III.
AREAS OF CONCERN AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. General measures of implementation
5. The Committee welcomes the revision and adoption of the Family Law and other
laws which ensure the protection of children’s rights. However, the Committee
notes with concern that there is no separate, comprehensive child law and thus
recommends for the adoption of such law by the State Party. Though the family
Laws try to cover a number of issues, the Committee would like to bring to the
attention of the State Party the fact that all children are not in a family setting; the
Family Laws therefore cannot fully address the concerns of all children in
different settings. The Committee is convinced that the elaboration of a
comprehensive children’s law, complemented by detailed regulations, which has
the implementation of children’s rights and the protection of their welfare as it’s
primary concern will contribute to child protection systems’ strengthening.
6. The Committee notes with appreciation the legal and institutional framework
available for children. The Committee however encourages the Government of
Ethiopia to work on the implementation of the laws and policies through training
and capacity building of the executive arm of the Government, increasing the
budget for child rights issues and establish a functioning and strong monitoring
and evaluation mechanism.
7. The Committee notes with concern that there is no social protection policy for
children who are abandoned or cannot be supported by parents. The Committee
urges the State Party to adopt such policy in order to ensure that children who
are under parental or family support receive assistance from the State.
8. The Committee encourages the State Party to collect a disaggregated data in
terms of gender, age, geographical settlement, family status, education, and so
forth to make an informed decision in law making and policy designing.
9. With regard to the institutional set up, the Committee appreciates the effort taken
by the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs. The Committee
encourages the State Party to further strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency
of the National Human Right Commission and the Ombudsman.
10. Moreover, the Committee calls upon the State Party to create a smooth
environment in which CSOs and NGOs can collaborate with the Government for
the better protection of children’s rights. Government is encouraged to Involve
CSO in preparation of the subsequent reports and in implementation of these
concluding recommendations. The recent law governing Charitable
Organisations should be carefully reviewed to ensure that it does provide any
impediment to the optimal functioning of CSOs that are providing services to
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