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“molestation”, including sexual abuses, are reported every year to the appropriate
authorities. These cases are referred to the police, who take disciplinary measures against
the culprits, but no information, is provided about the penal consequences of such abuses
(art. 16).
The State party should adopt legislation to prohibit corporal punishment, in
particular in social institutions and in alternative care settings. To that end, the State
party should incorporate this issue in its Children’s Bill under preparation. The State
party should also pursue awareness-campaigns on the negative effects of corporal
punishment. Finally, it should strengthen its efforts to combat child abuse, including
by investigating, prosecuting and punishing those responsible. The State party should
provide the Committee with statistical data regarding cases of child abuse, the
investigations, prosecutions, sentences imposed and redress or rehabilitation offered
to victims.
Adoption of draft human rights bills
18.
While noting the explanation provided by the delegation of the State party on the
difficulties faced in finalizing and adopting draft bills, the Committee is concerned that a
number of draft human rights bills aiming at preventing torture, such the draft Independent
Police Complaints Commission Bill, the Victims Right Act and the Victims Charter, the
new Police Act and a Police Procedures and Criminal Evidence Act, have been under
preparation or consideration before the Parliament for long periods of time, in some case
for many years, not to be adopted (arts. 2 and 4)
The State party should take the necessary steps to speed up the process of
adoption of draft bills on human rights, especially those aiming at preventing torture
and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and implement them as soon as
adopted.
National Preventive Mechanism
19.
While noting that the National Human Rights Commission has been entrusted to act
as the National Preventive Mechanism to implement the Optional Protocol the Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the
Committee is concerned at the fact the draft National Preventive Mechanism Bill is still
being in the process of finalization and that the National Preventive Mechanism has not yet
been established despite the ratification of the Optional Protocol by the State party in 2005
(art.2).
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Finalize the draft National Preventive Mechanism Bill, adopt and
establish the mechanism, as soon as possible. The National Preventive Mechanism
should be provided with necessary human and financial resources, in compliance with
the requirements of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment as well as with the
principles relating to status of national human rights institutions for promotion and
protection of human rights (the Paris Principles) (General Assembly resolution
48/134, annex).
(b)
Make public the report of the Sub-Committee following its visit in 2007.
National Plan of Action for Human Rights
20.
While noting the information provided by the State party and its delegation that a
Plan Action on Human Rights will be shortly finalized, the Committee regrets that this Plan
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