CRC/C/15/Add.154 page 2 4. The development of a Master Plan of Operations for 1997-2001 by the SEGEPLAN (the National Economic Planning Council of the Guatemalan Government) and UNICEF in order to support and implement activities to improve the living conditions of women and children is welcomed by the Committee. 5. In the light of its previous recommendation (CRC/C/15/Add.58, para. 33), the Committee welcomes the creation of a National Commission against Child Abuse (CONACMI) and the holding of two National Campaigns against Child Abuse in 1996 and 1998. 6. The Committee welcomes the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Educational Reform for the modification of curriculum content to help eradicate stereotypes and discrimination based on sex, ethnic and social origin, or poverty, and the programme for girls, linked to the National System for the Improvement of Human Resources and Curricula established by the Ministry of Education to develop a gender methodology and an intercultural approach in curricula, textbooks and educational material, as follow-up measures to its previous recommendation in that domain (ibid., para. 30). 7. The Committee notes with interest the Education Programme for Working Children and Adolescents (PENNAT) to assist children who work in markets, parks and the streets in both urban and rural areas. 8. The Committee welcomes the initiative taken by those working in the juvenile justice system to develop unified criteria to be applied in the administration of juvenile justice in the absence of a common system. It further welcomes the implementation in 2000 of a Programme on Probation as a follow-up measure to its recommendation in this regard (ibid., para. 40). C. Factors and difficulties impeding progress in the implementation of the Convention 9. The Committee, while noting significant progress since the signing of the final peace agreement on 29 December 1996, is concerned that the State party still faces many difficulties in the implementation of the Convention, due in particular to the legacy of poverty and authoritarian rule, as well as to human rights violations and impunity resulting from more than 30 years of armed conflict. Of particular concern to the Committee is the recent information that there are signs that the human rights situation is deteriorating. It also notes the serious economic and social disparities affecting most of the population, in particular indigenous people. D. Principal areas of concern and recommendation 1. General measures of implementation Legislation 10. The Committee is deeply concerned that the entry into force of the Children and Adolescent Code of 1996 was postponed several times and, on 24 February 2000, was suspended indefinitely by Congress Decree No. 4-2000. Concern is also expressed that some of the