CRC/C/MKD/CO/2
(a)
Take all necessary measures to implement the recommendations of the
United Nations Study on violence against children, taking into account the outcome
and recommendations of the Regional Consultation for Europe and Central Asia,
(held in Slovenia from 5 to 7 July 2005). In particular, the Committee recommends
that the State party pay special attention to the following recommendations:
(i)
Prohibit all violence against children;
(ii)
Prioritize prevention;
(iii)
Promote non-violent values and awareness-raising;
(iv)
Enhance the capacity of all who work with and for children;
(v)
Ensure accountability and end impunity;
(b)
Use these recommendations as a tool for action, in partnership with civil
society and in particular with the involvement of children, to ensure that every child is
protected from all forms of physical, sexual and psychological violence and to gain
momentum for concrete and, where appropriate, time-bound actions to prevent and
respond to such violence and abuse;
(c)
Provide information concerning the implementation by the State party
of the recommendations of the Study in the next periodic report; and
(d)
Seek technical assistance from the Special Representative of the
Secretary-General on violence against children, UNICEF, the Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights and the World Health Organization, and other
relevant agencies, inter alia, the International Labour Organization, United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, as well as
NGO partners.
4. Family environment and alternative care (arts. 5, 18 (paras. 1–2), 911, 19-21, 25, 27 (para. 4) and 39 of the Convention)
Family environment
43.
The Committee is concerned that, through an amendment to the law on the family in
2004, the social work centres have been granted the power to limit and suspend parental
rights owing to non-payment of maintenance obligations. The Committee is concerned that
this measure unnecessarily severs the connection between parent and child and may result
in a violation of the child’s right to maintain personal relations and direct contact with both
parents (art. 9, para. 3).
44.
The Committee recommends that the State party:
(a)
Remove the competence of the social work centres to limit and suspend
parental rights and ensure that the suspension of parental rights is only done by a
competent judge and only when required for the immediate protection of the child and
for the protection of his or her best interests;
(b)
Take all appropriate measures and programmes to render assistance to
parents in the performance of their child-rearing responsibilities, including through
developing programmes aimed at improving parental skills (and competences).
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