma children within the educational system and at the reports of discrimination against the Roma regarding access to employment, health, political representation and citizenship rights. The Committee recommends that the State party pay particular attention to the situation of the Roma and take effective measures to prevent the segregation of Roma children within the educational system. The Committee further recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to address the high drop-out and poor performance rates of Roma children and guarantee non-discrimination, especially as regards respect for their cultural identity, language and values. The Committee also encourages the State party to reinforce its efforts to train and recruit Roma teachers and to prevent discrimination against the Roma in access to employment, health, political representation and citizenship rights.

...

102. While noting the efforts of the State party to introduce training for the police and judges, the Committee is concerned about the sufficiency of efforts to raise public awareness about the Convention, promote tolerance and discourage prejudice against certain minorities. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to familiarize the public with the Convention, in order to reduce the level of prejudice against certain minorities, and to promote tolerance. In this regard, the State party should reinforce its efforts to provide instruction on international human rights standards in all schools and organize training programmes for persons engaged in the administration of justice, including judges, lawyers and law enforcement officials.

•          Liechtenstein, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 33 at para. 150.

150. The Committee notes that, while a police treaty between the State party and its neighbouring countries (Austria and Switzerland) provides for police cooperation concerning right-wing groups which may promote racial discrimination and xenophobia and their activities, there does not seem to be particular training of law enforcement officers in this field. The Committee recommends that the State party attempt to develop such training courses for law enforcement officers, as this would increase the State party's capacity to combat all forms of racial discrimination effectively.

•          Qatar, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 38 at para. 201.

201. The Committee recommends that the State party institute training programmes on human rights and understanding among ethnic groups for law enforcement officials, including policemen, military and prison staff, and members of the judiciary.

•          Republic of Moldova, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 41 at paras. 216 and 225.

216. The Committee notes with satisfaction the efforts undertaken by the State party to implement human rights education programmes, including those intended for law enforcement officials. The Committee further notes the efforts undertaken by the State party to disseminate information on human rights and, in particular, the rights of minorities in its territory.

...

225. The Committee is concerned at reports of police violence against persons belonging to minority groups, in particular the Roma population. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to prevent and punish excessive use of force by law enforcement officials against minorities. Steps should also be taken for the education and sensitization of law enforcement officials about the provisions of the Convention. Due account should be taken of general recommendation XIII, according to which law enforcement officials should receive training to ensure that, in the performance of their duties, they respect and protect the human rights of all persons without distinction as to race, colour, or national or ethnic origin.

•          Switzerland, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 46 at para. 253.

253. Allegations of police abuse and excessive use of force against persons of foreign origin during arrest or in the course of deportations are...of concern. The Committee notes that many cantons do not have independent mechanisms for investigation of complaints regarding violence and abuse by the police, and that sanctions against responsible officers have been rare. The State party should ensure that independent bodies with authority to investigate complaints against police officers are established in all cantons. Efforts should also be made to recruit members of minority groups into the police and to provide sensitization and training of police officers on issues of racial discrimination.

•          Botswana, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 53 at para. 307.

307. The Committee is concerned at reported cases of intimidation by local police in Gaborone against the Wayeyi people, and recommends that thorough inquiries be conducted into these cases. The Committee recommends that human rights education programmes for law enforcement officers be undertaken, especially in matters relating to the elimination of racial discrimination...

•          Hungary, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 63 at paras. 377-379, 382 and 383.

377. The Committee...recommends that the State party pursue and extend training programmes for judges and prosecutors aiming at sensitizing them to discrimination issues.

378. The Committee is concerned about the number of allegations of ill-treatment and discrimination against the Roma and non-citizens by law enforcement officials, especially the police. The Committee notes that the "Medium-Term Package of Measures to Improve the Living Conditions and Social Position of the Roma Population", as revised, contains a section on police behaviour in connection with members of the Roma minority. The Committee is aware, however, that the above practices have not ceased.

379. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to combat ill treatment of Roma and non-citizens by the police, especially through the strict application of relevant legislation and regulations providing for sanctions, adequate training and instructions to be given to law enforcement bodies and the sensitization of the judiciary...

...

382. The Committee notes that, notwithstanding the measures provided for in the "Medium-Term Package of Measures", the drop-out rates among Roma students remain high, especially in secondary education and even more so at university level. The Committee strongly recommends that the State party reconsider its policy of assigning Roma children to schools and classes for the mentally disabled. The Committee is also concerned about discriminatory practices resulting from the system of separate classes for Roma students and from private schooling arrangements. While noting that the State party intends to improve the education of Roma, the Committee further recommends that new programmes integrate Roma children into mainstream schools, as far as possible, in order to avoid discrimination.

383. The Committee is concerned at the proportionately higher unemployment rate among the Roma population. The Committee recommends that the State party strictly apply existing anti-discriminatory provisions in that field and ensure in particular that Roma have fair access to professional training programmes and to professional activities.

•          Mali, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 66 at para. 397.

397. The Committee welcomes the information concerning human rights education as part of the training given to State officials, the promotion of national languages, the development of press freedom and the growing role of NGOs in Mali.

•          Yemen, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 74 at para. 466.

466. In connection with the implementation of article 7 of the Convention, the Committee suggests that the State party consider intensifying human rights education and training of law enforcement officers, teachers, social workers and public servants, and draws attention to its general recommendation XIII in that regard.

•          Côte d’Ivoire, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 19 at para. 37.

37. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary steps to educate officials, political leaders and the public about, and make them aware of, the provisions of the Convention. Due account must be taken of general recommendation XIII, according to which law enforcement officials should receive training to ensure that, in the performance of their duties, they respect and protect the human rights of all persons without distinction as to ethnic origin or religion.

•          Ecuador, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 22 at para. 58.

58. Serious concern is expressed about reported instances of excessive use of force by the police and armed forces against indigenous people, particularly in the context of political demonstrations and civil unrest. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that such acts are avoided and, in this connection, recommends that the State party include human rights education in the professional training of police and armed forces, as well as prison staff, and requests it to report on any measures taken in this regard.

•          Poland, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 35 at para. 160.

160. The Committee is concerned about reports of racially motivated harassment and discrimination against Jews, Roma and persons of African and Asian origin which have not been properly investigated by the law enforcement agencies. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to combat and punish all such cases, especially through the strict application of relevant legislation and regulations providing for sanctions. It further recommends that law enforcement bodies be given adequate training and instructions on how to address complaints of racially motivated crimes and that simialr training be provided to the judiciary.

•          Russian Federation, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 38 at para. 181.

181. The Committee is concerned at reports of racially selective inspections and identity checks targeting members of specific minorities, including those from the Caucasus and Central Asia and Roma. The Committee recommends that the State party take immediate steps to stop the practice of arbitrary identity checks by law enforcement authorities. These steps should include the education and sensitization of police and law enforcement personnel to ensure that, in the performance of their duties, they respect and protect the human rights of all persons without distinction as to race, colour, or national or ethnic origin.

•          Saudi Arabia, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 41 at para. 213.

213. The Committee recommends that the State party institute training programmes on human rights and understanding among ethnic groups for law enforcement officials, including policemen, military and prison staff, and members of the judiciary.

•          Uganda, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 50 at para. 265.

265. The Committee welcomes the establishment of the Ugandan Human Rights Commission, which represents a positive step in combating violations of human rights and promoting the implementation of the Convention. In addition, the Committee commends the Commission for the important role it plays in disseminating human rights information, inter alia by introducing human rights education in training schools for police, army and prison officers.

•          Albania, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 53 at para. 312.

312. The Committee is concerned about information that members of the Roma minority, especially the young, are generally regarded with suspicion and subjected to ill-treatment and the improper use of force by police officers.

The Committee recommends that the State party take measures to halt such practices and to increase law enforcement officials’ sensitivity to and training in matters involving racial discrimination.

•          Bolivia, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 58 at para. 340.

340. The Committee is...concerned about reports that human rights defenders providing assistance to members of indigenous groups in the context of land disputes continue to be threatened and harassed by police officers, especially in the region of Chapare.

The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures for the protection of human rights defenders against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto discrimination, pressure or any arbitrary action as a consequence of their activities. In this regard, the Committee recalls its general recommendation XIII on the training of law enforcement officials in the protection of human rights and encourages the State party to improve the training of law enforcement officials, especially police officers, so that the standards of the Convention are fully implemented.

•          Czech Republic, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 65 at para. 388.

388. The Committee welcomes the anti-racism campaigns conducted annually and the broad population targeted by them, and notes the numerous other initiatives of the State party to combat discriminatory attitudes and practices. Unfortunately, that negative attitudes towards minorities and refugees persist among public officials, in the media and among the general public, is a matter of concern to the Committee. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned that the judiciary, unlike the police, does not seem to be the object of sensitization and educational activities.

The Committee recommends that the State party continue and intensify its anti-racism campaigns and other efforts aimed at combating racial and ethnic stereotyping. It recommends that the State party, while pursuing public education campaigns, continue and diversify targeted training programmes for professionals, such as the police, judges and other public officials working with the Roma and other vulnerable groups.

•          Islamic Republic of Iran, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 72 at para. 428.

428. The Committee takes note with concern of the reported discrimination faced by certain minorities, including the Bahá’ís, who are deprived of certain rights, and that certain provisions of the State party’s legislation appear to be discriminatory on both ethnic and religious grounds.

The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that all persons enjoy their right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, without any discrimination based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin, in accordance with article 5(d) of the Convention. The Committee recommends that the State party permit students of different origins to register in universities without being compelled to state their religion...

•          Latvia, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 75 at para. 456.

456. The Committee is concerned at the persistence of negative racial and ethnic stereotypes and notes that educational and training activities undertaken by the State party may not have been sufficient to combat discriminatory attitudes and practices.

The Committee recommends that the State party pursue its efforts to combat prejudices and promote understanding and tolerance through a broad range of measures targeting both professionals working with and persons belonging to minority groups, as well as the general public. The Committee encourages the State party, through the broad-based participatory drafting process of the envisaged National Plan of Action to implement the Durban Declaration and Plan of Action, to create awareness with regard to the diverse issues relating to racial discrimination.

•          Norway, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 79 at para. 480.

480. With regard to article 7 of the Convention, the Committee notes with concern that courses focusing on racism and discrimination are not compulsory in the basic curriculum of the Police Academy.

The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general recommendation XIII on the training of law enforcement officials in the protection of human rights, and invites the State party to consider reforming the Police Academy’s education programme so as to ensure a better understanding of the norms and values in different cultures and to inform trainees about the obligations of the State party under the Convention.

•          Bahamas, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 10 at para. 40.

40. The Committee is concerned at the absence of training of judges and judicial officers in combating racial discrimination, and the fact that the State party considers it enough to have non-Bahamian judges sitting on the country’s highest courts.

The Committee advises the State party to provide training in combating racial discrimination, and in particular in the substance of the Convention, for judges and judicial officers.

•          Brazil, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 14 at para. 63.

63. The Committee is concerned that, despite the widespread occurrence of offences of discrimination, the relevant domestic legal provisions against racist crimes are reportedly rarely applied.

The Committee...recommends that the State party improve the awareness and training programmes regarding the existence and treatment of racist crimes on the part of the persons engaged in the administration of justice, including judges, public prosecutors, lawyers and law enforcement officials.

•          Nepal, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 24 at para. 135.

135. The Committee notes that governmental action has been taken to sensitize the general public, including members of vulnerable groups, against discriminatory traditional customs and societal attitudes.

The Committee recommends that the State party take further measures to ensure the training and education of teachers, social workers and law enforcement officials, especially those deployed against the insurgents as well as the political segments of the society. The Committee encourages the State party to carry out comprehensive public education campaigns and to include intercultural education in school curricula.

•          Spain, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 32 at para. 170.

170. Concern is...expressed about allegations received of instances of police misbehaviour towards ethnic minorities or persons of non-Spanish origin, including abusive and insulting speech, ill-treatment and violence.

The Committee draws the State party’s attention to its general recommendation XIII on the training of law enforcement officials in the protection of human rights and recalls that law enforcement officials should receive intensive training to ensure that in the performance of their duties they respect and protect human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons without distinction as to race, colour or national or ethnic origin.

•          Sweden, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 41 at para. 219.

219. While the Committee welcomes the new Equal Treatment of Students in Higher Education Act, which entered into force on 1 March 2002 and which contains prohibitions on direct and indirect ethnic discrimination against students and applicants in the field of higher education, it takes note that the Act is reportedly not being implemented with respect to some Swedish universities.

The Committee invites the State party to provide an assessment of the implementation of the new Act.

•          Argentina, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 45 at paras. 239, 241 and 249.

239. The Committee regrets the lack of adequate information in the State party’s report on complaints regarding acts of racial discrimination and the corresponding legal action taken by, and on behalf of, victims, including alleged complaints of violent racist attacks and acts of police brutality committed on racial grounds.

The Committee...recalls its general recommendation XIII on the training of law enforcement officials in the protection of human rights and encourages the State party to improve the training of law enforcement officials so that the standards of the Convention are fully implemented.

...

241. While the Committee welcomes the new Immigration Law No. 25871, it takes note that enacting measures still need to be adopted.

The Committee calls upon the State party to enact measures to implement the law without delay, taking full account of the principle of non-discrimination. The Committee furthermore recommends that the State party conduct a public information and awareness-raising campaign and provide training courses for all governmental authorities at the national, provincial and municipal levels on the changes contained in the new law.

...

249. The Committee regrets that despite the State party’s efforts, the right to a bilingual and intercultural education for indigenous peoples recognized by the Constitution is not fully respected in practice. It takes note with concern of allegations regarding the lack of adequate training provided to indigenous teachers and discrimination faced by them, as well as the insufficient measures to preserve indigenous languages and to include the history and culture of indigenous peoples in school curricula.

The Committee recommends that the State party adopt all necessary measures to ensure, in consultation with the indigenous communities, a bilingual and intercultural education for indigenous peoples with full respect for their cultural identity, languages, history and culture, bearing also in mind the wider importance of intercultural education for the general population. It further recommends that adequate training be provided to indigenous teachers and effective measures be adopted to combat all forms of discrimination against them...

•          Belarus, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 50 at para. 270.

270. The Committee again expresses its regret that the State party has not provided sufficient information on measures taken to educate law enforcement officials, members of political parties and media professionals on the provisions of the Convention.

The Committee encourages the State party to expand and strengthen the existing efforts in human rights education beyond the school system in order to promote understanding and tolerance among all racial and ethnic groups in society. In this regard, particular attention should be paid to general recommendation XIII, according to which law enforcement officials should receive intensive training to ensure that, in the performance of their duties, they respect and protect the human rights of all persons without distinction as to race, colour or national or ethnic origin.

•          Madagascar, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 58 at para. 322.

322. The Committee recalls that the fact that victims of racial discrimination do not bring cases before the courts may be the result of, inter alia, the limited resources available to them, their lack of awareness of their rights, or the authorities’ lack of attention or sensitivity to cases of racial discrimination.

The State party should take steps to inform the population about their rights as regards efforts to combat racial discrimination and should make it easier for victims to gain access to justice, in particular through the effective application of a system of legal aid. It should also strengthen training for law enforcement personnel, the legal profession and customary chiefs in this regard.

•          Mauritania, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 61 at para. 352.

352. The Committee regrets that it did not receive sufficient information on the training of judges, lawyers and law enforcement officers, in particular, training to combat discrimination, including discrimination based on descent, and to combat the vestiges of slavery.

The Committee recommends that the State party adopt a specific strategy in this respect.

•          Portugal, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 66 at para. 367.

367. The Committee expresses concern about allegations it has received of instances of police misconduct towards ethnic minorities or persons of non-Portuguese origin, including excessive use of force, ill-treatment and violence.

The Committee recommends that the State party investigate thoroughly, impartially and effectively all allegations of ill-treatment, violence or excessive use of force by police officers, bring those responsible to justice and provide adequate remedies and compensation to the victims. Furthermore, in light of its general recommendation XIII, the Committee recommends that the State party continue to provide intensive training to law enforcement officials so as to ensure that in the performance of their duties they respect and protect human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons without distinction as to race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin.

•          Slovakia, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 70 at para. 386.

386. While the Committee recognizes the efforts made in the field of employment - including the recent adoption of the amended Labour Code, which prohibits discrimination in its section 13 - it is alarmed by de facto discrimination against Roma as well as by the very high rate of unemployment among members of the Roma community.

The Committee recommends that the legislation prohibiting discrimination in employment and all discriminatory practices in the labour market be fully implemented in practice and that further measures be taken, in particular by focusing on professional training, to reduce unemployment among the Roma community.

•          Saint Lucia, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 86 at para. 449.

449. The Committee notes that access to education and training by indigenous peoples appears very limited and is concerned at the fact that Kweyol is not taught in the education system.

The Committee encourages the State party to take measures to facilitate access to education by members of indigenous peoples and to ensure, as far as possible, that members of indigenous peoples have the opportunity to learn Kweyol and to receive instruction in this language.

•          Azerbaijan, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 18 at para. 65.

65. The Committee, while noting the information provided by the delegation, remains of the view that measures taken to educate the public, law enforcement officials, members of political parties and media professionals on the provisions of the Convention could be strengthened (art. 7).

The Committee encourages the State party to expand and strengthen existing efforts regarding human rights education. Furthermore, particular attention should be paid to general recommendation XIII, according to which law enforcement officials should receive specific training to ensure that, in the performance of their duties, they respect and protect the human rights of all persons without distinction as to race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.

•          Lao People’s Democratic Republic, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 35 at paras. 171 and 176.

171. The Committee notes with concern that, according to certain reports, a major obstacle to the education and vocational training of persons belonging to ethnic groups is the fact that education is provided only in Lao. Language barriers are also apparently responsible for the many problems encountered in obtaining access to social services (art. 5).

The Committee recommends to the State party that it take all possible measures to ensure that persons belonging to ethnic groups receive education and vocational training in their mother tongue and that it increase its efforts to ensure that they learn Lao.

...

176. The Committee notes with concern that the State party claims that it is unable to introduce human rights education programmes in schools. It is also concerned at reports that law enforcement officials continue to have minimal awareness of human rights issues as set out in the law, the Constitution and international instruments (art. 7).

The Committee recommends to the State party that it introduce, if necessary with the assistance of the international community, education programmes in schools on human rights and combating racial discrimination, and that it increase its efforts to provide training to law enforcement officials.

•          Luxembourg, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 40 at para. 200.

200. The Committee is concerned at allegations of discriminatory or vexatious conduct towards non-nationals on the part of officials working in various national or local authorities.

While aware of the information provided by the State party about human rights training for State employees, the Committee encourages the State party to include within the training a specific focus on the problems of racism and discrimination, and to ensure that all officials who come into contact with minority groups receive training of this type.

•          Barbados, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 43 at para. 220.

220. The Committee expresses concern at the closure of the Centre for Multiethnic Studies at the Barbados campus of the University of the West Indies which was tasked to research race and ethnicity in the Caribbean.

The Committee encourages the State party to consider reopening the Centre.

•          Iceland, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 51 at para. 266.

266. While noting that members of the border police receive training on international human rights standards and refugee law, the Committee is concerned about reports that asylum requests are not always properly handled by border guards (art. 5).

The Committee encourages the State party to intensify its efforts to provide systematic training to border guards, with a view to increasing their knowledge about all relevant aspects of refugee protection, as well as about the situation in the countries of origin of asylum-seekers.

•          Nigeria, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 54 at para. 300.

300. The Committee, while noting the information provided by the delegation, reiterates its previous concern that measures taken to educate the public, law enforcement officials, members of political parties and media professionals on the provisions of the Convention remain insufficient (art. 7).

The Committee encourages the State party to expand and strengthen existing efforts regarding human rights education. Furthermore, particular attention should be paid to general recommendation XIII (1993), according to which law enforcement officials should receive specific training to ensure that, in the performance of their duties, they respect and protect human dignity and maintain and uphold the human rights of all persons without distinction as to race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin.

•          Turkmenistan, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 61 at paras. 319, 325 and 327.

319. The Committee is concerned that, according to some information, and in the light of paragraph 2(e) of General Assembly resolution 59/206 of 22 December 2004, national and ethnic minorities face severe restrictions on their participation in the labour force, in particular in public sector employment. It is particularly disturbed about reports relating to the removal of many non-ethnic Turkmen from State employment and to “third generation tests” imposed on persons wishing to access higher education and public sector employment (arts. 2 and 5).

The Committee invites the State party to verify whether “third generation tests” exist and to ensure the right to work without discrimination based on national or ethnic origin...

...

325. ...While taking note of the abolition of the exit visa in 2004, [the Committee] remains concerned about the reported impediments imposed on Turkmen students wishing to study abroad (art. 7).

...The Committee...recommends that the State party allow students to study abroad and that it provide detailed information on the actual regulations and practices relating to the recognition of foreign degrees.

...

327. The Committee notes that, since independence, no case of racial discrimination has been referred to the courts. According to some information, members of national and ethnic minorities who suffer racial discrimination do not complain to courts because they fear reprisals and lack confidence in the police and the judicial authorities, and because of the authorities’ lack of impartiality and of sensitivity to cases of racial discrimination (art. 6).

The Committee recommends to the State party that it inform victims of their rights, including remedies available to them, facilitate their access to justice, guarantee their right to just and adequate reparation, and publicize the relevant laws. The State party should ensure that its competent authorities proceed to a prompt and impartial investigation on complaints of racial discrimination, or whenever there are reasonable grounds to believe that racial discrimination has been committed on its territory. Judges and lawyers, as well as law enforcement personnel, should be trained accordingly.

ICCPR

•          Ukraine, ICCPR, A/57/40 vol. I (2002) 32 at paras. 74(10) and 74(16).

(10) The Committee notes with concern that domestic violence against women remains a problem in Ukraine.

The State party should take positive measures, including through enactment and implementation of adequate legislation and training of police officers and sensitization of the population, to protect women from domestic violence.

...

(16) The Committee is concerned at reports of bullying and hazing (dedovshchina) of young conscripts in the armed forces by older soldiers, which in some cases have led to deaths, suicides and desertion.

The State party should strengthen measures to end these practices and prosecute offenders, and take steps by way of education and training in its armed forces to eradicate the negative culture that has encouraged such practices.

•          United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Overseas Territories), ICCPR, A/57/40 vol. I (2002) 36 at para. 75(24).

(24) The Committee is concerned at the absence throughout the overseas territories of appropriate training on the Covenant for public officials, a situation recognized by the State party.

The appropriate authorities should establish programmes of training and education for their public officials, aimed at inculcating a human rights culture in these persons who exercise governmental powers in the various overseas territories.

•          Georgia, ICCPR, A/57/40 vol. I (2002) 53 at paras. 78(8) and 78(14).

(8) The Committee remains concerned at the widespread and continuing subjection of prisoners to torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment by law-enforcement officials and prison officers.

The State party should ensure that all forms of torture and similar ill-treatment are punishable as serious crimes under its legislation, in order to comply with article 7 of the Covenant.

...

(f) The State party should provide training in human rights, particularly on the prohibition of torture, to police and prison officers.

...

(14) The Committee notes with concern that domestic violence against women remains a problem in Georgia.

The State party should take effective measures, including the enactment and implementation of appropriate legislation, training of police officers, promotion of public awareness and, in more concrete terms, human rights training to protect women against domestic violence, in accordance with article 9 of the Covenant...

•          Sweden, ICCPR, A/57/40 vol. I (2002) 57 at para. 79(10).

10. The Committee notes with concern several cases of excessive use of force by the police which led to serious injury and death, for example of persons in custody or during the Goteborg summit (articles 6, 7 and 10 of the Covenant).

The State party should ensure the completion of investigations into such use of force, in conditions of total transparency and through a mechanism independent of the law enforcement authorities...The State party should also guarantee better human rights training of police officers...

•          Hungary, ICCPR, A/57/40 vol. I (2002) 60 at paras. 80(7), 80(10) and 80(12).

(7) The Committee is deeply concerned at the situation of the Roma people who, despite various steps taken by the State party, remain disadvantaged in almost all aspects of life covered by the Covenant. The Committee particularly regrets ongoing discrimination against Roma with regard to employment, housing, education, social security and participation in public life. The excessively high number of Roma in prisons, reports of their ill-treatment in police custody and the continuing existence of separate schools are also ongoing sources of concern to the Committee.

The State party should strengthen measures for improving the situation of the Roma people. In addition to further legislative steps, the training of officials, in particular the police, is strongly recommended, as is a vigorous campaign to alter public attitudes vis-à-vis the Roma people. The State party should also discontinue the placement of Roma children in special schools or special classes and give priority to measures that will enable them to benefit from regular schools and classes (articles 26 and 27 of the Covenant).

...

(10) The Committee regrets continuing reports of violence against women, including rape and sexual harassment.

The State party should take more vigorous measures to encourage the development of a culture of human rights and to ban violence against women; in this context, training and education in human rights are essential at all levels and in all sectors of society. In particular, the State party should take measures to encourage women to report domestic violence to the authorities, and to make police officers more sensitive in their handling of allegations of rape and its psychological effects on the victim...

...

(12) The Committee is concerned at the high number of reports of ill-treatment by law enforcement agencies, the limited number of investigations carried out by the State party in such cases, and the very limited number of convictions in those cases which are investigated.

The State party should take measures to educate law enforcement officials and judges with a view to preventing such treatment and, when it occurs, should ensure careful investigation and prosecution where necessary...

•          Viet Nam, ICCPR, A/57/40 vol. I (2002) 67 at para. 82(14).

(14) The Committee is concerned that the State party asserts that domestic violence against women is a new phenomenon and that, although some efforts have been made, there is no comprehensive approach to preventing and eliminating it and punishing the perpetrator (arts. 3, 7, 9 and 26).

The State party should assess the impact of measures already taken to address the incidence of domestic violence against women...The State party should further implement training and sensitization programmes for the judiciary, law enforcement officials and members of the legal profession, as well as awareness-raising measures, to ensure zero tolerance in society of violence against women.

•          Egypt, ICCPR, A/58/40 vol. I (2002) 31 at para. 77(3).

(3) The Committee welcomes some initiatives taken by the State party in recent years as regards human rights, in particular the creation of human rights divisions within the ministries of justice and foreign affairs and the introduction of human rights training and awareness programmes at schools and universities for law-enforcers and society at large...

•          Togo, ICCPR, A/58/40 vol. I (2002) 36 at paras. 78(7) and 78(23).

(7) The Committee notes that, notwithstanding the provisions of articles 50 and 140 of the Constitution, the provisions of the Covenant have not been directly invoked in any case before the Constitutional Court or ordinary courts.

The State party should provide training for judges, lawyers and court officers, including the persons already serving in those capacities, concerning the content of the Covenant and the other international human rights instruments that Togo has ratified.

...

(23) The Committee recommends the introduction of a far-reaching human rights education programme for law enforcement personnel, particularly policemen, gendarmes and members of the armed forces, as well as all prison staff. Regular and specific training should be conducted with a view to combating torture and inhuman and degrading treatment and prohibiting extrajudicial executions and arbitrary arrests; such training should also include the treatment and rights of detainees. In this regard, the Committee suggests that the State party request assistance from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and from non-governmental organizations.

•          Mali, ICCPR, A/58/40 vol. I (2003) 47 at paras. 81(7) and 87(14).

(7) The Committee notes that under the Constitution treaties take precedence over legislation and that, according to information supplied by the delegation, the Covenant can be invoked directly before national courts. It regrets, however, that specific instances in which the Covenant has been directly invoked, or in which the Constitutional Court has considered the compatibility of national legislation with the Covenant, have not been brought to its attention.

The State party must ensure that judges, lawyers and court officers, including those already in service, are trained in the content of the Covenant and the other international human rights instruments ratified by Mali...

...

(14) While noting the considerable efforts made by the State party, the Committee remains concerned at the high maternal and infant mortality rate in Mali, due in particular to the relative inaccessibility of health and family planning services, the poor quality of health care provided, the low educational level and the practice of clandestine abortions (article 6 of the Covenant).

So as to guarantee the right to life, the State party should strengthen its efforts in that regard, in particular in ensuring the accessibility of health services, including emergency obstetric care. The State party should ensure that its health workers receive adequate training...

•          Slovakia, ICCPR, A/58/40 vol. I (2003) 52 at para. 82(16).

(16) The Committee is concerned about discrimination against the Roma. The Committee notes that the delegation has acknowledged the problem and stated that the situation of the Roma is both a short-term and a long-term priority of the Government. The Committee takes note of the measures aimed at improving the situation of Roma in various areas such as employment, health care, housing and education...However, the steps taken by the State party to improve the socio-economic condition of the Roma and to change the attitudes of society vis-à-vis the Roma do not appear to be sufficient, and de facto discrimination persists (arts. 2, 26).

The State party should take all necessary measures to eliminate discrimination against the Roma and to enhance the effective enjoyment of their rights under the Covenant. The State party should also make greater efforts to provide opportunities for Roma to use their language in official communications, to provide readily accessible social services, to provide training to Roma in order to equip them for employment and to create job opportunities for them...

•          Portugal, ICCPR, A/58/40 vol. I (2003) 56 at paras. 83(8)-83(10).

(8) The Committee is concerned about reported cases of disproportionate use of force and ill-treatment by the police, occurring particularly at the time of arrest and during police custody, and resulting, in some instances, in the death of the victims. Police violence against persons belonging to ethnic minorities appears to be recurrent...

(a) The State party should end police violence without delay. It should increase its efforts to ensure that education on the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, as well as sensitization on issues of racial discrimination, are included in the training of law enforcement personnel. Efforts should also be made to recruit members of minority groups into the police.

...

(9) The Committee notes with concern that Portuguese regulations on police use of firearms, as described in the periodic report, are not compatible with the United Nations Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials. It is concerned that several persons have been shot dead by the police in recent years and that training in the use of firearms is reported to be insufficient (arts. 6 and 7).

The State party should ensure that principles 9, 14 and 16 of the United Nations Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, relating to legitimate cases of use of firearms, are fully integrated into Portuguese law and implemented in practice and that adequate training is effectively conducted.

(10) The Committee is concerned about reported cases of ill-treatment and abuse of authority by prison staff and of violence among prisoners which, in some instances, have led to the death of the victims (arts. 6, 7 and 10).

(a) The State party should increase its efforts towards the elimination of violence among prisoners and ill-treatment by prison staff, in particular through adequate training of staff and timely prosecution of offences.

...

•          Philippines, ICCPR, A/59/40 vol. I (2003) 15 at para. 63(13).

(13) The Committee notes with concern numerous instances of trafficking (art. 8) of women and children in the Philippines, both within the country and across its borders. While noting the importance of existing legislation (R.A. 9208) in this domain, it is concerned that insufficient measures have been taken actively to prevent trafficking and to provide assistance and support to the victims.

The State party should take appropriate measures to combat trafficking in all its forms, by ensuring effective enforcement of the relevant legislation and imposing sanctions on those found responsible. The Committee encourages the State party to ensure gender-specific training to sensitize the officials involved with problems faced by victims of trafficking, in accordance with articles 3, 8 and 26 of the Covenant.

•          Russian Federation, ICCPR, A/59/40 vol. I (2003) 20 at paras. 64(12) and 64(24).

(12) While the Committee notes that a number of measures have been taken to prevent the use of excessive force and torture by law enforcement personnel during the process of questioning, it remains concerned that suspects and detainees are not sufficiently protected under current legislation. The Committee is concerned at the reported occurrence of torture or ill-treatment, especially during informal interrogations in police stations when the presence of a lawyer is not required.

The State party should ensure that law enforcement officials are prosecuted for acts contrary to article 7 of the Covenant, and that the charges correspond to the seriousness of the acts committed. The State party should ensure the implementation of existing applicable legislation, as well as the Covenant, through further professional training of law enforcement personnel on the rights of suspects and detainees.

...

(24) The Committee is concerned at the increase of racially motivated violent attacks against ethnic and religious minorities, as well as about reports of racial profiling by law enforcement personnel...

The State party should take effective measures to combat racially motivated crimes. It should ensure that law enforcement personnel receive clear instructions and proper training with a view to protecting minorities against harassment...

•          Germany, ICCPR, A/59/40 vol. I (2004) 39 at paras. 68(11) and 68(15).

(11) The Committee notes with concern that Germany has not yet taken a position regarding the applicability of the Covenant to persons subject to its jurisdiction in situations where its troops or police forces operate abroad, in particular in the context of peace missions. It reiterates that the applicability of the regime of international humanitarian law does not preclude accountability of States parties under article 2, paragraph 1, of the Covenant for the actions of its agents outside their own territories.

The State party is encouraged to clarify its position and to provide training on relevant rights contained in the Covenant specifically designed for members of its security forces deployed internationally.

...

(15) While the Committee notes with satisfaction that the use of firearms by the police is restricted by law to a measure of coercion in extremis and that the number of persons killed or injured by the use of such force has declined in recent years, it is concerned that in some of these cases the use of firearms might not have been justified (art. 6).

(a) The State party should ensure prompt, thorough and impartial investigation of all cases of persons killed or injured as a consequence of the use of firearms by police forces, bring to justice those responsible for violations of the law, and grant full reparation, including fair and adequate compensation, and rehabilitation to victims and their families.

(b) The State party should also provide training to police in methods of controlling difficult situations without using firearms.

•          Suriname, ICCPR, A/59/40 vol. I (2004) 43 at para. 69(6).

(6) The Committee welcomes the delegation’s information that human rights training is provided for the police, the judiciary, teachers and students and recommends that the State party extend such training to other parts of the Surinamese population.

•          Uganda, ICCPR, A/59/40 vol. I (2004) 47 at para. 70(16).

(16) While the Committee notes that several measures have been taken to prevent the excessive use of force by law enforcement officials, it remains concerned about situations in which they have allegedly extrajudicially executed civilians, such as the September 2002 incident in Gulu, or the one that took place during operation “Wembley” in June 2002 (art. 6).

The State party should ensure that law enforcement officials are prosecuted for any disproportionate use of firearms against civilians. Additionally, it should continue its efforts to train police agents, members of the military and prison officers to scrupulously respect applicable international standards.

•          Belgium, ICCPR, A/59/40 vol. I (2004) 56 at para. 72(14).

(14) The Committee is concerned by fresh allegations of excessive force being used when aliens are deported, despite the entry into force of new guidelines (arts. 6 and 7).

The State party should put an end to the excessive use of force when aliens are deported. Those responsible for effecting such deportations should be better trained and monitored.

•          Namibia, ICCPR, A/59/40 vol. I (2004) 64 at para. 74(20).

(20) While the Committee commends the State party for the enactment of the Combating Domestic Violence Act, which criminalizes domestic violence, the Committee regrets that, despite the wide prevalence of domestic violence, so far only 62 persons have been prosecuted and no victims have been compensated.

The State party should encourage further use of this Act, especially by training the police force and sensitizing it to the needs of victims...

•          Poland, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2004) 40 at paras. 85(11) and 85(17) - 85(19).

(11) Notwithstanding a variety of programmes intended to deal with domestic violence, the Committee regrets that the number of cases of domestic violence remains high. It is also concerned that measures such as restraining orders and temporary arrests are not widely used, that appropriate protection is not afforded to victims, that shelters do not exist in many places, and that training for law enforcement officers is inadequate (arts. 3 and 7).

The State party should ensure that law enforcement officers are properly trained and that appropriate measures to address domestic violence cases, including restraining orders, are available as required...

...

(17) While noting measures taken to improve the conditions of the Roma community, the Committee is concerned that the Roma continue to suffer prejudice and discrimination, in particular with regard to access to health services, social assistance, education and employment. It is also concerned that acts of violence against members of the Roma community are not appropriately investigated and sanctioned (arts. 2, 26 and 27).

The State party should intensify its efforts to prevent discrimination against the Roma community and ensure their full enjoyment of their Covenant rights. The police and judiciary should be properly trained to investigate and sanction all acts of discrimination and violence against the Roma.

(18) The Committee is concerned that the right of sexual minorities not to be discriminated against is not fully recognized, and that discriminatory acts and attitudes against persons on the ground of sexual orientation are not adequately investigated and punished (art. 26).

The State party should provide appropriate training to law enforcement and judicial officials in order to sensitize them to the rights of sexual minorities...

(19) The Committee notes with concern that incidents of desecration of Catholic and Jewish cemeteries, and acts of anti-Semitism, have not always been properly investigated and the perpetrators punished (arts. 18, 20 and 27).

The State party should intensify efforts to combat and punish all such incidents. Law enforcement bodies and the judiciary should be properly trained and instructed on how to address such complaints.

•          Kenya, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2005) 44 at para. 86(18).

(18) The Committee is concerned at reports that police custody is frequently resorted to abusively, and that torture is frequently practised in such custody. It is especially concerned at the information about the extremely high number of deaths in custody provided by the delegation...

The State party should take more effective measures to prevent abuses of police custody, torture and ill-treatment, and should strengthen the training provided to law enforcement personnel in this area...

•          Greece, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2005) 60 at para. 90(9).

(9) The Committee is concerned about reported cases of disproportionate use of force by the police, including fatal shootings, and ill-treatment at the time of arrest and during police custody. Police violence against migrants and Roma appears to be recurrent...

(a) The State party should end police violence without delay. It should increase its efforts to ensure that education on the prohibition of torture and ill treatment, as well as sensitization on issues of racial discrimination are included in the training of law enforcement personnel;

...

•          Tajikistan, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2005) 70 at para. 92(6).

(6) The Committee notes with concern that domestic violence against women remains a problem in Tajikistan (articles 3 and 7 of the Covenant).

The State party should take effective measures, including training of police officers, promotion of public awareness and, in more concrete terms, human rights training to protect women against domestic violence.

•          Thailand, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2005) 83 at paras. 95(10) and 95(12).

(10) The Committee is concerned at the persistent allegations of serious human rights violations, including widespread instances of extrajudicial killings and ill-treatment by the police and members of armed forces, illustrated by incidents such as the Tak Bai incident in October 2004, the Krue Se mosque incident on 28 April 2004 and the extraordinarily large number of killings during the “war on drugs” which began in February 2003...

The State party should ... continue its efforts to train police officers, members of the military and prison officers to scrupulously respect applicable international standards...

...

(12) Notwithstanding the pending enactment of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Bill and the measures taken by the State party, including the “white ribbons” campaign, the Committee is concerned at reports that domestic violence is prevalent and that specific legal provisions on domestic violence, including marital rape, are lacking in the State party’s legislation (arts. 3, 7, 26).

...Law enforcement officials, in particular police officers, should also be provided with appropriate training to deal with cases of domestic violence, and awareness-raising efforts should be continued to widely sensitize members of the public.

ICESCR

•          Sweden, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 106 at paras. 742 and 744.

742. The Committee encourages the State party to provide human rights education in schools at all levels and to raise awareness about human rights, in particular economic, social and cultural rights, among State officials and the judiciary.

...

744. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that education in independent schools, including those that have been established in the form of private companies with shareholders, is in full conformity with article 13 of the Covenant, in particular paragraph 1, on educational aims and objectives, and with the Committee's General Comment No.13 (1999) on the right to education (art. 13 of the Covenant).

See also:

•          Trinidad and Tobago, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 45 at para. 303.

•          Algeria, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 116 at paras. 834, 836 and 847.

834. The Committee urges the State party to formulate an effective strategy to address the acute problem of unemployment and to adopt and implement guidance and training programmes so as to ensure that young people and the unemployed can secure employment.

...

836. The Committee recommends that the State party adopt a national strategy to combat family violence, including awareness-raising campaigns geared towards the public at large, data collection, enactment of relevant legislation, and training courses for the police forces and the judiciary.

...

847. The Committee calls upon the State party to conduct training for judges and lawyers and to disseminate the Covenant to the public at large.

•          France, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 121 at para. 872.

872. The Committee recommends that the State party provide proper training to the judiciary, prosecutors and other officials responsible for the implementation of the Covenant and its rights, to ensure that these rights are consistently enforced in courts of law.

•          Croatia, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 125 at paras. 906 and 912.

906. The Committee encourages the State party to continue its efforts to reduce unemployment and promote entrepreneurship. In so doing, the State party should ensure that all such measures, including training of prospective employees and placement of job-seekers with potential employers, are undertaken in a non-discriminatory manner.

...

912. The Committee recommends that the State party arrange to provide extensive human rights training for members of all professions that have a direct role in the promotion and protection of human rights, including judges, lawyers, the police and the military. Instruction on the Covenant should be part of such training.

•          Jamaica, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 130 at paras. 932 and 945.

932. The Committee notes with concern the disproportion in the levels of unemployment of women: 33,600 women are unemployed as against 11,000 men. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned that 75 per cent of the unemployed reported that they have no recognized educational or vocational qualifications, thus diminishing their chances for employment.

...

945. The Committee recommends that the State party provide proper vocational training and education for men and women in order to enhance their employment opportunities, and formulate work creation strategies and policies aimed specifically at women in the labour force.

•          United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 39 at paras. 216, 225 and 233.

216. The Committee is concerned that human rights education provided in the State party to schoolchildren, the judiciary, prosecutors, government officials, civil servants and other actors responsible for the implementation of the Covenant does not give adequate attention to economic, social and cultural rights.

...

225. The Committee notes with concern that the introduction of tuition fees and student loans, which is inconsistent with article 13, paragraph 2 (c) of the Covenant, has tended to worsen the position of students from less privileged backgrounds, who are already underrepresented in tertiary education.

...

233. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that human rights education curricula and training programmes for schoolchildren and for the judiciary, prosecutors, government officials, civil servants and other actors responsible for the implementation of the Covenant give adequate attention to economic, social and cultural rights.

•          Trinidad and Tobago, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 45 at para. 287.

287. The Committee recommends that the State party to take effective action to reduce unemployment among young people by providing further vocational training opportunities.

•          Slovakia, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 50 at paras. 323 and 338.

323. The Committee is alarmed about the low rate of primary school enrolment and the high drop out rates at secondary schools among Roma children.

...

338. The Committee urges the State party to intensify its efforts to increase the school attendance of Roma children, especially at the primary level, and to address the problem of dropouts among secondary school pupils...

•          Poland, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 54 at para. 351.

351. The Committee...welcomes the adoption in 1997 of the Charter of Disabled Persons' Rights, as well as the entry into force in 1998 of the Act on Vocational and Social Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities of 27 August 1997.

•          Georgia, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 59 at paras. 409, 418, 426, 428, 435, 436 and 444.

409. The Committee is...concerned about the lack of awareness in the State party about the provisions of the Covenant.

...

418. The Committee is...concerned that the State party has not adopted any significant measures or policies to address the problem of trafficking in persons, particularly women.

...

426. The Committee is further concerned about the high number of school drop-outs, particularly in secondary education.

...

428. The Committee...recommends that human rights education in the State party be improved and that adequate human rights training be provided to the judiciary and government officials.

...

435. The Committee recommends that the State party implement its National Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women for 1998-200 and its national plan of action for combating violence against women, and that it adopt adequate legislation and policies to address and to ensure access to effective remedies concerning domestic violence, rape and sexual harassment. The Committee encourages the State party to develop programmes aimed at raising awareness of, and educating law enforcement officials, the judiciary and the general public on, these problems.

437. The Committee urges the State party to undertake and implement effective measures to combat trafficking in persons, including adequate training of law enforcement officials and the judiciary...

...

444. ...[T]he Committee suggests that the State party continue its reform of the school system, which aims, inter alia, to reduce the number of dropouts.

•          Solomon Islands, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 65 at paras. 459, 463, 467, 475 and 477.

459. While commending the intensive efforts made by the State party to combat malaria, the Committee notes with concern that malaria remains a major public health problem in the State party. The Committee is also concerned that acute respiratory infections, as well as sexually transmitted infections, remain the main cause of health problems, as indicated in the Human Development Report 2002, published by UNDP.

...

463. The Committee is concerned that fewer girls than boys enrol in primary schools and that there is a high drop-out rate among girls in both primary and secondary schools.

...

467. The Committee...urges the State party to design and implement a national job-creation programme and to provide vocational training, in particular to women and young people...

...

475. The Committee also urges the State party to intensify its malaria control programme and to address the problem of acute respiratory infections and sexually transmitted diseases, inter alia, through appropriate education and training of caregivers at all levels. The Committee encourages the State party to continue its close cooperation with the WHO and other health-care organizations in this regard.

...

477. The Committee recommends that the State party take effective measures, including programmes which explicitly target parents, to eliminate gender disparity in enrolment rates both at primary and secondary education levels.

•          Estonia, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 68 at paras. 514 and 538.

514. The Committee notes with concern the high drop out rates among children in primary and secondary schools.

...

538. The Committee requests the State party to take all appropriate measures to address the problem of high drop out rates among children in primary and secondary schools.

•          Luxembourg, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 24 at paras. 76, 87 and 103.

76. While taking note of the information provided by the State party that international treaties take precedence over national laws, the Committee regrets that the Covenant’s rights have not been invoked before the courts.

...

87. The Committee recommends that effective measures be taken by the State party to ensure that legal and judicial training takes full account of the justiciability of Covenant rights and promotes the use of the Covenant as a source of law in domestic courts. In this respect, the Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general comment No. 9 (1998) on domestic application of the Covenant.

...

103. The Committee notes the imminent establishment of a national university (Université de Luxembourg) and recommends that education at the university be free from the outset, or that tuition fees be kept at a minimum level with a view to introducing progressively free higher education, as required by article 13, paragraph 2 (c), of the Covenant.

•          Brazil, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 28 at paras. 126, 136, 149 and 160.

126. The Committee is concerned about the lack of adequate human rights training in the State party, in particular with respect to the rights enshrined in the Covenant, especially among the judiciary, law enforcement officials and other actors responsible for the implementation of the Covenant.

...

136. The Committee notes with concern that sexual and domestic violence is widespread and not being sufficiently denounced in Brazil.

...

149. The Committee recommends that the State party improve its human rights training programmes in such a way as to ensure better knowledge, awareness and application of the Covenant and other international human rights instruments, in particular among the judiciary, law enforcement officials and other actors responsible for the implementation of the Covenant.

...

160. The Committee calls upon the State party to take all effective measures, including the enforcement of existing legislation and the extension of national awareness campaigns, to eliminate all forms of violence against women. The Committee also recommends that the State party ensure that in addition to the “delegacias da mulher” the police are trained to handle violence against women in all parts of the country.

See also:

•          Yemen, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 55 at paras. 369 and 388.

•          Iceland, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 39 at paras. 225 and 234.

225. The Committee notes with concern that, in spite of the measures undertaken by the State party to reduce the frequency of occupational accidents both on land and at sea, particularly accidents involving seamen employed on fishing vessels, there is still a relatively high rate of accidents.

...

234. The Committee urges the State party to enhance its efforts to reduce the frequency of occupational accidents both on land and at sea by raising awareness of the importance of preventive measures and, in particular, by providing training to seamen in matters relating to vessel stability and the use and treatment of hoisting equipment...

•          Yemen, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 55 at para. 380.

380. The Committee...urges the State party to ensure the professional and social reintegration of women ex-prisoners, through vocational training.

•          Guatemala, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 59 at para. 423.

423. The Committee urges the State party to increase its efforts to combat unemployment by strengthening technical and professional training programmes and by adopting policies aimed at facilitating investments that create jobs...

•          Russian Federation, ICESCR, E/2004/22 (2003) 64 at para. 494.

494. The Committee calls upon the State party to intensify its efforts to combat domestic violence by enacting specific legislation criminalizing it and providing training for law enforcement personnel and judges regarding the serious and criminal nature of domestic violence...

•          Lithuania, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 18 at paras. 87 and 109.

87. The Committee is concerned about the high incidence of domestic violence ...

...

109. The Committee calls upon the State party to intensify its efforts to combat domestic violence... The State party should...take effective measures to provide training for law enforcement personnel and judges regarding the criminal nature of domestic violence...

•          Greece, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 23 at paras. 131, 148, 152 and 170.

131. While acknowledging the State party’s efforts to promote the social integration of Greek Roma, the Committee remains deeply concerned about the persistent discrimination against Roma people in the fields of housing, health and education. It is particularly concerned about reported instances of police violence against Roma, sweeping arrests, and arbitrary raids of Roma settlements by the police.

...

148. The Committee is concerned that a high percentage of Roma and Turkish-speaking children are not enrolled in school, or drop out at a very early stage of their schooling. While it is possible to receive bilingual instruction in Turkish and Greek at the two Muslim minority secondary schools in Thrace, the Committee notes with concern that no such possibility exists at the primary level or outside Thrace, and that members of other linguistic groups have no possibility to learn their mother tongue at school.

...

152. The Committee...recommends that the State party continue its efforts to train police officers on international human rights standards and to raise awareness of the dimensions of discrimination against the Roma among local authorities.

...

170. The Committee urges the State party to take effective measures to increase school attendance by Roma and Turkish-speaking children, including at the secondary level, to ensure, to the extent possible, that children belonging to minority linguistic groups have an opportunity to learn their mother tongue, including regional dialects, at school, and to ensure an adequate staffing with teachers specialized in multicultural education.

•          Ecuador, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 39 at para. 327.

327. The Committee recommends that the State party improve human rights training programmes in such a way as to ensure better knowledge, awareness and application of the Covenant and other international human rights instruments, in particular among the judiciary, law enforcement officials and other actors responsible for the implementation of the Covenant.

•          Denmark, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 49 at para. 404.

404. The Committee...encourages the State party to consider enacting specific legislation to criminalize domestic violence and to provide training for law enforcement personnel and judges regarding the criminal nature of domestic violence.

•          Italy, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 54 at para. 441.

441. The Committee recommends that the State party provide appropriate training to the judiciary, prosecutors and other officials responsible for the implementation of the economic, social and cultural rights enshrined in the Covenant to ensure that those rights are consistently enforced in courts of law.

•          Azerbaijan, ICESCR, E/2005/22 (2004) 59 at paras. 502 and 514.

502. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that legal and judicial training takes full account of the justiciability of the rights contained in the Covenant and promotes the use of the Covenant as a source of law in domestic courts.

...

514. ...The Committee urges that training be provided to law enforcement officials and judges on the serious and criminal nature of domestic violence, in particular, violence against women...

•          China, ICESCR, E/2006/22(2005) 25 at paras. 157, 171 and 186.

157. The Committee regrets that, in the absence of reliable data, it could not assess the nature and extent of the reportedly high incidence of domestic violence in the State party and the degree of enforcement of existing legislation for the protection of victims of domestic violence.

...

171. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that legal and judicial training takes full account of the justiciability of the rights contained in the Covenant and promotes the use of the Covenant as a source of law in domestic courts. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to general comment No. 9 (1998) on the domestic application of the Covenant...

...

186. ...The Committee urges the State party to provide training to law enforcement officials and judges regarding the serious and criminal nature of domestic violence, in particular violence against women.

•          China (Macao Special Administrative Region), ICESCR, E/2006/22 (2005) 38 at paras. 241 and 251.

241. The Committee is concerned about the increasing incidence of domestic violence in the Macao Special Administrative Region and the irregular protection given to victims of domestic violence under existing legislation.

...

251. The Committee calls upon the Macao Special Administrative Region to intensify its efforts to combat domestic violence... The Committee also urges the Macao Special Administrative Region to take effective measures to provide training for law enforcement personnel and judges regarding the criminal nature of domestic violence...

•          Serbia and Montenegro, ICESCR,E/2006/22 (2005) 41 at para. 298.

298. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that the provisions of the Covenant are given effect by its domestic courts and that legal and judicial training takes full account of the justiciable elements of all Covenant rights, as defined in the Committee’s general comments, and promotes the use of the Covenant as a domestic source of law. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to general comment No. 9 (1998) on the domestic application of the Covenant...

•          Norway, ICESCR, E/2006/22 (2005) 48 at paras. 349 and 370.

349. The Committee is concerned about the restrictions placed on the access to education of asylum-seekers, as asylum-seeking children only have access to free primary and lower secondary education and asylum-seekers over the age of 18 are not offered courses in Norwegian.

...

370. The Committee encourages the State party to ensure that asylum-seekers are not restricted in their access to education while their claim for asylum is being processed.

CEDAW

•          Estonia, CEDAW, A/57/38 part I (2002) 13 at paras. 82, 89, 90, 97, 98, 104 and 108.

82. The Committee commends the State party on Estonia's high level of education, stressing in particular the situation of women in higher education, increasingly in non-traditional areas...

...

89. While welcoming the fact that, in accordance with articles 3 and 123 of the Constitution, the Convention is integrated into domestic legislation and takes precedence over such legislation, the Committee is concerned that there is still a lack of familiarity among the judiciary, law enforcement agents and women themselves about the opportunities for the application of the Convention in domestic decision-making.

90. Acknowledging the effort already made with regard to human rights education, including human rights of women, and the transparency and participatory nature of the law making process, the Committee recommends a review of law school curricula and the development of continuing education programmes for judges and lawyers that include the application of the Convention at the domestic level. It also recommends that awareness-raising campaigns addressed to women be undertaken to allow them to avail themselves of the legal remedies that assist them...

...

97. While recognizing the efforts made by the State party to combat violence against women, especially domestic violence and the creation, with the collaboration of non-governmental organizations, of a database on the scope and scale of violence in Estonia, as well as the training of police officials and medical workers and specialists engaged in the victim support system, the Committee expresses its concern about the high incidence violence against women and girls, including domestic violence.

98. The Committee urges the State party to place high priority on comprehensive measures to address violence against women in the family and in society, and to recognize that such violence, including domestic violence, constitutes a violation of the human rights of women under the Convention...It recommends that measures be taken to ensure that public officials, especially law enforcement officials, the judiciary, the medical professions and social workers, are fully sensitized to all forms of violence against women. The Committee invites the State party to undertake awareness-raising measures, including a campaign of zero tolerance, to make such violence socially and morally unacceptable...

...

104. The Committee recommends that the State party utilize temporary special measures in accordance with article 4.1 of the Convention to increase the number of women in decision-making levels in governmental bodies, and State-owned enterprises. It also recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts in offering or supporting special training programmes for current and future women leaders and conduct, on a regular basis, awareness-raising campaigns regarding the importance of women's participation in political decision-making.

...

108. The Committee recommends that efforts be made to eliminate occupational segregation through the adoption of the new Employment Contracts Act under preparation, as well as through efforts in education, training and retraining...

•          Trinidad and Tobago, CEDAW, A/57/38 part I (2002) 19 at para. 150.

150. The Committee recommends the introduction of strategies to increase the number of women in decision-making bodies at all levels and in all areas. To this end, the Committee recommends that the State party utilize temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention to increase the number of women in decision-making levels in government, governmental bodies, public administration and State-owned enterprises. It also recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to organize special training programmes for women and to conduct on a regular basis, awareness-raising campaigns in this regard.

•          Uruguay, CEDAW, A/57/38 part I (2002) 23 at paras. 195, 206 and 207.

195. Recalling its general recommendation 19 on violence against women, the Committee urges the State party to assess the impact of the current legal, police and programmatic measures to deal with the various forms of violence against women, as well as to adopt a specific domestic violence act, incorporating measures for prevention, punishment of offenders and protection of victims. Bearing in mind that account must be taken of the underlying causes of violence against women, and domestic violence should be investigated with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of legislation, policies and programmes to combat it, the Committee also recommends that the State party continue the training and awareness-raising programmes for judicial personnel, law enforcement officials and members of the legal and health professions, as well as awareness-raising measures to ensure that society will not tolerate any form of violence against women...

...

206. The Committee is concerned that there is limited awareness, including among legal and law enforcement personnel, of the provisions of the Convention and the procedures available under its Optional Protocol.

207. The Committee recommends that educational programmes on the Convention, the Optional Protocol and women's rights be introduced, in particular for, the judiciary, law enforcement officials and lawyers...

•          Sri Lanka, CEDAW, A/57/38 part I (2002) 31 at paras. 271, 280, 281 and 285.

271. The Committee commends the educational achievements and improved literacy rate of women, as well as the curriculum reforms and teacher training programmes to eliminate gender role stereotypes...

...

280. Despite the progress in education for women and girls, the Committee is concerned about the underrepresentation of women in engineering and technology-related courses in tertiary education.

281. The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to increase the representation of women in engineering and technology-related courses in tertiary education.

...

285. The Committee urges the State party to ensure the full implementation of all legal and other measures relating to violence against women, to monitor the impact of those measures, and to provide women victims of violence with accessible and effective means of redress and protection...The Committee recommends that the State party provide comprehensive training to the judiciary, police, medical personnel and other relevant groups on all forms of violence against women.

•          Portugal, CEDAW, A/57/38 part I (2002) 35 at para. 336.

336. The Committee urges the State party to increase efforts at cross-border and international cooperation, especially with countries of origin and transit as well as with neighbouring receiving countries, to collect data, reduce the incidence of trafficking, prosecute and punish traffickers, and ensure the protection of the human rights of trafficked women and girls...It also urges that training of border police and law enforcement officials provide them with the requisite skills to recognize and provide support for victims of trafficking.

•          Russian Federation, CEDAW, A/57/38 part I (2002) 40 at para. 390.

390. The Committee urges the State party to place a high priority on measures to address violence against women in the family and society, and adopt laws, policies and programmes in accordance with its general recommendation 19 and the United Nations Declaration on Violence against Women. The Committee recommends that the State party increase its programmes on violence against women, in particular awareness-raising campaigns. It also urges the State party to provide training for law enforcement personnel at all levels, lawyers and judges, health-care professionals and social workers with respect to violence against women in the household and society.

•          Suriname, CEDAW, A/57/38 part II (2002) 82 at paras. 55 and 56.

55. ...The Committee notes that, although there are numerous women participating in training programmes, with respect to diplomatic careers the participation of women at the higher levels of the diplomatic service is low.

56. The Committee... recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to organize special training programmes for women and to conduct, on a regular basis, awareness-raising campaigns in this regard.

•          Tunisia, CEDAW, A/57/38 part II (2002) 102 at para. 193.

193. ...The Committee recommends the intensification of education and training programmes on the Convention to enhance the knowledge of judges, lawyers and law enforcement personnel...

•          Zambia, CEDAW, A/57/38 part II (2002) 107 at paras. 229, 236-239 and 250-253.

229. The Committee commends the introduction of the Programme for the Advancement of Girl Child Education, the reservation of 25 per cent of government scholarships exclusively for women who qualify for entry into universities and the lowering of cut-off points for girls to qualify for entry to grades 8 and 10 in schools in order to redress inequality in the education sector.

...

236. The Committee is concerned that existing constitutional and other legal rights of women to redress for discrimination are not being properly implemented or enforced.

237. The Committee calls upon the State party to strengthen law enforcement and to provide effective remedies through the courts for women who experience discrimination. The Committee requests the State party to develop training programmes on women’s human rights for judges and law enforcement officers and to disseminate information to the public, especially women.

238. The Committee expresses concern at the high level of violence against women and girls, including domestic violence and marital rape...

239. ...The Committee...recommends gender training for all public officials, in particular law enforcement officials and the judiciary, as well as health workers, to educate them about the consequences of all forms of violence against women and girls...

...

250. The Committee expresses concern that marriage and family relations are governed by dual legal systems of statutory and customary law, and that many of these laws are not in harmony with the Convention. It also notes that customary law is mostly unwritten, often administered by male justices without a legal background, and that discrimination against women is not addressed in their decisions.

251. The Committee recommends that statutory law be reformed and customary law is revised and codified to conform with article 16 of the Convention. It also recommends the introduction of programmes on legal education, gender sensitization and human rights for judges.

252. The Committee is concerned that polygamy is widely accepted and not effectively combated by the State party.

253. The Committee recommends that the State party take comprehensive and effective measures, including the training for judicial and law enforcement officials and public awareness-raising campaigns, in order to eliminate the practise of polygamy.

See also:

•          Uganda, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 164 at paras 135 and 136.

•          Ukraine, CEDAW, A/57/38 part II (2002) 114 at paras. 277, 278, 285-288, 293 and 294.

277. The Committee is concerned that there is still a lack of familiarity with the Convention and the opportunities for its application, including among the judiciary, law enforcement personnel and women themselves.

278. The Committee recommends the introduction of education and training programmes on the Convention, in particular for judges, lawyers and law enforcement personnel...

...

285. While recognizing that the number of women in elected office in local government has increased in some regions, the Committee is concerned about the low representation of women in high-level elected and appointed bodies, including as members of Parliament...

286. ...The Committee recommends that the State party increase its efforts in offering or supporting training programmes for current and future women leaders and carry out awareness-raising campaigns regarding the importance of women’s participation in political decision-making.

287. Recognizing the efforts made by the State party to address the issue of trafficking in women and girls, including the criminal law provision against trafficking in persons, the Committee notes with concern that the extent of this problem is not reflected in the information provided in the report...

288. The Committee urges the State party to make the issue of trafficking in women and girls a high priority... It recommends the introduction of measures aimed at improving the economic situation of women so as to eliminate their vulnerability to traffickers, education initiatives for vulnerable groups, including teenage girls, as well as social support, rehabilitation and reintegration measures for women and girls who have been victims of trafficking... It urges that training of border police and law enforcement officials provide them with the requisite skills to recognize and provide support to victims of trafficking.

...

293. While noting with appreciation the high level of education among women, the Committee expresses its concern about the situation of women in the labour market, including the high rate of unemployment among women and the strong occupational segregation with a concomitant wage differential. The Committee is concerned that women are not able to receive adequate retraining to compete in the market...

294. ...The Committee recommends that the State party design and implement special training and retraining programmes for different groups of unemployed women. It also recommends that efforts be made to eliminate occupational segregation, including through education, training and retraining...

See also:

•          Armenia, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 150 at paras. 42 and 43.

•          Czech Republic, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 157 at paras. 91, 92, 97 and 98.

•          Guatemala, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 171 at paras. 190 and 191.

•          Czech Republic, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 157 at paras. 87, 88, 99 and 100.

87. ...The Committee is...concerned that there is still a lack of familiarity with both the Convention itself and the opportunities for its application and enforcement, as well as with legislative reforms aimed at eliminating discrimination against women, including among the judiciary, law enforcement personnel and women themselves.

88. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that Czech law provides adequate and accessible enforcement procedures and legal remedies for violations of women’s rights. The Committee recommends the strengthening of education and training programmes in particular for judges, lawyers and law enforcement personnel on the Convention and on the legislative reforms aimed at eliminating discrimination against women...

...

99. While welcoming the high labour force participation rate of women and the legislative reforms in the area of employment, including the amendments to the Employment Act, the Labour Code, the Act on Wages and the Act on Salaries, the Committee expresses concern about the situation of women in the labour market, including women’s high unemployment rate as compared with that of men and the strong vertical and horizontal segregation and wage differentials between women and men...

100. ...The Committee recommends that efforts be made to eliminate occupational segregation, horizontal and vertical, through, inter alia, education, training and retraining and enforcement mechanisms...

See also:

•          Hungary, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 189 at paras. 327 and 328.

•          Uganda, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 164 at para. 128.

128. The Committee commends the State party for formulating and implementing the Universal Primary Education Programme, which facilitated the enrolment of 3.3 million girls in school by 2001. It also welcomes the application of temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention to increase the population of women students in tertiary education and the Functional Adult Literary Programme, which has particularly benefited women.

•          Barbados, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 177 at paras. 237, 238 and 242.

237. Despite the extensive work of NGOs and other and community organizations and the facilitating role played by the State party, the Committee expresses concern that violence against women, including domestic violence, remains a serious reality in Barbados...

238. ...The Committee urges the State party to strengthen its activities and programmes to focus on sexual violence, sexual crimes, incest and prostitution, especially prostitution associated with tourism, and to provide comprehensive training for the judiciary, the police, medical personnel and other relevant groups on all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence...

...

242. The Committee recommends the adoption of strategies to increase the number of women in decision-making positions, both in appointed and elected government bodies. The Committee recommends that the State party adopt temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention to increase women’s representation. It also recommends that the State party organize special training programmes for women and to conduct, on a regular basis, awareness-raising campaigns in this regard...

•          Hungary, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 189 at paras. 321 and 322.

321. The Committee is concerned about the prevalence of violence against women and girls, including domestic violence...

322. The Committee... recommends that training measures be taken to ensure that public officials, especially law enforcement officials, the judiciary, the medical profession and social workers, are fully sensitized to all forms of violence against women...

•          Yemen, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 200 at paras. 386 and 387.

386. While acknowledging the statement made by the State party that education is a cornerstone for development and a key element in the improvement of the status of women and the achievement of equality between women and men, the Committee notes with concern the high levels of illiteracy among women and girls, particularly in rural areas, and the high rate at which girls drop out of school.

387. The Committee calls upon the State party to strengthen its efforts to eradicate female illiteracy, especially among girls, particularly in rural areas, and to take general as well as temporary special measures to ensure primary and secondary education for girls and lower the high dropout rate among girls. The Committee recommends the introduction of measures to create an environment that increases the enrolment and retention rates of girls in schools at all levels through increased training and employment of women teachers, addressing parents’ concerns related to co-education and the setting of precise targets and timetables to measure progress.

•          Mexico, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 205 at paras. 431, 432, 443 and 444.

431. While noting that the problem of violence is regarded as one of the priority areas of PROEQUIDAD and that major reforms have been enacted to the Penal Code, the Committee expresses great concern at violence against women in Mexico, including domestic violence, which continues to go unpunished in several states.

432. ...The Committee... considers it especially important that steps be taken to train health-care workers, police officers and staff of special prosecutors’ offices in human rights and dealing with violence against women.

...

443. The Committee expresses its concern about the small percentage of women in high-level posts in all activities, namely political, legislative, trade union and educational.

444. The Committee recommends the adoption of strategies for increasing the number of women in decision-making posts at all levels, particularly in the municipalities, by taking temporary special measures as specified in article 4, paragraph l, of the Convention; it recommends further that the State party strengthen its efforts to promote women to management positions in the public and private sectors through special training programmes and sensitivity campaigns stressing the importance of women’s participation in decision-making at all levels.

•          Albania, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 13 at paras. 64, 65, 71, 74, 75 and 79.

64. The Committee is concerned that there is a lack of familiarity with the Convention and the opportunities for its application and enforcement, including among the judiciary, law enforcement personnel, non-governmental human rights and women’s organizations and women themselves.

65. The Committee recommends the introduction of education and training programmes on the Convention, in particular for parliamentarians, the judiciary and law enforcement personnel...

...

71. The Committee recommends the formulation of a comprehensive strategy to combat trafficking in women and girls, which should include the prosecution and punishment of offenders...It urges that training of border police and law enforcement officials provide them with the requisite skills to recognize and provide support for victims of trafficking...

74. The Committee is concerned about the higher unemployment rate among women than among men. The Committee is concerned that women are not able to receive adequate training and retraining to compete in the job market...

75. ...The Committee recommends that the State party design and implement special training and retraining programmes for different groups of unemployed women...

79. ...The Committee recommends that the State party increase its efforts in offering or supporting training programmes for current and future women leaders and carry out awareness-raising campaigns regarding the importance of women’s participation in political decision-making.

See also:

•          Morocco, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 101 at paras. 164 and 165.

•          Slovenia, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 109 at paras. 210 and 211.

•          Japan, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 130 at paras. 367 and 368.

•          Switzerland, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 20 at paras. 128 and 129.

128. The Committee is concerned that, despite the constitutional mandate to ensure gender equality in the field of education, gender inequality prevails in the stereotyped choices both sexes make regarding vocational training and higher education, particularly technical education. The Committee is also concerned that similar patterns can be found among teaching staff, both as regards their professional level and the traditional subjects they teach.

129. The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to encourage diversification of the educational choices of boys and girls, mainly through counselling, to help them to fully develop their personal potential.

•          Canada, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 53 at paras. 343, 361 and 362.

343. The Committee expresses satisfaction to the State party with the efforts undertaken in some provincial jurisdictions in order to increase the number of female students in the technical and scientific disciplines at the universities.

...

361. While appreciating the federal Government’s efforts to combat discrimination against aboriginal women, including the pending amendment to the Canadian Human Rights Act, and to achieve substantive equality for them, the Committee is seriously concerned about the persistent systematic discrimination faced by aboriginal women in all aspects of their lives. The Committee is concerned that aboriginal women, among other highly vulnerable groups of women in Canada, are over-concentrated in lower-skill and lower-paying occupations, they constitute a high percentage of those women who have not completed secondary education...

362. The Committee urges the State party to accelerate its efforts to eliminate de jure and de facto discrimination against aboriginal women both in society at large and in their communities, particularly with respect to the remaining discriminatory legal provisions and the equal enjoyment of their human rights to education, employment and physical and psychological well-being...

•          Costa Rica, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 86 at paras. 52, 53, 55, 60, 61, 66 and 67.

52. Although the Constitution proclaims the equality of all persons before the law and prohibits discrimination, the Committee notes with concern that the Convention is not directly invoked in legal proceedings and that social resistance and sociocultural patterns still exist that impede the practical implementation of these legal norms.

53. The Committee recommends that the State party launch at the national level a broad programme of dissemination of the Convention and its implications for protection of the rights of women, and that it conduct legal education and training activities for women, lawyers, officials in charge of law enforcement and judges and magistrates, with a view to ensuring that the provisions of the Convention are known and are made use of in judicial processes.

...

55. ...The Committee...requests the State party to strengthen programmes to combat violence against women, including training and awareness promotion for court officials and judges, and to encourage judges to reduce the utilization of “conciliation” between aggressors and victims and to ensure that the rights of women are duly protected in such “conciliation meetings”. The Committee also recommends to the State party that in carrying out the measures suggested above and in any others aimed at eliminating and penalizing violence against women, it should take into account the provisions of the Convention and of the Committee’s General Recommendation 19.

...

60. The Committee notes with concern that despite the measures taken aimed at changing stereotyped social concepts and the successes achieved, views and practices still exist, particularly in education, that promote segregation of women in higher education and, in general, discrimination against women throughout the educational system.

61. The Committee recommends to the State party that it continue to implement measures aimed at changing social stereotypes that encourage discrimination against women and impede their egalitarian performance in society.

...

66. The Committee notes with concern that the impact of poverty is greater among women and that the State does not apply the gender perspective in its national activities to combat poverty.

67. The Committee requests the State party to pay specific attention to households headed by women and to groups of women in a vulnerable situation, as well as to rural women, older women, indigenous women and disabled women, in drawing up and implementing programmes to combat poverty, and to seek to ensure their access to production resources, education and technical training.

•          Brazil, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 93 at paras. 106, 107, 114, 115, and 122-125.

106. The Committee is concerned that, despite a Federal Supreme Court ruling in 1991, the judiciary sometimes continues to apply the defence of honour in cases of men accused of assaulting or murdering women. The Committee is concerned that such decisions lead to serious violations of human rights and have negative consequences for society, strengthening discriminatory attitudes towards women.

107. The Committee recommends that the State party implement training and awareness-raising programmes to familiarize judges, prosecutors and other members of the legal profession with the Convention and its Optional Protocol...

...

114. The Committee is concerned about reports that indigenous women are being sexually abused by military units and prospectors (gold miners) on indigenous lands. The Committee notes that the Government is considering developing a code of conduct to regulate the presence of the armed forces on indigenous lands.

115. The Committee calls upon the State party to take necessary measures to raise awareness of the situation of indigenous women and girls and ensure that sexual violence against them is prosecuted and punished as a grave crime. It also urges the State party to adopt preventive measures, including swift disciplinary inquiries and human rights education programmes for the armed forces and law enforcement personnel.

...

122. Although women’s access to education has improved, the Committee is concerned at the high rate of illiteracy and the low percentage of women having education beyond primary school. It is further concerned at the persistence of gender segregation in educational fields and its consequences for professional opportunities. The Committee is also concerned that, even though teaching is a preponderantly female profession, women are under-represented in higher education.

123. The Committee recommends that pro-active measures for women’s access to all levels of education and teaching be strengthened, particularly for marginalized groups of women, and that diversification of educational and professional choices be actively encouraged for women and men.

124. The Committee is concerned about discrimination against women in the labour market, where women earned significantly less than men in all states, irrespective of their skills or education. It is concerned that the poor conditions of employment of women, in general, including vertical and horizontal segregation, are compounded by race and ethnicity...

125. The Committee recommends that measures be taken to guarantee implementation of article 11 of the Convention and the application of relevant International Labour Organization conventions, in particular those on non-discrimination in employment and equal remuneration for equal work and work of equal value for women and men. It recommends that measures be taken to eliminate occupational segregation, in particular through education and training...

•          Morocco, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 101 at paras. 170 and 171.

170. While noting the efforts made by the State party to set concrete targets and develop a national strategy on education, the Committee notes with concern the continuing high levels of illiteracy of women and girls, in particular in rural areas.

171. The Committee calls upon the State party to develop gender-sensitive measures to eradicate female illiteracy, in particular in rural areas, and to strengthen measures to create an environment that increases the enrolment and retention rates of girls in schools at all levels, through increased training and employment of teachers, the development of gender-sensitive educational materials and the monitoring and evaluation of progress achieved towards time-bound targets.

•          Slovenia, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 109 at paras. 200, 206-209, 212 and 213.

200. The Committee notes with satisfaction the high percentage of female students in particular in postgraduate studies...

...

206. The Committee expresses concern about the incidence of violence against women, including domestic violence...

207. ...The Committee recommends that measures be taken to...ensure that public officials, especially law enforcement officials, the judiciary, health-care providers and social workers, are fully sensitized to all forms of violence against women and trained to handle such situations adequately...

208. The Committee is concerned about the problem of trafficking in women and girls in Slovenia....

209. The Committee...recommends that training of border police and law enforcement officials provide them with the requisite skills to recognize and provide support for victims of trafficking...

212. ...The Committee is particularly concerned that women’s high educational levels do not seem to result in commensurate opportunities and success in the labour market. The alarmingly high and growing unemployment rate of young female first-job seekers is also a particular concern for the Committee.

213. The Committee urges the State party to ensure equal opportunities for women and men in the labour market through, inter alia, temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee recommends that the State party design and implement special training and retraining programmes for unemployed women...

•          Ecuador, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 122 at paras. 316, 321, 322, 327 and 328.

316. The Committee...recommends that the State party should conduct training and awareness campaigns on domestic violence, mainly for staff in the judicial sector and police officers...

...

321. Although there is a bilingual education plan and gender mainstreaming programmes designed to be applied at the different levels of basic education and teacher training, the Committee notes with concern that the plan is not applied systematically and in all centres responsible for applying it.

322. The Committee urges the State party to implement the bilingual education plan and the gender mainstreaming programmes.

...

327. Despite the reform of the Electoral Law, the Committee is concerned at the low percentage of political participation of women and the failure to apply, alternatively and sequentially, article 40 of the Electoral Law, which stipulates that there must be a 30 per cent quota of women on the electoral lists...

328. The Committee recommends that the State party should adopt strategies to increase the number of women taking part in decision-making positions at all levels, including the introduction of temporary special measures, in conformity with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention, to strengthen its efforts to promote women to positions of power in both the public and private sectors, supported by special training programmes and campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of women’s participation in the country’s political life.

•          Japan, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 130 at para. 370.

370. The Committee urges the State party to amend its guidelines to the Equal Employment Opportunity Law and to increase its efforts towards accelerating the achievement of de facto equal opportunities for women and men in the labour market through, inter alia, the use of temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee recommends that efforts be made to eliminate occupational segregation, both horizontal and vertical, through, inter alia, education and training, effective enforcement mechanisms and systematic monitoring of progress...

•          New Zealand, CEDAW, A/58/38 part II (2003) 138 at paras. 409-414, 423 and 424.

409. The Committee is concerned about difficulties women are facing at the university level, as reflected in the fact that men are more likely than women to complete postgraduate programmes, and in the decline in the number of women among university teachers in higher posts. The Committee is also concerned about the potential unfavourable impact on women of the existing Student Loan Scheme.

410. The Committee recommends that the State party promote the adoption of policies within universities aimed at creating a more favourable climate for women in order to achieve equality. The Committee also recommends that the State party review the Student Loan Scheme so that it does not result in additional difficulties for women.

411. While acknowledging the efforts undertaken by the State party to address discrimination faced by women in the labour market, the Committee is concerned that women remain disadvantaged in the labour market, that prerequisites and criteria [to] qualify for paid parental leave may add to women’s difficulties in entering the labour market and that the level of benefits does not provide an incentive for men to take up parental leave. The Committee is concerned about the persistence of a gender pay gap, occupational segregation, the high number of women in part-time work and in temporary jobs, affecting their eligibility for paid maternity leave, and the low wages paid to women...

412. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure equal opportunities for women and men in the public and private sectors, including through the use of temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention. It also recommends that the State party design and implement targeted job-training programmes for different groups of unemployed women. The Committee further recommends that efforts be made to eliminate occupational segregation, through education and training, the application of the principle of equal pay for work of equal and comparable value, and the promotion of additional wage increases in female-dominated sectors of employment...

413. Noting that recent legislation decriminalizes prostitution by repealing some of the offences associated with prostitution and soliciting, the Committee is concerned that prostitutes continue to face risks of exploitation and violence.

414. The Committee recommends that the State party begin immediately to monitor the implementation of this law... The Committee also urges the State party to increase its efforts to provide training and education to prostitutes in order to ensure that they can acquire alternative means of earning their livelihood.

...

423. While recognizing the State party’s efforts to address the needs of Maori and Pacific women and girls through the “Reducing Inequalities” programme, the Committee is concerned that the situation of Maori and Pacific women and girls remains unsatisfactory in many areas, particularly with regard to employment, political participation, decision-making positions in the public and private sector, the judiciary and tertiary education and economic independence...

424. The Committee urges the State party to continue to implement the “Treaty of Waitangi” and to monitor the impact of measures taken through the “Reducing Inequalities” programme on Maori and Pacific women and girls, in particular in the social, economic and political areas and in criminal justice...

•          Kuwait, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 15 at paras. 63 and 79.

63. The Committee requests the State party to ensure the primacy, direct applicability and enforceability of the Convention within the national legal framework of Kuwait. The Committee recommends that the State party launch a comprehensive programme of dissemination, education and training on the Convention, in particular for government officials and legislators, as well as judicial officers, including law enforcement officials and the judiciary, and for civil society and the public at large with a view to ensuring that the provisions of the Convention are known and implemented in Kuwait.

...

79. The Committee requests the State party to recognize that violence against women constitutes a violation of the human rights of women under the Convention...The Committee requests the State party to take measures to fully sensitize public officials, especially law enforcement officials, the judiciary and health-care providers, and to train them to handle such situations adequately...

•          Bhutan, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 21 at paras. 113, 114, 117, 118 and 122.

113. While welcoming the significant progress achieved in the increase in the enrolment rate in primary education, where girls now constitute 45 per cent of the enrolled students, the Committee is concerned about the low participation of girls and women in secondary and tertiary education, including in technology- and science-related courses.

114. The Committee encourages the State party to continue its efforts to close the gender gap in primary education and to take all necessary measures to increase the number of women in secondary and tertiary education in the country, including in technology- and science-related courses, in order to ensure that girls and women are accorded an equal opportunity to study, develop and benefit from science and technology. It also urges the State party to ensure that women have equal access with men to governmental loans and scholarships for pursuing higher education abroad.

...

117. Noting that the overwhelming majority of women live in rural areas, the Committee is concerned about their situation, in particular with regard to their access to education and vocational training. It is particularly concerned about the continuing high rates of illiteracy among rural women, and about their limited representation in rural leadership positions and limited participation in agricultural and animal husbandry training programmes.

118. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that the rights, needs and concerns of rural women are given greater attention and visibility, and that rural women participate fully in the formulation and implementation of all sectoral policies and programmes. It also recommends that the State party ensure that rural women and girls have full access to education and vocational training in the areas where they live.

...

122. The Committee urges the State party to ensure the full implementation of all legal and other measures relating to the elimination of violence against women, to systematically monitor the impact of those measures and to provide women victims of violence with accessible and effective means of protection, redress and recovery...The Committee also urges the State party...to step up its efforts to provide comprehensive training to the judiciary, police, medical personnel and other relevant groups on all forms of violence against women.

•          Kyrgyzstan, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 28 at paras. 149, 153, 154, 161 and 162.

149. The Committee welcomes the initiative to open centres for gender studies at higher educational institutions.

...

153. The Committee is concerned that the judiciary, law enforcement personnel and women in general are not familiar with the Convention or with existing laws to promote gender equality, including the law on social and legal protection against violence in the family, and the procedures for their application and enforcement.

154. The Committee urges the State party to introduce education and training programmes on the Convention and on existing laws to promote gender equality, in particular for the judiciary, law enforcement personnel and parliamentarians. It recommends that awareness-raising campaigns targeted at women be undertaken to enhance women’s awareness of their rights and to ensure that women can avail themselves of procedures and remedies for violations of their rights under the Convention and those laws.

...

161. Despite the enactment of the law on social and legal protection against violence in the family and efforts to combat domestic violence, the Committee is concerned at the continuing hidden nature of domestic violence and the inadequate performance of the police in dealing with the reporting from the victims...

162. The Committee recommends that an extensive, public awareness-raising campaign against violence in the family be launched nationwide and that strengthened training programmes for the police and the judiciary be provided so as to ensure that the rights of victims of domestic violence are properly protected...

•          Nepal, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 34 at paras. 204 and 205.

204. While recognizing that education is a national priority of the State party and that substantial progress has been made, including a decline in the overall illiteracy rate, the Committee is concerned about the continuing significant gap between the literacy rates of women and men. It is concerned about the low female enrolment in primary and secondary schools, high dropout rates and the very limited access for women to tertiary education. The Committee is also concerned that educational opportunities are fewer for women in rural areas and for women of different castes and ethnic groups.

205. The Committee urges the State party to intensify its efforts to address the literacy gap between men and women so that the goals established in the National Plan on Education in regard to equality in education can be achieved, particularly in rural areas and among disadvantaged castes and ethnic groups. The Committee also recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to ensure equal access of girls and women to all levels of education and to take all appropriate measures to prevent girls from dropping out of school...

•          Ethiopia, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 42 at paras. 240, 249 and 250.

240. The Committee commends the State party for the temporary special measures introduced in the civil service and in education, in particular the allocation of at least 30 per cent of the total number of university seats to female students. It also commends the State party for the introduction of the girl’s scholarship programme, covering 28 schools in 7 regions, and the incorporation of gender mainstreaming in the school curriculum.

...

249. The Committee, while welcoming the State party’s efforts in the area of education, is concerned at the low rate of female literacy, the continuing gap between boys and girls in the school enrolment rate and at the high drop-out and repetition rates among girls.

250. The Committee urges the State party to strengthen its efforts to improve the literacy rate of girls and women in rural and urban areas, to ensure equal access of girls and young women to all levels of education and to take measures to reduce and eliminate the high drop-out and repetition rates of girls. It encourages the State party to introduce temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and general recommendation 25 at primary and secondary levels of education, including incentives for parents to send girls to school. It also recommends that the State party take steps to ensure that rural women and girls have full access to education and vocational training.

•          Nigeria, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 49 at paras. 292 and 298.

292. The Committee urges the State party to place high priority on completing the process of full domestication of the Convention. It calls on the State party to ensure that the Convention and related domestic legislation are made an integral part of legal education and the training of judicial officers, including judges, lawyers and prosecutors, so as to firmly establish in the country a legal culture supportive of women’s equality and non-discrimination.

...

298. The Committee urges the State party to place high priority on putting in place comprehensive measures to address all forms of violence against women in the family and in society and to recognize that such violence constitutes a violation of the human rights of women under the Convention, and in the light of general recommendation 19 on violence against women...The Committee recommends gender-sensitive training for public officials, in particular for law enforcement personnel, the judiciary and health service providers...

•          Belarus, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 55 at paras. 341, 342 and 348.

341. The Committee is concerned that there is insufficient awareness of the Convention and the procedures for its application and enforcement, as well as of women’s human rights in general, including among the judiciary, law enforcement personnel and women themselves.

342. The Committee urges the State party to introduce education and training programmes on the Convention, in particular for parliamentarians, the judiciary, the police and other law enforcement personnel...

...

348. The Committee urges the State party to place high priority on implementing comprehensive measures to address violence against women in the family and in society, in accordance with its general recommendation 19...The Committee also recommends that the State party ensure that public officials, especially the police and other law enforcement officials, the judiciary, health-care providers and social workers, are fully sensitized to all forms of violence against women...

See also:

•          Equatorial Guinea, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 126 at para. 200.

•          Latvia, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 103 at paras. 65, 66 and 68.

65. The Committee is concerned about gender stereotyping in textbooks and other teaching materials. The Committee also regrets that insufficient data disaggregated by sex have been provided with regard to the choices that both sexes make regarding vocational, scientific and technical training and higher education.

66. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to eliminate gender stereotyping and encourage diversification of the educational choices of boys and girls through counselling...

...

68. The Committee recommends that efforts be made to eliminate occupational segregation and to ensure equal opportunities for women and men in the labour market in rural as well as in urban areas through, inter alia, the use of gender bias-free job evaluation and wage-setting schemes and temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention. The Committee recommends that the State party design and implement special training and retraining programmes for different groups of unemployed women...

•          Malta, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 111 at paras. 111 and 112.

111. Noting that a significant number of women drop out of the labour market by age 25, the Committee is concerned about the lack of information regarding the number of women who want to re-enter the labour-market at a later stage in their lives as well as about the apparent lack of overall labour market policies for these women.

112. The Committee recommends that the State party conduct thorough research on the current and future potential of women wanting to re-enter the labour market and to design, based on such research, a comprehensive policy for counselling, training and retraining these women aimed at reintegrating them into the labour market.

•          Angola, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 118 at paras. 141, 153, 155, 158, 159, 164 and 165.

141. The Committee recommends that the State party take immediate measures to ensure that the Convention becomes fully applicable in the domestic legal system. It calls on the State party to ensure that the Convention and related domestic legislation are made an integral part of legal education and the training of judicial officers, including judges, lawyers and prosecutors, so as to establish firmly in the country a legal culture supportive of women’s equality and non-discrimination...

...

153. The Committee urges the State party to place high priority on putting comprehensive measures in place to address all forms of violence against women and girls, recognizing that such violence constitutes a violation of the human rights of women under the Convention and further elaborated in the Committee’s general recommendation 19 on violence against women...The Committee recommends that the State party intensify its public awareness-raising efforts on violence against women and implement training for public officials, especially police and law enforcement personnel, the judiciary and health and social workers and community leaders, in order to ensure that they are sensitized to the unacceptability of all forms of violence against women and adequately support victims of such violence...

...

155. The Committee recommends that the State party undertake measures to increase the number of women in decision-making positions in all spheres, in accordance with its general recommendation 23 on women in political and public life, including in the National Assembly, in political parties, the judiciary and the civil service, including the foreign service. It also recommends that the State party introduce temporary special measures, in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and the Committee’s general recommendation 25 on temporary special measures, and to establish concrete goals and timetables to accelerate women’s equal participation in public and political life. The Committee urges the State party to implement training programmes to encourage women to participate in public life...

...

158. The Committee is concerned at the poor educational infrastructure, as reflected in the very low budgetary allocation; the lack of, or insufficient number of, schools and teachers; and the poor quality of education. The Committee is concerned that these shortcomings result in a high rate of illiteracy among girls and women, their low enrolment rates in primary, secondary, vocational and higher education, in both urban and rural areas, and in their high drop out rates. The Committee notes that education is a key to the advancement of women and that the low level of education of women and girls remains one of the most serious impediments to their full enjoyment of human rights and the achievement of women’s empowerment.

159. The Committee urges the State party to increase its investment in education as a fundamental human right and as a basis for the empowerment of women. It recommends that the State party continue and further prioritize efforts to: improve the literacy level of girls and women; ensure equal access of girls and women to all levels of education in both urban and rural areas; increase the enrolment rates for girls; and take measures to retain girls in school, including through temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and its general recommendation 25, so as to implement article 10 of the Convention.

...

164. Noting that the majority of women live in the rural areas, the Committee is concerned that many live in extreme poverty and lack access to education and vocational training, health care and income-generation opportunities. It is particularly concerned that the State party’s rural development strategy does not seem to include attention to the situation of rural women.

165. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that the rights, needs and concerns of rural women are given greater attention and visibility in the country’s rural rehabilitation and development strategy. It also calls on the State party to ensure that rural women can participate fully in decision-making in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes in rural areas. It urges the State party to ensure that rural women and girls have full access to health-care services, education and vocational training, as well as to income-generation opportunities.

See also:

•          Guyana, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 136 at paras. 301 and 302.

•          Bangladesh, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 134 at para. 244.

244. The Committee recommends the formulation of a comprehensive strategy to combat trafficking in women and girls that should include the prosecution and punishment of offenders...It urges the training of border police and law enforcement officials in order to provide them with the requisite skills to recognize and provide support for victims of trafficking...

•          Dominican Republic, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 141 at para. 295.

295. The Committee urges the State party in all its efforts to bear in mind general recommendation No. 19 on violence against women...The Committee strongly urges the State party to allocate the necessary funds to ensure the implementation of programmes for the protection of victims of violence against women and to train and sensitize law enforcement officers, court officials, judges, journalists and health personnel, including through the use of the media, in order to change social, cultural and traditional attitudes that perpetuate violence against women...

•          Spain, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 149 at paras. 348 and 349.

348. The Committee is concerned about information that women who begin doctoral studies do not complete their dissertations at as high a rate as men.

349. The Committee recommends that the State party increase women’s access to resources, including grants, and to childcare facilities, to enable them to complete their dissertations at the same rate as men do.

•          Argentina, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 155 at para. 379.

379. The Committee urges the State party to ensure that a comprehensive approach is taken to address violence against women and girls, taking into account its general recommendation 19 on violence against women...The Committee also recommends that the State party launch a national public-awareness campaign on violence, against women and the social and moral unacceptability of such violence especially in the current difficult time the country is experiencing, and increase its efforts to provide gender-sensitive training on violence against women as a violation of women’s human rights for public officials, particularly law enforcement personnel, the judiciary and health-service providers.

•          Samoa, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 9 at paras. 50 and 51.

50. While noting the State party’s intention to review all criminal laws within the next two years and the courts’ adoption of a “no-drop” policy in regard to charges of domestic violence, the Committee is concerned that the prevalence of domestic violence needs measures to prevent and combat various forms of violence against women.

51. The Committee recommends that the State party put in place without delay a comprehensive strategy to prevent and combat all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, which is a form of discrimination against women and a violation of their human rights...It also calls upon the State party to ensure that public officials, especially law enforcement personnel, the judiciary, health-care providers and social workers, are fully sensitized to all forms of violence against women and are adequately trained to respond to them.

See also:

•          Lebanon, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 109 at para. 104.

•          Algeria, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 23 at para. 132.

132. The Committee notes with satisfaction the increase in women’s enrolment in institutions of higher learning, from 39.5 per cent in 1990 to approximately 55.4 per cent in 2003. It also appreciates that girls now comprise 57.53 per cent of students in secondary education.

•          Croatia, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 30 at paras. 200 and 201.

200. The Committee is concerned about the persistence of sex-stereotyping in educational curricula and in textbooks. It is also concerned that girls and women in secondary schools and universities continue to choose study areas traditionally seen as “female areas” and that they are underrepresented in the sciences.

201. The Committee encourages the State party to intensify its efforts to eliminate gender stereotyping and to strengthen the mainstreaming of gender perspectives in curricula and textbooks. It also requests the State party to enhance the training of teaching staff in regard to gender equality issues. It calls on the State party to further encourage diversification of the educational choices of boys and girls and, at the tertiary level, to attract more women to the field of science and technology, including through temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention. It also urges the State party to encourage a public dialogue on the educational choices girls and women make and their subsequent opportunities and chances in the labour market.

•          Gabon, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 37 at paras. 241 and 242.

241. The Committee expresses concern that, although education is compulsory for all children aged 6 to 16 under Act No. 16/66 of 10 August 1966, the attendance rates for girls drop precipitously at higher levels of education, with 39.94 per cent in junior high school and 7.20 per cent in upper high school. The Committee is also concerned that the attendance rates for girls drop to 2.63 per cent in higher education.

242. The Committee urges the State party to raise awareness of the importance of education as a fundamental human right and as a basis for the empowerment of women. It recommends that the State party prioritize efforts to ensure equal access of girls and young women to all levels of education and to increase their rates of enrolment and retention, including through the use of temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and the Committee’s general recommendation 25 on temporary special measures, by giving incentives to parents and scholarships to girl students. The Committee encourages the State party to use its educational and training systems systematically for enhancing knowledge about the Convention and women’s right to equality and non-discrimination.

•          Paraguay, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 44 at paras. 289 and 290.

289. The Committee remains concerned about the situation of rural women, who continue to have limited access to land ownership and to credit facilities and extension services, thus perpetuating their poor social and economic conditions, notwithstanding the adoption of the Agrarian Act...

290. The Committee urges the State party to address the rights, needs and concerns of rural women through the effective implementation of the Agrarian Act without delay and to implement vocational training programmes for rural women to ensure equal opportunities and access to the labour market...

•          Turkey, CEDAW, A/60/38 part I (2005) 58 at paras. 371-374.

371. The Committee is concerned at the high rate of female illiteracy and the lower enrolment and completion rates of girls and women at all levels of education, and that these discrepancies are further aggravated by urban-rural, regional and ethnic differences. The Committee is further concerned that girls and women continue to predominate in traditionally female areas of education and are particularly underrepresented in technical and vocational schools. The Committee is concerned about the disadvantages that result from these educational choices for women’s professional and employment opportunities. It is also concerned that women and girls whose mother tongue is not Turkish may face multiple forms of discrimination in access to and achievement in education. The Committee is also concerned about the impact on girls and women of the ban on wearing headscarves in schools and universities. The Committee is further concerned that stereotypical attitudes continue to create disadvantages for girls in education.

372. The Committee recommends that the State party take proactive measures to decrease the high rate of female illiteracy and to strengthen girls’ and women’s access to all levels of education and teaching and to actively encourage diversification of educational and professional choices for women and men. The Committee recommends that such measures include the use of temporary special measures, in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and the Committee’s general recommendation 25. The Committee calls on the State party to implement further targeted policies and programmes to overcome educational disadvantages faced by girls and women belonging to diverse ethnic groups and those whose mother tongue is not Turkish, particularly in rural areas, as well as to address regional disparities. The Committee requests the State party to monitor and assess the impact of the ban on wearing headscarves and to compile information on the number of women who have been excluded from schools and universities because of the ban. It also calls on the State party to undertake further awareness-raising on the importance of education for women’s equality and economic opportunities, and to overcome stereotypical attitudes.

373. The Committee is concerned about direct and indirect discrimination against women in the labour market, where women earn significantly less than men in both the public and private sectors. The Committee is concerned about women’s high level of unemployment, very low participation in the labour force, particularly in urban areas, and their concentration in agriculture as unpaid family workers and in unregistered work with low or no income or wages and lack of social security benefits...

374. The Committee calls on the State party to take measures to ensure full implementation of article 11 of the Convention. It recommends that the State party take measures to eliminate occupational segregation, in particular through education and training...

•          Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 101 at paras. 43, 44 and 55-60.

43. While the Committee notes that the people’s committees address and regulate almost every aspect of people’s lives, including women’s lives at every level, it is concerned that the committees and their procedures may not address women’s rights and needs on an equal basis with those of men...

44. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure adequate representation of women in the people’s committees and that training be given to the committees concerning women’s rights to equality and the obligations under the Convention...

...

55. The Committee expresses concern that the State party is not aware of the existence of domestic violence and that, as a result, there is a lack of specific legislation to deal with all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, and a lack of prevention and protection measures for victims.

56. The Committee calls on the State party to conduct research on the incidence, causes and consequences of all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence... In this regard the Committee urges the State party to find ways to make visible the existence of domestic violence, for example by training health workers to identify signs of abuse...It also urges the State party to address all forms of violence against women and girls in accordance with its general recommendation 19 on violence against women and to accord priority attention to the adoption of comprehensive measures, including the training of law enforcement agencies in responding effectively to victims of violence.

57. The Committee is concerned about the practice of encouraging conciliation among spouses that apply for divorce, with the aim of protecting family unity, which could be detrimental to women who are victims of domestic violence and other forms of abuse.

58. The Committee recommends that the State party conduct a comprehensive analysis of divorce cases and encourage judges to review the utilization of conciliation and to ensure that the rights of women are duly protected. The Committee recommends gender-sensitive training for legislators, the judiciary and public officials, particularly for law enforcement personnel and health service providers...

59. In the light of the widespread famine and natural disasters that have affected the country from the mid-1990s, the Committee expresses concern about the insufficient explanation provided with respect to the impact of those phenomena on women, in particular on women from rural areas, on women who are the main providers of the household and on young girls. The Committee is concerned that they may become vulnerable to trafficking and other forms of exploitation, such as prostitution.

60. The Committee urges the State party to introduce specific poverty alleviation measures aimed at improving the situation of women to eliminate their vulnerability...It calls on the State party to train law enforcement officials, migration officials and border police on the causes, consequences and incidence of trafficking and other forms of exploitation so as to enable them to render support to women who might be at risk of becoming victims of trafficking or commercial sexual exploitation...

•          Lebanon, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 109 at para. 90.

90. The Committee appreciates the progress achieved in the area of women’s education, particularly in institutions of higher education where, in 2002/03, women constituted 53.9 per cent of the total number of students.

•          Benin, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 116 at paras. 149 and 150.

149. The Committee is concerned about the absence of policies and programmes, including legislation, to address violence against women and the economic exploitation and ill-treatment of young girls employed as domestic servants. The Committee is particularly concerned about the perception prevalent in the State party that violence against women, particularly domestic violence, is a private matter, and about the reluctance of women to report incidents of violence committed against them...

150. The Committee urges the State party to accord priority attention to the adoption of comprehensive measures to combat violence against women and girls, in accordance with its general recommendation 19 on violence against women...The Committee recommends that training be undertaken for the judiciary and public officials, particularly law enforcement personnel, and for health-service providers, so as to ensure that they are sensitized to all forms of violence against women and can adequately respond to it...

•          Gambia, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 122 at paras. 187, 188, 193, 194, 211 and 212 .

187. The Committee is concerned that, although the Convention was ratified in 1993, it has not yet been fully incorporated into Gambian law. It notes with concern that, without such full incorporation, the Convention’s provisions are not justiciable and enforceable in the Gambian courts.

188. The Committee urges the State party to place high priority on completing the process of full incorporation of the Convention in national legislation. It calls upon the State party to ensure that the Convention and related domestic legislation are made an integral part of legal education and the training of judicial officers, including judges, lawyers and prosecutors, so as to firmly establish in the country a legal culture supportive of women’s equality and non-discrimination.

...

193. The Committee expresses concern about the lack of legislation, policies and programmes to address violence against women, including domestic violence...The Committee is further concerned about the lack of social awareness on the issue of violence against women and girls in the country.

194. The Committee requests the State party to adopt comprehensive measures to address violence against women and girls in accordance with its general recommendation 19...The Committee recommends the implementation of training for law enforcement officials, the judiciary, health providers, social workers and the general public so as to ensure that they are sensitized to all forms of violence against women and can adequately respond to it...

...

211. The Committee is concerned about the situation of rural women, many of whom live in extreme poverty and lack access to health care, education, vocational training, credit facilities and income-generation opportunities. It is particularly concerned that the State has not yet designed a gender-sensitive rural development strategy.

212. The Committee urges the State party to design and implement a gender-sensitive rural development strategy. It calls upon the State party to ensure that rural women can participate fully in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes in rural areas. It urges the State party to ensure that rural women and girls have full access to health-care services, education and vocational training, as well as credit facilities and income-generating opportunities.

•          Israel, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 129 at paras. 255 and 256.

255. While appreciating the progress made in the fields of women’s education and health, the Committee is concerned that Israeli Arab women remain in a vulnerable and marginalized situation, especially in regard to education and health...

256. The Committee recommends that the State party take urgent measures to reduce the drop-out rates of Israeli Arab girls and increase the number of Israeli Arab women at institutions of higher education, including temporary special measures in accordance with article 4, paragraph 1, of the Convention and the Committee’s general recommendation 25...

•          Ireland, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 151 at paras. 382, 383, 388, 389, 392 and 393.

382. The Committee is concerned at the persistence of traditional stereotypical views of the social roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and in society at large...

383. The Committee recommends that the State party take additional measures to eliminate traditional stereotypical attitudes, including through sensitization and training of all educational actors and sustained awareness-raising campaigns directed at both women and men...

...

388. The Committee is concerned about trafficking in women and girls into Ireland, the lack of information on the extent of the problem and on specific legislation in this area, and the lack of a comprehensive strategy to combat it.

389. The Committee recommends the adoption and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to combat trafficking in women and girls, which should include preventive measures, the prosecution and punishment of offenders and the enactment of specific legislation in the area...It further recommends that border police and law enforcement officials be provided with the requisite skills to recognize and provide support for victims of trafficking...

...

392. While recognizing that the second National Action Plan against Poverty and Social Exclusion and the National Anti-Poverty Strategy provide for an integrated focus on addressing the needs of specific groups, including women, the Committee is concerned at the situation of vulnerable groups of women who are considered to be at high risk of consistent poverty and social exclusion, including rural women, older women, Traveller women, women who are single parents and women with disabilities. The Committee is particularly concerned at the barriers faced by those vulnerable groups in relation to access to education, employment, health care and other social services.

393. The Committee recommends that the State party closely monitor the situation of poverty and social exclusion of women in the most vulnerable groups and implement effective measures and training programmes that will allow them fully to enjoy the benefits of the State party’s prosperity...

CAT

•          Benin, CAT, A/57/44 (2002) 19 at paras. 34 and 35.

34. The Committee is concerned about the following:

...

(d) The lack of attention paid to human rights, especially to the prohibition of torture, in training programmes for civilian and military law enforcement personnel and medical personnel, despite positive initiatives by the Benin Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights League;

...

35. The Committee recommends that:

...

(d) The State party should strengthen human rights education and promotion activities, particularly on the prohibition of torture, for law enforcement officials and medical personnel;

...

See also:

•          Zambia, CAT, A/57/44 (2001) 34 at para. 66.

•          Indonesia, CAT, A/57/44 (2002) 22 at para. 45.

45. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(k) Reinforce human rights education to provide guidelines and training, regarding in particular the prohibition of torture, for law enforcement officials, judges, and medical personnel;

...

•          Israel, CAT, A/57/44 (2002) 27 at para. 53.

53. The Committee makes the following recommendations:

...

(h) The State party should intensify human rights education and training activities, in particular concerning the Convention, for the ISA, the Israel Defence Forces, police and medical doctors;

...

•          Ukraine, CAT, A/57/44 (2002) 31 at paras. 57 and 58.

57. The Committee expresses its concern about the following:

...

(k) The lack of adequate training of police and prison personnel in their duties under the law and on the rights of detainees;

(l) Despite certain progress, the practise of bullying and hazing (dedovshchina) of young conscript soldiers is still widely practised in the armed forces.

...

58. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(l) Expedite the process of training of law enforcement and medical personnel as to their duty to respect the rights and dignity of persons deprived of liberty;

...

(n) Adopt a more effective system to end the practise of bullying and hazing (dedovshchina) in the armed forces, through training and education, and prosecute and punish offenders;

...

•          Russian Federation, CAT, A/57/44 (2002) 42 at paras. 92 and 94.

92. The Committee...expresses its concern about the following:

...

(f) The lack of practical training about obligations under the Convention for doctors, law enforcement personnel and judges, and the military;

...

(i) Reports of conditions amounting to inhuman or degrading treatment, of children in institutions or places of detention;

...

94. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(g) Ensure training about obligations under the Convention for (i) doctors to detect signs of torture or ill-treatment of persons who have been or are in custody, (ii) law enforcement personnel and judges to initiate prompt and impartial investigations, and (iii) military personnel to be aware of the prohibition of torture and that an order from a superior officer may not be invoked as a justification of torture;

...

(j) Distribute and ensure implementation of appropriate instructions to all relevant officials on the prohibition of ill-treatment and acts of torture against children in institutions and prisons under the jurisdiction of the State;

...

•          Saudi Arabia, CAT, A/57/44 (2002) 48 at para. 101.

101. The Committee recommends, in particular, that the State party:

...

(j) Ensure that its training of law enforcement personnel includes education and information on the recognition of the physical consequences of torture consistent with that provided to a number of its medical personnel, in accordance with article 10 of the Convention;

...

•          Sweden, CAT, A/57/44 (2002) 51 at para. 108.

108. The Committee recommends that the State party should:

...

(g) Strengthen the human rights education programmes intended for police personnel, prison guards and other law enforcement officers, as well as training programmes relating to the application of the Handbook of Police Procedures and Actions of Self-Defence;

...

•          Uzbekistan, CAT, A/57/44 (2002) 54 at paras. 115 and 116.

115. The Committee expresses concern about the following:

...

(d) A lack of practical training for (i) doctors in the detection of signs of torture or ill-treatment of persons who have been or are in custody, and (ii) law enforcement personnel and judges in initiating prompt and impartial investigations;

...

116. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(h) Ensure that law enforcement, judicial, medical and other personnel who are involved in custody, interrogation, treatment or who otherwise come into contact with detainees are trained with regard to the prohibition of torture and that the requalification procedure ("re-attestation") of those personnel include both verification of an awareness of the Convention's requirements and a review of their records in treating detainees;

...

•          Cyprus, CAT, A/58/44 (2002) 21 at para. 33.

33. The Committee welcomes the recent legislative, administrative and institutional developments that took place in the State party since the consideration of its previous periodic report, namely:

...

(m) The introduction of a programme for the training of judges of first instance courts in the field of human rights.

...

•          Egypt, CAT, A/58/44 (2002) 22 at paras. 37 and 42.

37. The Committee welcomes the following:

...

(d) The efforts of the State party to give greater emphasis to human rights training of law enforcement officials and public servants;

...

42. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(o) Continue the process of training law enforcement personnel, in particular as regards the obligations set out in the Convention and the right of every detainee to medical and legal assistance and to have contact with his or her family;

...

•          Estonia, CAT, A/58/44 (2002) 26 at paras. 49 and 50.

49. The Committee is concerned that:

(a) Article 1 of the Convention has not yet been directly applied by magistrates, and that the direct application of international human rights treaties, although possible in theory, is not widely practised in the courts;

(b) The definition of torture contained in article 122 of the Penal Code as “continuous physical abuse or abuse which causes great pain” does not seem to comply fully with article 1 of the Convention. The Committee notes that, according to the delegation, article 122 protects physical as well as mental health, but is of the opinion that the wording of the article may lead to restrictive interpretations as well as confusion;

...

50. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Incorporate into the Penal Code a definition of the crime of torture that fully and clearly responds to article 1 of the Convention, and provide extensive training for judges and lawyers on the content of the Convention as well as its status in domestic law;

(b) Ensure that law enforcement, judicial, medical and other personnel who are involved in the custody, detention, interrogation and treatment of detainees or psychiatric patients are trained with regard to the prohibition of torture and that their recertification includes both verification of their awareness of the Convention’s requirements and a review of their records in treating detainees or patients. Training should include developing the skills needed to recognize the sequelae of torture;

...

•          Spain, CAT, A/58/44 (2002) 29 at para. 58.

58. The Committee...notes with satisfaction:

...

(c) The efforts made to provide training programmes for officials of the State security and police forces;

...

•          Venezuela, CAT, A/58/44 (2002) 32 at para. 81.

81. The Committee recommends that the State party should:

...

(d) Continue its activities of education in and promotion of human rights, particularly the prohibition of acts of torture, for law enforcement and medical personnel;

...

•          Azerbaijan, CAT, A/58/44 (2003) 36 at para. 89.

89. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Clearly instruct police officers, investigative authorities and remand centre personnel that they must respect the right of detained persons to obtain access to a lawyer immediately following detention and a medical doctor on the request of the detainee, and not only after the written consent of detaining authorities has been obtained. The State party should ensure the full independence of medical experts;

...

(f) Ensure the prompt creation of the new bar association and take measures to guarantee an adequate number of qualified and independent lawyers able to act in criminal cases;

...

(j) Intensify efforts to educate and train police, prison staff, law enforcement personnel, judges and doctors on their obligations to protect from torture and ill-treatment all individuals who are in State custody. It is particularly important to train medical personnel to detect signs of torture or ill-treatment and to document such acts;

...

•          Cambodia, CAT, A/58/44 (2003) 40 at paras. 96 and 99.

96. The Committee welcomes the following:

...

(b) The State party’s cooperation with United Nations agencies and mechanisms in the field of human rights. In this regard, the Committee welcomes the cooperation with the United Nations human rights field presence in the country and the training and educational activities on human rights provided by international organizations to law enforcement personnel, as well as the positive role played by NGOs in this regard.

...

99. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(j) Reinforce human rights education and promotion activities in general, and regarding the prohibition of torture in particular, for law enforcement officials and medical personnel, and introduce training in these subjects in official education programmes;

...

•          Iceland, CAT, A/58/44 (2003) 43 at para. 110.

110. The Committee...recommends that:

(a) Doctors who are in contact with persons subjected to any form of arrest, detention or imprisonment be trained to recognize the sequelae of torture and in the rehabilitation of victims of torture or maltreatment;

(b) The State party continue to address issues of inter-prisoner violence by actively monitoring such violence and ensuring that prison staff are trained and able to intervene appropriately;

...

•          Slovenia, CAT, A/58/44 (2003) 44 at para. 114.

114. The Committee welcomes the ongoing efforts by the State party to reform its legal system and revise its legislation so as to strengthen human rights in Slovenia. In particular, the Committee welcomes:

...

(g) Efforts undertaken by the State party in the sphere of educational and training activities in order to familiarize policemen and recruits participating in in-service training with international human rights standards, including the prevention of torture.

•          Turkey, CAT, A/58/44 (2003) 46 at paras. 122 and 123.

122. The Committee is...concerned about:

(a) The lack of training of medical personnel dealing with detainees in matters relating to the prohibition of torture;

...

123. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(j) Include the prevention of torture in the Human Rights Education Programme of Turkey (1998-2007) and ensure that all the new developments in legislation are made widely known to all public authorities;

(k) Intensify training of medical personnel with regard to the obligations set out in the Convention, in particular in the detection of signs of torture or ill-treatment and the preparation of forensic reports in accordance with the Istanbul Protocol;

...

•          Belgium, CAT, A/58/44 (2003) 49 at paras. 129 and 131.

129. The Committee is concerned about:

...

(n) The lack of training for prison administrative staff, including medical staff, in particular on the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, owing especially to the lack of resources earmarked for that purpose;

...

131. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(m) Guarantee the training of prison administrative staff, including medical staff, in the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment;

...

•          Republic of Moldova, CAT, A/58/44 (2003) 53 at paras. 138 and 139.

138. The Committee expresses concern about:

...

(m) The lack of training in the prevention of torture of law enforcement personnel, including doctors dealing with persons deprived of their liberty.

139. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(m) Reinforce human rights education and promotion activities regarding the prohibition of torture, particularly for law enforcement and medical personnel, and introduce training in these subjects in official education programmes;

...

•          Chile, CAT, A/59/44 (2004) 28 at paras. 56 and 57.

56. The Committee expresses concern about the following:

(a) Allegations of continued ill-treatment of persons, in some cases amounting to torture, by carabineros (uniformed police), policía de investigaciones (civil police forces) and the gendarmería (prison guards), and reports of failure to conduct thorough and independent investigations into such complaints;

...

57. The Committee recommends that the State party should:

...

(i) Develop training programmes on the provisions of the Convention for judges and prosecutors as well as other law enforcement officials, including programmes on the prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, for military officials, police, and other law enforcement personnel and others who may be involved in the custody, interrogation or treatment of persons at risk of torture; ensure that training programmes for medical specialists specifically deal with the identification and documentation of torture;

...

•          Lithuania, CAT, A/59/44 (2003) 52 at para. 110.

110. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Take all appropriate measures to prevent acts of torture and ill-treatment by, inter alia:

(i) Ensuring that health-care personnel are trained to identify signs of physical and psychological torture;

(ii) Emphasizing the importance of training prison officials to develop good communication skills between themselves and with detainees, as a measure to reduce the resort to prohibited physical coercion, and to reduce inter-prisoner violence;

...

•          Yemen, CAT, A/59/44 (2003) 64 at para. 146.

146. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(n) Consult closely with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations independent human rights mechanisms and country-based programmes to develop appropriate education and training programmes on, inter alia, the United Nations human rights treaty body reporting processes and programmes aimed at enforcing the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment.

•          Argentina, CAT, A/60/44 (2004) 12 at paras. 34 and 35.

34. The Committee expresses its concern at the following:

...

(b) The lack of proportion between the high number of reports of torture and ill-treatment and the very small number of convictions for such offences, as well as the unjustifiable delays in the investigation of cases of torture, all of which contribute to the prevailing impunity in this area;

(c) The repeated practice of miscategorization of actions by judicial officials, who treat the crime of torture as a minor offence (such as unlawful coercion), which carries a lesser punishment, when in fact such actions should be categorized as torture;

...

35. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary steps to prevent acts of torture and ill-treatment in the territory of the State of Argentina, and in particular that it:

...

(b) Provide training for judicial officials in order to enhance the efficiency of investigations and bring judicial decisions into line with the relevant international standards;

(c) Improve the quality of the State’s security forces and agencies and enhance their training in respect of human rights, and specifically in respect of the requirements stemming from the Convention;

...

•          Greece, CAT, A/60/44 (2004) 20 at paras. 47 and 48.

47. The Committee notes that many of the concerns it expressed during the consideration of the third periodic report (A/56/44, para. 87) have not been adequately addressed, and will be reiterated in the present concluding observations. Consequently, the Committee expresses its concern at:

...

(c) Training provided to public officials which may be inadequate to provide an appropriate response to the numerous challenges with which they are faced, including undocumented migrants and asylum-seekers and victims of trafficking, many of whom are women and children;

...

48. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Ensure that all personnel involved in the custody, detention, interrogation and treatment of detainees are trained with regard to the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment. Training should include developing skills needed to recognize the sequelae of torture and sensitization with respect to contact with particularly vulnerable persons in situations of risk;

...

•          Albania, CAT, A/60/44 (2005) 34 at paras. 81, 83 and 84.

81. The Committee notes with appreciation the ongoing efforts by the State party aimed at strengthening human rights in Albania. In particular, the Committee welcomes the following:

...

(d) Specific measures for law enforcement personnel:

...

(ii) The organization of training for the police through a project of education in the field of prevention of torture by the Ministry of Public Order in cooperation with NGOs.

...

83. The Committee expresses concern:

...

(d) About the difficulties encountered by victims of torture and ill-treatment in filing a formal complaint with public authorities, obtaining medical evidence in support of their allegations and presenting that evidence;

(e) About allegations of lack of independence of the judiciary;

...

(i) At the lack of implementation of the fundamental legal safeguards for persons detained by the police, including guaranteeing the right to inform a relative, access to a lawyer and a doctor of their own choice, the provision of information about their rights and, for juveniles, the presence of their legal guardians during interrogation;

...

84. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(e) Take all appropriate measures to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and to provide adequate training on the prohibition of torture to judges and prosecutors;

...

(q) Take all necessary measures to ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of the Convention and of the adopted legislation, disseminate the relevant legislation to detainees and law enforcement personnel and provide adequate training to the latter;

...

•          Bahrain, CAT, A/60/44 (2005) 44 at paras. 108 and 109.

108. The Committee expresses its concern at:

...

(f) The apparent failure to investigate promptly, impartially and fully the numerous allegations of torture and ill-treatment and to prosecute alleged offenders, and in particular the pattern of impunity for torture and other ill-treatment committed by law enforcement personnel in the past;

...

109. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(n) Ensure that law enforcement, civil, military and medical personnel, public officials and other persons who may be involved in the custody, interrogation or treatment of any individual deprived of his/her liberty are trained to recognize the physical consequences of torture and respect the absolute prohibition of torture;

...

CRC

•          Mauritania, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 8 at paras. 60 and 61.

60. The Committee notes with concern that there is no procedure available for children who are abused and/or neglected within the family.

61. In light of article 19 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Train teachers, law enforcement officials, care workers, judges and health professionals in the identification, reporting and management of ill-treatment cases;...

....

See also:

•          Bhutan, CRC, CRC/C/108 (2001) 85 at para. 463.

•          Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 101 at para. 450.

•          Oman, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 36 at paras. 179, 180, 191, 192, 195 and 196.

179. The Committee is concerned that traditional attitudes towards children in society may limit respect for their views, especially within the family and schools.

180. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Develop skills-training programmes in community settings for parents, teachers, social workers and local officials so that they can learn how to help children to express their informed views and opinions and to take those views into consideration;...

...

191. Noting significant improvements in education indicators, the Committee is concerned: that primary education is not compulsory; at levels of drop-out and repetition at primary, preparatory and secondary education levels, especially among boys; and at the quality of teaching as a result of rapid Omanization in this sector.

192. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Make greater efforts to address drop-out and repetition rates; and

(c) Allocate the required resources to address the quality of teacher training.

...

195. Noting that the Organizational Statutes of the General Education Schools ban corporal punishment, the Committee remains concerned that this issue is not effectively addressed.

196. The Committee recommends that the State party raise awareness of the negative impact of corporal punishment among teachers and other professionals working in schools, and take other appropriate measures for its prevention and elimination.

See also:

•          Bhutan, CRC, CRC/C/108 (2001) 85 at para. 455.

•          Portugal, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 48 at paras. 234, 235, 246 and 247.

234. The Committee notes the State party's recent initiative to develop mechanisms allowing doctors, teachers and other relevant professionals to lodge complaints of alleged sexual abuse or exploitation of children (Law 99 of 25 August 2001).

235. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Make it mandatory for professionals to report to an appropriate body cases of abuse, including sexual abuse, and ensure the provision of appropriate training and adequate protection for professionals called upon to make such reports;

...

246. The Committee notes the significant progress made in increasing the number of children completing secondary education and the implementation of the Programme of Extension and Development of Pre-Primary Education and the "social school action programme". The Committee remains concerned at:

...

(c) The relatively high drop-out and repetition rates in primary and secondary schools, with only 32 per cent of children completing primary school without having repeated a class and a drop-out rate of 22.9 per cent at the ninth grade level;

...

(e) The relatively low numbers of children going on to tertiary education from secondary school, with a sharp disparity between males (42 per cent) and females (57 per cent).

247. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Study the causes of high drop-out and repetition rates;

...

(d) Continue its efforts to increase the number of children completing secondary education;

(e) Take steps to reduce drop-out rates and to implement its planned reform of secondary education;

...

(g) Take steps to raise the number of persons going on to higher education, giving due attention to reducing gender disparities;

(h) Continue and strengthen efforts to ensure that all teachers benefit from professional training;

...

•          Cameroon, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 71 at paras. 359, 360, 363 and 364.

359. Further to the report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment on his visit to Cameroon (E/CN.4/2000/9/Add.2) and in line with the concluding observations of the Committee against Torture (A/56/44, paras. 60-66) and of the Human Rights Committee (A/55/40, paras. 184-227), the Committee is deeply concerned that children are victims of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, sometimes constituting torture, committed notably at police stations, in detention places and in prisons. The Committee is also very concerned at some instances of forced disappearance and extrajudicial execution of children.

360. In the light of the recommendations of the Committee against Torture and of the Human Rights Committee, the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(e) Systematically train the police force, prison staff and the judiciary on the human rights of children.

...

363. The Committee is very concerned that current facilities available for the alternative care of children deprived of their family environment are insufficient and that many children do not have access to such assistance. In addition, the Committee expresses concern at the lack of appropriate training of staff and of a clear policy regarding the review of placements of children in alternative care...

364. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Urgently adopt a programme to strengthen and increase alternative care opportunities for children, inter alia through the reinforcement of existing structures, the improved training of staff and the allocation of increased resources to relevant bodies;

...

See also:

•          Gabon, CRC, CRC/C/114 (2002) 47 at paras. 213 and 214.

•          Uzbekistan, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 117 at paras. 562 and 563.

562. The Committee is deeply concerned by numerous and continuing reports of ill-treatment of persons under 18 by the militia, including psychological intimidation, corporal punishment, including for purposes of extorting confessions...

563. In the light of article 37 of the Convention, and recalling the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 34/169 of 17 December 1979, the Committee urges the State party to:

...

(c) Provide the militia with training on how to deal with persons under 18;

...

•          Cape Verde, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 135 at paras. 648 and 649.

648. The Committee is concerned that the quality of education is low and, in particular, that there is a serious lack of resources and didactic material in schools, that the training of teachers remains insufficient and that the drop-out rate of children from secondary education is high...

649. Noting efforts to increase enrolment levels, particularly to primary school, the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Strengthen the training of teachers and the provision of resources, including didactic materials;

...

(d) Make efforts to increase the number of children completing secondary education;

...

•          Greece, CRC, CRC/C/114 (2002) 25 at paras. 151, 158 and 159.

151. Noting the State party’s efforts in this regard, and in the light of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (General Assembly resolution 48/96) and the Committee’s recommendations adopted at its day of general discussion on the rights of children with disabilities (CRC/C/69, para. 338), the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(g) Continue efforts to establish adequate secondary schools for children with special needs, while also continuing to place emphasis on integrating children with disabilities into the ordinary education system where this would be in the best interests of the child, and ensure that all children with disabilities have access to secondary school education;

...

158. Acknowledging the many activities of the State party towards improving access to education and the quality of education and introducing multicultural teaching, the Committee remains concerned about a variety of problems that still exist, such as:

...

(f) The poor quality of education in many schools that teach in languages other than Greek, including the use of outdated textbooks and late term starting dates; the very high estimated illiteracy rates among Roma children; the low proportion of children from distinct ethnic, religious, linguistic or cultural groups who attend secondary school and that some children, particularly from these groups, are accepted in school only as auditors and not permitted to gain academic credit for their studies;

...

159. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Encourage and support increases in the numbers of children from distinct ethnic, religious, linguistic or cultural groups attending secondary school;

...

(g) Continue and strengthen existing programmes of training and information for all teachers on multicultural concerns, with a view to the effective integration into the State party’s school system of children from all distinct ethnic, religious, linguistic or cultural groups and other backgrounds;

...

•          Gabon, CRC, CRC/C/114 (2002) 47 at para. 212.

212. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Make widely known the provisions of domestic legislation concerning maintenance allowance, especially to mothers who are illiterate, and support them if necessary in understanding legal actions;

(b) Ensure that professional groups dealing with this issue are adequately trained and courts are stricter regarding the recovery of allowances from solvent parents who refuse to pay;...

...

See also:

•          Malawi, CRC, CRC/C/114 (2002) 104 at para. 417.

•          Burkina Faso, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 103 at para. 460.

•          Mozambique, CRC, CRC/C/114 (2002) 65 at paras. 278, 305, 306, 315 and 316.

278. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Ensure that administrative, judicial, legislative and other relevant officials are given training on the meaning and implementation of the best interests principle, with a view to ensuring its consistent application at central and local government levels.

...

305. While noting the State party’s significant efforts in this domain, including the construction or renovation of many primary schools in the 1990s, the provision of free school materials to many children, increases in primary school enrolment rates, efforts to improve the access to education of girls and to train teachers, the fall in the repetition and drop-out rates, the Committee remains concerned that:

...

(d) Enrolment in formal education, at 81.3 per cent (as quoted by the State party for 1998 in its initial report), remains low and is particularly low in certain regions of the country, and that only a very small proportion of children enrol in, and complete, secondary education;.

(e) Girls continue to have less access to education than boys above the primary school level; literacy levels among girls, particularly those over 15, are extremely low; less importance is placed by parents and communities on the education of girls than of boys; some practices, such as excessive domestic work required of girls, early marriage and early pregnancy, contribute to limiting girls’ access to education; and only 20 per cent of students who enter higher (tertiary) education are girls;

...

(g) Many teachers have received no or insufficient formal training;

(h) The capacity of special education institutions is very limited;

...

(j) There is very limited access to higher (tertiary) education.

306. Noting the State party’s own recommendations in its initial report, the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Strengthen the institutional capacity and infrastructure of State education, including with regard to administration, management, educational planning, the training of teachers and other staff, the construction of additional schools in isolated regions, and the provision and quality of textbooks and other school materials and equipment;

...

(d) Take steps to increase significantly the numbers of children completing secondary education;

(e) Make greater efforts to ensure that girls have the same opportunities as boys to attend formal education; take steps to ensure that the education of girls is seen, by parents, families and communities, as of equally important as that of boys and that education is seen as a right of all children; address traditional and other practices, such as excessive domestic work, which prevent girls from attending formal education; ensure that pregnancy does not lead to the banning of girls’ attendance at school; consider recruiting and training more women teachers; make particular efforts to support girls seeking higher education; make every effort to implement its own policies; seek technical assistance from UNICEF in this regard;

...

(h) Improve access to higher (tertiary) education, including vocational schools through, inter alia, the strengthening of secondary school education;

...

(j) Promote coordination between the public and private sectors to ensure a sustainable supply of textbooks, basic learning materials development and training activities;

...

315. The Committee is concerned that:

(a) Child prostitution is practised and, according to recent evidence is increasing, especially in the Maputo, Beira and Nacala areas and in some rural areas;

(b) Some children are victims of trafficking for the purposes of prostitution;

(c) As noted by the State party in its initial report (para. 646), “the police’s poor knowledge of the main legislation protecting children from prostitution ... their ignorance of children’s rights” and the “lack of guidance on the role of police intervention in this field, as well as the absence of institutions dedicated to the recovery of the child victims” are factors contributing to the vulnerability of children to exploitation.

316. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(f) Continue and strengthen training for the police and social services on children’s rights and concerns with regard to child prostitution;

...

•          Malawi, CRC, CRC/C/114 (2002) 104 at paras. 434 and 435.

434. While noting that the Constitution provides for free primary education (sect. 13(f)), that efforts have been made to increase the enrolment of girls in school (the GABLE project) and that the budget allocated to education has increased, the Committee remains concerned that primary education is free only for a few grades and that it is not compulsory. The Committee is also concerned at the gender and regional disparities in enrolment in schools, absenteeism, the high drop out and repeat rates, the low quality of education, the insufficient numbers of trained teachers, insufficient schools and classrooms, and the lack of relevant learning material. In light of article 29 (1) of the Convention, the Committee is also concerned about the quality of education within the State party. The Committee notes with concern the reported incidents of sexual abuse and exploitation of children within the school environment.

435. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(e) Build better infrastructure for schools and provide appropriate training for teachers;

(f) Extend resources to help children to go to secondary education;

...

•          Bahrain, CRC, CRC/C/114 (2002) 122 at paras. 476 and 477.

476. Noting the significant achievements in the status of women in Bahrain, the Committee is nevertheless concerned that discrimination, contrary to article 2 of the Convention, persists in the State party. In particular, the Committee is concerned about:

...

(b) Certain vocational courses at the secondary level are restricted to one sex.

477. In accordance with article 2 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Take effective measures, including enacting or rescinding legislation where necessary, to prevent and eliminate discrimination on grounds of sex and birth in all fields of civil, economic, political, social and cultural life;

...

•          Guinea-Bissau, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 12 at paras. 74 and 75.

74. Despite increases in school enrolment over the past decade, the Committee remains concerned that:

(a) Literacy rates and primary and secondary school enrolment rates among children are extremely low;

...

(g) Many teachers have not received any formal training;

...

75. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Strengthen education infrastructure, including with regard to administration, management, educational planning, the quality of education in general, the training of teachers and other staff, the construction of additional schools and classrooms, and the provision and quality of textbooks and other school materials and equipment;

(c) Consider strengthening the quality of primary and secondary school curricula, taking into consideration the Committee's General Comment on article 29.1 of the Convention and the aims of education (CRC/GC/2001/1);

...

(e) Urgently give special attention to raising the proportion of girls completing their primary and secondary education, including through affirmative action and similar special measures, and by ensuring that girls have the same opportunities as boys to attend formal education, that the education of girls is seen by parents, families and communities, as being of equal importance to that of boys and that education is seen as the right of all children;

...

•          Switzerland, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 78 at paras. 334 and 335.

334. The Committee is deeply concerned about allegations of instances of ill-treatment by law enforcement officers against foreign children and at the prevalence of abuse.

335. The Committee endorses the recommendations made by the Committee against Torture in that regard (A/53/44, para. 94) and, in light of article 37 of the Convention, recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Systematically train the police force on the human rights of children.

•          Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 101 at paras. 447, 448, 453 and 454.

447. The Committee is concerned that:

...

(b) Children with disabilities, including learning disabilities, are not integrated, as a matter of policy, into regular schools and that an insufficient number of teachers have received specialized training in this regard;

...

448. In the context of the Committee's comments [in paras. 430-436] of these concluding observations, and taking note of the United Nations Guidelines on Disabilities and the results of the Committee's day of general discussion on the rights of children with disabilities (6 October 1997), the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Train additional teachers to teach and counsel children with disabilities;

...

453. While noting the significant increase in the numbers of pre-schools for children between the ages of 3 and 5 and efforts to set minimum standards for these schools, and noting also the increase in the proportion of trained teachers in primary and secondary schools (as indicated in the replies to the list of issues), the Committee remains concerned that:

...

(b) The proportion of untrained teachers in primary schools remains high - approximately 25 per cent of the total;

...

(d) The number of children passing the secondary school entrance examination is extremely low;

...

454. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Adopt legislation regulating pre-schools, including with regard to the standards of buildings and other facilities and the training of staff, and continue its current efforts in this regard;

(b) Continue the progress made so far in providing training for primary school teachers;

...

(d) Review the system of secondary school entrance examinations and take action to address problems identified, with a view, inter alia, to raising significantly the numbers of children graduating from primary to secondary school;

...

•          The Netherlands (Antilles), CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 129 at paras. 575 and 576.

575. The Committee welcomes and is encouraged by the introduction of the Foundation Based Education in August 2002, which includes in its curriculum subjects such as Human Rights, Healthy Lifestyles, Reproductive Health and Social Development, and which provides a more participatory approach for children within school life. The Committee remains concerned, however, at:

(a) High drop-out rates in primary and secondary school, especially among boys;

(b) Insufficient number of well-trained teaching staff;

...

576. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Seek to implement participatory measures to encourage children, especially boys, to stay in school during the period of compulsory education;

...

(c) Extend resources to support children to go to secondary education;

(d) Effectively implement the Foundation Based Education as of August 2002 and monitor its progress, ensuring that children are consulted in this process and that teachers are sufficiently trained in this new approach to education;

...

•          Argentina, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 8 at paras. 61 and 62.

61. The Committee expresses its deep concern about institutional violence and specific reports of torture and ill-treatment of children held at police stations (commissarias) which, in some cases, have resulted in death. It is also extremely concerned at additional reports of police brutality, specifically the phenomenon of gatillo fácil (easy trigger syndrome), especially in the Province of Buenos Aires, which has led to the death of many children...

62. In light of article 37 (a) of the Convention, the Committee urges the State party:

...

(e) To provide systematic training of law enforcement personnel in human and children’s rights and ways to avoid the use of force;

...

•          United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 23 at paras. 131 and 132.

131. ...[T]he Committee is deeply concerned that one or two children die every week as a result of violence and neglect in the home. It is also concerned at the prevalence of violence, including sexual violence, throughout the State party against children within families, in schools, in institutions, in the care system and in detention. It also notes with deep concern the growing levels of child neglect. The Committee is alarmed at the lack of a coordinated strategy to limit the extent of these phenomena...

132. In line with its previous recommendations ([CRC/C/15/add.34], para. 31) and in light of articles 3, 6, 12, 19 and 37 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(h) Strengthen the reporting system, through full support for the confidential centres for abused children, and train teachers, law enforcement officials, care workers, judges and health professionals in the identification, reporting and management of cases of ill-treatment.

See also:

•          Israel, CRC, CRC/C/ 121 (2002) 131 at paras. 588 and 589.

•          Seychelles, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 41 at paras. 193, 194, 198, 207 and 208.

193. While acknowledging the State party’s efforts to destigmatize and streamline judicial proceedings with respect to family issues through the creation of the Family Tribunal, the Committee is concerned that the functioning of the Tribunal is not always in conformity with the principles and provisions of the Convention.

194. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Improve the professionalism and qualifications of all staff and members of the Family Tribunal through further training which includes the principles and provisions of the Convention;

(c) Ease the burden on child witnesses and victims by minimizing delays and postponements, ensuring their right to privacy and providing training for staff on how to work with these victims and witnesses in a child-sensitive manner.

...

198. The Committee recommends that the State party review its policies on alternative care for children deprived of a family with a view to developing a more integrated and accountable system of care and support by:

(a) Strengthening and expanding the foster care system through improved training of social workers and increased counselling and support for foster families;

...

207. The Committee is encouraged by the existence of free compulsory education and early childhood education programmes with virtually universal enrolment. Nevertheless, the Committee is concerned about the high drop out rates and absenteeism.

208. In light of the Committee’s General Comment No. 1 on article 29, paragraph 1, of the Convention (aims of education), the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Undertake a study of the reasons why students drop out of school in order to develop solutions that ensure their continuing educational or vocational training, and further opportunities for employment and integration into society;

(c) Review the curriculum and teacher training programmes with a view to incorporating human rights education, including children’s rights, into the curriculum and implementing more participatory teaching methods;

...

•          Sudan, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 53 at paras. 273-275.

273. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Continue and strengthen efforts to increase enrolment in pre-school, primary and secondary education through, inter alia, increasing the number of schools, classrooms and teachers and establishing flexible forms of school registration which do not require the presentation of a birth registration certificate;

...

(f) Strengthen education infrastructure and resources, including the provision of sufficient resources to local authorities, the construction of classrooms and schools, the provision of materials and school equipment, the revision and updating of school curricula and the improvement of teacher training;

...

(h) Improve the opportunities for children to have access to tertiary education;

...

274. The Committee is deeply concerned at the fact that the availability, accessibility and quality of education in the southern part of the country is much worse than in the rest of the country (e.g. only 16-18 per cent of children have access to education and not more than 20 per cent of those are girls; the drop out rate is still high; teachers are not paid salaries and most of them are not qualified; schools are often too far away and education is regularly disrupted by the armed conflict; and availability of educational material is very limited). These and other concerns lead to the following recommendations, particularly for the southern part of the country.

275. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Significantly strengthen teacher training through, inter alia, improving the quality of training and significantly raising the number of teachers trained, including teachers able to teach in local languages;

...

•          Ukraine, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 70 at paras. 339, 341, 353 and 354.

339. The Committee is concerned at the predominant use of institutional responses to provide assistance to children in difficulty and that children who are cared for in institutions for many years, until the age of 18, are not given the educational and vocational skills necessary for them to make an independent living once they leave the institution...

...

341. In light of article 20 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(f) Provide support and training for personnel in institutions, including social workers;

...

(h) Provide adequate follow-up and reintegration support and services for children who leave institutional care.

...

353. The Committee welcomes the efforts undertaken by the State party to improve the education system with the introduction of the Act “On education”, which includes such aims as ensuring the delivery of compulsory secondary education to all children of school age. The Committee also welcomes the adoption of State standards for higher education. The Committee remains concerned, however, that:

...

(d) Drop out rates in secondary and vocational education are increasing;

...

(f) Education reforms are being implemented without the necessary preliminary preparation and training of teachers.

354. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Ensure that education reforms are implemented with sufficient preparation and that support is provided to schools to implement the reform, including extra funding and teacher training, and establish a process for quality evaluation of the new programmes;

...

•          Burkina Faso, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 103 at paras. 446, 447, 478, 487 and 489.

446. The Committee is aware of the measures undertaken to promote widespread awareness of the principles and provisions of the Convention and welcomes the establishment of a Ministry for the Promotion of Human Rights. The Committee is of the opinion that these measures need to be strengthened by providing the necessary resources. In this respect, the Committee is concerned at the lack of a systematic plan to introduce training and awareness among professional groups working for and with children.

447. In line with its previous recommendations ([CRC/C/15/Add. 19], para. 16), the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Undertake systematic education and training in the provisions of the Convention for all professional groups working for and with children, in particular parliamentarians, judges, lawyers, law enforcement officials, civil servants, municipal and local workers, personnel working in institutions and places of detention for children, teachers, health personnel, including psychologists, and social workers;

...

(e) Further promote human rights education, including the rights of the child, in school curricula, beginning in primary school, as well as in the curricula for teacher training;

...

478. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Provide resources to help children go to secondary school;

...

(h) Take measures to enable children with disabilities to have access to regular schools and to ensure that these children have access to formal and vocational educational opportunities;

...

(j) Provide teachers with adequate training and encourage more women to become teachers;

(k) Implement the ban on corporal punishment in schools and train teachers in the use of alternative measures of discipline;

...

487. The Committee is concerned at...the sporadic training of judges, prosecutors and prison staff.

...

489. ...[T]he Committee particularly recommends that the State Party:

...

(k) Introduce training programmes on relevant international standards for all professionals involved with the system of juvenile justice;

...

(n) Request technical assistance in the area of juvenile justice and police training from, among others, OHCHR and other members of the United Nations Coordination Panel on Technical Advice and Assistance on Juvenile Justice.

•          Poland, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 120 at paras. 533, 534, 537, 538 and 542.

533. The Committee is concerned that children with disabilities do not all have the opportunity to attend integrated schools and education programmes, and that in some cases children with disabilities are institutionalized or do not attend school regularly owing to a lack of appropriate programmes close to their homes.

534. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Develop a time-bound plan for reducing the number of children with disabilities living in institutions and integrating them into mainstream education and vocational training programmes, as well as social, cultural and leisure activities;

...

537. The Committee notes the new initiatives to provide textbooks to children from poor families and provide all schools with computers, yet it remains concerned at the increasing disparities in access to education, the material condition of schools and the quality of education between rural and urban areas, particularly with regard to kindergartens and extracurricular programmes and activities.

538. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that children in rural areas have equal opportunities for a quality education which provides them with the skills to enter the labour market or university-level education based on their merit, by:

...

(b) Ensuring that rural areas and poorer communities are provided with additional funds to allow them to provide the same quality of education and level of extracurricular programmes as urban schools;

(c) Ensuring that students from poor families or those in rural areas have access to scholarships or other forms of financial support that allow them to attend general secondary schools in preparation for university.

...

542. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Train law enforcement officials, social workers and prosecutors in how to receive, monitor, investigate and prosecute complaints in a child-sensitive manner;

...

•          Israel, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 131 at paras. 572 and 573.

572. The Committee welcomes the efforts by the State party to disseminate the Convention and notes the delegation’s acknowledgement of the need to disseminate the Convention more widely throughout the State party.

573. The Committee encourages the State party:

...

(b) To develop systematic and ongoing training programmes on human rights, including children’s rights, for all professional groups working for and with children (e.g. judges, lawyers, law enforcement officials, civil servants, local government officials, personnel working in institutions and places of detention for children, teachers and health personnel).

...

•          Estonia, CRC, CRC/C/124 (2003) 9 at paras. 52 and 53.

52. The Committee...remains concerned that there is still insufficient information on and awareness of the ill-treatment and abuse of children within the family, in schools and in institutions, as well as of domestic violence and its impact on children...

53. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(h) Train teachers, law enforcement officials, care and social workers, judges and health professionals in the identification, reporting and management of cases of ill-treatment;

...

•          Republic of Korea, CRC, CRC/124 (2003) 24 at paras. 130 and 131.

130. The Committee is concerned that, despite the State party’s relatively high level of economic development, only primary education is free, while welcoming the information that the State party is in the process of making middle school education free. Similarly, while there is no disparity in enrolment rates of girls and boys in primary education, significantly fewer girls than boys are enrolled in higher education...

131. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Develop a time-bound strategy for reducing and eliminating the cost of pre-school and secondary education;

(c) Take effective measures to ensure that higher education is accessible to all on the basis of capacity, by promoting the enrolment of girls and addressing persistent gender stereotypes;

...

•          Italy, CRC, CRC/124 (2003) 36 at paras. 184, 185 and 194.

184. The Committee welcomes the adoption of Act 9/99, which extends the duration of compulsory education from 8 to 10 years, and the various programmes to improve teacher training, but remains concerned at the high rate of drop-out in upper secondary education, the variations in educational outcomes for children according to their cultural and socio-economic background and to other factors such as gender (more girls than boys obtain a secondary education diploma), disability and ethnic origin...

185. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Strengthen its efforts to curb the drop-out rate in upper secondary education;

(b) Take all necessary measures to eliminate the inequalities in educational achievement between girls and boys and among children from different social, economic or cultural groups and to guarantee quality education to all children;

...

194. ...[T]he Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Take all necessary measures, including through awareness-raising campaigns and adequate training of the personnel involved, to prevent and eliminate discrimination against children of foreign origin and Roma children;

...

(c) Provide training on children’s rights to those responsible for administering juvenile justice.

•          Romania, CRC, CRC/124 (2003) 49 at paras. 236, 237, 240-243 and 251-253.

236. The Committee notes the introduction of the government programme of deinstitutionalization of children initiated in 2001 and welcomes the information that over the past two years many institutions have been closed down. Nevertheless, it remains concerned:

...

(d) That children lack effective mechanisms to which they can communicate concerns and complaints about their placement;

...

237. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(h) Improve the training of social workers to enhance their ability to intervene and assist children.

...

240. The Committee notes the recent efforts of NGOs related to prevention of child abuse and neglect, as well as the statement made by the Head of State to the special session of the General Assembly on children referring to envisaged special measures to prevent child abuse. Nevertheless, the Committee reiterates its previous concern [CRC/C/15/Add.16] at the apparent limited effectiveness of measures to raise awareness about the harmful consequences of neglect and abuse, including sexual abuse, in the family, schools and institutions, as well as to tackle these problems...

241. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Strengthen the reporting system, through the training of teachers, law enforcement officials, care workers, judges and health professionals in the identification, reporting and handling of cases of ill-treatment;

...

242. The Committee is encouraged by the adoption of a national strategy for the health sector by the Ministry of Health and Family in December 2001 and by its aims and goals as noted in the written replies to the list of issues. It further welcomes the cooperation of the State party with international organizations in the domain of health care. Nevertheless, the Committee is deeply concerned:

(a) At the poor quality and accessibility of primary heath-care services, especially in rural areas, and for poor households;

...

243. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Strengthen its efforts to implement the national strategy for the health sector through adequate and sustainable allocation of resources (human and financial), including training of sufficient numbers of health-care professionals, provision of adequate salaries for health-care workers and investments in health-care infrastructure, especially in the most disadvantaged areas;

...

251. The Committee recommends that the State party, taking into account the Committee’s general comment No. 1 on the aims of education:

...

(b) Make every effort to ensure that compulsory education, and possibly secondary education, is free for all children;

...

(d) Strengthen the institutional capacity of State education, including with regard to administration, management, educational planning and the training of teachers and other staff;

...

(i) Take steps to significantly increase the number of children completing secondary education.

252. The Committee notes:

(a) That the legislation (Law 48/2002) provides special protection for vulnerable persons, but remains concerned that de facto discrimination persists regarding access to education, health care and social benefits;

...

253. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Consider preferential treatment for refugees, including exemptions from or reductions in tuition fees for upper secondary and university education;

...

•          Viet Nam, CRC, CRC/C/124 (2003) 67 at paras. 308 and 309.

308. The Committee is very concerned at the high proportion of children with disabilities who do not attend school, do not have access to vocational training or preparation for employment and have limited access to rehabilitation services, particularly in rural areas.

309. The Committee recommends that the State party, in accordance with the recommendations arising from the Committee’s 1997 day of general discussion on children with disabilities (CRC/C/69, para. 338) and the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities (General Assembly resolution 48/96, annex):

(a) Undertake a comprehensive survey of the number of children with disabilities, including those currently not attending school, in order to assess their educational and vocational training needs, and their access to rehabilitation and other social services;

...

(c) Expand existing programmes aimed at improving the physical access of children with disabilities to public buildings and areas, including schools and recreational facilities, and increase the number of integrated education programmes at pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

•          Czech Republic, CRC, CRC/C/124 (2003) 78 at paras. 352 and 353.

352. While noting that the principle of the “interest and welfare” of the child is contained in the Act on the Family and in the Law on Social and Legal Protection of Children, the Committee is concerned that the principle of primary consideration for the best interests of the child is still not adequately defined and reflected in all legislation, court decisions and policies affecting children. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned that there are insufficient research and training for professionals in this respect.

353. The Committee, in line with its previous recommendations (CRC/C/15/Add.81, para. 30), recommends that the principle of the best interests of the child in article 3 be appropriately analysed with regard to various situations (such as separation from parents, review of placement) involving the child or groups of children (e.g. minorities) and integrated into all revisions to legislation concerning children and legal procedures in courts, as well as into judicial and administrative decisions and into projects, programmes and services which have an impact on children. The Committee encourages the State party to ensure that research and educational programmes for professionals dealing with children are reinforced and that article 3 of the Convention is fully understood and that this principle is effectively implemented.

•          Eritrea, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 8 at paras. 75, 76, 81 and 82.

75. The Committee is encouraged by the State party’s efforts to increase enrolment rates in basic education, reduce illiteracy, promote cultural and recreational activities and provide education in the native language of all nine ethnic groups. However, it is concerned that enrolment and literacy levels are still low, particularly in secondary and pre-primary education, and that there is a significant disparity between the number of boys and girls in school. It also notes with concern that there are few trained teachers and limited opportunities for teachers to upgrade their skills.

76. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(e) Prioritize and continue to strengthen and expand efforts at teacher training and expand recruitment of qualified teachers, in particular women and persons from all ethnic groups for education in mother-tongue programmes;

...

81. Although the State party recognizes that prostitution, including child prostitution, is not a serious problem, the Committee notes with concern the lack of specific data on the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

82. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Train law enforcement officials, social workers and prosecutors on how to receive, monitor, investigate and prosecute complaints in a child-sensitive manner that respects the privacy of the victim;

...

•          Cyprus, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 21 at paras. 127, 128, 137 and 138.

127. The Committee is concerned that, given the situation on the island following the events of 1974, certain categories of children wishing to attend secondary school must be separated from their parents, and may not be allowed to visit their parents regularly or return upon completion of their education. Furthermore, the Committee notes that boarding schools for these children are available only for boys, and that there is one boarding home for girls.

128. The Committee urges the State party to create equal opportunities for all children wishing to pursue education beyond primary school, including by making boarding schools available to both boys and girls and pursuing efforts to reduce periods of separation from parents.

...

137. The Committee notes that the limits for receiving social benefits for children are extended beyond the age of 18 years for persons attending full-time education; however, it notes that the age is not the same for males and females.

138. The Committee encourages the State party to ensure that social benefits for girls and boys are equal so that this is not a factor in their decisions relating to higher education.

•          Zambia, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 32 at paras. 183, 184, 191, 192, 207 and 208.

183. The Committee is deeply concerned about allegations of ill-treatment by law enforcement officers against street children and children in custody in police stations and other detention centres, despite the circular of 27 December 1999 ordering prison authorities to stop the practice of caning.

184. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Systematically train the police force and prison staff and other authorities on the human rights of children;

...

191. While domestic legislation includes provisions for maintenance allowance (Affiliation and Maintenance of Children Act, Penal Code and Juveniles Act), the Committee is concerned at the lack of implementation of these provisions, mainly because of widespread ignorance of the law and limited enforcement of maintenance orders, notably when the parent concerned lives abroad.

192. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Ensure that professional groups dealing with this issue are adequately trained and that courts implement more strictly the provisions regarding the recovery of allowances, particularly in case of solvent parents who refuse to pay;

...

207. ...The Committee is...concerned at the decreasing budget allocation to education, gender and regional disparities in enrolment in schools, absenteeism, the high dropout (especially among girls) and repeat rates, the poor quality of education, the insufficient number of trained teachers, insufficient schools and classrooms, the lack of relevant learning material and the limited access to pre-school education, notably in rural areas...

208. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Build better infrastructure for schools and provide appropriate training for teachers;

(e) Increase resources for education to help children to go to school, including secondary school;

...

•          Sri Lanka, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 48 at paras. 255 and 256.

255. The Committee is deeply concerned that male child offenders can be sentenced to whipping or caning under the Corporal Punishment Ordinance of 1889, and that the Education Ordinance of 1939 permits corporal punishment to be used as a disciplinary measure for boys and girls in schools and that many teachers and principals consider corporal punishment to be an acceptable form of discipline.

256. The Committee reiterates its previous recommendation that the State party repeal the Corporal Punishment Ordinance of 1889 and amend the Education Ordinance of 1939 to prohibit all forms of corporal punishment. Furthermore, the Committee recommends that the State party undertake well-targeted public awareness campaigns on the negative impact corporal punishment has on children, and provide teacher training on non-violent forms of discipline as an alternative to corporal punishment.

•          Solomon Islands, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 58 at paras. 308 and 330.

308. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Take action to ensure that the principle of the best interests of the child is included in all relevant legislative instruments and in all policy-making processes and programmes of relevance to children and the Convention’s implementation;

(b) Ensure that administrative, judicial, legislative and other relevant officials are given training on the meaning and implementation of the best interests principle, with a view to ensuring its consistent application at central and local government levels.

...

330. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(f) Implement its intention to establish vocational schools and develop more programmes to facilitate the transition to the labour market, in accordance with international standards.

•          Jamaica, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 86 at paras. 450 and 451.

450. While recognizing the State party’s efforts and achievements in this domain, the Committee remains concerned that:

(a) There is no independent mechanism to monitor and evaluate the situation of children in conflict with the law, including children deprived of their liberty, and the rehabilitation of juvenile offenders;

(b) The stereotypical inflexible attitudes concerning children’s rights among police officers and members of the judiciary are impeding the full implementation of the Convention in this regard;

...

451. ...[T]he Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Strengthen its efforts to educate and sensitize police personnel, judicial personnel and other staff within the justice system to the provisions of the Convention, especially concerning the special needs of children deprived of their liberty, to ensure that the rights of the child, inter alia to be separated from adults and to be treated in a manner consistent with the promotion of the child’s sense of dignity and worth, are always respected;

...

•          Kazakhstan, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 129 at paras. 617, 619, 624, 625, 642 and 643.

617. ...[T]he Committee remains deeply concerned by continuing allegations that the torture of persons under 18, including for purposes of extorting confessions, is widespread, and that the existing procedure for investigating such allegations is ineffective and does not provide for the protection of the victims.

...

619. In light of article 37 of the Convention and the Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials (General Assembly resolution 34/169), the State party should take all necessary and effective steps to prevent incidents of ill-treatment of children. The Committee recommends that the State party provide training to law enforcement officials, in particular on how to deal with persons under 18 years; ensure that children are adequately informed of their rights when they are detained; ensure that complaint procedures are simplified so that responses are appropriate, timely, child-friendly and sensitive to victims; and provide rehabilitative support to victims...

...

624. The Committee is...concerned at the continuing predominant use of institutional responses to provide assistance to children in difficulty and that these children have limited contact with the outside world and are not given the educational and vocational skills necessary for them to make an independent living once they leave the institution at the age of 18...

625. In light of article 20 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(e) Provide support and child rights-oriented training for personnel in institutions, including social workers;

...

642. The Committee welcomes the efforts taken by the State party to improve the education system with the introduction of the Education Act 1999 which includes such aims as ensuring compulsory secondary education for all children of school age, providing free textbooks to vulnerable children and compulsory pre-school attendance. The Committee remains concerned at the many difficulties education is facing, inter alia:

(a) The increase in the cost of education which limits access by children from economically disadvantaged households and rural areas;

...

(c) The increasing dropout rates in secondary and vocational education;

...

(e) The implementation of education reforms without the necessary preliminary preparation and training of teachers.

643. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Ensure that educational reforms are implemented with sufficient preparation and support to schools, including appropriate funding and teacher training, and establish a process for quality evaluation of the new programmes;

...

•          Canada, CRC, CRC/C/133 (2003) 14 at paras. 74 and 75.

74. The Committee values the fact that the State party holds the principle of the best interests of the child to be of vital importance in the development of all legislation, programmes and policies concerning children and is aware of the progress made in this respect. However, the Committee remains concerned that the principle that primary consideration should be given to the best interests of the child is still not adequately defined and reflected in some legislation, court decisions and policies affecting certain children, especially those facing situations of divorce, custody and deportation, as well as Aboriginal children. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned that there is insufficient research and training for professionals in this respect.

75. The Committee recommends that the principle of “best interests of the child” contained in article 3 be appropriately analysed and objectively implemented with regard to individual and groups of children in various situations (e.g. Aboriginal children) and integrated in all reviews of legislation concerning children, legal procedures in courts, as well as in judicial and administrative decisions and in projects, programmes and services that have an impact on children. The Committee encourages the State party to ensure that research and educational programmes for professionals dealing with children are reinforced and that article 3 of the Convention is fully understood, and that this principle is effectively implemented.

•          Indonesia, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 8 at paras. 83 and 103.

83. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(f) Pursue its efforts to ensure that teachers are adequately trained;

...

103. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Develop and implement legislation that adequately protects child victims of sexual exploitation, including trafficking, pornography and prostitution, that includes a significant increase in the minimum age of sexual consent;

(b) Train law enforcement officials, social workers and prosecutors on how to receive, monitor and investigate complaints and prosecute perpetrators in a child-sensitive manner that respects the privacy of the victim;

...

•          Guyana, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 26 at paras. 143, 162, 163 and 171.

143. The Committee welcomes the information that the right of the child to express his or her views freely (article 12 of the Convention) will be included in the draft Children’s Bill (art. 25) and recommends that the State party ensure that children’s views are given due consideration in the family, schools, courts, and relevant administrative and other processes through, inter alia:

...

(b) Training professionals working with and for children as well as the use of information campaigns.

...

162. The Committee notes the State party’s efforts to increase enrolment rates at both primary and secondary schools and the programme established to bring dropout children back into educational settings. However, the Committee remains concerned at the high dropout rates, especially among boys, which are influenced by the economic situation of the families...

163. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Continue to strengthen measures aimed at increasing enrolment rates in primary and secondary education and to further increase attempts to bring dropouts back to school and other training programmes;

...

171. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(e) Improve training programmes on relevant international standards for all professionals involved with the system of juvenile justice.

•          Armenia, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 36 at paras. 219, 230, 232 and 248.

219. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Make widely known the provisions of domestic legislation concerning maintenance allowance and assist mothers, where necessary, in undertaking legal action;

(b) Ensure that professional groups dealing with this issue are adequately trained and the courts enforce more strictly the recovery of maintenance from solvent parents who refuse to pay;

...

230. The Committee welcomes that a special curriculum for teaching human rights as the foundations of democracy and civil society has been introduced in primary education and that teachers have received training on how to teach this subject.

...

232. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Continue efforts to remove obstacles to school attendance at all levels in order to keep all children in school and provide programmes that bring dropout students back in school or offer them other appropriate educational/vocational programmes;

(d) Direct greater efforts to improving the quality of teacher training programmes, and improving the school environment;

...

248. The Committee...encourages the State party:

...

(d) To ensure that training of prosecutors, judges, lawyers and others involved in the administration of justice is carried out systematically and consistently;

...

•          Germany, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 51 at para. 286.

286. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures for a full implementation of the new legislation relating to the law on parental custody, notably through adequate training for magistrates.

•          The Netherlands (Netherlands and Aruba), CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 63 at para. 372.

372. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Strengthen the capacity of the police in the Netherlands and Aruba to receive and investigate complaints of trafficking and sexual exploitation in a child-sensitive manner, inter alia, by increasing human and financial resources and, where necessary, providing appropriate training;

...

•          India, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 75 at paras. 442 and 443.

442. ...While noting an increased enrolment rate, the Committee is seriously concerned that 60 million children do not attend primary school. The Committee is further concerned at the high, although decreasing, level of illiteracy and the striking disparities in terms of access to education, attendance at primary and secondary school and dropout rates between boys and girls. The Committee is also concerned that striking disparities regarding these rates also exist between different states, between rural and urban areas, and between the affluent and the poor and disadvantaged groups. The Committee is further concerned at the insufficient number of trained teachers, schools and classrooms...

443. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Strengthen its efforts to progressively ensure that that all girls and boys, in urban, rural and least developed areas and children belonging to Scheduled Castes and Tribes, have equal access to educational opportunities;

...

(f) Hire more qualified teachers and provide them with more opportunities for training;

...

•          Papua New Guinea, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 94 at para. 511.

511. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Improve training efforts of local midwives, thereby promoting safe deliveries;

...

•          Slovenia, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 104 at paras. 561, 562, 581-584, 589 and 590.

561. The Committee appreciates the work and the role of Social Work Centres in providing administrative and other types of assistance to children and families, but is concerned at the lack of appropriate and effective measures to strengthen professional capacities of the staff of these centres, as well as at the often lengthy procedures applied.

562. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary steps to provide ongoing training to the staff of Social Work Centres and provide for efficient administrative, legal and practical measures to ensure quality and efficiency of all activities of these institutions.

...

581. While welcoming the extension of primary education from eight to nine years and the increase in the enrolment rate in secondary education registered in the reporting period, the Committee is concerned about the high school dropout rate in secondary education.

582. The Committee recommends that the State party take measures to address the high dropout rate in secondary education.

583. While noting with appreciation that human rights education is included in the curriculum in Slovene schools, the Committee notes that this subject is not included at university level for future teachers.

584. The Committee encourages the State party to introduce human rights education, particularly on the rights of the child, in the curricula for teacher training at university level and to strengthen efforts to promote within the school environment the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes and friendship among all peoples and ethnic and religious groups.

...

589. The Committee welcomes the adoption in 2000 of the Rules of Police Authorization under the Police Act, which instruct police officers to act with particular restraint when dealing with children and minors and provide for a complaints procedure, and takes note of the acknowledgment in the State party’s report ([CRC/C/70/Add.19,] para. 23) of the need to provide regular professional training for all police officers on these issues.

590. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure the effective implementation of the Rules of Police Authorization under the Police Act, and encourages the State party to ensure that regular special training is provided for police officers on how to deal with children and minors.

•          Japan, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 116 at paras. 640, 651 and 652.

640. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Develop, in collaboration, among others, with civil society, social workers, parents and children, a multidisciplinary national strategy for the prevention of child abuse;

...

(c) Increase the number of trained professionals providing psychological counselling and other recovery services in a multidisciplinary fashion to victims at Child Guidance Centres;

(d) Increase the training provided to law enforcement officials, social workers, staff of Child Guidance Centres and prosecutors on how to receive, monitor, investigate and prosecute complaints, in a child-sensitive manner.

...

651. The Committee notes the State party’s efforts to reform the education system and bring it into greater conformity with the Convention; however, it is concerned that:

(a) The excessively competitive nature of the education system has a negative effect on the children’s physical and mental health and hampers the development of the child to his or her fullest potential;

(b) Excessive competition for entry into higher education means that public school education must be supplemented by private tutoring, which is not affordable for children from poorer families;

...

(d) Although eligibility criteria have been broadened for graduates from foreign schools in Japan applying to university, some continue to be denied access to higher education;

(e) Night schools in the Tokyo metropolitan area, which offer flexible education opportunities, in particular for dropouts, are being closed down;

...

652. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Taking into account the views of students, parents and relevant non-governmental organizations, review the curriculum with a view to reducing the competitiveness of the school system while maintaining a high level of quality of education so as to ensure that all students graduating from high school have equal access to higher education;

...

(c) Encourage the Tokyo authorities to reconsider the closing down of night schools, and to expand alternative forms of education;

...

•          El Salvador, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004) 8 at paras. 79 and 80.

79. The Committee...is concerned at persisting gaps between urban and rural areas in coverage and quality of education; high drop-out rates, particularly among rural children; persistent high illiteracy rates among children in rural areas, particularly among girls; and the lack of additional funds allocated for education to address the needs that were previously met by voluntary fees. The Committee is also concerned that pregnant adolescents face discrimination in access to education, that only 40 per cent of students proceed to high school after elementary education and that, despite a gradual increase over the last years, the percentage of children between 4 and 6 attending pre-school education remains low. The lack of access to educational and vocational programmes of juvenile offenders is also a cause for concern.

80. The Committee encourages the State party:

...

(b) To strengthen efforts to bridge the gaps in coverage and quality of education, including vocational training, throughout the country, giving special attention to promoting education of rural girls;

...

(d) To strengthen non-formal educational and vocational programmes for children who do not attend or complete regular school education;

...

(f) To ensure that juvenile offenders have access to adequate educational and vocational programmes in detention centres and that teachers who educate juvenile offenders receive adequate specialized training;

...

(h) To take steps to increase the quality of teaching methods and provide adequate training to teachers, including on how to handle “learning difficulties” of children;

...

•          Liberia, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004) 67 at paras. 324, 358 and 359.

324. In the light of article 42, the Committee recommends that the State party make additional efforts in the dissemination of the Convention, provide training on its provisions for professionals, inter alia, law officials, teachers and health workers, and provide teaching on its provisions to the adult population. The State party should ensure that such training focuses on, and contributes to, practical implementation of the Convention’s provisions and principles. In addition, the Committee recommends that the State party make every effort to develop a culture of knowledge and respect for human rights in all sectors of the population.

...

358. The Committee welcomes the State party’s efforts to rehabilitate the educational system that was massively destructed by the civil war. It further takes note of the “Back to School” programme that has already brought many children back to school. However, the Committee is concerned about the continuing low rates of enrolment, the significant disparities of enrolment and literacy rates between boys and girls and the overall low quality and hidden costs of education.

359. The Committee recommends the State party:

...

(c) Design accelerated learning and vocational training programmes for young people and children who have missed out in educational opportunities;

•          Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004) 111 at paras. 565 and 566.

565. The Committee notes the State party’s commitment to free universal education, particularly in the light of its current economic difficulties, and welcomes the information that compulsory education up to the age of 17 is free. However, the Committee remains concerned at the following problematic aspects with regard to education:

...

(d) That political background, opinions and activities can have an influence on admission to higher education;

...

566. The Committee welcomes the recent efforts of the State party to increase the quality of its education system and encourages that these efforts be pursued. It also recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Ensure that female pupils have the same opportunities as male pupils to access higher education;

...

•          France, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004) 124 at paras. 615 and 616.

615. The Committee welcomes the information provided in the State party’s report on the Plan of Action to combat child abuse announced in September 2000. It is also encouraged by Law No. 2004 on child protection of 2 January 2004 allowing medical personnel to report cases of abuse and ill-treatment without being subject to disciplinary sanctions. However, information on the number of children under the age of 15 who die each week under troubling circumstances is a cause of great concern to the Committee. The Committee is also particularly concerned at the lack of implementation of Law No. 98-468 of 17 June 1998 which allows, inter alia, for a video or audio recording of a victim’s testimony to be made.

616. The Committee recommends that the State party pursue its efforts to prevent and combat child abuse and neglect, to sensitize the population, including professionals working with and for children, on the magnitude of the problem with a view to preventing further occurrences and providing adequate treatment programmes for victims of abuse and neglect. Furthermore, it urges the State party to fully implement the law of 17 June 1998 and to ensure training in this respect.

•          Brazil, CRC, CRC/C/143 (2004) 10 at para. 51.

51. In the light of article 42 of the Convention, the Committee encourages the State party to:

...

(c) Implement the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture, the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, related to provisions of training.

•          Croatia, CRC, CRC/C/143 (2004) 36 at para. 213.

213. The Committee recommends that the State party apply the Hague Convention to all children abducted to Croatia and encourage other States that are not yet a party to the Hague Convention to ratify or accede to this treaty and, if necessary, conclude bilateral agreements to deal adequately with international child abduction. It further recommends that professionals dealing with this kind of case receive adequate and ongoing training and that maximum assistance be provided through diplomatic and consular channels, in order to solve cases of illicit transfer.

•          Equatorial Guinea, CRC, CRC/C/143 (2004) 64 at paras. 365 and 366.

365. The Committee notes the adoption of the Education Law (1995) and welcomes the establishment of the National University of Equatorial Guinea (1995) and the State party’s efforts to increase enrolment rates in primary education, e.g. through the National Plan on Education for All. However, it is concerned that enrolment and literacy levels are still low, particularly in secondary and pre-primary education, and that there is a significant disparity between the number of boys and girls attending school. It also notes with concern the persistence of cultural and traditional perceptions of girls that limit their access to education. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of financial and material resources for the implementation of the educational programmes and about the lack of trained teachers.

366. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Strengthen and expand efforts at teacher training and expand recruitment of qualified teachers, in particular women and persons from all ethnic groups for education in mother tongue programmes;

...

(f) Undertake an analytical study of children who drop out of school and those who are repeaters, with a view to formulating appropriate strategies to remedy these problems;

...

•          Angola, CRC, CRC/C/143 (2004) 78 at paras. 429 and 430.

429. ...The Committee notes with concern...the very low enrolment of children in pre-school and primary school and the even lower enrolment in secondary school, in particular of girls. It is also concerned about the marked disparities in enrolment between rural and urban areas, the high rates of non-attendance and repetition, overcrowded classrooms and teaching in two or three shifts, fees and extra payments charged in many schools, the low quality of education, the large number of untrained teachers, the insufficient in-service training and low salaries of teachers. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of facilities for vocational training, leaving many adolescents without preparation for skilled labour...

430. The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures:

...

(i) To improve teaching and learning methods focusing on a child-centred curriculum and instruction;

(j) To expand the facilities of vocational training at the secondary school level and for adolescents who have never attended school or dropped out before completing school;

(k) To ensure that recruited teachers are qualified and expand and improve both pre-service and in-service teacher training, and provide adequate salaries for teachers;

...

•          Antigua and Barbuda, CRC, CRC/C/143 (2004) 93 at paras. 500, 509 and 511.

500. The Committee recommends that the State party take the necessary measures to prevent child abuse and neglect by, inter alia:

...

(b) Introducing legislation making it mandatory for all professionals working for and with children to report suspected cases of abuse and neglect, and train them in the identification, reporting and management of ill-treatment cases;

...

509. The Committee welcomes the decision by the Board of Education to award scholarships and bursaries to children and the Board’s Textbook Assistance Scheme, which provides children, free of cost, with all the textbooks used in school at the primary and secondary levels. It welcomes the provision of free uniforms as of September 2004 in both primary and secondary schools, and the plan to introduce free meals in primary schools. It also notes with appreciation that education is free at all levels of the public school system until the age of 16. However, it remains concerned about a variety of problems, including: shortage of schools and overcrowding; material shortages in schools; equality of access to education; drop-out of boys. The Committee is also concerned that, owing to the entrance examination system, not all students are guaranteed entry into the free public secondary schools.

...

511. The Committee recommends that the State party carefully examine the budgetary allocations for and measures taken within the field with regard to their impact on the progressive implementation of the child’s right to education and leisure activities. In particular, the Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Take further measures to facilitate access to education by children from all groups in society by, inter alia, building more schools, improving the provision of school materials, and abolishing the entrance examination system so as to guarantee all students access to public secondary schools;

...

(d) In the light of the Committee’s general comment No. 1 on the aims of education, include human rights education, including the rights of children, in the school curriculum at all levels of education;...

...

•          Sweden, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 8 at paras. 62 and 70.

62. The Committee recommends that the State party pursue its efforts to ensure that:

...

(c) Vocational training is made available and that transition from school to work is supported.

...

70. The Committee recommends that the State party review its legislation, policies and budgets to ensure the full implementation of juvenile justice standards, in particular article 37 (b) and article 40, paragraph 2 (b) (ii)-(iv) and (vii) of the Convention, as well as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (the Beijing Rules), the United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (the Riyadh Guidelines), the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty and the Vienna Guidelines for Action on Children in the Criminal Justice System, in the light of the day of general discussion on the administration of juvenile justice, held by the Committee in 1995. In this respect, it is specifically recommended that the State party:

(a) Ensure that prosecutors and judges dealing with children’s issues are all appropriately trained;

...

•          Albania, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 19 at paras. 135, 136, 151 and 152.

135. ...[T]he Committee is concerned at the reported deterioration of physical conditions in schools, the lack of qualified teaching staff and teaching materials, including the discrepancy between rural and urban areas in this respect, and that many parents hire teachers to provide extra courses in order to compensate for the poor quality of the educational system.

136. The Committee urges the State party:

(a) To strengthen its ongoing efforts to address the problems relating to the training of teachers and to increasing budget allocations with a view to improving the quality of education and physical conditions in schools;

...

(c) To develop a strategy to improve the quality and relevance of educational opportunities, including vocational training;

...

151. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the State party on legislative measures taken to improve compliance with the provisions of the Convention. But the Committee is concerned at the lack of implementation of the existing provisions and the lack of an effective juvenile justice system of specialized police prosecutors, judges and social workers to deal with children in conflict with the law.

152. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Ensure the full implementation of juvenile justice standards, in particular articles 37, 39 and 40 of the Convention, as well the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (the Beijing Rules), the United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (the Riyadh Guidelines), the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty, the Vienna Guidelines for Action on Children in the Criminal Justice System, in the light of the Committee’s day of general discussion, held in 1995, on the administration of juvenile justice;

(b) Pay in this effort, as a matter of priority, particular attention to:

...

ii) The need to train police officers, prosecutors, judges and others involved in the process of dealing with children in conflict with the law, in order to, inter alia, make sure that these children are interrogated by trained police officers who notify parents immediately about their child’s arrest and who encourage the presence of legal assistance for the child;

...

•          Austria, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 47 at paras. 259, 260 and 276.

259. The Committee welcomes the various amendments of to the criminal law and criminal procedure on sexual abuse and violence in the family. However, the Committee is concerned with about the effectiveness of law enforcement and the recovery of child victims.

260. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Provide for the training of the personnel involved, both in the prosecution process as and in the recovery process;

(b) Provide programmes for the modification of attitudes and behaviour of abusers and perpetrators;

...

276. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(b) ...undertake the following particularly recommended measures:

...

(iii) Measures to ensure that the staff in juvenile detention centres are well trained to deal in a proper and adequate manner with the relatively high number of persons below 18 who are of foreign origin;

...

•          Austria, CRC, (Optional Protocol - Armed Conflict), CRC/C/146 (2005) 57 at para. 290.

290. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to develop ongoing and systematic education and training on the provisions of the Convention for all relevant professional groups, in particular military personnel...

•          Belize, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 59 at paras. 352-354.

352. ...While the Committee takes note of a 10-year Education Sector Strategy with an overall objective of achieving universal educational access for children between the ages of 3 and 16 years, it remains concerned about the fact that parents are sometimes charged additional fees, thereby creating financial obstacles to many children and denying them access to education in primary and particularly in secondary schools. The Committee notes the State party’s efforts to reduce the high rate of school dropouts, but regrets the deficiencies in the implementation of these initiatives.

353. The Committee is concerned at the discrepancies in the implementation of national policies and principles on education in public and private schools, including the church-based schools. With respect to the treatment of pregnant students and teenage mothers in schools, the Committee expresses its grave concern that the State party does not have a policy to prevent and combat the school-based practices of educational exclusion of these students. The Committee is also concerned about the quality of education and the insufficient teacher training, particularly in the most remote areas of the country.

354. The Committee recommends that the State party allocate adequate financial, technical and human resources in order:

...

(d) To pay special attention to the needs of children belonging to vulnerable groups, including girls, migrant children, working children, children living in poverty, children deprived of their liberty, children belonging to minorities and indigenous children, in order to safeguard their right to education at all levels;

(e) To address the educational needs of pregnant students and teenage mothers in schools and to introduce a national policy on equal treatment of all students in respect of their right to education at all levels;

...

(h) To provide appropriate training to teachers at all levels of education;

...

•          Islamic Republic of Iran, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 88 at paras. 494 and 496.

494. ...Working children, children living on the streets and children without complete personal documents, particularly refugee children with binational parents, have reduced access to schools. It is also concerned that refugee children are currently only being enrolled in schools if their parents have registered with the authorities, and that the enrolment of refugee children is not currently being offered free of charge. It is further concerned about well-documented information that a large number of Baha’i students were not admitted to university on the grounds of their religious affiliation.

...

496. While welcoming the State party’s initiatives with respect to youth, the Committee encourages the State party to continue its efforts to reach its goal of universal basic education and recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Ensure that all children, including refugee children, have equal educational opportunities on all levels of the educational system without discrimination based on gender, religion, ethnic origin, nationality or statelessness;

...

•          Togo, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 104 at paras. 571, 572 and 574.

571. ...The Committee is...concerned that, despite the waiving or reducing of fees for girls and economically disadvantaged children, education is not free, that secondary education is not affordable to many children, and consequently that universal compulsory free education has not been achieved.

572. The Committee is further concerned about:

...

(c) The low level of qualification of teachers;

...

574. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Ensure that girls and boys, from urban and rural areas, all have equal access to educational opportunities, without any financial obstacles;

(c) Ensure that teachers are adequately trained and paid;

...

(e) Improve teaching and learning methods to lower repetition and dropout rates and encourage children to continue education through secondary school;

...

•          Nigeria, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 135 at paras. 708, 709 and 726.

708. The Committee is deeply concerned about:

(a) Traditional and discriminatory attitudes and behaviour towards women and children, contributing to violence, abuse, including sexual abuse, neglect, killing, torture and extortion;

(b) Generally high level of acceptance of domestic violence among law enforcement officials and court personnel; and

(c) Lack of adequate measures taken by the State party to prevent and combat violence, abuse and neglect against women and children.

709. The Committee urges the State party to strengthen considerably its efforts to prevent and combat violence in society, including violence against women and children, in the context of the family, as well as in schools and other environments. In this regard, the Committee recommends the State party to take the following specific actions:

...

(e) Train parents, teachers, law enforcement officials, care workers, judges and health professionals in identification, reporting and management of ill-treatment cases, using a multidisciplinary approach;

...

726. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Build better infrastructure for schools and provide quality training for teachers;

...

(j) Increase availability of vocational training programmes for young people, in particular, for girls, with the view to facilitate their access to the labour market, and in this connection, ratify the 1989 UNESCO Convention on Technical and Vocational Education; and

...

•          Saint Lucia, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 10 at para. 74, 75, 79, 86 and 88.

74. The Committee is encouraged that a draft protocol for the management of child abuse and neglect in Saint Lucia has been drawn up to deal with the identification, reporting, treatment and management of abuse and neglect cases; however, it remains concerned that this protocol has not yet been enacted and subsequent safeguards and complaint procedures have not been structured and fully implemented. The Committee is also concerned about the lack of training programmes for professionals who work with children on situations of abuse, neglect and inadequate personnel.

75. The Committee recommends that the State party adopt and implement as a matter of priority the draft protocol mentioned in order to ensure:

...

(c) That recruitment and training programmes are ongoing for all professionals who may have to deal with the investigation and treatments of cases of child abuse and neglect; and

...

79. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Encourage the integration of children with disabilities into the regular educational system and their inclusion into society, inter alia, by giving more attention to special training for teachers and making the physical environment, including schools, sports and leisure facilities and all other public areas, accessible for children with disabilities;

...

86. While the Committee is encouraged that the State party has developed “Education Sector Development Plan 2000 to 2005 and Beyond” and that there has been an increase in secondary school enrolment, it remains concerned that the State party does not provide universal access for children in particular to secondary school...

...

88. In the light of articles 28 and 29 of the Convention and its general comment No. 1 (2001) on the aims of education, the Committee recommends that the State party allocate adequate human and financial resources in order to:

...

(b) Continue its efforts to increase the number of children entering secondary schools through provisions of more classrooms;

(c) Offer more facilities for vocational training, including for children who do not complete secondary education;

...

•          Philippines, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 24 at paras. 171-173, 186 and 187.

171. ...The Committee is concerned that the costs of schooling, such as meals, transportation, school uniforms and supplies, cause financial obstacles to many children from poor families and deny their equal access to education. The high rate of children not completing primary education gives cause for serious concern as well as the high drop-out rates in secondary education...

172. ...The Committee is concerned about poor schooling facilities, particularly in the remote barangays, including the insufficient number of classroom seats, textbooks and other schooling supplies. It reiterates its concern about the low rate of enrolment in secondary education and that children living in the remote barangays have very limited access to secondary education. The Committee notes with appreciation that the State party has made intense efforts to improve the quality of education by increasing the time spent on task and teaching methods that encourage children’s participation. It also welcomes the expansion and improvement of pre-service and in-service teacher training...

173. In the light of articles 28 and 29 of the Convention and the Committee’s general comment No. 1 (2001) on the aims of education, the Committee recommends that the State party allocate adequate financial, human and technical resources in order to:

(a) Increase budgetary allocations, governmental subsidies and assistance programmes for children from low-income families in order to secure their equal access to education of all levels;

...

(c) Adopt effective measures to rapidly decrease the drop-out rate in primary and secondary school;

...

(e) Develop and upgrade the infrastructure of the educational system by building new schools and classrooms, developing textbooks and other school supplies, enhancing teacher training and adopting innovative and interactive learning methods tailored for children with different learning prerequisites;

...

(g) Continue its efforts to offer more facilities for informal learning and vocational training, including for children who have not completed primary and secondary education;

(h) Continue its efforts to reduce the number of dropouts and increase the number of children completing secondary education;

(i) Establish vocational schools that systematically prepare children in school for the requirements of the labour market and civic responsibilities;

...

(l) Continue to expand pre-service and in-service teacher training.

...

186. The Committee reiterates its grave concern at the high number of children living in the streets... Notwithstanding the efforts taken by the State party and, in particular, many non-governmental organizations working with and for street children, for example ChildHope Asia Philippines, the Committee is concerned about street children’s limited access to adequate nutrition, clothing, housing, social and health services and education...

187. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Ensure that street children are reached through trained street educators and counsellors and provided with adequate nutrition, clothing and shelter as well as with social and health services and educational opportunities, including vocational and life skills training, in order to support their full development and provide them with adequate protection and assistance;

...

•          Bosnia and Herzegovina, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 49 at para. 261.

261. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(e) Increase the availability of vocational training programmes for young people, with the view of facilitating their access to the labour market;

...

•          Nepal, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 66 at paras. 326, 327, 356 and 357.

326. The Committee notes with concern that “the identity of child offenders, rape victims or children in difficult circumstances continues to be disclosed in the media” ([CRC/C/65/Add.30,] (para. 124), which is a clear infringement of article 16 of the Convention.

327. The Committee urges the State party to establish mechanisms to ensure that all materials broadcast in Nepal respect the child’s right to privacy such as a code of conduct and/or self-regulation, and to ensure that appropriate human rights training is given to media professionals, paying particular attention to children’s rights to privacy.

...

356. ...The Committee...remains concerned about the low public expenditure in education and structural lack of resources, largely responsible for the shortage of qualified teachers, poor physical infrastructure, overcrowding in schools and material shortages in school. The Committee is also concerned about the high dropout rate, and that significant inequality exists in access to education, in part due to the hidden costs associated with schooling, and that a large proportion of girls and children from disadvantaged backgrounds such as Dalit children and children with disabilities remain deprived of educational opportunities.

357. The Committee recommends that the State party carefully examine the budget allocations and measures taken within the field, with regard to their impact on the progressive implementation of the child’s right to education and leisure activities. In particular, the Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Continue to strengthen measures aimed at increasing enrolment rates and school attendance, as well as reducing the high dropout rate in primary and secondary education and ensure that children receive the full schooling to which they are entitled;

...

(f) Prioritize efforts at teacher training and expand recruitment of qualified teachers, in particular women and persons from all ethnic groups;

...

(j) In the light of the Committee’s general comment No. 1 (2001) on the aims of education, include human rights education, including the rights of children, in the school curriculum at all levels of education;

...

•          Ecuador, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 91 at paras. 445 and 446.

445. ...[T]he Committee is concerned at the low level of government investment in education, the poor equipment for schools, the limited access to educational facilities for street children and the regional disparities in the full enjoyment of the right to education.

446. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Increase expenditure on education, in particular in primary, pre-primary and secondary education;

(b) Increase enrolment in primary and secondary education, reducing socio-economic, ethnic and regional disparities in the access and full enjoyment of the right to education;

...

(d) Strengthen vocational training, which is linked to the requirements of the labour market and ensure street children have access to education which is suited to their specific needs;

(e) Enhance the quality of teaching and provide adequate training to teachers; and

...

•          Mongolia, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 113 at paras. 535, 536 and 568.

535. The Committee notes that the training and retraining of professionals working with and for children has been conducted in collaboration with international agencies and non-governmental organizations. The Committee is, however, of the opinion that these measures need to be further strengthened and implemented in an ongoing, comprehensive and systematic basis.

536. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(c) Continue to strengthen its efforts to provide adequate and systematic training and/or sensitization on children’s rights for professional groups working with and for children, such as judges, lawyers, law enforcement and health personnel, teachers, school and institution administrators and social workers as well as journalists;

...

568. The Committee recommends that the State party take immediate measures to allocate adequate financial and human resources in order:

...

(b) To strengthen measures aimed at increasing enrolment rates in primary and secondary education without any regional disparities and to secure that all children have equal opportunities to complete their education;

...

(e) To expand the vocational training facilities at the secondary-school level and for adolescents who have never attended school or dropped out before completion;

(f) To increase the quality of teaching methods by providing appropriate training to teachers;

...

•          Nicaragua, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 132 at paras. 644 and 646.

644. The Committee is concerned about:

...

(c) The lack of adequate training of teachers, teachers’ low salaries, which may lead to loss of motivation, high turnover rates, migration abroad and little interest in professional development.

...

646. The Committee encourages the State party to:

...

(c) Strengthen measures aimed at increasing enrolment and completion rates and reducing dropout rates in pre-primary, primary and secondary education;

...

(f) Strengthen efforts at teacher training, address the issue of teachers’ salaries and expand recruitment of qualified ones;

...

(h) Provide more demand-driven technical and vocational training and organize vocational counselling for children;

...

•          Costa Rica, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 149 at paras. 714 and 715.

714. ...Although courses and institutions for technical and vocational training were expanded, the Committee regrets that not more children between the ages of 15 and 18 receive vocational training in order to facilitate their transition to qualified labour, and the low completion rate of secondary school, in particular in rural areas, especially of deprived children and indigenous children, as well as the lack of school infrastructure in remote areas of the country.

715. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to take effective measures to increase enrolment in primary and secondary school, reduce the high rate of drop-out students and repeaters, in particular in rural areas, and find ways to address the lack of school infrastructure in these areas, inter alia by finding alternative educational methods, e.g. vocational and apprenticeship programmes, which would take the specific needs of these populations into consideration. The State party should focus on the improvement of secondary education.

•          Yemen, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 161 at paras. 762, 763, 793 and 794.

762. The Committee is deeply concerned at the persistence of discriminatory social attitudes against girls...

763. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(d) Train school teachers, media and members of the legal profession, particularly the judiciary, to be gender-sensitive; and

...

793. The Committee welcomes the information regarding the efforts made by the State party to enhance the quality of education and improve the quality of teaching and working conditions of teachers. However, it remains deeply concerned that:

...

(d) Dropout rates are very high and secondary education enrolment rates have decreased;

...

(g) The qualifications of children entering the labour market are very low as a consequence of missing vocational training.

794. The Committee recommends that the State party:

...

(b) Ensure that adequate resource allocation is made for primary, secondary and vocational education;

...

(d) Take the necessary measures to decrease the high rate of school dropout;

...

(f) Enhance the quality of education at all levels and provide better quality training for teachers; and

(g) Expand the system of vocational training, including children who dropped out of school before completing their education.

•          Norway, CRC (Optional Protocol - Sale of Children, Prostitution, Pornography), CRC/C/150 (2005) 177 at para. 838.

838. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to strengthen systematic education and training on the provisions of the Convention for all relevant professional groups...