CRC/C/BOL/CO/4 page 3 8. The Committee recommends that the steps taken towards legislative reforms should be part of a comprehensive analysis of the legislative system in order to ensure that both positive law and indigenous customary law meet the obligations under the Convention, in particular regarding the Child Code, the regulations on marriage, corporal punishment, alternative care and juvenile justice. The Committee also recommends that a clear division of the different competencies be established between the judicial bodies and the indigenous local authorities in civil, criminal and administrative matters, and that the State party promote awareness of legislation, in particular among communities which continue to apply customary laws. Coordination 9. The Committee notes the establishment of new institutions relevant to the rights of the child, including the Vice-Ministry for Equality of Opportunities (Viceministerio de Igualdad de Oportunidades), the Office for Childhood and Adolescence (Dirección de Niñez y Adolescencia), the National Council for Childhood and Adolescence (Consejo Nacional de la Ninez y Adolescencia), the Commissions for Childhood and Adolescence (Comisiones de la Ninez y Adolescencia) and the Municipal Child Defence Offices (Defensorias Municipales de Niñez y Adolescencia). However, it is concerned at the weakness of the institutions created, and that the new strategy of decentralization poses a number of difficulties in the coordination between national, departmental and municipal levels. Also, the Committee is concerned that the institution in charge of coordination has lost status by moving from a Vice-Ministry to an Office, and will not be able to achieve effective coordination at all levels and in the different sectors given the low level of resources it is likely to obtain. 10. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure a high level of authority and adequate resources for the Office for Childhood and Adolescence in order for it to carry out its functions of coordination across sectors, and in this regard draws attention to its general comment No. 5 (2003) on general measures of implementation for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Committee further recommends the progressive setting up of Municipal Child Defence Offices, including in rural communities, and that they be provided with adequate human, financial and technical resources. The Committee also recommends strengthening the multisectoral institutions created at different levels (the National Council and Commissions for Childhood and Adolescence) with the purpose of collaborating in the elaboration of culturally sensitive policies, assisting in monitoring their application and ensuring participation by all concerned, including children. National Plan of Action 11. The Committee welcomes the new National Human Rights Action Plan (adopted in 2008) and the Plan for Economic and Social Development adopted after the new National Constitution (2009) as well as the Plan for Eradication of Poverty and several sectoral plans directed at childhood, but regrets that the draft National Plan of Action for Children has not yet been approved, and that the draft text does not cover all the areas of the Convention or all children up to the age of 18.

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