CRC/C/15/Add.237 page 7 29. 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 (2001) on aims of education. The best interests of the child 30. The Committee is concerned that the general principle of the best interests of the child (art. 3) is not fully applied and duly integrated in the implementation of laws, policies and programmes of the State party as well as in administrative and judicial decisions. 31. The Committee recommends that the State party take all appropriate measures to ensure that the general principle of the best interests of the child is appropriately integrated in all legislation and budgets, as well as judicial and administrative decisions and in projects, programmes and services that have an impact on children. Respect for the views of the child 32. The Committee is concerned that, owing to traditional attitudes, respect for the views of the child remains limited within the family, schools, the courts, administrative authorities and the society at large, which tend to favour a paternalistic and authoritarian approach with regard to children. 33. 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 the vulnerable groups. This general principle should also be reflected in all laws, policies and programmes relating to children. Awareness-raising among the public at large and among religious, traditional and/or customary leaders, as well as education and training of professionals, on the implementation of this principle should be reinforced. 4. Civil rights and freedoms Birth registration and citizenship 34. While noting the progress achieved by the State party in registering children at birth, the Committee remains concerned at the large number of children whose births have not been registered. The Committee is further concerned that religion and ethnic origin are specified on the identity card and is deeply concerned that the Citizenship Act establishes three different categories of citizenship, possibly resulting in some categories of children and their parents being discriminated against, stigmatized and/or denied certain rights. 35. In light of article 7 of the Convention, the Committee urges the State party to strengthen its efforts to reform its civil registration system to ensure that all children are registered at birth without discriminatory conditions, through, inter alia, conducting awareness-raising campaigns and a review of the existing registration system. It is also

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