CRC/C/MDA/CO/3 page 5 of children’s rights. The Committee further recommends that the State party ensure that the input of civil society organizations is taken into account in legislative, administrative and policy reform. 2. General principles (arts. 2, 3, 6 and 12 of the Convention) Non-discrimination 25. The Committee is concerned that, despite the legislative guarantees against discrimination, the principle of non-discrimination is not fully respected in practice, and that children from socially disadvantaged families, children with disabilities, children with HIV/AIDS or children belonging to a different ethnic group or holding different religious views may face discrimination. The Committee is further concerned that Roma children are still victims of discriminatory treatment and have reduced access to education, health and an adequate standard of living. Furthermore, the Committee notes that, although the national medical insurance scheme is designed to assist children from families living in poverty or from families with special needs, these families do not enjoy equal access to health services. 26. The Committee recommends that the State party monitor and ensure full compliance with article 2 of the Convention and ensure the implementation of existing laws guaranteeing the principle of non-discrimination with respect, particularly, to children from socially disadvantaged families, children with disabilities, children with HIV/AIDS or children belonging to a different ethnic group or holding different religious views. Best interests of the child 27. The Committee notes that the Family Code and the Criminal Procedure Code provide for the consideration of the best interests of the child and that State institutions are required to take them into account when making decisions regarding them. The Committee also notes the existence of children’s committees in schools, of the Children’s Parliament and of the possibility for children to be associate members of child rights NGOs. However, the Committee is concerned that the principle of the best interests of the child is not sufficiently implemented in practice, in particular in the judicial, legislative and administrative spheres. 28. The Committee recommends that the State party take all appropriate measures to ensure that the principle of the best interests of the child is a primary consideration, in accordance with article 3 of the Convention, and is adequately integrated into all legal provisions, judicial and administrative decisions and into projects, programmes, and services which have an impact on children. To this end, the State party should take the necessary measures to raise awareness of the practical application of this principle. Right to life, survival and development 29. The Committee welcomes the progress made by the State party in reducing infant mortality rates in 2007, as well as the cooperation between the Moldovan and Transnistrian health authorities in relation to this issue. The Committee, however, remains concerned at the lack of adequate information on the rate of infant mortality among Roma and regrets the lack of cooperation between the State party and the Transnistrian authorities in other areas relevant to the well-being and development of children.