CRC/C/15/Add.222
page 9
41.
The Committee reiterates its previous recommendations and urges the State party
to establish a code of standards and to guarantee the right to periodic review of placement,
in accordance with article 25 of the Convention, by, inter alia, ensuring the provision of the
required human and financial resources.
Abuse, neglect and violence
42.
The Committee notes the information provided in the written replies to its list of issues
on the Plan of Action to Combat Violence against Women 2000-2002 and on the 2000-2003
State programme for the protection, development and social adaptation of minors. However, the
Committee regrets that many of its concerns and recommendations expressed during the
consideration of the initial report have not been addressed, and is deeply concerned at the high
incidence of abuse, neglect and violence within the family and in other settings. The Committee
is also concerned at the occurrence of violence (bullying) in schools. The Committee concurs
with the concerns expressed by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the
Human Rights Committee, with regard to the occurrence of domestic violence, as they relate to
children. The Committee regrets that the State party has not introduced domestic violence as a
specific offence in criminal law or criminal procedural legislation and has not considered
undertaking studies, or other steps, in this respect.
43.
The Committee recommends that the State party reinforce its efforts to formalize a
comprehensive strategy to prevent and combat domestic violence and other forms of
violence, including bullying in schools. The State party is encouraged to enact specific
domestic violence legislation which brings together criminal and civil provisions, including
remedies. In this respect, the State party is encouraged, inter alia, to consult the
framework for model legislation on domestic violence (E/CN.4/1996/53/Add.2) which
outlines important elements integral to comprehensive legislation on domestic violence.
Furthermore, the Committee recommends that measures be taken to provide counselling
and support services to all children victims of violence, including those who bully others in
school.
Corporal punishment
44.
The Committee welcomes the fact that the State party considers corporal punishment
totally unacceptable and inadmissible. However, the Committee notes that the prohibition of
corporal punishment, referred to in the second periodic report of Georgia to the Human Rights
Committee (see CCPR/C/GEO/2000/2, paragraph 117), refers only to the educational system and
institutional care establishments, and regrets that corporal punishment is not explicitly prohibited
in the family.
45.
The Committee encourages the State party expressly to prohibit corporal
punishment in the family in legislation and to fully implement the prohibition of the use of
violence, including corporal punishment, in schools and institutions, inter alia, by
promoting positive, non-violent forms of discipline, especially in families, schools and care
institutions in light of article 28 (2) of the Convention.