United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in enhancing awareness of the principles and provisions
of the Convention, and taking note of the conclusions of the general discussions on the private sector as service
provider and its role in implementing child rights held in September 2002 (CRC/C/121, para. 653),
Welcoming further the entry into force of the amendment to article 43, paragraph 2, of the Convention
allowing for the increase of the membership of the Committee on the Rights of the Child from 10 to 18 and
hoping that this change will allow the Committee to deal efficiently with the new challenges in monitoring the
two Optional Protocols to the Convention, and hoping also that the Committee will reduce its backlog,
Welcoming the appointment by the Secretary-General of the independent expert for the United Nations
study on violence against children,
Profoundly concerned that the situation of children in many parts of the world remains critical as a
result of the persistence of poverty, social inequality, inadequate social and economic conditions in an
increasingly globalized economic environment, pandemics, in particular HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis,
natural disasters, armed conflicts, displacement, exploitation, illiteracy, hunger, intolerance, discrimination,
disability and inadequate legal protection, and convinced that urgent and effective national and international
action is called for,
Recognizing that environmental damage has potentially negative effects on children and their enjoyment
of their life, health and a satisfactory standard of living,
Underlining the need for mainstreaming a gender perspective 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,
Welcoming the reports of the Secretary-General on the status of the Convention on the Rights of the
Child (E/CN.4/2003/79 and Add.1-2), of the Special Rapporteur on the right to education (E/CN.4/2003/9 and
Add.1-2), of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
(E/CN.4/2003/79 and Add.1-2), of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed
Conflict to the General Assembly at its fifty-seventh session (A/57/402) and to the Commission at its fifty-ninth
session (E/CN.4/2003/77) and the report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict (S/2002/1299),
Concerned at the number of illegal adoptions, of children growing up without parents and of child
victims of different forms of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect within and outside the family,
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
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