the Government of Namibia to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to the
international standard, which is set at the age of 12 and above. To this effect, the
Committee urges the State Party to review the Child Justice Bill and to promulgate the
amended Bill promptly. Further, the Committee recommends the Government of
Namibia to strengthen the existing child friendly courts through training of its officials on
child rights issues and recruiting psychologists and social workers and to establish more
child friendly courts across the country.
41. Commending the State Party for providing separate detention quarters for juvenile
offenders under the Correctional Services Act, the Committee recommends the
Government of Namibia to introduce diversion programs in the criminal justice system
and to establish rehabilitation centers for children in conflict with the law. In its effort to
improve the criminal justice system for children, the Committee recommends the State
Party to refer to the Guidelines on Action for Children mthe Justice System in Africa.
Children of Imprisoned l\/lothers and care givers
42. While appreciating the efforts of the State Party to respect the rights of children of
incarcerated mothers, the Committee recommends the State Party to make reference
and use as a guideline the Committee's General Comment on article 30 of the African
Children's Charter in its future actions.
Economic Exploitation and Child labor
43.The Committee commends the State Party for making a moderate advancement in its
effort to eliminate the worst forms of child labor in the year 2011. However, the
Committee is concerned of the gaps that exist in relation to child prostitution, the use of
children for illicit activities, children working in domestic service, and children engaged
in dangerous forms of agricultural activities. Therefore, the Committee recommends the
Government of Namibia to ensure that the minimum age of child labor and hazardous
works is respected; to strengthen its inspection mechanisms; prosecute individuals and
companies that engage children in worst forms of child labor; introduce corporate social
responsibility for the private sector; and review existing programs aimed at addressing
child labor and economic exploitation of children.
Sale, Trafficking and abduction
44.The Committee is highly concerned by the lack of reliable data on the situation of child
trafficking and sale in the State Party despite the fact that the region where Namibia is
located is identified to be a transit for human trafficking.Therefore, the Committee
recommends the Government of Namibia to urgently gather data on the matter and to
take measures based on its findings in collaboration with neighboring countries.
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