CRC/C/15/Add.124
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Dissemination of the principles and provisions of the Convention
20.
The Committee notes that the Convention has been translated into the Georgian and
Abkhaz languages and that human rights, including the rights of the child, have been included in
the school curricula in Tbilisi. The Committee remains concerned, however, that insufficient
efforts have been made to promote awareness of the principles and provisions of the Convention
and that professional groups, children, parents, and the public at large are generally not
sufficiently aware of the Convention and the rights-based approach enshrined therein.
21.
The Committee recommends that greater efforts be made to ensure that the
provisions of the Convention are widely known and understood by adults and children
alike. The Committee further recommends the reinforcement of adequate and systematic
training and/or sensitization of professional groups working with and for children, such as
judges, lawyers, law enforcement personnel, teachers and school administrators, especially
outside of the capital; health personnel, including psychologists, and social workers; and
personnel of childcare institutions. It further suggests that the State party seek to ensure
that the Convention is fully integrated into the curricula in all regions of the State party
and at all levels of the educational system. In this regard, the Committee encourages the
State party to continue its technical cooperation programmes with OHCHR and UNICEF,
among others.
2. Definition of the child
22.
The Committee notes with concern that the law does not include legal minimum ages for
sexual consent and medical treatment without parental consent.
23.
It is recommended that the State party enact relevant legislation concerning the
minimum legal ages for sexual consent and medical treatment without parental consent.
3. General principles
Non-discrimination
24.
The Committee notes with concern that the principle of non-discrimination is not
adequately implemented with respect to certain vulnerable groups of children, including children
living in conflict areas, children living in institutions, children living in the mountainous regions,
children with disabilities, children of single parent families, children of poor families, children in
conflict with the law, children living and/or working on the streets, refugee children and
internally displaced children. The Committee is particularly concerned about their limited access
to adequate health, education and other social services.
25.
The Committee recommends that the State party increase its efforts to ensure
implementation of existing laws guaranteeing the principle of non-discrimination and their
full compliance with article 2 of the Convention, particularly as it relates to the vulnerable
groups.