E/C.12/SDN/CO/2
Stateless persons
27.
The Committee notes with concern that, as a result of the 2011 amendment to the
Sudanese Nationality Act, individuals from South Sudan have become stateless. It is further
concerned that such persons who reside in the State party are unable to access basic
services and/or benefits, such as education, health, employment and pensions. (art. 2)
28.
The Committee recommends that the State party establish clear procedures by
which persons from South Sudan in its territory can regularize their status and ensure
that procedures are in place so that individuals who have not in fact acquired South
Sudanese nationality are not deprived of their Sudanese nationality and rendered
stateless.
Equality between men and women
29.
The Committee is concerned at the inferior status of women in the family and in the
society in the State party, which is reflected in several legal provisions limiting their rights.
It is also concerned at the negative impact of this status on women’s access to education,
employment, health (including women’s autonomy in regard to their health) and
vulnerability to violence. It notes in particular that women are primarily employed in lowskilled jobs and in the informal economy. (art. 3)
30.
Recalling its general comment No. 16 (2005) on the equal right of men and
women to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights, the Committee
recommends that the State party:
(a)
Raise awareness among lawmakers of equality between men and women
and repeal laws that do not conform with article 3 of the Covenant;
(b)
Intensify efforts aimed at the elimination of prejudice and customary
and other practices that perpetuate the notion that women are inferior;
(c)
Promote women’s equal representation in public office and decisionmaking bodies;
(d)
Take concrete measures to increase women’s labour participation and
ensure that programmes promoting women’s economic rights do not perpetuate their
concentration in low-skilled jobs and in the informal economy;
(e)
Ensure that all sectoral policies and programmes provide for measures
to accelerate women’s equal enjoyment of the Covenant rights;
(f)
Expedite the adoption of the new law to combat violence against women.
Unemployment
31.
The Committee notes with concern the high rate of unemployment among youth and
women in the State party. (art. 6)
32.
The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that its development
policy, including the investment policy, leads to the creation of employment for
nationals, thereby contributing to the realization of the right to work and the right to
an adequate standard of living. The Committee also recommends that educational,
vocational and professional training programmes offer skills that facilitate access to
employment opportunities, particularly in the priority areas of the country’s
economic development. The Committee draws the attention of the State party to its
general comment No. 18 (2005) on the right to work.
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