CRC/C/15/Add.216 page 5 3. General principles Non-discrimination 22. The Committee is concerned that, as acknowledged by the State party, discrimination persists against vulnerable groups of children such as Maori children, minority children, children with disabilities and non-citizens. The Committee is particularly concerned at the comparatively low indicators for Maori, Pacific Island and Asian children. 23. The Committee recommends that the State party increase its efforts to ensure implementation of existing laws guaranteeing the principle of non-discrimination and full compliance with article 2 of the Convention, and to adopt a proactive and comprehensive strategy to eliminate discrimination on any grounds and against all vulnerable groups. 24. The Committee requests that specific information be included in the next periodic report on the measures and programmes relevant to the Convention on the Rights of the Child undertaken by the State party to follow up on the Declaration and Programme of Action adopted at the 2001 World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, and taking account of general comment No. 1 on article 29, paragraph 1, of the Convention (aims of education). Respect for the views of the child 25. The Committee notes with appreciation the efforts to include children in decision-making processes at the national and local levels, for instance through the Youth Parliament. However, it is concerned that the right of individual children to be heard and have their views taken into account in administrative or judicial proceedings affecting them is not systematically included in legislation and regulations. 26. The Committee recommends that the State party undertake a review of legislation and regulations affecting children, including proposed legislation such as the Care of Children Bill, to ensure that they appropriately integrate and apply the right of each child to be heard and have his or her views taken into account in accordance with article 12. 4. Civil rights and freedoms Violence, including ill-treatment 27. The Committee shares the State party’s concern about the prevalence of child abuse, and notes with regret that services aimed at preventing abuse and providing assistance with recovery do not have sufficient resources and are insufficiently coordinated. 28. The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Expand services and programmes aimed at assisting victims of abuse, and ensure that they are provided in a child-sensitive manner which respects the privacy of the victim;