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295. The Committee expresses its great concern at the high rate of
unemployment, which, according to the information contained in the
Government’s written replies to the Committee’s questions, could exceed
30 per cent in 1995. The Committee also notes that this rate is continually
increasing.
296. The Committee notes with concern that family violence, of which women
are the principal victims, continues to be a problem of society in Algeria,
insufficiently addressed by the authorities in terms of either prevention or
punishment. The Committee also deplores the fact that children born out of
wedlock are subjected to de jure and de facto discrimination.
297. The Committee notes with concern the serious shortage of housing and the
precarious conditions of accommodation of a substantial part of the
population, which affects enjoyment of the right to adequate housing as
provided for in the Covenant.
298. The Committee is concerned to note the high mortality rate among young
girls in the 1-10 age group, which, as acknowledged by the Government, is due
to the fact that better care is provided for boys.
E.
Suggestions and recommendations
299. The Committee, while being aware of the extremely difficult political and
social context in which the Algerian Government is discharging its functions,
considers it to be of the utmost importance that special attention be given to
the problem of discrimination against women, in particular as it exists in
legislation.
300. The Committee recommends that the radical economic reforms undertaken by
the Government be continuously assessed in terms of the realization of the
economic, social and cultural rights of all Algerians, and that special
priority be given to the smooth application of social policies designed to
counteract the adverse effects of structural adjustments.
301. The Committee recommends that extensive consciousness-raising campaigns
be launched to prevent family violence. Adequate information should also be
provided to the victims of such violence, with regard to their right to obtain
compensation.
302. The Committee encourages the Algerian Government to pursue an energetic
housing policy, so as to make progress towards the full realization of the
right to adequate housing.
303. The Committee also requests the Government to take all necessary
measures to ensure that girls are fully able to exercise their right to
education and to mental and physical health. Such measures should be
accompanied by the setting up of a data-collection system enabling their
impact to be assessed.
304. The Committee recommends that measures be taken to include human rights
instruction in school curricula, especially in primary schools, in conformity