CRC/C/15/Add.170 page 2 B. Positive factors 3. The Committee notes that the Convention forms a part of national law and takes precedence over domestic legislation. 4. The Committee welcomes the State party’s recent ratification of ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour. 5. The Committee welcomes: the law (2646/1998) on the development of the national system of social care; the law (2716/2001) on the provision of mental health services; the law (2889/2001) on the improvement and modernization of the national health system creating, inter alia, a decentralized system which may contribute to better accessibility of health-care services for children, in particular those living in remote areas; and law (2920/2001) on the establishment of a body of inspectors of health and welfare services. 6. The Committee also notes the establishment of the National Observatory on the Rights of Children for the monitoring and implementation of the Convention. 7. The Committee notes efforts to raise awareness among children of their rights and to sensitize them to global issues through, inter alia, the implementation of the “Schools as defenders of children” programme and the “Children write and paint about their rights” programme. 8. The Committee notes the establishment of the Youth Parliament and of Pupils’ Councils. C. Factors and difficulties impeding the implementation of the Convention 9. The Committee notes that the State party is facing new challenges with the growth of a multicultural society, including different languages and ethnic and religious backgrounds. 10. The Committee notes the difficulties posed by urbanization in ensuring respect for the rights of children in some isolated and rural communities. D. Principal subjects of concern, suggestions and recommendations 1. General measures of implementation Legislation 11. The Committee notes the ongoing efforts by the State party to introduce relevant legislation. The Committee remains concerned that some aspects of domestic legislation are still not consistent with the principles and provisions of the Convention and that implementation of existing legislation needs to be improved.

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