CRC/C/MKD/CO/2 educational and recreational programmes, and to provide adequate follow-up to the recommendations contained in the present concluding observations. Legislation 8. The Committee is concerned that the national legislation does not fully comply with the principles and provisions of the Convention and that there is weak enforcement of legislation. 9. The Committee urges the State party to continue and complete the harmonization of its legislation with the provisions of the Convention and take all necessary regulatory measures for the full enforcement and effective implementation, in consultation with all relevant partners, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and with the wide participation of civil society. Coordination 10. While noting the reform of the National Commission on the Rights of the Child in September 2007 elevating its members to the rank of State counsellors, the Committee is concerned that this body is not sufficiently active in the planning of policies and setting of priorities for the implementation of the Convention. The Committee is, in addition, concerned about the limited possibilities for local government, civil society and children to participate in the Commission’s work. Despite information that the competencies of the Commission extend to all areas concerning the child, the Committee is also concerned that they do not extend to the Optional Protocols to the Convention. 11. The Committee recommends that the State party ensure that the National Commission on the Rights of the Child take the lead in the planning of policies and setting of priorities for the implementation of the Convention. The National Commission should be provided with the human, technical and financial resources necessary for the exercise of its mandate effectively. The composition and methods of work of the Commission should allow sufficient avenues for the effective participation of local-level government, civil society and children. In addition, the Committee recommends that the State party consider extending the competencies of the Commission to clearly cover the coordination, monitoring and evaluation of activities to implement the Optional Protocols to the Convention. National plan of action 12. The Committee welcomes the adoption of the 2006–2015 National Plan of Action on the Rights of the Child and the development of local action plans for the implementation of the Convention by 53 (out of 83) municipalities. The Committee is, however, concerned about the slow implementation of the National Plan of Action and that no specific funds have been earmarked for this purpose, including for the monitoring and evaluation of the Plan. 13. The Committee recommends that the State party accelerate the implementation of the National Action Plan, encourage the remaining municipalities to adopt local plans for children, ensure adequate allocation of human, technical and financial resources and take into account the outcome document, “A world fit for children”, of the 2002 General Assembly special session on children, and its mid-term review in 2007. Independent monitoring 14. While noting amendments to the Law on the Ombudsman in 2009 formally establishing the unit on child rights protection headed by a deputy ombudsman, the 3

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