19. The Committee has noted that children are not properly consulted during court proceedings that involve them. Therefore, the Committee encourages the State Party to undertake sensitization of the judiciary on the principle of participation of the child and ensure that children are consulted in matters that concern them. The Committee is of the view that the participation of children should not be limited to court proceedings but also in all other decision making processes that concern children. Hence, the Committee encourages the State Party to devise mechanism in which children are consulted and participate in decision making processes taking into consideration their evolving capacity. Moreover, the Committee recommends that the State Party sensitizes officials, communities, families, and teachers about child participation with a view to create a conducive and receptive environment for children’s meaningful participation. D. Civil rights and freedoms Name, nationality, and registration at birth 20. The Committee notes with appreciation the various campaigns undertaken by the Government of Angola in 1998, 2001, and 2016 to sensitize communities about birth registration and to provide free birth registration services during the campaigns. However, the Committee remains concerned that, despite these campaigns, the rate of birth registration still stands to be below 50%. The Committee is concerned about this situation because as it is stated in the State Party report, birth registration certificates are basis to obtain Identity Cards which are proof of Angolan nationality. The Committee notes that the reasons for the low birth registration are the cost of registration including fines for late registration, inaccessibility of birth registration services, and lack of awareness among parents. Therefore, the Committee recommends that the State Party: a. Removes all fees related to birth registration including the fines imposed on late registrations; b. Establishes mobile birth registration centers to ensure that such services are available and accessible in rural and remote areas; c. Provides birth registration services at health centers and religious institutes where birth is attended; and d. Continues to undertake extensive sensitization on the importance of birth registration. 21. In relation to the right to nationality, the Committee appreciates the legislative measures adopted to prevent statelessness by affording nationality to abandoned children born in Angola. The Committee recommends that the State Party accords nationality to all children who would otherwise be stateless. . 7