OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS
Rights of the child
Commission on Human Rights resolution 2003/86
The Commission on Human Rights,
Emphasizing the importance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and that its provisions and
other relevant human rights instruments must constitute the standard in the promotion and protection of the
rights of the child, and reaffirming that the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration in all
actions concerning children,
Bearing in mind the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of
children, child prostitution and child pornography, and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of
the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict,
Reaffirming the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of the Child and the
Plan of Action for the Implementation of the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of
the Child in the 1990s adopted in September 1990 by the World Summit for Children (A/45/625, annex), the
United Nations Millennium Declaration and the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted in June
1993 by the World Conference on Human Rights (A/CONF.157/23), which, inter alia, state that national and
international mechanisms and programmes for the safeguard and protection of children, in particular those in
especially difficult circumstances, should be strengthened, including through effective measures to combat
exploitation and abuse of children, female infanticide, harmful child labour and the immediate elimination of its
worst forms, sale of children and organs, child prostitution and child pornography, as well as other forms of
sexual abuse,
Reaffirming also the outcome document of the special session of the General Assembly on children
entitled “A world fit for children” adopted on 10 May 2002 (resolution S-27/2, annex) and the firm commitments
contained therein to promote and protect the rights of each child - every human being below the age of 18 years,
Recalling all its previous resolutions relating to the rights of the child, particularly resolutions 2000/85
of 27 April 2000, 2001/75 of 25 April 2001 and 2002/92 of 26 April 2002, and taking note of General Assembly
resolution 57/190 of 18 December 2002,
Welcoming the integration of child rights issues into the outcome documents of all major United
Nations conferences, special sessions and summits,
Welcoming also the work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child in examining the progress made
by States parties in implementing the obligations undertaken in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and in
providing recommendations to States parties on its implementation and, in cooperation with the Office of the
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