CRC/C/15/Add.140
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48.
The Committee recommends that the State party design further measures aimed at
ensuring that Roma children have equal access to and opportunities to attend regular
school with supportive education, if necessary. The Committee further recommends that
the State party examine to what extent the current situation of the Roma language in the
education system, with respect to both law and practice, meets the demands of the Roma
population and their children and consider, as appropriate, further measures aimed at
ensuring education or instruction in the Roma language, with reference to article 29 of the
Convention. Teacher training in this language should be strengthened. The Committee
recommends that the State party, in accordance with article 29 (c) of the Convention,
ensure that the education system and the media in particular foster positive attitudes
towards minorities and intercultural dialogue between the minorities and the majority,
including children.
7. Special measures of protection
Commercial sexual exploitation
49.
In line with the observation of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child
prostitution, and child pornography (see E/CN.4/1999/71), the Committee is concerned that
Slovakia has become a transit country for the transport of children for pornography, prostitution
and sex tourism. The Committee is also concerned at reports that commercial sexual
exploitation, particularly involving Russian and Ukrainian girls, is increasing and at the
generally insufficient data on and awareness about the phenomenon of commercial sexual
exploitation of children in Slovakia.
50.
The Committee recommends that the State party undertake a national study on the
nature and extent of this phenomenon and that disaggregated data be compiled and kept
up to date to serve as a basis for designing measures and evaluating progress. The
Committee recommends that the State party: ensure that domestic laws in this area are
gender neutral; provide civil remedies in the event of violations; ensure that procedures are
simplified so that responses are appropriate, timely, child-friendly and sensitive to victims;
include provisions to protect victims from discrimination and reprisals against those who
expose violations; and vigorously pursue enforcement. Rehabilitation programmes and
shelters should be established for child victims of sexual abuse and exploitation. There is a
need to adequately train personnel working with child victims. The Committee
recommends that the State party continue to carry out awareness-raising campaigns to
sensitize and mobilize the general public on the child’s right to physical and mental
integrity and protection from sexual exploitation. The Committee encourages the State
party to continue its close collaboration with authorities abroad.
Administration of juvenile justice
51.
The Committee notes recent amendments to the Penal Code and the Penal Rules in the
area of juvenile justice. However, the Committee is concerned at the insufficient information
available on prevailing conditions in detention facilities for juveniles and with respect to
independent complaints mechanisms.