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Findings of the UN Committee on Albania: Serious problem of treatment of children by public officials

Findings of the UN Committee on Albania: Serious problem of treatment of

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) published its findings on Albania during its last session. The findings contain the Committee's concerns and recommendations for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as positive aspects.

The report expresses deep concern that 1/3 of children in Albania live in poverty and that health, education, protection and welfare services in the country are underfunded. It also emphasizes that the child protection system lacks personnel.

The Committee called on Albania to review its social protection model and consider aligning health, education and social protection information management systems, increase budget allocations for children in the health and social sector and ensure access in quality social services.

Another aspect where Albania needs intervention is the treatment of children by public officials or police officers, mainly in detention centers and social care residences.

The committee has requested from the Albanian authorities an immediate investigation into the cases of abuse and violence against children, as it requested that the perpetrators (public officials) be prosecuted.

“The Committee was seriously concerned about the torture and inhumane and degrading treatment of children by public officials and the police in residential care and detention centers. It also questioned the lack of recognition, under-reporting and under-investigation of violence against and abuse of children, including online abuse and corporal punishment, particularly in relation to minority groups.

The Committee urged Albania to immediately investigate all cases of abuse in residential care and detention centers. It also urged the State party to ensure that the perpetrators, including public officials and the police, are prosecuted and sanctioned and that victims are compensated ," the report said.

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