• Testifying as a witness in criminal matters (cf. Article 119 (1) of C.P.P), and in civil
matters when he or she has reached the age of 7, cf. al. c) of Article 617 of the
C.P.C);
• Consent to adoption, provided that he or she has completed more than 14 years (cf.
Article 1974, paragraph 2 of the C.C);
•Speak and give opinions within the scope of the exercise the right of assembly and
demonstration with the constitutional proviso, on the exercise of political rights;
• Engage a lawyer to defend your rights and interests, if you have reached the age of
16.
147. In addition to this legal framework for the exercise of the right to freedom of
expression, children freely express their opinions, whether in the family environment,
in residential and educational institutions or in the media, and in their own spaces,
which the Government established in the scope of their right to participation.
148. With network-based capacity building, on child rights, adult awareness-raising
campaigns, have been held in the communities through plays, lectures in national
languages for changes in traditional attitudes in order to respect their views on all
matters concerning them.
149. Article 7 of the African Charter and Article 12 of the CRC, state that "States
Parties shall ensure that children who have the capacity to formulate their own
judgments, the right to express their views freely on all matters relating to their rights,
should take into account these opinions, depending on the age and maturity of the
child. This Article is the source of inspiration in creating the conditions for the
Guinean child to have spaces for participation in the family, school, institutions and
community.
VI. Civil Rights and Freedoms
6.1. Birth Registration
150. The rules concerning the registration of births that came from colonial times, did
not correspond to the socio-cultural reality of the country, favoring children born in
hospitals and children of civilly married parents.
151. The Government of Guinea-Bissau, by understanding the situation, has taken
steps to promote the registration of births of a greater number of people, namely the
abolition of the fees that were collected under Order No.04/02 of 25th April.
152. However, the increased costs of non-declaration of birth within 30 days of its
verification, continued to discourage birth registration in the period envisaged. Thus,
some measures were taken to promote the right to birth registration, namely:
• Order No.09/04, of December 9, of His Excellency the Minister of Justice, which
states that "Birth registration of children from (Zero) to 3 (three) years of age,
becomes free of charge.
28