CRC/C/CMR/CO/3-5

Cameroon (CRC 06-07-2017)

The Committee considered the combined third to fifth periodic reports of Cameroon (CRC/C/CMR/3-5) at its 2214th and 2215th meetings (see CRC/C/SR.2214 and 2215), held on 30 May 2017, and adopted the present concluding observations at its 2221st meeting, held on 2 June 2017.

Concluding observations

C. General principles (arts. 2, 3, 6 and 12)

Non-discrimination

14. The Committee welcomes the adoption of article 242 of the amended Penal Code prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, sex or health status. It is concerned, however, about the persistent discrimination against children in marginalized and disadvantaged situations, including girls, children born out of wedlock, children with disabilities, children with HIV/AIDS, children with albinism, indigenous children, children in street situations, children suspected of association with Boko Haram, refugee, asylum-seeking and internally displaced children, and the lack of an overall strategy to combat such discrimination. The Committee is deeply concerned about the State party’s rejection during the dialogue of the identity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children and the stigmatization and discrimination experienced by such children.
15. The Committee, reiterating its previous recommendation (see CRC/C/CMR/CO/2, para. 28), urges the State party to:             

(a) Adopt and implement comprehensive legislation, accompanied by a global strategy, to protect all children against discrimination, especially girls, children born out of wedlock, children with disabilities, children with HIV/AIDS, children with albinism, indigenous children, children in street situations, children suspected of association with Boko Haram, refugee, asylum-seeking and internally displaced children;                                        

(b) Recognize the identity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children and protect them against discrimination in law and in practice;                                        

(c) Conduct awareness-raising and educational programmes, including campaigns, targeting children, families, communities and religious and traditional leaders, on eliminating all forms of discrimination against children.