E/C.12/AGO/CO/3
page 7
25.
The Committee notes with concern that the phenomenon of children being accused of
witchcraft is still common in the State party, particularly in remote provinces, and has a very
negative impact in the enjoyment of their rights established in the Covenant, including the right
to education and health.
The Committee urges the State party to take efficient measures aimed to eradicate
the phenomenon of children being accused of witchcraft and to protect the victims.
The State party is invited to conduct awareness-raising campaigns about the
negative impact of this phenomenon in the realization of the rights of children
established in the Covenant.
Article 11
26.
The Committee notes with concern that, in spite of the State party’s significant economic
growth and huge natural wealth, the resources allocated to social services and public
infrastructure are far from adequate.
The Committee the State party take all appropriate measures, including by
allocating product of oil and diamond revenues, to accelerate the rehabilitation and
reconstruction of public infrastructure and social services in both the urban and
rural areas.
27.
While noting the facilities provided for the return of persons who were internally
displaced by the armed conflicts (IDPs), the Committee notes with concern that the State party
has not taken sufficient and efficient measures to assist those who have not returnedyet, and that
IDPs are among the poorest groups in the State party.
The Committee recommends that the State party provide adequate assistance,
including financial, for the resettlement of internally displaced persons and for their
reintegration into society, and ensure that those IDPs who have not been resettled or
returned to their homes have adequate access to housing and employment in places
of new settlements.
28.
The Committee notes with concern that, despite the unprecedented economic growth, a
high percentage of the population of the State party lives in poverty and extreme poverty,
including persons living in rural and deprived urban areas, the landless persons, women,
children, female-headed households, families affected by HIV/AIDS, persons with disabilities
and IDPs. The Committee is concerned that its Poverty Reduction Strategy is apparently
ineffective. The Committee in particular notes that the State party has not yet created an efficient
coordination mechanism to combat poverty.
The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to implement a
poverty reduction strategy which should integrate the economic, social and cultural
rights, in line with statement on Poverty and the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (E/2002/22-E.12/2001/17, annex VII). The
Committee recommends that the State Party include evaluation measures to asses