eng - World Organisation Against Torture

30. In the light of article 12 of theConvention, the Committee recommendsthat the State party:(a) Strengthen its efforts to promote,within the family, schools and other institutions,respect for the views of thechild and facilitate their interactive participationin all matters affecting them,inter alia, through children’s and youthcouncils, forums, parliaments, etc., whilepaying special attention to vulnerablegroups of children;(b) Undertake awareness-raisingcampaigns on children’s right to beheard and participate by encouragingchildren and their parents, caregiversand professionals working with and forchildren to seek and increase children’sopportunities to influence issues concerningthem.31. The Committee notes with appreciationthe activities of the child helpline“Bantay Bata 163”, which is an importantinstrument for children to expresstheir concerns and views and seekhelp and advice. However, theCommittee is concerned at the fact thatthe helpline is only accessible to childrenliving in the capital region and itsexpansion to the rural areas of the countrylacks core funding.32. The Committee recommends that theState party support the expansion of“Bantay Bata 163” child helpline bymaking it nationally accessible andtoll-free and providing it with adequatehuman, technical and financial resources.As regards awareness of thehelpline among children, theCommittee recommends that the Stateparty include information about thehelpline in its child-related programmes.3. Civil rights and freedomsBirth registration33. While noting the estimated increase inthe birth registration rate and the measurestaken by the State party in this respect,including the UnregisteredChildren Project conducted in collaborationwith PLAN International and theNational Statistics Office, theCommittee remains concerned at the dif-66