CRC/C/15/Add.119
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in relation to certain vulnerable groups: children with disabilities, children living in rural areas,
refugee children, children from poor families, children living and/or working on the streets, and
those living in institutions.
25.
The Committee recommends that the State party make concerted efforts at all levels
to address social inequalities through a review and reorientation of policies, including
increased budgetary provision for programmes targeting the most vulnerable groups. The
Committee encourages the State party to ensure the effective enforcement of protective
laws, undertake studies and launch comprehensive public information campaigns to
prevent and combat all forms of discrimination, to sensitize society to the situation and
needs of children within the society and particularly within the family, where needed
within the framework of international cooperation.
Respect for the views of the child (art. 12)
26.
In the light of article 12 of the Convention, the Committee is concerned that this general
principle is not adequately reflected in the 1996 Rights of the Child Act. Moreover, the
Committee is concerned that respect for the views of the child remains limited owing to
traditional societal attitudes towards children in schools, care institutions, the courts and,
especially, within the family.
27.
The Committee encourages the State party to promote and facilitate within the
family, the school, care institutions and the courts respect for the views of children and
their participation in all matters affecting them, in accordance with article 12 of the
Convention. In this regard, the Committee recommends that the State party develop
training programmes in community settings for teachers, social workers and local officials
in assisting children to make and express informed decisions and to have their views taken
into consideration.
D.5. Family environment and alternative care
Children deprived of a family environment (art. 20)
28.
The Committee expresses deep concern over the prevailing policies and practices
of institutionalization in Armenia. In particular, the Committee is concerned that
institutionalization, quite apart from being an alternative for children deprived of their parents, is
effectively a substitute for parents who do not have the means to maintain their children.
Moreover, the Committee is concerned at the high numbers of children in institutions, and the
living conditions there. The Committee is concerned that these institutions are inadequately
organized to provide a family environment, to support family ties or to meet the individual needs
of each child; and that few community services are available to assist the parents to resolve the
problems that force them to seek admission of their children. In the light of article 25 of the
Convention, the Committee is concerned at the inadequate system to review placement, monitor
or follow up the situation of children in institutions.
29.
Noting that the State party is considering draft codes of practice and regulations
concerning placement of and institutional assistance to children deprived of a family