INSTITUTION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS OMBUDSMAN OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 8.1. Best interest of the child In 2019, with the support of UNICEF in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ombudsman, together with the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH and the non-governmental sector, participated in the development of Guidelines for determination of the best interests of the child. 333 The guidelines are comprehensive and could be implemented in education and promotion of children's rights. These guidelines represent an important instrument in the work of the Ombudsman in order to harmonize the practices of the competent authorities, i.e. to act in accordance with the principle of the best interests of the child. The guidelines are prepared to serve as a tool and guide to all relevant decision-makers 334 to find the best possible solution for the child and to protect their best interest while respecting the special circumstances and needs of each particular child. In previous years, Ombudspersons pointed out the great importance of strengthening the capacity of the social welfare centers and for that reason in 2019 they prepared a Special Report on the situation and problems faced by centers/services engaged in social welfare in Bosnia and Herzegovina 335 in which they presented the weaknesses of the system that were recognized by the social welfare centers, and through the Ombudsman's work on complaints of citizens who addressed the Institution seeking protection of their rights. In respect of the individual decisions of the competent authorities, in this report Ombudspersons made an overview of significant cases and observed violations or jeopardizing the rights of the child. 8.2. Violence against children At international level, the rights of the child are protected by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child 336 (which has priority in application in relation to domestic legislation, given that it has the force of a constitutional norm), as well as other international conventions ratified by Bosnia and Herzegovina. On the other hand, the rights of the child are guaranteed by many domestic laws, in particular family related legislation 337, legislation related to the protection from domestic violence 338, legislation related to the protection and treatment of children and juveniles in criminal proceedings 339 etc. Whether it is physical or psychological violence against children or violence 333 https://www.ombudsmen.gov.ba/documents/obmudsmen_doc2019020112314016eng.pdf Social welfare centers, courts, prosecutor's offices, schools, educational institutions etc. 335 https://www.ombudsmen.gov.ba/documents/obmudsmen_doc2019112015101009bos.pdf 336 Comprised in Annex I to the Dayton Peace Agreement 337 Family Law of Republika Srpska, Official Gazette of Republika Srpska, no. 54/2002, 41/2008 and 63/2014; Family Law of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, no. 35/2005, 41/2005, 31/2014 and 32/2019; Family Law of the Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Official Gazette of Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, no. 23/2007. 338 Law on Protection of Domestic Violence in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, no.. 36/2003, 37/2003, 21/2004, 69/2004, 18/2005, 21/2010, 42/2010, 42/2011, 59/2014, 76/2014, 46/2016 and 75/2017; Law on Protection of Domestic Violence in Republika Srpska, , Official Gazette of Republika Srpska, no. 102/2012, 108/2013 and 84/2019; Law on Protection of Domestic Violence in Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Official Gazette of Brčko District of Bosnia and Herzegovina, no. 7/2018 339 Law on the Protection and Treatment of Children and Juveniles in Criminal Proceedings, Official Gazette of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, no. 7/2014; Law on the Protection and Treatment of Children and Juveniles in Criminal Proceedings, Official Gazette of Republika Srpska, no. 13/2010 i 61/2013; Law on the Protection and 334 82