CRC/C/15/Add.69 page 4 16. The Committee is concerned that the State party has not taken all legal and other appropriate measures to promote and implement the rights contained in articles 13, 14 and 15. Of particular concern is the fact that children considered poor are channelled towards monastic Buddhist schools and are offered no alternative educational opportunity. This might challenge the right to freedom of religion for non-Buddhist children who are enrolled in those schools. Deep concern is also expressed by the Committee with regard to the right of children to freedom of speech, association and peaceful assembly. Moreover, the Committee is seriously concerned by the recent closure of some high schools. 17. The Committee is concerned by the existing legal framework and procedures regulating adoption which are not in full conformity with the principles and provisions of the Convention, especially its articles 3 and 21. 18. The Committee expresses its concern about the high rates of infant mortality and malnutrition, as well as the low level of health services, which are partly due to poverty, deep disparities between urban and rural communities and the impact of the internal conflict. The Committee is also worried about the insufficient measures to offer appropriate and accessible social, rehabilitation and educational services to disabled children. 19. With regard to the implementation of articles 28, 29 and 30 of the Convention, the Committee is concerned by the high drop-out and repetition rates. It is also concerned by the lack of resources in the field of vocational training. Finally, the Committee is concerned by the insufficient measures taken by the State party to provide education in minority languages. 20. The Committee is seriously concerned by the impact of years of internal conflict which has generated important instability in several regions of the country and resulted in situations where families have been forcibly relocated or displaced, or encouraged to cross borders to seek for protection as refugees. The rights of most children involved in those population movements have not been properly addressed and safeguarded. 21. Reports from various sources concerning cases of abuse and violence perpetrated against children have raised grave concern within the Committee, particularly regarding numerous documented cases of rape of young girls by soldiers and cases of children systematically being forced into labour, including as porters. 22. Of equal grave concern to the Committee are the numerous reported cases of forced and under-age recruitment of child soldiers. 23. The Committee is concerned by the fact that children working in the family environment or in family enterprises are not protected by law. The Committee is also concerned about the abuse and exploitation of adopted children, especially in the area of child labour, and at the absence of legal safeguards to protect them. 24. Furthermore, the Committee expresses its regret that insufficient measures are being taken to address the problems of child abuse, including sexual abuse, and the sale and trafficking of children, child prostitution and

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