CRC/C/ALB/CO/2-4
D.
Civil rights and freedoms (arts. 7, 8, 13–17, 19 and 37 (a) of the
Convention)
Birth registration
35.
While welcoming the adoption in May 2009 of the Law on the Civil Registration
Offices, which notably eliminates the judicial procedure engaged in case of late
registration, the Committee notes with concern that insufficient awareness-raising about
this new law has been conducted for its effective implementation. The Committee is also
concerned that:
(a)
Although the law provides for financial incentives for those who register their
children, birth registration is not free of charge for families;
(b)
Registration of all children immediately after birth is still not ensured and
Roma and poor children and children born abroad, outside maternity homes and of early
marriages are the ones most affected by the lack of birth registration; and
(c)
Children without birth certificates might still be refused access to schools in
spite of the measures taken to avoid such a situation.
36.
The Committee urges the State party to continue and strengthen, as a matter of
priority, its efforts to establish a system ensuring the registration of all children born
within its territory and that registration is free of charge. The Committee also urges
the State party to take proactive measures targeting categories of children whose birth
registration remains problematic. The State should also urgently issue clear
instructions to all schools throughout the territory that all children, irrespective of
their registration status, should be enrolled into public schools and that failure to
enroll these children might lead to administrative sanctions.
Access to appropriate information
37.
The Committee is concerned that inappropriate movies are routinely broadcasted
during hours when children can be expected to watch television, whereas quality educative
programmes are rare.
38.
The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to
protect children from harmful information, in particular from television programmes,
to guarantee access to appropriate information and promote quality educative
programmes in which children and youth can be directly involved.
E.
Violence against children (arts. 19, 37 (a), 34 and 39 of the Convention)
Torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
39.
The Committee reiterates its deep concern (CRC/C/15/Add.249 para. 40, 2005)
about ill-treatment and improper use of force, in particular against children, both by public
officials and the police, in pretrial detention centres, prisons and other institutions in which
children are in the care of the State. The Committee is also deeply concerned about
information on ill-treatment of juveniles in detention in relation to the arrests following the
opposition's demonstration on 21 January 2011.
40.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Fully investigate all allegations of ill-treatment of children and ensure
that such acts are given an appropriate response through judicial processes, in order
to avoid impunity for perpetrators;
8