A/HRC/7/78 page 80 Welcoming also the work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and taking note of the issuance of its general comments Nos. 6 and 7 (2005), Nos. 8 and 9 (2006) and No. 10 (2007), Profoundly concerned that the situation of children in many parts of the world remains critical and convinced that urgent and effective national and international action is called for, Mindful that regional instruments should contribute to the strengthening of the norms of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Reaffirming the importance of the family as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members, and particularly children, and that as such should be strengthened; that it is entitled to receive comprehensive protection and support; that the primary responsibility for the protection, upbringing and development of children rests with the family; that all institutions of society should respect children’s rights and secure their well-being and render appropriate assistance to parents, families, legal guardians and other caregivers so that children can grow and develop in a safe and stable environment and in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding, bearing in mind that, in different cultural, social and political systems, various forms of family exist, Underlining the need for mainstreaming a gender perspective and recognizing the child as a rights holder, in all policies and programmes relating to children, Concerned that, in conflict situations, children continue to be the victims and deliberate targets of attacks or the use of force, including indiscriminate and excessive use of force with consequences, which are often irreversible for their physical and emotional integrity, Recognizing that environmental damage has potentially negative effects on children and their enjoyment of their life, health and a satisfactory standard of living, Taking note with appreciation of the attention paid to children in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and in the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, I. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS 1. Reaffirms that the general principles of, inter alia, the best interests of the child, non-discrimination, participation and survival and development provide the framework for all actions concerning children, including adolescents; 2. Acknowledges that the Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most universally ratified human rights treaty, and urges the States that have not yet done so to become parties to the Convention and the Optional Protocols thereto as a matter of priority and, concerned at the great number of reservations to the Convention, urges States parties to withdraw reservations incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention and its Optional Protocols and to consider reviewing regularly other reservations with a view to withdrawing them;