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impact on all children. These principles should guide planning and policy-making at every
level, as well as actions taken by social and health and welfare institutions, courts of law
and administrative authorities.
Non-discrimination
26.
The Committee is concerned that the principle of non-discrimination (art. 2) is not fully
implemented for children belonging to indigenous groups, urban and rural poor children, girls,
children with disabilities and displaced children especially with regard to their access to adequate
health and educational facilities.
27.
The Committee recommends that the State party take all the necessary measures to
end discrimination. In this respect, the State party is encouraged to monitor
discrimination against children, in particular those belonging to the above-mentioned
vulnerable groups, and to develop, on the basis of the results of such monitoring,
comprehensive strategies for implementing specific and well-targeted actions aimed at
ending all forms of discrimination.
4. Civil rights and freedoms
Birth registration
28.
The Committee notes with concern that a large number of children, in particular girls in
rural and poor urban areas, are not registered because of distance from registry offices or because
parents are unaware of the importance of the procedure for birth registration.
29.
In light of article 7 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State
party develop more widespread awareness among the population of the importance of
birth registration and improve the registration system so that it reaches all people, in
particular those in rural areas.
Torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
30.
The Committee is deeply disturbed by information that violence against children is
increasing. In particular, it notes with great concern that many children fear for their lives
because they are continually threatened and are victims of violence, notably when they are living
and/or working in the street but also when they are at home. Of particular concern to the
Committee is the alleged involvement of the State Civil Police in some of the alleged cases of
violence and the lack of proper investigation of these cases by Guatemalan authorities.
31.
The Committee recommends that the State party take, as a matter of the highest
priority, all the necessary steps to prevent these serious violations of children’s rights and
to ensure that they are properly investigated and that those responsible are brought to
justice. In light of article 39, the Committee also invites the State party to take all
appropriate measures to ensure the physical and psychological recovery and social
reintegration of child victims of torture and/or ill-treatment and to provide adequate
compensation. The State party is invited to seek international cooperation in this regard.