A/HRC/40/12 Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. However, the country needed continued technical support from the international community. 114. The Government’s commitment to combating impunity was reflected in its full cooperation with the International Criminal Court. Furthermore, the protection and promotion of human rights were central to its entire national policy strategy. Through the process of disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation, all those who had taken the wrong path had the opportunity to return to constitutional legality. 115. In order to promote the right to health, a national policy paper had been adopted. Furthermore, a national operational plan had been launched, resulting in a reduction in the maternal, neonatal and infant mortality rates. Under the plan, free health care had been introduced for children under the age of 5, pregnant and breastfeeding women and children over the age of 5 in cases of emergency, and awareness-raising activities were being carried out. The budget allocated to the health sector had also been increased. 116. With regard to the right to education, the sociopolitical crisis in the country had adversely affected the education and information sectors. 117. As a result, some of the positive trends that had previously been observed had unfortunately reversed. In response, a transition plan for the period 2015–2019 had been introduced with a view to ensuring the gradual return to normal school activities, especially in the first cycle. Furthermore, armed groups had agreed to stop occupying schools in the hinterland. Despite the very challenging sociopolitical situation and budgetary problems, the budget allocated for education was increasing. 118. The acts of violence committed by armed groups against humanitarian organizations were a matter of particular concern. To address the situation, the Government was progressively redeploying defence and security forces across the country to protect humanitarian workers. 119. In order to foster dialogue and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, the Government was participating in the African Initiative for Peace and Reconciliation in the Central African Republic and continued to be very open to inclusive dialogue with all Central Africans. 120. With regard to the right to work, following the conclusion of an agreement, 10 vocational training centres had been set up and made operational – 4 in Bangui and 6 in the hinterland. II. Conclusions and/or recommendations 121. The following recommendations will be examined by the Central African Republic, which will provide responses in due time, but no later than the fortieth session of the Human Rights Council: 121.1 Continue the steps in the legislative sphere in order to bring it into full compliance with the country’s international obligations in the area of human rights (Russian Federation); 121.2 Ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure (Croatia) (Montenegro); 121.3 Fully implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child and sign and ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure (Portugal); 121.4 Ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (Sierra Leone); 121.5 Ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Burundi) (Sudan); 121.6 Finalize the process of ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Democratic Republic of the Congo); GE.19-00176 11

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents