1. Elements to be taken into account when assessing the child’s best interests
(b) The child’s identity
55. Children are not a homogeneous group and therefore diversity must be taken into account when assessing their best interests. The identity of the child includes characteristics such as sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion and beliefs, cultural identity, personality. Although children and young people share basic universal needs, the expression of those needs depends on a wide range of personal, physical, social and cultural aspects, including their evolving capacities. The right of the child to preserve his or her identity is guaranteed by the Convention (art. 8) and must be respected and taken into consideration in the assessment of the child’s best interests.
Link to full text of the report: General Comment-CRC-14-Right to have best interests taken as primary consideration-art 3 para 1-2013-eng
