A/RES/58/157
Recognizing that the family is the basic unit of society and as such should be
strengthened, that it is entitled to receive comprehensive protection and support, that
the primary responsibility for the protection, upbringing and development of
children rests with the family and that all institutions of society should respect the
rights of the child and secure his or her well-being and render appropriate assistance
to parents, families, legal guardians and other caregivers so that children can grow
and develop in a safe and stable environment and in an atmosphere of happiness,
love and understanding, bearing in mind that in different cultural, social and
political systems, various forms of family exist,
Recognizing also that partnership among Governments, international
organizations and relevant organs and organizations of the United Nations system,
in particular the United Nations Children’s Fund, and all actors of civil society,
including non-governmental organizations, as well as the private sector, is important
for the realization of the rights of the child,
Underlining the need for mainstreaming a gender perspective in all policies
and programmes relating to children,
Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional
Protocols thereto on the involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale
of children, child prostitution and child pornography
1.
Urges States that have not yet done so to sign and ratify or accede to the
Convention on the Rights of the Child2 as a matter of priority, and urges States
parties to implement it fully, while stressing that the implementation of the
Convention and the achievement of the goals of the World Summit for Children and
the special session of the General Assembly on children are mutually reinforcing;
Expresses its concern about the great number of reservations to the
2.
Convention, and urges States parties to withdraw reservations incompatible with the
object and purpose of the Convention and to consider reviewing other reservations
with a view to withdrawing them;
Urges States that have not yet done so to consider signing and ratifying
3.
or acceding to the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child
on the involvement of children in armed conflict and on the sale of children, child
prostitution and child pornography,3 and urges States parties to implement them
fully;
4.
Calls upon States parties to ensure that the rights set forth in the
Convention are respected without discrimination of any kind and that the best
interest of the child is a primary consideration in all actions concerning children, to
recognize the child’s inherent right to life and to ensure the child’s survival and
development to the maximum extent possible and to ensure also that the child is
able to express his or her views freely in all matters affecting him or her and that
these views are listened to and given due weight in accordance with his or her age
and maturity;
Urges States parties to take all appropriate measures for the
5.
implementation of the rights recognized in the Convention, bearing in mind article 4
of the Convention, by:
(a) Putting in place effective national legislation, policies and action plans
and by strengthening relevant governmental structures for children, including,
3