Underlining the need for mainstreaming a gender perspective and recognizing the
child as a rights holder in all policies and programmes relating to children,
Concerned that, in conflict situations, children continue to be victims and deliberate
targets of attacks with consequences that are often irreversible for their physical and
emotional integrity,
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; that all institutions of society should respect children’s rights and secure their
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,
Reaffirming the interrelatedness of all human rights and the necessity of taking into
account the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of civil, political,
economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development, to promote and
protect the rights of the child,
I.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS
OF THE CHILD AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS
1.
Reaffirms that the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration
in all actions concerning children, and reaffirms also the general principles of, inter alia,
non-discrimination, participation, and survival and development;
2.
Urges once again the States that have not yet done so to consider signing and
ratifying or acceding to the Convention on the Rights of the Child as a matter of priority and,
concerned at the great number of reservations to the Convention, 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;
3.
Urges States that have not yet done so to consider signing and ratifying or
acceding to the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the involvement of children in armed
conflict and on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;
4.
Calls upon States parties to implement the Convention and its Optional
Protocols fully and in accordance with the best interests of the child by, inter alia, putting in
place effective national legislation and policies, and to comply in a timely manner with their
reporting obligations under the Convention and the Optional Protocols thereto, in accordance
with the guidelines elaborated by the Committee, as well as to take into account the
recommendations made by the Committee in the implementation of the provisions of the
Convention;
5.
Also calls upon States parties to strengthen relevant governmental structures
for children, including, where appropriate, ministers in charge of child issues and independent
commissioners for the rights of the child, and ensure adequate and systematic training in the
rights of the child for professional groups working with and for children;
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