BHUTAN-SOGI-TBs-CRC

Concluding Observations on Report 6-7 (2024) (Link)

Non-discrimination

15. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Explicitly prohibit all forms of discrimination, including on the basis of national or ethnic origin, disability and socioeconomic, residence or other status;

(b) Implement targeted policies and programmes to eliminate discrimination against children with disabilities, children living in remote areas or in communities that are difficult to reach, children deprived of a family environment, children of single parents, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children and children of migrant informal workers;

(c) Ensure the physical and/or financial access of children in remote areas and children in socioeconomically disadvantaged situations to adequate health services, education, housing and an adequate standard of living;

(d) Strengthen the capacity of the National Commission for Women and Children to address cases of discrimination against children;

(e) Ensure that children who experience discrimination, bullying or harassment in relation to their ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity receive protection and support, including through targeted anti-bullying measures;

(f) Address discriminatory stereotypes regarding children belonging to any ethnic and religious minority groups, children with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children, and promote a positive image of them as rights holders;

(g) Evaluate, with the participation of children and civil society organizations, existing measures aimed at combating discrimination against children in disadvantaged situations to assess their effectiveness and revise the measures as needed.

 

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Adolescent health

35. The Committee notes with appreciation the establishment of adolescent-friendly health service units in some hospitals, but is deeply concerned about the high rate of teenage pregnancies; adolescents’ limited access to abortion, family planning services and free contraceptives; and the criminalization and stigmatization of adolescents identified as substance users.

36. The Committee urges the State party:

…(c) To ensure that sexual and reproductive health education includes education on sexual and reproductive health rights, sexual diversity, responsible sexual behaviour and the prevention of early pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections;…

 

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Education: aims and coverage

39. The Committee welcomes the measures taken to ensure the access of all children to education and to address bullying in schools, but is deeply concerned about:

…(g) The prevalence of violence and bullying, including of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex children, in schools.

40. The Committee urges the State party:

…(i) To take targeted measures to eliminate bullying, cyberbullying and other forms of violence in schools, and ensure that such measures encompass prevention, early detection mechanisms, intervention protocols, psychosocial support for victims, mandatory training for teachers on the anti-bullying guidelines and relevant procedures, recording and monitoring of bullying behaviour, and awareness-raising regarding the harmful effects of bullying.

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Concluding Observations on Report 3-5 (2017) (Link)

Education, including vocational training and guidance

38. The Committee welcomes the progress in reaching near universal primary education enrolment and the adoption of the strategic document entitled “Bhutan Education Blueprint 2014-2024”. The Committee is however concerned about:

…(g) The occurrence of peer violence and sexual harassment in schools, also affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex children.

The Committee recommends that the State party:

…(g) Develop and implement initiatives to combat violence, sexual harassment and bullying among children in schools, including towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex children, and train teachers and students to resolve conflicts peacefully, to create an environment of tolerance and respect;

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Concluding Observations on Report 2 (2008) (Link)

[no mention]

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Concluding Observations on Report 1 (2001) (Link)

[no mention]

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