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including legislative and administrative measures, should be put in place as a
matter of urgency to improve the birth registration system in such a way as to
ensure that it is universally accessible to all children on the basis of nondiscrimination. The African Committee further recommends to the
Government of Uganda to prepare and effectively implement a national action
plan to proceed with the registration of those children who have thus far not
been registered, and to issue full birth certificates, free of charge, to those
who have registered but have not been able to access a birth certificate.
4. Recommends that the Government of Uganda establishes administrative
procedures and practices in relation to all armed forces and units of defence,
including private security operations, which ensure that, in instances where
there is no credible proof of age, or in the case of conflicting or inconclusive
evidence of age, the person alleged to be or alleging to be a child shall not be
recruited or used in any situations of hostilities, tension or strife until
conclusive proof of age is provided to confirm that the person is aged over 18
years.
5. Recommends that, while acknowledging the need for some form of
accountability for children who might be accused of violations of rights in the
context of armed conflict, the Government of Uganda should rely on forms of
accountability other than detention and criminal prosecution, that take the
best interest of the child as the primary consideration and promote the
reintegration of the child into his or her family, community and society,
including the use of restorative measures, truth-telling, traditional healing
ceremonies, and reintegration programmes.
6. Recommends to the Government of Uganda to report on the implementation
of these recommendations within six months from the date of notification of
this decision. In accordance with its Rules of Procedure, the Committee will
appoint one of its members to follow up on the implementation of this
decision.
Done at the 21st Ordinary Session held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 15-19 April
2013
Dr Benyam Dawit Mezmur
Chairperson of the African Committee of Experts
on the Rights and Welfare of the Child