CRC/C/SAU/CO/2
page 14
of girls in education, it recommends that the State party take measures to break down
stereotypical attitudes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men and to
critically review its school curricula with a view to abolishing all discriminatory practices
in education, including girls’ limited access to vocational education and training.
8.
Special protection measures (arts. 22, 30, 38, 39, 40,
37 (b)-(d), 32-36 of the Convention)
Refugee children
67.
The Committee regrets the lack of information on asylum-seeking and refugee children in
the State party. It is also concerned about the inadequate legal framework governing the
treatment of refugees and asylum-seekers.
68.
The Committee recommends that the State party, taking into account article 22
and other relevant provisions of the Convention, take all feasible measures to ensure full
protection and care, as well as access to health and social services and to education, of
asylum-seeking and refugee children in Saudi Arabia. It recommends that the State party
accede to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. In
addition, the Committee draws the attention of the State party to its general comment No. 6
(CRC/GC/2005/6) on treatment of unaccompanied and separated children outside their
country of origin and recommends that the State party seek technical assistance
from UNHCR.
Children of non-Saudi (migrant) workers
69.
Noting the very high number of non-Saudi (migrant) workers in the State party, and the
status of female domestic workers on the margins of society, the Committee is concerned about
the situation and vulnerability of non-Saudi (migrant) workers’ children in the Saudi society. It
notes with concern that non-Saudi (migrant) workers’ children without legal residence status do
not have access to health services or to education. The Committee is deeply concerned about the
imprisonment of female non-Saudi (migrant) workers for their “illegal pregnancies” and the
living conditions of non-Saudi (migrant) workers’ children living in prison with their parents.
70.
In the light of article 2 of the Convention, the Committee recommends that the State
party take all appropriate measures to ensure that each child living within its jurisdiction
enjoys without discrimination the rights set forth in the Convention. It recommends that
the State party develop and implement policies and practices to better protect and serve
children of migrant workers. The Committee urges the State party to end as a matter of
priority the arrest and imprisonment of unmarried non-Saudi (migrant) women who
become pregnant, including victims of sexual violence. It further recommends that the
State party develop and implement adequate alternative care for children who are
removed from prison and allow them to maintain personal relations and direct contact
with their mothers remaining in prison. In addition, the Committee encourages the State
party to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All
Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.