CRC/C/15/Add.233
page 5
20.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Strengthen public awareness campaigns on the Convention aimed at the
general public and specifically at children;
(b)
Continue to carry out systematic education and training on the principles
and provisions of the Convention for all professionals working with and for children, in
particular teachers, judges, parliamentarians, law enforcement officials, civil servants,
municipal workers, personnel working in institutions and places of detention for children,
immigration officers, mass media personnel, health personnel, including psychologists, and
social workers.
2. Definition of the child
21.
The Committee expresses its concern that the Family Code allows marriage to be
contracted by children as young as 14 if they have reached puberty or have had a child together
or if the girl is pregnant.
22.
The Committee recommends that the State party review the rules governing the
contracting of marriage between children under 18, with a view to increasing the minimum
age for marriage between under-age children who have had children together. This age
should be the same for boys and girls. Awareness-raising campaigns and other measures
should be undertaken to prevent early marriages.
3. General principles
Non-discrimination
23.
The Committee is deeply concerned about the long-existing and grave disparities,
inter alia, in the standard of living, access to basic social services like education, health, clean
(drinkable) water and sanitation, and between different groups of the population, in particular
those living in urban and rural areas. These hamper the enjoyment of rights, in particular by
children in rural areas and indigenous children.
24.
The Committee reiterates its concern that societal discrimination persists against girls,
children belonging to indigenous, minority and other marginalized groups, children with
disabilities, children of migrant workers and refugees.
25.
The Committee reiterates its recommendation that the State party take measures
aimed at developing a culture of human rights and at changing attitudes towards children
in general and children belonging to indigenous groups in particular. The Committee also
recommends that the State party undertake all necessary proactive measures to combat
societal discrimination, in particular against girls, children and adolescents belonging to
marginalized groups, indigenous children, children with disabilities, other minorities,
refugee children and children of migrant workers, through, inter alia, public education and
awareness campaigns.
26.
The Committee requests that specific information be included in the next periodic
report on the measures and programmes relevant to the Convention on the Rights of the