CRC/C/BTN/CO/2
page 2
(d)
That the minimum age for voluntary enlistment in the armed forces has
been raised to 18 years;
(e)
The establishment of a Woman and Child Protection Unit within the
police in 2007.
4.
The Committee welcomes the State party’s accession to the 1997 Convention
on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel
Mines and on their Destruction on 18 Aug 2005.
C. Main areas of concern and recommendations
1. General measures of implementation
(art 4, 42, 44, para. 66)
Legislation
5.
The Committee welcomes that the Constitution of 2008, the Penal Code of
2004 and the Civil and Criminal Procedure Code of 2001 contain explicit provisions
for children. The Committee furthermore welcomes the inclusion of fundamental
rights in the Constitution. However it expresses concern that article 7.22 may be used
to unduly restrict these rights by the adoption of new legislation. The Committee
notes that a draft child care and protection act is expected to be adopted by the end of
2008.
6.
The
Committee
reiterates
its
previous
recommendation
(CRC/C/15/Add.157, para. 13) to adopt a comprehensive children’s code which
incorporates the principles and provisions of the Convention. The Committee
recommends that the State party ensure that the draft Child Care and Protection
Act is harmonized with the Convention and furthermore encourages its speedy
adoption.
Coordination
7.
The Committee welcomes the establishment of the National Commission for
Women and Children (NCWC) in 2004 as the national mechanism in charge of the
coordination of actions taken to protect children’s rights. The Committee
acknowledges the NCWC’s initiatives to improve the monitoring of the
implementation of the Convention. However it notes that an assessment of the work
of the NCWC has yet to be undertaken.
8.
The Committee recommends that the State party further support the work
of the National Commission for Women and Children and ensure that it is
provided with adequate human and financial resources, including for carrying
out coordination at the local level.
National Plan of Action
9.
The Committee notes that provisions of the Convention are being integrated
into the National Plan of Action for Gender. However it regrets the absence of a