A/HRC/12/42
page 20
(h) The Ministry of Justice should identify and close all unauthorized detention
facilities. Additionally, the Government should construct at least one central prison in
counties without detention facilities, namely, Gbarpolu, Rivercess and Grand Kru
Counties;
(i) The Government should cooperate with the international community and civil
society to raise awareness on issues such as child development, non-punitive discipline and
the need for greater support for families, so as to encourage community and family
cohesion and prevent child neglect;
(j) The Government and international partners should continue to work towards
the full implementation of the recommendations contained in the comprehensive report of
2007 by the Human Rights and Protection Section of the United Nations Mission in Liberia
on the human rights situation in orphanages, as well as the August 2008 Annual
Assessment and Monitoring of Orphanages in Liberia of the Ministry of Health and Social
Welfare;
(k) Orphanages currently operating without accreditation should be identified and
reassessed in order to see to whether they conform to the Minimum Standards for
Operating Child Welfare Institutions. Those found to be below standard should be closed
down and the children reunified with parents or relatives, or relocated to suitable
institutions;
(l) The Government should, by law, prohibit all forms of violence against children,
in all settings, in particular:
(i)
Amend article 55 (g) of the Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the
Hinterland and sections 2.2 (1), (2) and (3) of the Domestic Relations Law
of Liberia and bring these provisions into conformity with
section 14.70 (b) of the Act to Amend the New Penal Code Chapter 14,
Sections 14.70 and 14.71 and to Provide for Gang Rape, which defines
rape as sexual intercourse with a victim of less than 18 years old if the
actor is 18 years of age or older. Such amendment should clearly establish
the minimum age of marriage to apply in both civil and customary
marriages and furthermore specifically make free and full consent of both
parties to marriage a legal requirement;
(ii)
Repeal section 5.8 of the Penal Law which permits the use of force in
respect of minors under the age of 18 years by persons with special
responsibility for their care, discipline or safety;
(iii)
Amend the Penal Law to include provisions specifically prohibiting and
criminalizing female genital mutilation (FGM).
(m) The international community, in collaboration with civil society and the
Government, specifically, the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Health and Social Welfare,
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