Best Interests Principle

The “best interests of the child” principle is about children’s rights; it is an innovative concept introduced in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1989. In Article 3 of the UNCRC, the principle is divided into three parts:

• (1)
  In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.
• [Page 112](2)
  States parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well-being, taking into account the rights and duties of his or her parents, legal guardians, or other individuals legally responsible for him or her, and, to this end, shall ...