CRC/C/15/Add.142
page 10
48.
The Committee recommends that the State party implement the National
Programme for the Prevention of Sexual Violence for 2000-2004, in particular its
rehabilitation and reintegration aspects. Further, it recommends that the State party
undertake a study of commercial sexual exploitation and abuse of children in order to
understand its scope and causes and to develop programmes for monitoring the problem
and to prevent and combat it, taking into account the Agenda for Action adopted at the
World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. In particular, it
encourages the State party to prevent the criminalization and stigmatization of the victims.
Children living in the streets
49.
The Committee expresses its concern at the significant number of children living in
the streets. It notes that even though the Law on the Protection of the Rights of the Child
covers children living in the street, no specific mechanisms have been established for its
implementation and that assistance to the children living in the streets is generally provided
only by non-governmental organizations.
50.
The Committee recommends that the State party support existing mechanisms to
provide children living in the streets with food, clothing, housing, health care and
educational opportunities, including vocational and life-skills training. Moreover, the State
party should ensure that these children are provided, whenever necessary, with
rehabilitation services for physical, sexual and substance abuse; protection from police
brutality; and services for reconciliation with their families.
Children belonging to minority groups
51.
The Committee notes with concern that the Education Law of 1998 foresees that, as
of 2004, all State-funded schools will provide secondary education in Latvian only, while
bilingual education will be available only until 9th grade. Further, it notes the slow pace of the
National Programme for Integration of Society in Latvia, owing in particular to a lack of
funding.
52.
The Committee encourages the State party to ensure that children belonging to
minorities can also use their own language in secondary education, in accordance with
articles 29 and 30 of the Convention. Further, it encourages the enforcement of the
integration process, in particular at community level, and the provision of more
information about the process.
Optional protocols
53.
The Committee takes note of the fact that the Government of Latvia has started the
internal procedure of accession to the Optional Protocols on the sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography and on the involvement of children in armed conflicts.
54.
The Committee invites the State party to continue this process and to ratify the two
Optional Protocols to the Convention.