COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILDForty-eighth session19 May – 6 June 2008

WRITTEN REPLIES BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ERITREATO THE LIST OF ISSUES (CRC/C/ERI/Q/3) PREPAREDBY THE committee ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD INCONNECTION with the CONSIDERATION OF THE THIRDPERIODIC REPORT OF ERITREA (CRC/C/ERI/3)

[Received on 23 May 2008]

GE.08-43191 Introduction

1.The Government of the State of Eritrea submitted the combined second and third periodic report on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in July, 2007 The Committee requested Eritrea to provide written additional and updated information covering the years 2005, 2006 and 2007. In response to the Committee's list of issues to be taken up in connection with the consideration of Eritrea’s report, the following responses were provided by Eritrea.

RESPONSES TO THE QUESTIONS POSED BY THE COMMITTEE

PART I

2.This part provides available data, statistics and information on general measures of implementation,-including activities to implement the recommendations contained in the Committee’s previous concluding observations on the third periodic report of Eritrea (CRC/C/ERI/Q/3).

A. Data and statistics

Question 1. Disaggregated statistical data (by sex, age groups, urban and rural areas on children under 18)

3.The tables below contain the relevant data.

Children under 18 years by age and sex

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
0-4	271589	247275	518864	275,126	271,865	546,991	290,041	286,603	576,664
5-9	241841	226677	468518	234,793	215,720	450,513	225,770	207,430	433,200
10-14	249163	247388	496551	263,417	247,380	510,797	270,975	254,477	525,452
15-17	13117	124155	255272	135,499	134,991	270,490	143,576	143,038	286,614
Total	893710	845495	1739205	908,835	869,956	1,778,791	930,362	891,548	1,821,910

(Source: National Statistics & Evaluation Office, 2005-2007)

Percentage of children under 18 years by age and sex

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
0-4	15.6	14.1	14.9	15.3	15.1	15.2	15.6	15.3	15.4
5-9	13.9	13.0	13.4	13.1	11.9	12.5	12.1	11.1	11.6
10-14	14.3	14.2	14.2	14.6	13.7	14.2	14.6	13.6	14.1
15-17	7.5	7.1	7.3	7.5	7.5	7.5	7.7	7.6	7.7
Total	51.2	48.4	49.8	50.5	48.2	49.4	50.0	47.6	48.8

(Source: National Statistics & Evaluation Office, 2005-2007)

Statistical data on children under 18 years, disaggregated by gender as regards to urban and rural areas:

Year	Total	Urban	Rural
	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
2005	893,710	845,465	1,739,205	220,364	236,055	456,419	648,242	634,544	1,282,786
2006	908,835	869,956	1,778,791	225,403	241,394	466,796	662,043	649,951	1,311,995
2007	930,362	891,548	1,821,910	230,860	247,245	478,105	676,925	666,880	1,343,805

(Source: National Statistics & Evaluation Office, 2005-2007)

Question 2. Disaggregated data on budget allocations and trends & percentage of the national budgets

(a) Budget allocation in the education sector;

4.Data not available.

(b) Health care (different type of health services, i.e. primary health care, vaccination programmes, adolescent health care, HIV/AIDS and other health care services for children, including social insurance); 

5.Disaggregated data on health care are not available. However, the aggregated budget expenditures during 2005-2007 are as follows:

Government Expenditure on the Health Sector, 2005-2007 (in US$)

Item	2005	2006	2007
Recurrent budget	10,173,043	10,054,851	10,861,586
Capital budget	950,787	3,418,330	1,490,904
Total expenditure	11,123,830	13,473,180	12,352,490

(Source: Ministry of Health, 2008)

(c) Programmes and services for children with disabilities;

6.Brief information on programmes and services provided to children with disabilities:-

Community Based Rehabilitation Programme in 43 sub-Zobas covering 80 per cent of the country. Under this programme, 3,500 children were rehabilitated and integrated into regular schools and another 4,220 children with disabilities are being rehabilitated by volunteer rehabilitation workers in their communities. The rehabilitation components include: self-care, communication, movement, behaviour, stimulation, training for children with epilepsy and learning difficulties as well as referrals to hospitals, physiotherapy centre, orthopaedic workshops and special schools.

Provision of assistive devices for 6,200 children with disabilities such as hearing aids, orthotic and prosthetic appliances, splints, crutches, arch supports, spinal corsets, babies trolleys, collars, compensation, wheel chairs, tri-cycles, canes, etc.

Provision of school stationery and uniforms to children with disabilities.

Inclusive and/or integrated school programmes. 13,994 Children with disabilities are attending education in pre-primary, elementary, middle and secondary schools.

The programme for children with special needs targets increasing gross and net enrolment of boys and girls, including children with disabilities in primary schools. The programme also targets increasing the percentage of girls and boys with disabilities, orphans and vulnerable children who get enrolled in and complete secondary education.

Special education for children with visual impairment and the deaf.

Special assistance during vocational training to children with disabilities.

Sports and leisure time activities.

Early identification of and early intervention for children with disabilities.

(d) Support programmes for families;

7.Programmes and services:

Martyrs Survivors Benefit. 61,391 families of Martyrs comprising of 103,732 beneficiaries are provided with US$ 24,566,300 of Martyrs survivors benefit annually.

Provision of seed money for establishing Income Generating Activities (IGA) to 1,500 disadvantaged families, including HIV/AIDS affected families, during 2005-2007.

Provision of seed money and psychosocial support for 320 Child headed households.

Skills training for 250 disadvantaged women annually in the community centres.

Education and sensitization of families on child neglect and child abuse.

Poverty alleviation. The programme concentrates on poor and inappropriate technology; income poverty; low cash income; non-income poverty; inadequate basic social services like health, education, clean and safe water and vulnerability to unpredictable events.

Counselling for vulnerable families with a special emphasis to child and women headed families.

Counselling for families affected by HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases and non-infectious diseases through health promotion centres.

Sexual and reproductive health education provided within communities and health facilities.

Exemption of medical service fees for disadvantaged families. Disadvantaged families or those below the poverty line are provided with medical services at no cost in health facilities of the public sector.

(e) Support for children living below the poverty line;

8.Programmes and services:

Provision of school materials and uniforms, and health-care services as well as income generating activities for caretaking families so as to address their nutritional, clothing and shelter needs.

Training of caretakers, so as to provide better care for children.

All children in Eritrea are exempted from school fees at all levels of education in public schools.

Provision of psychosocial support for children living under the poverty line.

Provision of sport and recreational services.

(f) Protection of children who are in need of alternative care including the support of care institutions;

9.The Government of the State of Eritrea is implementing a child protection and reintegration programme. Through this programme, 18,251 orphans and vulnerable children have been supported in the six regions of the country during 2005-2007. 

10. Children who are in need of alternative care are being protected from abuse and violence, through the community based childhood and protection programme. Children who are in need of alternative care are being provided with skills so as to enable them be independent and self-reliant.

Programmes and activities for prevention of and protection from child abuse, child sexual exploitation and child labour;

(i) Child abuse

Prevention of maltreatment and abuse (through education in the family and sensitization of the community).

Medical service.

Guidance and counselling.

Protecting children through legal procedures .

(ii) Child sexual exploitation

11.There are 210 children engaged in commercial sex work in the main towns of Eritrea. Reports indicate that girls as young as 14 years are engaged in commercial sex work. Eritrea is implementing a programme on the prevention and rehabilitation of commercial sexual exploitation of children. The programme has two components, namely prevention as well ascare and psychosocial support. The prevention aspect deals on public sensitization, control of child pornography (control of films and Internet access points), preventing sexual exploitation of children in establishments and institutions (orphanages, childcare centres, children in refugee and internally displaced persons camps). The rehabilitation component is composed of guidance and counselling, peer education, family reunification, skill training and income-generating schemes.

(i) Programmes and services for orphans, abandoned children and street children;

Orphans and abandoned children

Family reunification.

Adoption.

Foster care.

Community-based group care.

Institutional care.

Street Children

Public sensitization.

Family reintegration.

Guidance and counselling.

Integration in formal schools.

Skills training.

Provision of income-generating assets for vulnerable families to improve household income.

(j) Programmes for the recovery and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders;

Probation services.

Community services.

Pre-detention centres.

After-care services.

( k) Programmes, services and support provided for children victims of armed

conflict

Psychosocial support.

Family reunification.

Family resettlement through shelter construction, water supply, etc.

Health care service.

School enrolment.

Provision of income-generating assets to improve household income.

Question 3. Children deprived of a family environment and separated from parents (disaggregated data by sex, age groups, urban and rural areas for the year 2005, 2006, 2007 )

12.The tables below contain the relevant data.

(a) Separated from their parents;

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
0-4	224	145	369	235	153	388	219	186	405
5-9	286	203	489	301	302	603	295	311	606
10-14	382	227	609	403	272	675	252	367	619
15-17	186	191	377	214	202	416	238	223	461
Total	1,078	766	1,844	1,153	929	2,082	1,004	1,087	2,091

( Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007)

Reunified with extended families

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
0-4	192	133	325	78	69	147	102	104	206
5-9	255	240	495	385	363	748	332	367	699
10-14	184	147	331	201	208	409	127	135	262
15-17	91	99	190	60	47	107	71	57	128
Total	722	619	1,341	724	687	1,411	632	663	1,295

( Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007)

Placed in group homes

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
0-4	-	-	-	3	6	9	4	7	11
5-9	20	15	35	15	18	33	14	21	35
10-14	24	19	43	33	12	45	23	19	42
15-17	18	12	30	20	15	35	28	10	38
Total	62	46	108	71	51	122	69	57	126

(Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007)

(b) Placed in institutions;

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
0-4	9	7	16	8	6	14	5	7	12
5-9	12	10	22	7	9	16	8	6	14
10-14	13	8	21	14	5	19	6	4	10
15-17	11	9	20	7	4	11	7	2	9
Total	45	34	79	36	24	60	26	19	45

(Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007)

(c) Placed with foster families;

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Males	Female	Total
0-4	3	1	4	2	1	3	5	2	7
5-9	5	6	11	6	10	16	1	3	4
10-14	1	5	6	3	1	4	9	11	20
15-17	2	5	7	2	6	8	8	3	11
Total	11	17	28	13	18	31	23	19	42

(Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007)

(d) Adopted domestically or through intercountry adoptions

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Males	Female	Total
< 1 year	1	4	5	-	2	2	-	2	2
1-4	1	1	2	1	2	3	1	1	2
Total	2	5	7	1	4	5	1	3	4

(Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007)

Question 4. Number of children with disabilities (Disaggregated by sex and age)

13The tables below contain the relevant data.

(a) Living with their families;

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
0-4	404	242	646	317	150	467	228	157	385
5-9	4,455	2,803	7,258	4,604	3,069	7,673	4,585	3,241	7,826
10-14	5,921	3,449	9,370	5,813	3,876	9,689	5,627	4,256	9,883
15-17	3,521	2,325	5,846	3,757	2,506	6,263	3,732	2,670	6,402
Total	14,301	8,819	23,120	14,491	9,601	24,092	14,172	10,324	24,496

(Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007)

(b) Living in institutions;

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
0-4	4	1	5	6	2	8	3	2	5
5-9	32	1 4	46	22	10	32	18	8	26
10-14	70	49	119	68	47	115	63	41	104
15-17	51	42	93	57	39	96	42	34	76
Total	157	106	263	153	98	251	126	85	211

(Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007).

(c) Placed with foster care;

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
0-4	1	-	1	1	-	1	2	-	2
5-9	2	3	5	2	5	7	-	1	1
10-14	-	2	2	1	1	2	3	5	8
15-17	1	1	2	1	2	3	4	1	5
Total	4	6	10	5	8	13	9	7	16

(Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007)

(d) Attending regular schools, 2006/07;

Age	2007
Male	Female	Total
0-4	8	5	13
5-9	1,907	1,547	3,454
10-14	4,053	3,201	7,254
15-17	2,158	1,115	3,273
Total	8,126	5868	13,994

(Source: Ministry of Education, 2006-2007)

(e) Attending special schools, 2005/06 and 2006/07;

	School
Academic year	Abraha Bahta school for the blind (Grades 1-5)	Evangelical schools for the deaf (Grades 1-5)
Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
2005/06	48	19	67	86	54	140
2006/07	47	22	69	89	46	135
Total	95	41	136	175	100	275

(Source: Ministry of Education, 2006-2007)

(f) Children with disabilities not attending school

14.No data for children with disabilities not attending school are available.

Question 5. Health disaggregated data by sex, age groups on:

(a) Rates of neonatal, infant and child mortality;

15.The tables below contain the relevant data.

Number of deaths per 1000 live births	2005	2006	2007
Infant mortality	48	30	30
Under-five mortality	93	82	82

(Source: Ministry of Health, 2005-2007)

(b) Rates of immunization under one year of age;

Vaccine	2005	2006	2007
BCG	20.0	62.4	66.7
OPVO	84.4	83.5	84.5
OPTHB1	84.5	85.2	85.5
OPTHB2	83.4	84.5	85
OPTHB3	78.1	78.2	73
Measles	73.9	76.3	76
Fully immunized	73.8	78.4	78.5

(Source: Ministry of Health, 2005-2007)

16.On average, the immunization coverage rate in rural and urban settings is 70 per cent and over 85 per cent, respectively.

(c) Rates of malnutrition;

Measurement	Wasted	Stunted	Underweight
Weight for height	11.5% -21.5%	-	-
Height for age	-	38%-40%
Weight for age	-	-	45%-55%

(Source: Ministry of Health, 2005-2007)

(d ) Adolescent health, including early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections

(STIs) and mental health;

17.Data are not available on adolescent health including early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and mental health, as surveys have not been conducted during 2005-2007. However, an adolescent Health Policy has been formulated and a strategic plan is in place. Surveys on adolescent health including early pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and mental health will be conducted in August 2008.

(e) Disaggregated statistical data on maternal mortality;

18.No disaggregated data are available on maternal mortality as demographic and health survey has not been carried out during 2005-2007. However, according to the community-based survey conducted by Dr. Mismay Gebrehiwet, the current estimate of maternal mortality rate is 752/100,000. It is planned to conduct a demographic and health survey in the second quarter of 2008.

Question 6. Child abuse (disaggregated data by age, sex, and type) 

19.Child abuse occurs in three forms. These are physical and psychological maltreatment, abandonment and neglect, as well as sexual abuse. Hence, the tables below show the number of children abused during 2005-2007, reports hat have resulted either in court decisions with additional information, or in counselling provided to victims of violence.

(a) Number of reported child abuse cases;

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
7-9	2	3	5	1	1	2	1	1	2
10-12	7	9	16	2	5	7	1	4	5
13-15	78	85	163	64	69	133	60	64	124
16-17	69	74	143	39	43	82	46	48	94
Total	156	171	327	106	118	224	108	117	225

(Source: Police Eritrea, 2005-2007)

(b) Number of reports that have resulted in court decisions with

additional information;

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
7-9	1	1	2	1	1	2	1	-	1
10-12	2	3	5	1	2	3	1	1	2
13-15	15	22	37	9	14	23	8	12	20
16-17	18	21	39	12	13	25	10	11	21
Total	36	47	83	23	30	53	20	24	44

(Source: Police Eritrea, 2005-2007)

(c) Number of child victims that have received counselling and assistance

in recovery;

	2005	2006	2007
Age	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
7-9	1	1	2	1	1	2	1	1	2
10-12	1	2	3	1	3	4	2	1	3
13-15	9	14	23	7	14	21	12	17	29
16-17	12	18	30	15	18	33	11	14	25
Total	23	35	58	24	36	60	26	33	59

(Source: Police Eritrea, 2005-2007)

Question 7. Education (Disaggregated statistical data) on:

20.Disaggregated data on Education for 2004/05 has been provided in the second and third periodic report.

(a) Rates of literacy;

Literacy participants enrolled and completed in 2005/2006

	Participants Enrolled	Participants completed
Year	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	%
2005/06	10,189	91,548	101,737	8,037	81,715	89,752	88.2

(Source: Ministry of Education, 2006)

21.Data for the academic year 2006-2007 has not been processed. Disaggregated data by age is not available.

(b) Rate of enrolment in pre-primary schools, primary schools, secondary schools and in non-formal or complementary education programmes;

(i) Pre-primary Education

Pre-primary Enrolment: Gender and Ownership, 2005/06 and 2006/07

Ownership	2005/06	2006/07
Urban	Rural	Urban	Rural
Female	Total	Female	Total	Female	Total	Female	Total
Government	2529	5017	7537	14795	2566	5371	7471	15199
Mission	3245	6550	788	1531	3298	6695	790	1579
Private	559	1237	199	382	1257	2671	185	426
Local Community	1699	3532	928	1699	1747	3183	684	1395
Foreign Community	320	631	-	-	239	524	-	-
Awkaf	93	195	-	-	103	220	-	-
Total	8,445	17,162	9,452	1,8407	9,210	18,664	9,130	18,599

( Source: Ministry of Education, 2006-2007)

Pre-primary: Gross enrolment and net enrolment ratios, 2005/2006 and 2006/2007

Academic year	GER	NER
Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
2005/06	18.9	21.0	19.9	14.0	13.1	14.9
2006/07	21.7	22.4	22.0	14.6	15.0	14.8

Source: Ministry of Education, 2006-2007)

(ii) Primary/Basic Education

Basic Education: Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) and Net Enrolment Ratio (NER)

by Gender, in 2005/06 and 2006/7

Year	Elementary	Middle
GER	NER	GER	NER
Tot	M	F	Tot	M	F	Tot	M	F	Tot	M	F
2005/06	70.2	75.3	64.8	52.5	54.5	50.3	49.4	59.9	38.8	22.2	24.6	19.8
2006/07	66.7	70.4	62.7	50.0	51.5	48.4	45.3	51.5	38.9	23.6	25.7	21.3

(Source: Ministry of Education, 2006-2007)

(c) Percentage of children completing primary and middle school 2005 /06 & 2006/07;

Academic Year	Elementary	Middle
Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
2005/06	79.2	83.5	81.0	71.3	90.7	79.4
2006/07	82.1	85.0	83.4	81.9	82.7	82.3

(Source: Ministry of Education, 2006-2007)

(d) Number and percentage of dropouts and repetition

Basic Education: Flow rates by gender, 2005/2006 and 2006/07

Academic Year	Levels	Dropout%	Repetition%	Promotion%
Male	Fem.	Total	Male	Fem.	Total	Male	Fem.	Total.
2005/06	Elementary	8.9	5.5	7.4	15.7	16.0	15.8	75.3	78.6	76.8
Middle	21.9	9.9	17.2	13.4	12.1	12.9	70.6	85.2	76.7
2006/07	Elementary	5.5	4.2	4.9	16.1	14.3	15.3	78.3	81.3	79.7
Middle	7.7	5.6	6.8	15.9	20.2	17.8	76.3	74.1	75.3

(Source: Ministry of Education, 2006-2007)

(e) Ratio teacher per children and number of children per class

Pupil/Teacher Ratio, 2005/06 and 2006/07

Levels	2005/06	2006/07
Elementary	47	48
Middle	59	57
Secondary	50	43

( Source: Ministry of Education, 2006-2007)

Number of children per class 2005/06 and 2006/07

Levels	2005/06	2006/07
Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
Elementary	29	23	52	33	27	60
Middle	39	24	63	39	28	67
Secondary	40	22	62	52	34	67

(Source: Ministry of Education, 2006-2007)

Question 8. Disaggregated data on drug use and alcohol, tobacco and other substance abuse

22.The rate of prevalence of alcohol consumption by sex and age group and of daily tobacco smoking by sex and age group for the year 2005 were provided in the second and third periodic report.. However, data for the years 2006-2007 are not available

Question 9. Disaggregated Statistical Data on the Number of Children :

23.The tables below contain the relevant data.

(a) Infected by HIV/AIDS;

Age Group	2005	2006	2007
Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
0 - 4	14	6	20	28	11	39	56	38	94
5-9	12	20	32	34	41	75	94	108	202
10 - 14	1	1	2	23	26	49	76	80	156
15 - 17	-	1	1	11	9	20	18	24	42
Total	27	28	55	96	87	183	244	250	494

( Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007)

(b) Affected HIV/AIDS;

Age Group	2005	2006	2007
Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
0 - 4	290	296	586	256	268	524	223	232	455
5-9	698	699	1,397	947	895	1,842	747	826	1,573
10 - 14	892	856	1,748	887	894	1,781	1,056	978	2,034
15 - 17	678	684	1,362	929	982	1,911	1,267	1,058	2,325
Total	2,558	2,535	5,093	3,019	3,039	6,058	3,293	3,094	6,387

( Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007)

(c) Distribution of children heading households due to HIV/AIDS;

Age Group	2005	2006	2007
Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
10-14	6	7	13	3	9	12	35	23	58
15-17	8	11	19	28	11	39	23	29	52
Total	14	18	32	31	20	51	58	52	110

( Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007)

(d ) Orphans of HIV/AIDS living in extended families;

Age Group	2005	2006	2007
Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
0 - 4	285	298	583	253	265	518	218	227	445
5-9	688	676	1,364	936	882	1,818	732	816	1,548
10 - 14	863	836	1,699	864	873	1,737	987	932	1,919
15 - 17	623	612	1,235	796	837	1,633	1,034	997	2,031
Total	2,459	2,422	4,881	2,849	2,857	5,706	2,971	2,972	5,943

( Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007)

Orphans of HIV/AIDS living in institutions

Age Group	2005	2006	2007
Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total	Male	Female	Total
0 - 4	5	2	7	3	3	6	4	9	13
5-9	3	2	5	1	5	6	3	1	4
10 - 14	5	3	8	4	1	5	4	5	9
15 - 17	5	2	7	4	8	12	3	3	6
Total	18	9	27	12	17	29	14	18	32

( Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2005-2007)

Question 10. Disaggregated Statistical Data by Age, Sex and Type of Crime: 

24.The tables below contain the relevant data.

(a) Persons below 18, who have allegedly committed a crime, reported to the police

(2005-2007);

Type of crime/offence	2005	2006	2007
9-11	12-15	16-18	9-11	12-15	16-18	9-11	12-15	16-18
M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F
Corruption and counterfeiting	-	-	-	-	2	-	-	-	1	-	6	1	-	-	1	-	7	1
Crime against human life	2	-	17	3	38	5	-	2	13	4	28	5	3	-	32	4	37	2
Crime against property	7	3	25	3	47	5	15	1	25	2	38	3	41	2	43	4	36	2
Sexual offence	-	-	5	-	11	1	-	-	16	-	18	2	12	-	21	-	28	1
Illicit purchase and selling of goods, drugs and arms	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	5	3	9	4	2	-	12	2	14	3
Petty offences	24	3	53	11	67	14	35	13	42	9	38	15	30	7	27	9	41	20
Total	33	6	100	17	165	25	50	16	102	18	137	30	88	9	136	19	163	29

(Source: Police Eritrea, 2005-2007)

(b ) Number of persons 13-18 years charged and sentenced to imprisonment

2005-2007;

Offence/Crime	2005	2006	2007
Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Total
Injury	8	-	9	2	8	2	29
Theft	10	3	16	3	17	4	53
Sexual offences	12	-	15	1	17	1	46
Attempted murder	2	-	3	1	4	-	10
Murder	1	-	2	-	3	-	6
Counterfeiting	2	-	3	-	4	1	10
Total	35	3	48	7	53	8	154

(Source: Prison Administration, 2005-2007)

(c) Detention facilities for persons below eighteen in conflict with law and their

capacity;

25.The newly constructed detention centre has the capacity to accommodate 150 children (30 girls and 120 boys) and is in the process of being furnished and staffed. Until the new detention centre is equipped and staffed, persons in the age range of 13-18 are detained in adult facilities in separate units. There is one pre-trial detention centre with a capacity of 50 children (35 boys and 15 girls). This centre serves children in conflict with the law in Zoba Maekel. Children in conflict with the law in the remaining five Zobas are detained in police stations in cells, separate from adults.

(d)  Persons 13-18 years detained in adult facilities;

26.Refer to table (b) under question 10(b) above.

(e) Persons 13-18 years kept in pre-trial detention 2005-2007;

Offence/Crime	2005	2006	2007
Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Total
Injury	3	-	2	2	4	2	13
Theft	6	1	12	1	13	2	35
Sexual offences	18	-	20	1	21	1	61
Attempted murder	1	-	2	1	2	-	6
Murder	1	-	2	-	3	-	6
Counterfeiting	2	-	2	-	3	1	8
Total	31	1	40	5	46	6	129

(Source: Police Eritrea, 2005-2007)

27.The majority of children in conflict with the law are kept in pre-trial-detention for not more than 24 hours. However, in the absence of guarantors or in order to protect the children from revenge, the average length of pre-trial detention centres is one week.

(f) Reported cases of abuse and maltreatment of persons below eighteen occurred during their arrest and detention;

28.No cases have been reported (2005 -2007). 

(g) Persons below 18 tried and sentenced as adults.

29.See paragraph 24, table (b) and the brief information contained in paragraph 25 above. 

Question 11. Statistical data on special protection measures on the number of children: 

(a) Involved in sexual exploitation, including prostitution, pornography and trafficking and the number of children provided with access to recovery and other assistance.

30.A national survey conducted in 2006 has identified 210 commercially sexually exploited children, all female, in the age ranges 14-17. No case has been found or reported with regard to pornography and trafficking.

31. In Eritrea, interventions for addressing commercially sexually exploited children are based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as a holistic and integrated approach which includes awareness raising, services provision, advocacy, and capacity building. The Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare has rehabilitated 50 girls in 2005, 80 girls in 2006 and 108 girls in 2007, who were victims of sexual exploitation. The rehabilitation services included: formal and non-formal education, guidance and counselling, family reunification, skills training, employment and income-generating schemes support.

(b) Involved in substance abuse and those who received treatment and

rehabilitative assistance;

32.Data not available.

(c) Involved in child labour;

33.Data not available.

(d) Internally displaced;

34It should be realized that displacement has occurred in Eritrea during 1998-2008 and the internally displaced children have been reintegrated and rehabilitated in their respective communities through appropriate psychosocial and long-term economic support. Hence, there were no new displaced children during 2005-2007.

(e) Unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugees

Refugee Children (2005-2007)

Age category	2005	2006	2007
Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Total
0 - 4	582	509	653	597	772	719	3,832
5-9	250	203	282	231	328	292	1,586
10 - 14	216	194	183	139	207	151	1,090
15 - 17	104	96	128	112	108	87	635
Total	1,152	1,002	1,246	1,079	1,415	1,249	7,143

(Source: Office of Refugee Affaires, Immigration Department, 2008)

Question 12. Disaggregated Statistical Data by Age, Sex on:

(a) Demobilized from armed groups;

35.As indicated in the second and third periodic report, minors under 18 years of age had been protected from participating in any hostilities. Hence, there are no demobilized children from the army.

( b) Victims of land mines;

Age category	2005	2006	2007
Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Total
5-9	2	1	1	-	1	-	5
10 - 14	9	3	14	2	17	1	46
15 - 17	7	2	11	2	12	1	35
Total	18	6	26	4	30	2	86

(Source: Eritrean Demining Authority, 2008)

(c) Victims of land mines who received rehabilitation;

Age category	2005	2006	2007
Male	Female	Male	Female	Male	Female	Total
5-9	2	1	1	-	1	-	5
10 - 14	9	3	14	2	17	1	46
15 - 17	7	2	11	2	12	1	35
Total	18	6	26	4	30	2	86

(Source: Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, 2008)

(d) Victims of land mines reunited with their families and/or integrated within their

communities

36.Refer to table (c) under question 12(b) above. All the above-mentioned victims of land mines were provided rehabilitation services such as self-care, communication, movement, behaviour, stimulation, counselling in their communities through community based rehabilitation programmes. In accordance with the types of disabilities, they were also provided with orthopaedic appliances and assistive devices and the needy ones were referred to the neuropsychiatry hospital, physiotherapy clinics and special schools.

B. GENERAL MEASURES OF IMPLEMENTATION

37.This section provides information on activities meant to implement recommendations contained in the Committee’s concluding observations on the initial report (CRC/C/41/Add.12). The information involved is based on legislation; coordination and the national plan of action; independent monitoring; definition of the child; freedom of expression; education; children in armed conflict; street children, administration of juvenile justice and other measures of implementation. 

(i) Legislation;

38As part of the continuous effort to promulgate laws that are consistent with the principles and values endorsed by the National Charter, drafting new major codes is in process. The drafting process continued with the aim of covering wider areas of issues within the related legal framework for a longer period. In addition, transitional legislation and customary laws were reviewed, and efforts are underway to ensure the compatibility of these newly drafted codes with the principles and provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

(ii) Coordination and National Plan of Action;

39.As indicated in the combined second and third periodic report, there has been an increased coordination of policies and monitoring mechanisms in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child at national, regional and sub-regional levels. At the national level, a committee composed of the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education as well as the National Union of Eritrean Women and National Union of Eritrean Youth, and Students is responsible for ensuring an integrated approach across the spectrum of Government policies and programmes for children in general and the implementation of the Convention in particular.

40.In all regions and sub-regions, offices of Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare are responsible for coordinating policies affecting children. These offices are being staffed to act as monitoring mechanisms on the implementation of the Convention. In an attempt to strengthen the capacities of the regional and sub-regional staff to regularly monitor and evaluate progress in the implementation of the Convention, training has been provided to 76 social workers for a period of three months during 2005-2007. In terms of budgetary allocations, most of the funds are allocated by the Government.

(iii) Independent monitoring;

41.Monitoring committees have been established at the national, regional and sub-regional levels. The tasks of the committees are to monitor and evaluate progress on the implementation of the Convention.

42.Moreover, 12 child well--being committees have been established at the sub-regional level in the Maekel, Debub, Anseba and Gash Barka regions on a pilot basis for monitoring and responding to child rights issues. The child well--being committees receive complaints from children in a child-sensitive and speedy manner. They provide remedies for violations of children’s rights under the Convention. Based on the lessons learned, the programme will be expanded in the remaining sub-regions. In addition, operational framework and guidelines on the establishment, purpose and functions of the established child well--being committees have been developed and disseminated to all regions.

(iv) Definition of the child;

43.Taking into consideration the recommendations made by the Committee on the Rights of the Child regarding early marriage, the Government of the State of Eritrea has developed a nationwide sensitization programme involving communities, traditional and religious leaders and the society at large aimed at curbing the practices of early marriage. Activities undertaken so far include community-based interventionsinvolving the population to achieve individual and community attitudinal change with regard to the abolishment of early marriage. Through this approach, 43 sub-Zobas have been reached; religious leaders of all faiths, i.e. Muslims, Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical Lutheran churches were mobilized in the six regions of the country to curb harmful traditional practice in general and the practices of early marriage in particular. The Ministry of Information broadcasts various programmes in the local languages to raise public awareness on the harmful effects of early marriage; training manuals have been developed and distributed in five local languages to the six regions; In an attempt to strengthen the capacity of personnel working at the grass root level, training was provided to 80 community mobilizers.

44.During the course of interventions, a major lesson was learned that although the abolition of traditional harmful practices in general and early marriage in particular is a national priority, a long term and holistic approach is required. Cognizant of this fact, the Government has designed a five-year strategic plan aimed at eradicating the practice and ensuring community ownership of the initiative.

(v) Freedom of expression;

45.The Government of the State of Eritrea has undertaken a number of initiatives to encourage and enable children to seek, receive and impart information and ideas. Several projects have enabled children to participate in radio broadcasts and newspaper columns designed to encourage children to express their views on issues of interest. These projects are aimed at and delivered to children in both rural and urban areas. The Ministry of Information produces a range of television and radio programmes offering children and youth the opportunity to voice their views.

46.The Government adheres to and recognizes the principles of freedom of expression and religion. In this regard, it has taken substantial measures to ensure that freedom of expression is fully respected for all children, as stipulated in the Convention, and the violations of freedom of expression and religion are prohibited.

(vi) Education;

47.The Government of Eritrea has taken a number of important steps to further develop education in the country. First, it undertook a comprehensive review of the education sector (Concept Paper for the Rapid Transformation of The Eritrean Educational System, 2002, Draft) and came up with strategies for dealing with the main weaknesses, namely that (a) access is still very limited at all levels, (b) the quality of education is very poor, and (c) the education system is quite wasteful. In view of this, it prepared a well-coordinated and holistic strategic plan, namely the Education Sector Development Program for 2005-2009, which has been supported by the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the European Commission. Thirdly, it has started to take concrete steps to reform the education system. These include the establishment of eight new colleges, the development of a new national school curriculum and printing of new textbooks, improving teacher education as well as building institutional capacity for better service delivery.

(vii) Children in armed conflict;

48.The Government of the State of Eritrea has invested a relatively large budget for the repatriation and reintegration of children suffering from the effects of armed conflict in general and that of returnees, internally displaced, landmine victims and children separated from their parents in particular. In the course of these interventions, family members of refugee and displaced children, including those expelled from Ethiopia during the boarder war of 1998-2001, have been traced and reunited with their families through psychosocial and long-term economic support. A few children whose families could not be traced are being cared for in the community based group homes.

49.In early 2007, all internally displaced persons and expellees who had stayed in camps and lived in host communities in Gash Barka and Debub regions were successfully returned to their original homes through the provision of financial assistance. Assistance to land clearing, ploughing, planting and water supply schemes and house construction were provided in the resettlement sites. Different kinds of farm tools that are concomitant with the traditional style of farming, improved seeds of different types of crops and improved stoves were distributed to the returnee households. Soil and water conservation was conducted in Gash Barka and Northern Red Sea regions in areas that were threatened by erosion. Health-care services were established in all the resettlement areas. Over 18,000 children have resumed schooling in internally displaced and returnee schools. Income generating assets in the form of livestock, small-scale businesses were provided to 350 women headed households, benefiting 1,255 children.

50.Victims of land mines were provided with community based rehabilitation services through the existing community based rehabilitation programme. The needy ones were also referred to orthopaedic workshops, physiotherapy centres, neuropsychiatry hospitals and special schools.

(viii) Street children;

51Owing to the fact that children are the most precious assets and the focal point for the development of Eritrea, the Government of the State of Eritrea has formulated and implemented programmes that provide them with the care and protection they need to develop their potentials and become useful citizens. Given this fact, the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare has designed a community based street children prevention and rehabilitation programme. The programme has provided special measures to support the reintegration of street and working children through a range of developmental and psychosocial interventions, taking into account age-appropriate needs, special support measures that ensure younger at-risk children (ages 8-14) re-enter formal schooling and through income generation support to their families, whilst families with early adolescents and youths (15-17 years) are equipped with proper vocational and business skills to ensure their economic integration through the provisions of safe employment compatible with the developmental needs.

52.During 2005-2007, 4,200 street and working children were enrolled into formal schools by providing them with school materials such as uniforms, reference books and learning materials, whilst 955 street children were equipped with vocational training in the areas of carpentry, electrical and mechanical skills, combined with basic literacy. 744 households of street children were provided with income generation assets in the form of small-scale enterprises. These income-generating assets are a means to increase household income levels, leading to the improvement of living standards and access to basic social services.

(ix) Juvenile justice ;

53.Availability of resources has been the major problem that has hindered the Government of the State of Eritrea from expanding pre-trial detention centres as well establishing juvenile courts and rehabilitation centre.

54.Given the limited resources, the Government has taken major steps to provide an alternative to deprivation of liberty and to improve the overall care, protection, rehabilitation and reintegration support systems for children in conflict with the law. The newly- established pre-trial detention centre with a capacity to accommodate 50 children is providing services for children in conflict with the law in Zoba Maekel. Until pre-trial detention centres are extended to other Zobas, children in conflict with the law are being detained in police stations, in cells separate from adults. Though establishment of a rehabilitation and reintegration centre for an estimated 150 children in conflict with the law was planned, there have been some delays related to refurbishment of the rehabilitation centre as well as the procurement of educational and vocational training materials. Until these tasks are accomplished, the Government has been obliged to detain children in conflict with the law in adult facilities, but in separate units. The Ministry of Justice has also established separate chambers where cases of children in conflict with the law are heard in closed-sessions, separately from adult offenders.

(2) Efforts undertaken to further harmonize domestic laws with the provisions and

principles of the Convention.

55.The process of harmonization of the Convention with existing and future domestic laws has been a continuous effort. The major concerns of the Convention are reflected in the provisions of the existing Civil and Penal codes and Proclamations and Legal Notices. The provisions are specifically issued to regulate matters pertaining to the protection of the rights of children, taking into account the rights and duties of their parents, legal guardians or other individuals legally responsible for them.

56.The Civil Code of Eritrea provides for the protection of the rights of the child whenever the child’s interest demands it, even in the case of conceived children. Children are required to be registered immediately after birth and to be given a name and to be cared for by their parents. Primary consideration is also taken under these laws in issues relating to marriage, succession, and dissolution of marriage, contracts, employment, ownership and administration of property. Laws issued to regulate nationality and citizenship ensure the right of the child to acquire nationality. The right of the child to primary education is also guaranteed under the provision of a specific directive that encourages the opening of private kindergartens and elementary and middle schools.

57.The Eritrean Penal Code and other proclamations ensure the protection of children against harmful practices (flogging is prohibited), all forms of discrimination or punishment, by family, guardians, or school. The motive behind parents’ guidance and rehabilitation is normally familial affection and the best interests of the children.

58.Familial duties and responsibilities towards the diligent upbringing of children are also guaranteed by Law. Those who fail to bring up their children properly either by neglecting or abandoning them; and refusing or omitting to provide allowances necessary for life or maintenance can also be held criminally liable.

59.The Proclamation issued on tobacco control forbids any person in Eritrea from offering tobacco to minors. It also prohibits the sale or offer of sale of tobacco products in educational institutions, including kindergartens, libraries and primary and secondary schools.

60.There is a special part of the Code that deals with matters concerning admission of juveniles to curative institutions, where treatment is required for their addiction to alcohol or drugs, or for those who are feeble minded, abnormally arrested in their development, suffering from mental diseases, visually impaired, or suffering from other diseases or disabilities. It also provides for admission of young offenders to special institutions for rehabilitation and correction measures. Where the offenders are morally abandoned, or are in need of care and protection, or are exposed to danger of corruption or are corrupted, the Code stipulates measures for supervised education.

61.The Criminal Procedure incorporates a procedure for handling juvenile misbehaviour. In any case where a young person is involved, in proceedings, they are to be conducted in an informal manner and in closed chambers. Appointing a counsel is mandatory; and instead of arrest or detention, handing over the juvenile to parents or guardians is also preferred. Substantive laws and procedure provide a means for ensuring that the children’s best interests are protected .

62.As a continued effort, the newly drafted major national r codes were also made to reflect Eritrea’s commitment to its international obligations. In the drafting process, transitional codes, proclamations and customary laws were reviewed and the necessary measures were adopted to ensure their compatibility with the principles and provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

(3 ) Responsible government authority to coordinate implementation of the

Convention, its mandate, financial and human resources

63.The Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare has the primary responsibility to coordinate the implementation of the Convention in the country. It is mandated to: monitor and evaluate progress in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child; formulate policies, procedures and guidelines as well as programmes and projects relating to children; identify and provide protection measures to vulnerable children; creating awareness on the Convention among the public; allocate resources to implement the Convention; organize nation-wide publicity and disseminate information about the Convention. The Ministry also deals with complaints from children and advocates and provides remedies for violations of their rights under the Convention. Since 2005, the Ministry has assigned adequate manpower at the national, regional and sub-regional levels to regularly monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Convention. In terms of the budget, the Government is allocating resources and UNICEF Eritrea is providing funds.

(4) National Plan of Action, 2002-2006

64.The Government of the State of Eritrea has prepared a National Plan of Action (2002-2006) as a monitoring framework for implementing programmes for children as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The National Plan of Action was implemented in the areas of: promoting the fulfillment of the rights and needs of children in line with the Convention; communication and social mobilization in support of child survival, development, protection and participation rights; extension of basic services to ensure fulfillment of the rights to education, good health and nutrition; strengthening institutional and community capacity as well as developing the required human resources to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate programmes.

65.In 2005, a Common Country Assessment was conducted and the National Plan of Action was reviewed. The assessment has identified five strategic priorities/outcomes in the areas of Basic Social Services, Capacity Development, Food Security, Emergency and Recovery, and Gender Equity. Hence, the United Nations Development Framework (UNDAF) 2007-2011 was created to respond to the national priorities and needs and to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. To successfully realize the five strategic realities, the programme outcomes are structured in such a way as to incorporate on going projects and programmes, programmes rolled forward from the previous cycle, and new projects and programmes initiated under the current cycle. Within the framework of UNDAF, the rights and well-being of children and young people are addressed in areas of child protection and rights, education, infant and child health, child nutrition, maternal health, water supply, sanitation and hygiene, health and nutrition as well as sustainable livelihoods.

(5) Invoking CRC in domestic courts

66Since most of the contents and the spirit of the Convention are reflected in the current effective laws, very minimal instances lead to invoking the Convention directly in the domestic courts. So far, there has been no incident of invoking the Convention in courts.

(6) Creation of an independent national human rights institution

67.Certain arrangements should be made first to ensure the adoption of the basic principles of the Convention at the community level. Primary focus is given to strengthening customary institutions to deal with matters related to the protection of the rights of the child. The Government has endeavored to strengthen customary institutions, which are believed to contribute much by giving primary consideration to the protection of the rights of the child while resolving disputes at the village and district levels. This is mainly due to the fact that the structure and overall activities of communities in Eritrea are highly influenced by customary laws and institutions established to implement these laws. Thus, it is believed that through these institutions, it will be possible to promote and ensure the implementation of the Convention. Efforts are underway to popularize the laws and fundamental principles as enshrined in the Convention and other relevant international instruments through civic education and community sensitization programmes.

(7). Regulations applicable to international and national NGOs and information on

cooperation

68.Regarding legislation, Proclamation No. 145/2005 “Non-governmental Organization Administration” was issued and entered into force on 11 May 2005. The Proclamation has mandated the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare to coordinate and register non governmental organizations( NGOs). The Ministry coordinates their work by linking them to the appropriate ministries in accordance with their mandates and areas of interest. It also approves project proposals submitted by NGOs and Government partners, and regularly monitors and evaluates activities of the NGOs.

69.The Government of the State of Eritrea is cooperating with International and National NGOs in various activities. International organizations are supporting programmes for the well being of Eritrean children through the implementation of the United Nations Development Framework (2007-2011). 

70.The Government has been involving local NGOs in various activities of awareness-raising on children’s’ rights, harmful traditional practices and Female Genital Mutilation, promoting the Rights of the Child, health and nutrition, education, and rural water supply and sanitation.

(8) Measures taken to ensure the implementation of the Convention

71.The Ministry of Justice through the Office of Public Prosecution is doing its best to ensure the implementation of the Rights of the Child without discrimination as stipulated in the domestic laws. Most provisions of the Convention are reflected in the domestic Eritrean Codes, proclamations and Legal notices. Implementation of the Rights of the Child without discrimination is guaranteed through the implementation of these laws without any need for additionally invoking the provisions of the Convention. Fortunately, with rare exceptions, the Eritrean family and customary laws and the people’s religious belief and values put the status of children in high esteem to be viewed as a gift of God and to be treated accordingly. Many of the Eritrean customary laws impose upon parents and relatives obligations to supply maintenance to their children and vice versa. These include supplying food, lodging, and clothing and health care in a decent manner, with due regard to the social position of the concerned person and local custom.

(9) Measures taken to criminalize FGM and other harmful traditional practices

72.The prevention of Female Genital Mutilation/cutting and other harmful traditional practices has been identified as a national priority. The Government of the State of Eritrea has publicly denounced FGM/C as illegal by enacting “The Female Circumcision Abolition Proclamation No. 158/2008” which entered into force on 20 March 2007. The Proclamation contains five articles and describes punishments. Copies of the Proclamation to abolish female circumcision have been distributed to all administrative regions and 400 Anti-FGM/C committees.

73.As far as the implementation of the National Plan of Action is concerned, 400 Anti-FGM/C Committees were established in the six regions. 400 religious leaders of all faiths- Muslim, Orthodox, Catholic, and Evangelical Lutheran churches were mobilized to denounce the practice of FGM/C. The Ministry of Information has already developed and broadcast 20 radio slots on the abandonment of FGM/C in nine local languages to raise public awareness on the harmful effects of FGM/C. Focus group discussions were conducted in various parts of the country. Television shows (panel discussions) have been held with religious leaders, community leaders, administrators, health workers and other resource persons. 3,500 posters, 3500 brochures and 600 stickers have been printed and distributed to the regions. 5,000 FGM/C training manuals have been developed in two local languages and distributed to the regions; the video “Behind the Curtains” is being duplicated. Moreover, training in monitoring and evaluation, has been organized and field-monitoring visits, including programme reviews have been carried out. With regard to early marriage, please refer to B (iv).

(10) Information on training and awareness creation on the Convention

74.During 2005-2007, the Government has conducted various training and community sensitization activities on the Convention to children, parents, teachers, social workers and professionals working with and for children while providing protection for the most vulnerable children in the communities. Sensitization workshops were convened for 5,000 children, parents, community and religious leaders, administrators, the police, judges and schoolteachers on the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in general and on issues of vulnerable children and prevention of abuse, violence and exploitation of children. Public sensitization has been carried out in the six regions of the country by the trained social workers trained on the Rights of the Child, and other issues affecting children.

75.Thirty-five Judges, the police and probation officers were trained in probation service; 50 law enforcement officers and other professionals were trained on international juvenile justice standards and national legislation. 43 social workers were trained in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, approach to work with communities, youth development and life skills, as well as dealing with complaints from children, and providing remedies for violations of their rights under the Convention. Training has been conducted for 240 schoolteachers on the rights of the child with the aim of establishing child friendly schools.

76.The Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare and the Ministry of Information have developed key messages to raise awareness on the rights of the child in general, and with particular emphasis on community based support for children, the role of the family in responding to the special problems of children who are at risk, and underlining abuse, violence and exploitation of children. 32 radio slots in the five most spoken languages, 20 television sensitization programmes and 23-news paper columns on children’s rights were disseminated.

(11) Issues affecting children that the State party considers to be priorities

Education;

77.Although, the Government has endeavoured to enrol all groups of children in primary education, significant gender, regional, etc. disparities still exist. For example, although elementary enrolment is relatively balanced between the sexes in most areas, the low participation of girls at higher levels is evident in rural areas, where long distances to school, socio-economic constraints, cultural factors etc. combine to hinder the girl child from attending school. Therefore, ensuring equal education opportunities for all children, especially girls, to access and complete quality primary education, which would comprise an important step towards the attainment of the Education for All and the Millennium Development Goals, is a priority requiring urgent attention.

(b) Health

78.In order to address the main health issues of neonates, infants, and children, the Government has been working on: basic curative and emergency services at health facilities at the community level, preventive public health measures at all levels; health promotion services as well as rehabilitative services for children with congenital and acquired diseases under the maternal and child health programme. To address these areas, there is an urgent need for strengthening the existing programme at the community and health facility levels, which includes: IMNCI, Emergency and Intensive Care Units; corrective and rehabilitative surgical interventions; water and sanitation issues; food and nutrition; immunization and other community based health services.

(c) Child protection;

79.Although the Government is determined to ensure that orphans and vulnerable children are taken care of by the extended families, there are yet 25,000 most vulnerable orphans that need proper care and parental guidance; special schools need to be established as referral services for children with mental health problems, children with hearing and speech impairments, and children with multiple disabilities. The prevention and rehabilitation programme for street children and commercially sexually exploited children needs to be expanded through public sensitization, family reunification, school enrolment, skills training and income generation schemes. With regard to Juvenile Justice System, pre-trial detention centres need to be expanded in the five Zobas and the new rehabilitation centre must start its services by acquiring the necessary equipment, materials, furniture and utensils. The establishment of children’s entertainment and recreational centres is also identified as a major priority that needs attention.

(d) Justice

80.Availability of sufficient financial and human resources is determinant for effective implementation of the law. Given this fact, establishing juvenile courts and building the capacity of juvenile justice personnel is identified as a major priority requiring urgent attention.

PART II

81.The Government of the State of Eritrea has translated the Convention on the Rights of the Child, into Tigrinya, Arabic, Tigre, Kunama, Afar and Saho languages. Copies of the text of the Convention are provided with this report. 

PART III

82.This part provides a brief update on the information provided in the last report in relation to new bills or enacted legislation; new institutions; newly implemented policies and newly implemented programmes and projects and their scope.

- New bills or enacted legislation

83.The Government of the State of Eritrea has enacted Female Circumcision Abolition Proclamation No. 158/2008 which prohibits and severely punishes the practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting.

84.The Government has issued Proclamation No 143/2004 to provide tobacco control that forbids any person in Eritrea from offering tobacco to minors. It also provides that no person shall or offer to sell tobacco products in educational institutions, including kindergartens, libraries, primary and secondary schools.

- New institutions

85.Twelve Child Well-Being Committees have been established at the sub-region level in Maekel, Debub, Anseba and Gash Barka regions on a pilot basis to monitor and respond to child right issues at the sub-Zoba level.

- Newly implemented policy:

-Health Research Policy and Policy Guidelines, 2006.

-National Health Promotion Policy, February 2007.

- Newly implemented programmes and projects and their scopes:

-Social Support Programme for Families Affected by HIV/AIDS: 550 HIV/AIDS affected families caring for 1,650 children were provided with income generating assets in the form of small scale enterprises and livestock. These income-generating assets are a means to increase household income levels, leading to the improvement of living standards and access to basic services. An evaluation exercise has found it to be extremely successful since it has provided socially relevant solutions in a cost-effective way. An expansion project is underway to provide long-term economic and psychosocial support for 1,437 families affected by HIV/AIDS caring for 4,211 children.

- Expansion of the Community Based Rehabilitation Programme into 15 sub-Zobas: Through this programme, persons with disabilities, including land mine survivors, are being rehabilitated in self care, communication, movement, behaviour and stimulation in their communities; those who need further rehabilitation are referred to the neuropsychiatry hospital, physiotherapy clinics, and orthopaedic workshops and special schools. Of the total beneficiaries, 4, 220 are children with disabilities.

- Establishment of a National Orthopaedic Workshop: The National Orthopaedic Workshop established in Zoba Maekel serves as a referral for persons with disabilities of all ages. It has produced various appliances such as prostheses, orthoses, splints, crutches, arch supports, spinal corsets, babies’ trolleys, collars, compensations and wheel chairs and distributed them to persons with disabilities free of charge. Of the total beneficiaries, 30 per cent were children under 18 years of age.

- Establishment of Health facilities: Ten new Regional and National Referral Hospitals, a new medical school and four regional training colleges have been constructed. Moreover, 65 per cent of the primary and secondary level health facilities were maintained and equipped. Measures taken by the Ministry of Health have significantly improved access to and quality of health care in general and children’s health in particular.

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