A/HRC/19/73 Annex Human rights principles and guidelines to improve the protection of children at risk or affected by malnutrition, specifically at risk of or affected by noma142 I. Principles A. The rights of the child 1. Children at risk or affected by malnutrition and noma are entitled on an equal basis to other individuals to the rights proclaimed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, enshrined in international human rights instruments to which their respective States are parties, including in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as to the rights stipulated by customary international law. The wellbeing and human rights of children are intrinsically linked to the right of their mothers. The full realization of the rights stipulated by Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is thus paramount for the fulfilment of the rights of women and of children, including those at risk/affected by malnutrition and noma. 2. States have an international obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of the child and of their parents. Authorities at local, regional and national level are bound by these obligations. State decisions regarding children should be guided by the principles of non-discrimination, adherence to the best interests of the child, the right of children to life, survival and development, and the right of children to participate in matters that affect them. 3. Every child, including a child at risk/affected by malnutrition and noma, has the inherent right to life. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child. 4. Every child, including a child at risk/affected by malnutrition and noma, has the right to food. States shall respect, protect and fulfil the right of the child to have regular and permanent access to quantitatively and qualitatively adequate and sufficient food that ensures a physical and mental dignified life free of hunger and malnutrition. 5. Every child, including a child at risk/affected by malnutrition and noma, has the right to water and sanitation. States shall respect, protect and fulfil the right to safe drinking water and sanitation, and thus take steps to realize the physical and economic access to 142 22 The parallel to leprosy and the findings of the study on severe malnutrition and childhood diseases with children affected by Noma as an example has led the Committee to consider as a model for further action the Principles and guidelines for the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members prepared by Shigeki Sakamoto, adopted by the Committee (A/HRC/15/30) and of which the Human Rights Council has taken note with appreciation (A/HRC/15/L.18). Special thanks for the input on the earlier draft of the principles and guidelines aimed at improving the protection of children at risk or affected by malnutrition, specifically at risk of or affected by noma are due to the Government of Canada (submission on A/HRC/AC/7/CRP.2, not dated).