General Principles Non discrimination (Article 2) 7. As mentioned in paragraph 62 of state report there is discrimination and neglect towards children born outside of marriage to some extent and they remain vulnerable to sexual abuse. 8. Girls and children with disabilities continue to experience limited access to sports facilities.5 9. There are instances of unfairness against children based on the political standing of parents or family and academically under achieving students.6 The committee may wish to ask the government 1. Measures taken to eliminate discrimination against children born out of wedlock 2. Measures taken to facilitate equal access to sporting facilities Survival and Development (Article 6) 10. Article 21 of the Constitution of Maldives guarantees the right to life and the constitution places a duty on the State to protect children. However, there have been many incidents that suggest the State is unable to take appropriate action regarding the issue. Infanticide and cases where infants and children are abandoned in pitiful conditions are prevalent in Maldives. According to the Maldives Police Service, a total of 29 such cases were reported since 2007. Maldivian media reports of many incidents of infanticide and abandonment of infants in the capital city and other islands of Maldives.7,8 2007 Number of 2 Incidents Reported Infanticide Cases between 2007‐2015 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 1 3 0 10 5 6 2014 1 2015 1 Total 29 Source: Maldives Police Service, 2015 11. Statistics from Maldives Police Service show that there have been many recorded cases of child abuse and some, whose severity has threatened the life of the child.9, 10, 11 Child abuse including physical, sexual and psychological abuse to children as well as negligence by parents, relatives and by other people is a prevailing and a concerning issue throughout Maldives which the state needs to adequately address and take all measures to prevent.12,13 Reported Child Abuse Cases (other than sexual abuse) between 2007 to March 2015 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Total Number of Child Abuse 0 58 59 42 85 174 172 93 81 764 Cases Source: Maldives Police Service, 2015 Page 5 of 39