E/C.12/BDI/CO/1
42. The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary steps to
provide support to families so that children are not forced to live away from their
families or, when such separation cannot be avoided, to ensure placement in an
alternative care setting that allows the child to enjoy an environment that
provides similar support.
Poverty
43. The Committee is concerned that, despite the launching of strategic frameworks
for poverty reduction, much of the population does not enjoy an adequate standard of
living. Poverty is highest among the country’s most disadvantaged and marginalized
groups, which include women, the Batwa and internally displaced persons (art. 11).
44. Bearing in mind its statement on poverty and the Covenant (2001), the
Committee recommends that the State party intensify its efforts to combat
poverty, especially extreme poverty, by ensuring that targeted social programmes
are implemented with a human rights-based approach and are endowed with the
necessary resources, giving due attention to the needs of the most disadvantaged
and marginalized individuals, families and social groups.
Access to land and security of land tenure
45. The Committee notes that poverty and social inequality in the State party have
been exacerbated by unequal access to land and insecurity of land tenure. The
Committee is particularly concerned by reports that many Batwa families have been
subjected to or are at risk of forced eviction (art. 11).
46.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a) Launch, as promptly as possible, a reform of the land tenure system
aimed at ensuring rational land use and eliminating existing discriminatory
practices, especially with regard to women, the Batwa and internally displaced
persons;
(b) Strengthen guarantees for the independent and impartial operation of
the National Land and Property Commission, the Special Court for Land and
Property and the Communal Land-Use Office in order to ensure equitable access
to land and adequate security of land rights, in particular for women, the Batwa
and internally displaced persons;
(c) Implement effective measures against forced eviction, in line with
international human rights standards, and ensure that victims of forced eviction
have effective remedies, including restitution of their property and adequate
compensation.
Right to housing
47. The Committee notes with concern that a large part of the population lives in
informal settlements in unsuitable conditions and without adequate access to drinking
water or sanitation (art. 11).
48. Recalling its general comments No. 4 (1991) on the right to adequate
housing and No. 15 (2002) on the right to water and its statement on the right to
sanitation (2011), the Committee recommends that the State party take all
appropriate steps to improve the supply of affordable housing, in particular for
disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, by adopting and
implementing a national housing strategy. It also recommends that the State
party ensure that everyone has a safe and accessible supply of water and
sanitation services, in particular in rural areas.
GE.15-18000
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