CRC/C/LVA/CO/2
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(b)
To strengthen measures aimed at decreasing drop-out and repetition rates in
primary and secondary education in all regions, and to ensure that all children have equal
opportunities to complete their education;
(c)
To expand measures to prevent bullying among children at school;
(d)
To take measures to inform parents of the importance of education, and
where appropriate, to provide incentives to families to encourage children to attend
school, including financial assistance for educational supplies and the provision of school
lunches; and
(e)
To improve the standard of living, the disciplinary treatment, and the quality
of education for children attending residential boarding schools and schools in rural and
remote areas, and to reduce disparities in allocated resources and facilities.
7. Special protection measures
(arts. 22; 30; 32-36; 37, paras. (b)-(d); 38; 39; 40, of the Convention)
Refugee children
52.
The Committee welcomes the entry into force of the new law on asylum, yet is concerned
that asylum-seekers and their children may be held at the border at inadequate detention facilities
without access to medical care, and deported without access to legal counsel. The Committee is
concerned that children born to parents who are asylum-seekers cannot be issued formal birth
certificates. It is also concerned that the definition of “family” found in section 29 of the
Asylum Law limits opportunities for family reunification, particularly in the case of separated or
unaccompanied children whose parents are deceased or whose whereabouts are unknown.
53.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Undertake measures to ensure the availability of adequate facilities for
refugee children in Latvia, including access to legal counsel and medical care, as well as the
availability of education, irrespective of the status of the refugee child;
(b)
Ensure that asylum-seeking children, including separated children, are only
detained when it is necessary to protect their best interest and for the shortest time
possible, and take into account article 37 of the Convention and general comment No. 6
on the treatment of unaccompanied and separated children outside their country of
origin (2005);
(c)
Ensure that the births of children born to asylum-seekers are immediately
registered in accordance with article 7 of the Convention;
(d)
Take steps to broaden the definition of “family” in the Asylum Law to
promote family reunification; and
(e)
Create training programmes related to the principles and provisions of the
Convention for border guards, police and judiciary.