The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is based on four general principles, one of which is that the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration, which results from Article 3 (1). What this point means is that the best interests of the child must be addressed as a primary consideration in all decisions concerning children. The principle of the best interests of the child obliges, for example, courts of law, administrative authorities, public or private social welfare institutions and legislative bodies to take into account the best interests and welfare of the child in all decisions and actions.