A/HRC/13/56
of juvenile courts and action teams on child protection. It further enhanced the rights of
children and safeguarded their welfare, and also provided for approved homes and
approved schools for children in need of protection, and proper remand homes and places
of detention for children admitted to legal custody. There were also provisions ensuring the
recovery and social reintegration of child victims of crimes.
654. In response to questions raised during the interactive dialogue, the delegation
informed the Council that, with regard to articles 37, 39 and 40 of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child, those provisions had been included in chapter 22 of the Penal Code,
chapter 7 of the Criminal Procedure Code and in the recently enforced Children and Young
Persons Order 2006.
655. On human rights training and education in schools and society, the Government had
taken several measures. Training and education were undertaken to raise society’s
perspective on human rights through electronic and print media, roadshows and ongoing
talks.
656. Regarding the protection of women’s rights, the delegation cited various laws,
including the Women and Girls Protection Act (chapter 120), the Married Women Act
(chapter 190), the Islamic Family Law Order 1999, the Penal Code (chapter 22) and the
Criminal Procedure Code (chapter 7). To enhance women’s active participation in national
development, the country’s long-term development plan (Brunei Vision 2035) also
encouraged equal opportunities for women in the workforce and in nation-building. The
new Employment Order 2009 and Employment (Domestic Workers) Regulations 2009 did
not discriminate on the basis of age, gender or race. Citing figures indicating that women
constituted 56.9 per cent of the civil service force, where they occupied 28 per cent of
senior management posts, the delegation added that more women were now employed in
male-dominated fields such as the army, police force and fire and rescue services.
657. Brunei Darussalam fully recognized the important role of women in the country’s
socio-economic development. More than half of the small and medium-sized enterprises in
the country were owned by women, and this sector was responsible for 92 per cent of
employment opportunities in the private sector. Furthermore, nearly two thirds of women
were beneficiaries of financial assistance schemes provided by the Government, including
the enterprise facilitation scheme, the microcredit financial scheme and the working capital
credit fund.
658. With regard to the work of the National Council on Social Issues, the delegation
informed the Council that it comprised six special committees looking into poverty, societal
mentality, immoral activities, crime prevention, women’s issues and the family, as well as
the elderly and persons with special needs. In line with Brunei Darussalam’s national vision
to achieve zero poverty by 2035, several tasks were currently under way, including defining
poverty within the context of Brunei Darussalam; studying and analysing the root causes of
poverty in the country; making recommendations on how to address them appropriately;
and setting up a comprehensive database on the sectors of the population living in poverty,
such as the elderly, persons with special needs, single parents and the unemployed.
2.
Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the review outcome
659. Algeria expressed appreciation for Brunei Darussalam’s commitment to further
consolidate the enjoyment of human rights, and commended its acceptance of the
recommendation to ratify the remaining core international human rights instruments.
Algeria welcomed the Government’s efforts in the areas of health, education, adequate
housing and employment, as well as in promoting the role of women and their participation
in society. In line with measures already taken in favour of foreign workers, Algeria
encouraged the Government to consider ratifying the International Convention on the
177
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents