CRC/C/TLS/CO/1
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Dissemination of the Convention and training activities
22.
The Committee is encouraged by the efforts of the State party, in cooperation with
UNICEF and other United Nations agencies and entities as well as non-governmental
organizations, to disseminate information about the Convention and promote awareness of its
principles and provisions across government agencies and civil society, in addition to providing
human rights training, including on children’s rights, to teachers, judicial officers and other
relevant professional groups.
23.
The Committee recommends that the State party continue its efforts, in cooperation
with the international community, to systematically disseminate information about the
Convention among children, parents, community leaders, civil society organizations and
government agencies in appropriate languages, including through radio programmes and
other media, and to provide all relevant professional groups with targeted and regular
training on the provisions and principles of the Convention.
2. Definition of the child
(art. 1)
24.
The Committee notes that the State party, by virtue of section 9 of the Constitution and
incorporation of the Convention directly into its domestic legal framework, has defined a child as
being every human being under the age of 18 years. The Committee is concerned, however, that
the currently applicable minimum age for the marriage of girls is too low.
25.
The Committee recommends that the State party further review its legislation with a
view to establishing the minimum age for marriage at 18 years of age, equally applicable for
both boys and girls.
3. General principles
(arts 2, 3, 6 and 12)
Non-discrimination
26.
The Committee commends the inclusion of special provisions for the protection of
children from discrimination in the State party’s Constitution, including in particular children
born out of wedlock. The Committee notes with concern, however, that certain groups of
children, including children of returnees, children who are not in possession of a baptism
certificate, children deriving from sexual relationships among family members and children with
disabilities, face de facto discrimination, most importantly with regard to access to education.
27.
In accordance with article 2, the Committee recommends that the State party make
greater efforts to ensure that all children within its jurisdiction enjoy all the rights
enshrined in the Convention without discrimination. The Committee recommends that the
State party use legislative, policy and educational measures, including sensitization and
awareness-raising, to overcome the stigmatization of the above-described groups of
children and to remove obstacles faced by some children belonging to such groups with
regard to access to education or the enjoyment of any other rights or entitlements.