THE RIGHT TO OPINION AND CIVIL FREEDOMS The provisions of Articles 12 to 15 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (right to opinion, freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of association)174, represent the child's support when he or she wishes to interact with the society or wishes to actively participate in its activity. The State through the given obligations is to ensure by all possible measures, that no child will be marginalized in the realization of these fundamental freedoms. Article 12 of the Convention establishes the right of every child to freely express his or her views in all matters affecting him or her, as well as the subsequent right for such views to be given appropriate weight, depending on the age and maturity of the child. This right imposes clear legal obligations on public authorities to recognize this right and to ensure its implementation, listening to the views of the child according to the child's age and level of development giving it due weight. Article 12, as a general principle, provides that the competent authorities should endeavor to ensure that the interpretation and implementation of all other rights enshrined in the Convention are guided by it. At the same time, the child has the right not to exercise this right. Expressing opinions is a choice for the child, not an obligation. The responsible persons must ensure that the child receives all the information, advice and has the necessary conditions to make a decision on the use or abstention from exercising this right. In the national legislation, the right to opinion and civil liberties, on the segment of children's rights, are enshrined in Art. 31, 32 and 40 of the Constitution of the Republic of Moldova and Art. 8 of Law no. 338 of December 15, 1994 on children's rights. We note that the national legislation is partially compatible with international standards, thus, it is necessary to modify the national normative framework in the field of protection of the child's right to opinion. In his work, the People's Advocate for Children's Rights has repeatedly expressed his position on respect for the right to opinion and civil liberties of the child in the Republic of Moldova and presented a set of recommendations for improving the existing situation. We mention that recommendations regarding the observance of the child's right to opinion and civil liberties 174 https://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CRC.aspx 104