DEFENCE FOR CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL (DCI) - Belgium | Practical Guide ANNEX 1: The Convention on the Rights of the Child (simplified version) Not all the members of monitoring bodies are lawyers and/or are familiar with the most important binding human rights instrument that covers almost all aspects of a child’s life: the 1989 CRC. The rights granted to children by the CRC are indivisible and interrelated. Equal importance should be attached to each and every right since each one of these rights is fundamental for the dignity of the child. In order to facilitate knowledge of the CRC in the framework of the monitoring process, we have designed a simplified version of the CRC that is easy to access for any professional that will perform a visit to a place of deprivation of liberty for children. FOUR BASIC PRINCIPLES Non-discrimination article 2 The CRC is applicable to all children, irrespective of the child’s or his/her parent’s or legal guardian’s race, the color of the child’s skin, the sex of the child, the language s/he speaks, his/her religious, political or other views, his/her national, ethnic or social origin, his/her property, potential disabilities or any other status. The best interest of the child article 3 par. 1 This principle must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children. It applies to all adults who make decisions that affect children, be it public or private, social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies. Survival and development of the child article 6 Governments have the obligation to ensure the survival and development of every child. Participation of the child article 12 Every child has the right to voice how they feel about decisions that affect him/her and to have his/her opinion taken seriously. A child’s ability to form and express his/her opinion develops with age. In deciding the weight that is to be given to the views of the child, the child’s age, development and level of maturity should be taken into account. 154