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 between Governments, international organizations and relevant bodies
and organizations of the United Nations system, in particular the United Nations Children’s Fund, and all actors
of civil society, in particular non-governmental organizations, as well as the private sector, is important to realize
the rights of the child,
Bearing in mind the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of
the World, 2001-2010 and recalling the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, which
serve as the basis for the International Decade,
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.
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;
2.
Urges the 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;
3.
Calls upon States parties to implement the Convention fully and to ensure that the rights set
forth in the Convention are respected without discrimination of any kind and that the best interests of the child
are a primary consideration in all actions concerning children, to recognize the child’s inherent right to life and
that the child’s survival and development are ensured to the maximum extent possible, and that the child is able
to express his/her views freely in all opinions on matters affecting him/her and that these views are listened to
and given due weight in accordance with his/her age and maturity;
4.
Stresses that the achievement of the goals of the World Summit for Children and the special
session of the General Assembly on children will contribute to the implementation of the Convention;
5.
Urges States parties to take all appropriate measures for the implementation of the rights
recognized in the Convention, bearing in mind article 4 of the Convention, by strengthening relevant
governmental structures for children, including, where appropriate, ministers in charge of child issues and
independent commissioners for the rights of the child;
6.
Calls upon all States to put an end to impunity, as a way to prevent violations of international
human rights and humanitarian law, including where children are victims, in particular for serious crimes, such
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