CRC/C/15/Add.124
page 7
5. Family environment and alternative care
Protection of children deprived of a family environment
34.
While the Committee welcomes the State party’s programme of deinstitutionalization, it
is concerned about the still high number of institutionalized children and the poor standard of
living and quality of care in institutions.
35.
The Committee recommends that the State party establish a code of standards to
ensure that children deprived of a family environment receive adequate care and
protection. The Committee recommends that the State party reinforce its efforts to
provide additional training, including in children’s rights, for the staff of institutions;
ensure the periodic review of placements in institutions; and establish an independent
complaint mechanism for children in alternative care institutions. The Committee
encourages the State party to introduce measures to guarantee and protect the human
dignity of children living in institutions and to make these institutions more child friendly.
The State party is also encouraged to increase the level of resources allocated for the
protection and care of children deprived of a family environment. Finally, the Committee
recommends that the State party increase its efforts to prevent institutionalization and pay
special attention in that regard to vulnerable families by, for example, providing them with
adequate support services.
Foster care
36.
While the Committee notes that the State party has recently adopted a new law on foster
care, it remains concerned that insufficient resources impede the effective implementation of this
new law. Concern is also expressed at the unregulated nature of the practice of kinship fostering.
37.
The Committee recommends that the State party provide adequate resources, both
financial and human, for effective implementation of the new law on foster care; introduce
programmes to raise awareness and promote foster care; and undertake measures to
regulate kinship fostering in order to ensure that the best interests of the children
concerned are taken into account.
Adoption
38.
The Committee notes with concern that both domestic and intercountry adoptions are
inadequately monitored. While the Committee notes the State party’s concerns regarding
adoptions and the need to keep the identity of genetic parents confidential, it is deeply concerned
that the law on adoption provides that the date and place of birth of an adopted child may be
changed at the request of the adoptive parents.
39.
In light of article 21 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State
party introduce proper monitoring procedures with respect to both domestic and
intercountry adoptions. With reference to articles 3 and 7 of the Convention the
Committee recommends that the State party consider amending its legislation to ensure
that information about the date and place of birth of adopted children and their genetic