General Comment of the Committee on the Rights of the Child on the child's best interest

The Committee on the Rights of the Child, established under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, has released its General Comment on Article 3(1) of the Convention, which establishes the right of the child to have his or her best interest taken as a primary consideration. The comment seeks to ensure the application of and respect for the best interests of the child by states parties to the Convention. It defines the requirements for due consideration in actions concerning the child and in the adoption of legislation and other general measures concerning children. The aim of the comment is also to promote a real change in attitudes leading to the respect of children as rights holders. The comment addresses the nature and scope of obligations of States parties with respect to the primary consideration of the best interests of the child, carries out a legal analysis of the principle in itself and in relation to other general principles of the Convention and provides guidance for its effective implementation in practice.
General Comments of the Committee provide the authoritative, although not legally binding, interpretation of the Convention.

Read the General Comment here.

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