implementation of the National Strategy on Gender Mainstreaming for Development (SNIFD) and the
National Gender Policy (PNG) as set forth in Act No. 154/AN/12/6th L of 9 June 2012. Djibouti’s
report prepared in 2011 and submitted to the committee in charge of monitoring CEDAW helps to
fully comprehend this issue.
57. As part of the reform of the judiciary, the State initiated a series of initiatives to better ensure equality
before the law and the right to equal protection. The Code of Criminal Procedure (1996) reinforces the
principle of the right of appeal and puts in place a judge in charge of enforcing sentences.
58. An increase in salaries and in the number of magistrates favourably contributes to implementing the
principle of equality. Provision for legal aid consolidates the right to equal treatment before the courts
particularly for citizens with low income.
59. In general, the numerous human rights information and awareness-raising programmes for the police
force, the gendarmerie and prison guards ensure the establishment of lasting non-discriminatory
practices.
2. Right to life and to physical and moral integrity
Article 4
Human beings are inviolable. Every human being shall be entitled to respect for his life and the
integrity of his person. No one may be arbitrarily deprived of this right.
60. Article 10 of the Constitution establishes the right of the human person to respect and protection. This
article provides that the State of Djibouti has the obligation to ensure that all individuals within its
jurisdiction enjoy the right to life, freedom, security and integrity of the person (paragraph 2). The law
also protects the right to life through the imposition of penalties provided for in the Criminal Code on
all those who violate human life.
61. Djibouti has continued to extend the scope of application of article 4 of the Convention concerning the
right to life, with the aim of protecting human life in all circumstances and all situations where a
person’s physical integrity is threatened. This protection is a priority in cases where the age or physical
condition of the person concerned does not allow that person to defend him or herself against possible
attacks. To this end the legislature has set out a number of special provisions in the Criminal Code and
other national pieces of legislation (Family Code) for children and older persons.
62. Protecting a child’s right to life is based on measures guaranteeing a child’s survival and selffulfilment, responsibility for which falls primarily to the parents. However, the State provides legal
support and ensures protection of the family and of minors by imposing sanctions on legal guardians
for attitudes likely to cause harm to minors such as abandonment, neglect and endangerment (articles
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