CRC/C/SRB/CO/1
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Committee is also concerned at the lack of a comprehensive strategy to combat discrimination
and the negative portrayal of these groups in the media.
26.
In accordance with article 2, the Committee recommends that the State party make
greater efforts to ensure that all children within its jurisdiction enjoy all the rights
enshrined in the Convention without discrimination and pay particular attention to the
most vulnerable groups. The Committee recommends that the State party use all measures
to overcome the stigmatization of children belonging to vulnerable groups. The Committee
also recommends that the State party take effective immediate action to favour children
belonging to vulnerable groups, to enable them to effectively enjoy full access to education
and any other rights, including by expediting the adoption of a law on the prohibition of
discrimination, and increase awareness-raising of the role of the media.
Best interests of the child
27.
While noting that several laws of the State party such as the Law on Family Relations
(art. 6) refer to the principle of the child’s best interests, the Committee is concerned that the
principle is not sufficiently implemented in practice, in particular due to lack of understanding of
its specific meaning. The Committee is concerned that the principle is not sufficiently applied
and is frequently misunderstood.
28.
The Committee recommends that the State party take all appropriate measures to
ensure that the principle of best interests of the child, in accordance with article 3 of the
Convention, is adequately integrated in all legal provisions as well as in judicial and
administrative decisions and in projects, programmes and services which have an impact
on children. To this end, the State party should take the necessary measures to raise
awareness of the practical application of this principle.
Right to life, survival and development
29.
While the Committee welcomes the progress made by the State party in reducing child
mortality, it remains concerned at the high rate of infant mortality among the Roma. The
Committee notes the development of a new law on traffic safety and the efforts made to increase
safety in the areas around schools, but it is concerned at the lack of additional initiatives to curb
the high number of traffic accidents leading to death.
30.
The Committee recommends that the State party seek to fully implement article 6 of
the Convention by prioritizing all measures necessary to reduce the rate of infant
mortality, particularly among the Roma. The Committee also recommends that the State
party enhance road safety to reduce the high number of deaths caused by accidents
through the adoption and implementation of a new law on traffic safety and additional
awareness-raising initiatives.
Respect for the views of the child
31.
The Committee welcomes the efforts of the State party to promote the respect for the
views of the child, inter alia by the adoption of the new Law on Family Relations. The
Committee remains concerned that this principle is not adequately respected in families, schools
and other institutions and in the community, and that it is not fully taken into account in the