CRC/C/ALB/CO/2-4
Department created in 2004 within the Ombudsperson’s Office has been inactive in the
recent past. The Committee also reiterates its concern (CRC/C/15/Add.249 para. 13, 2005)
that the level of awareness among children and adults alike of the services of the Office of
the People’s Advocate remains limited. It is further concerned that resources allocated to
monitoring mechanisms have remained insufficient and resulted in the closure of local
offices in Korca and Shkodra in 2008.
20.
The Committee urges the State party, by drawing attention to its general
comment No. 2 (CRC/GC/2002/2), to ensure that the People’s Advocate Office and in
particular its Children’s Department function with efficiency and without
interruption, notably by ensuring that it is provided with the necessary human,
financial and technical resources. The Committee also urges the State party to take all
the necessary measures to conduct awareness-raising programmes, particularly for
children, including those living in remote areas, on the possibility of submitting
complaints to the Children’s Department.
Dissemination and awareness-raising
21.
The Committee notes with concern the limited measures taken by the State party to
promote awareness of the Convention and the fact that the State party’s report was not
shared with the media and/or the public at large. The Committee is also concerned at the
low level of awareness on the Convention and the general lack of knowledge of children’s
rights in the State party, especially among children.
22.
The Committee recommends that the State party take more active measures to
systematically disseminate and promote the Convention in order to raise awareness of
the Convention and the rights of the child among the public at large and children in
particular.
Training
23.
While welcoming that some training on child rights is provided to medical staff and
teachers, the Committee regrets that such training does not reach all professionals working
with or for children.
24.
The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that all professional
groups working for and with children, in particular law enforcement officials, social
workers and personnel working in childcare institutions, are adequately and
systematically trained. In this regard, the Committee recommends that human rights
education be included in the official curriculum at all levels of education and in
training activities.
B.
Definition of the child (art. 1 of the Convention)
25.
The Committee reiterates its concern (CRC/C/15/Add.249 para. 21, 2005) about the
lack of clarity related to the status of children between 14 and 18 years (e.g. in the areas of
sexual abuse or exploitation and juvenile justice) and is concerned that children of this age
group may not be accorded the special protection or the rights they are entitled to in
accordance with the Convention. Furthermore, the Committee is deeply concerned that,
under articles 100 and 101 of the Criminal Code, girls are treated as adults from the age of
puberty. The Committee also expresses particular concern that children deprived of a
family environment have to leave care institutions at the age of 15 and are left without any
protection and financial support by the State party.
26.
The Committee urges the State party to take all necessary measures to clarify
the definition of the child in Albania and review existing legislation to ensure that all
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