treaty bodies have been slow. The committee recommends the quick and
effective implementation of its recommendations and that of other treaty bodies.
7. The Committee further notes that a National Child Protection Policy is yet to be
completed by the government. The Committee therefore recommend the
government to accelerate the development of this policy and to ensure its
effective implementation.
B. Definition of a child
8. The Committee appreciates the State party’s efforts to put its legislation in
accordance with the Charter by preparation of a draft Code on Child Protection
and the draft code on Persons and Family, which defines a child as a person
below the age of 18 years and establishes the minimum legal age for marriage of
boys and girls at the age of 18 years respectively. However, the Committee is
concerned that the definition of the child is not yet in line with the Charter. The
Committee therefore, implores the State party to speed up measures to
harmonize its domestic legislation fully with the Charter regarding the definition of
the child and urges the State party to raise the legal age of marriage of girls to 18
years so as to be equal with that of boys.
C. General principles
Non-Discrimination
9. The Committee acknowledges efforts the State Party has taken to create
measures to facilitate the access to school and retention of children especially
the girl child. However, the Committee is deeply concerned by the
operationalization of inclusive education which is still being affected by the lack of
qualified employees and adequate infrastructure.
10. The Committee is further concerned that girls, indigenous children, children with
disabilities, refugee children, children from poor rural areas, and children in street
situations suffer particular disadvantages with regard to education, access to
health and social services. In this regard the Committee urges the State party to:
Strengthen efforts to end all discriminatory practices against children and ensure
respect for the rights of all children in the State party, including indigenous and
refugee children, children living in poor rural areas and children with disabilities;
Provide and make accessible to all children free education, health care systems
including psycho-social support where necessary to vulnerable children.
Best interest of the child
11. The Committee recognizes the achievements of the State Party especially in the
administration of juvenile justice, particularly with the provision of legal services
to children in conflict with the law. Despite this effort, the Committee remains
concerned that the principle of the best interests of the child is not fully
incorporated in the State Party’s current legislations concerning children.