DHAKA: The UN has demanded that the Vatican ‘immediately remove’ all clergy who are known or suspected child abusers, in a report released on Wednesday.

The UN watchdog for children’s rights denounced the Holy See for adopting policies allowing priests to sexually abuse thousands of children.

It heavily criticised the Vatican’s attitudes towards homosexuality, contraception and abortion.

The Vatican has set up a commission to fight child abuse in the Church.

It is expected to issue a statement on the report later on Wednesday, reports the BBC.

The committee’s recommendations are non-binding and there is no enforcement mechanism.

In its report, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) said the Holy See should open its files on members of the clergy who ‘concealed their crimes’ so that they can be held accountable.

The committee said it was gravely concerned that the Holy See has not acknowledged the extent of the crimes committed.

BDST: 1808 HRS, FEB 05, 2014