CRC/C/MKD/CO/2 (d) Take effective measures to improve conditions in all places where children are detained and reduce overcrowding; (e) Ensure that children are deprived of their liberty only as a measure of last resort especially by developing measures alternative to detention, including possibilities for restorative justice, and that sentences are reviewed; and (f) Abolish the practice of compulsory drug testing in the EducationalCorrectional Institution. Protection of witnesses and victims of crimes 81. While noting plans to elaborate a protocol for handling cases of child sexual abuse, the Committee is concerned that, so far, activities have not focused on the protection of child victims. The Committee is, in particular, concerned about reports that child victims have been asked to give testimony in the presence of the perpetrator and that victims of abuse within the family have not been provided with adequate protection, which has led to their re-victimization and the withdrawal of testimonies. The Committee is further concerned that, as a result of the low age of protection for certain crimes, child victims above the age of 14 years were not accorded protection in recent years. The Committee, while noting the recent elaboration of a code of conduct for journalists, is deeply concerned that media attention has led to the identification of child victims. 82. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure, through adequate legal provisions and regulations, that all children victims and/or witnesses of crimes, e.g., child victims of abuse, domestic violence, armed conflict, sexual and economic exploitation, abduction, and trafficking and witnesses of such crimes, are provided with the protection required by the Convention and that it take fully into account the United Nations Guidelines on Justice in Matters involving Child Victims and Witnesses of Crime (annexed to Economic and Social Council resolution 2005/20). 83. In addition, the Committee recommends that the State party, in cooperation with the media, take the necessary measures to respect the privacy of children in the media by strengthening implementation of existing legislation and awareness-raising and educational campaigns. Children belonging to minority groups 84. While noting with appreciation that mother tongue education is available for most communities, namely in the Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish and Serbian languages and the introduction of “Romani language and culture”, the Committee regrets the limited availability and lower quality of education in the language of certain minorities, particularly the Roma and Vlach communities. 85. The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Take all necessary measures to protect the rights of children belonging to minority groups, respect their culture and guarantee their enjoyment of the rights enshrined in the national constitution, domestic law and the Convention; (b) Train educators and develop curricula, textbooks and other aides in order to increase the availability and raise the quality of minority-language education, particularly for Roma (for all those groups who are using their own language) and Vlach children; and (c) Ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, which it has already signed. 18