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concerned about the number of cases of asylum-seekers with specific needs who are denied
access to necessary specialized medical care available to nationals and EU citizens. (art.9)
The Committee calls upon the State party to provide asylum -seekers and third
country migrants with free legal aid on their economic, social and cultural rights.
The Committee also urges the State party to make sure that asylum-seekers,
especially the homeless are no longer imposed conditions not prescribed by law
which result in the denial of the rights to social security they are entitled to. The
Committee urges the State party to ensure that asylum-seekers with special medical
needs have access to specialized medical care, targeted welfare benefits and
facilities for the early identification and rehabilitation of the victims of torture.
19.
The Committee is concerned that domestic violence against women and children
continues to be widespread in the State party and often goes unreported. (art.10)
The Committee urges the State party to adopt an effective strategy to combat
domestic violence and to allocate the necessary human and financial resources for
the implementation of this strategy. The Committee calls upon the State party to
include in its next periodic report information on cases of domestic violence brought
to justice and on the sanctions imposed. The Committee also urges the State party to
ensure that specialized shelters for victims or those under risk of violence are made
available in order to ensure their security as well as their physical and mental
integrity.
20.
The Committee remains deeply concerned at the extent of trafficking in women for the
purposes of sexual exploitation in the State party in spite of the abolition of the system of artiste
visa which facilitated trafficking in human beings. (art. 10)
The Committee urges the Government to ensure a strict control over the new work
permit system, intensify its efforts to bring to justice those involved in human
trafficking and strengthen its efforts to protect trafficked women. The Committee
also recommends that the national cooperation mechanism between government
services and non-governmental organizations stipulated in the new law be
strengthened and put into effect.
21.
The Committee is also concerned that the State party has not adopted any specific policy
to address the sub-standard housing of third country migrants and asylum-seekers and still
considers that employers are responsible for offering suitable housing conditions. The
Committee remains concerned at the poor living conditions of some Roma’s families in spite of
the two housing projects set up by the Government, (art.11)
The Committee urges the State party to take remedial action to improve conditions
of housing and provide more housing units, housing facilities, credits and subsidies
to low-income families and disadvantaged and marginalized groups. In this regard,
the Committee reminds the State party of its general comment No. 4 (1991) on the
right to adequate housing according to which State parties must demonstrate, inter
alia, that they have taken whatever steps are necessary, either alone or on the basis