C. General Principles NoH' Discrimination 15.The Committee appreciates the State Party for its effort to ensure that the principle of non-discrimination is observed through programs devised for children from minority groups, children with disability, and vulnerable children. However, the Committee has a concern on Section 20 {4,c) of the Namibian Constitution which provides for an exhaustive list of grounds for non-discrimination. The Committee is also concerned about the existence of discrimination in intestate succession under customary law. Moreover, the Committee is concerned about children from indigenous groups such as the San people who are excluded from accessing basic services. 16.Therefore, the Committee recommends the Government of Namibia to ensure that all children are not discriminated and are enjoying their rights and freedoms irrespective of their parents' or guardians' race, ethnic group, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, fortune, birth or other status. To this effect, the Committee urges the State Party to ensure the observance of the principle of nondiscrimination in intestate succession under customary law and to enact the Intestate Succession Bill within a short time frame. The Best interest of the Child 17.The Committee is deeply satisfied by the legislative measures taken by the State Party to entrench the best interest of the child as a primary consideration in decisions and actions affecting the child. In this regard, the Committee recommends the State Party to supervise and monitor the full application of this principle overriding other interests in all administrative and judicial decisions that affect the life of children. The Right to Life, Survival and Development 18.The Committee commends the State Party for introducing pentavalent vaccination to reduce child mortality. However, the Committee is concerned by the high level of infant and under-five mortality, malnutrition, infanticide, baby dumping and poor sanitation. Therefore, the Committee recommends the Government of Namibia to adopt a child health policy as a policy intervention to reduce infant and under-five mortality. In addition, the Committee recommends the State Party to adopt and implement programmes for appropriate home care and timely treatment of complications for newborns; integrated management of childhood illness for all children under the age of five; expanded and strong immunization; infant and young child feeding; promotion of breastfeeding: and provision of nutrients.

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