A/RES/73/177 Human rights in the administration of justice persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and to increase their effective participation within the system, Aware of the need for special vigilance with regard to the specific situation of children, juveniles and women in the administration of justice, in particular while they are deprived of their liberty, and their vulnerability to various forms of violence, abuse, injustice and humiliation, Noting the importance of gender-sensitive justice systems, Reaffirming that children who are victims and witnesses of crime and violence are particularly vulnerable and require special protection, assistance and support appropriate to their age, level of maturity and needs, in order to prevent further hardship and trauma that may result from their participation in the criminal justice process, Recognizing the specific situation and needs of children formerly associated with armed forces or armed groups when accused of crimes under international law allegedly committed while they were associated with armed forces or armed groups, Reaffirming that the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration in all actions concerning the child in the administration of justice, including in relation to pretrial measures, as well as being an important consideration in all matters concerning the child related to the sentencing of the parents, or, where applicable, legal guardians or primary caregivers, 1. Takes note with appreciation of the most recent report of the SecretaryGeneral on human rights in the administration of justice; 22 2. Also takes note with appreciation of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on non-discrimination and the protection of persons with increased vulnerability in the administration of justice, in particular in situations of deprivation of liberty and with regard to the causes and effects of overincarceration and overcrowding, 23 as well as previous reports on human rights in the administration of justice submitted to the Human Rights Council; 3. Reaffirms the importance of the full and effective implementation of all United Nations standards on human rights in the administration of justice, and invites States to assess their national legislation and practice against those standards; 4. Invites States to make use of technical assistance offered by the relevant United Nations entities and programmes in order to strengthen national capacities and infrastructures in the field of the administration of justice; 5. Appeals to Governments to include, in their efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 21 and in their national development plans, the effective administration of justice and equal access to justice for all as an integral part of the development process, with a view to promoting and protecting human rights, and to allocate adequate resources for effective, fair, humane and accountable justice systems, including the provision of legal aid services, and invites the international community to respond favourably to requests for financial and technical assistance for the enhancement and strengthening of the administration of justice; 6. Stresses the special need for national capacity-building in the field of the administration of justice, in particular through reform of the judiciary, the police and the penal system, as well as juvenile justice reform, and through the encouragement of independence, accountability and transparency in the judiciary, in order to establish __________________ 22 23 4/9 A/73/210. A/HRC/36/28. 18-22273