CRC/C/TKM/CO/1 page 6 25. The Committee is concerned at the information that, while the ages of marriage is normally set at 16 years, for Turkmen citizens who marry foreigners and stateless persons, the age of marriage is set at 18 years. 26. The Committee recommends that the State party eliminate this form of discrimination, by ensuring that all persons below 18 years of age receive the same protection under the Convention and that the age of marriage be the same for all Turkmen citizens, irrespective of the nationality of the future spouse. 27. The Committee also 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 World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in 2001, also taking into account general comment No. 1 on article 29, paragraph 1, of the Convention on the aims of education. Best interests of the child 28. While the Committee notes that the principle of best interests of the child is included in the State party’s legislation, it is concerned that it is not always taken into account in practice, in particular for children belonging to ethnic minorities. 29. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to ensure that the general principle of the best interests of the child is understood, appropriately integrated and implemented in judicial and administrative decisions and in projects, programmes and services which have an impact on children. Respect for the views of the child 30. The Committee notes that the Rights of the Child (Guarantees) Act recognizes the right of children to express their opinion and views freely in all matters affecting them, but is concerned that courts have the discretion to decide whether to admit children to proceedings affecting them. 31. The Committee recommends that further efforts be made to ensure the implementation of the principle of respect for the views of the child. In this connection, particular emphasis should be placed on the right of every child to participate in the family, at school, within other institutions and bodies, and in society at large, with special attention to vulnerable and minority groups. This general principle should also be reflected in all laws, judicial and administrative decisions, policies and programmes relating to children. In particular, the State party should: (a) Ensure that the child who is capable of forming his/her own views is in practice given the opportunity to express those views freely in all matters, and particularly in any judicial and administrative proceedings affecting him or her; and that the views of the child being given due weight in accordance with his or her age and maturity;