CRC/C/SAU/CO/2 page 7 Best interests of the child 30. The Committee is concerned that the general principle of the best interests of the child contained in article 3 of the Convention is not systematically included in laws, regulations and practices concerning children, for example regarding the status of the child, the custody decisions and in the area of alternative care. 31. The Committee recommends that the State party fully incorporate article 3 of the Convention into all legislation and practice concerning children. Right to life and capital punishment 32. The Committee takes note of the information that no child is sentenced to death and that capital punishment is not passed to persons who commit a crime before they reach the age of majority (in general 18 years). Nevertheless, it is deeply concerned that judges have the discretionary power which is often when presiding over criminal cases involving children, to decide that a child has reached the age of majority at an earlier age, and that as a consequence capital punishment is imposed for offences committed by persons before they have reached the age of 18. The Committee is deeply alarmed that this is a serious violation of the fundamental rights under article 37 of the Convention. 33. The Committee urges the State party to take the necessary steps to immediately suspend the execution of all death penalties imposed on persons for having committed a crime before the age of 18, to take the appropriate legal measures to convert them into penalties in conformity with the provisions of the Convention and to abolish as a matter of the highest priority the death penalty as a sentence imposed on persons for having committed crimes before the age of 18, as required by article 37 of the Convention. 34. The Committee expresses its grave concern at the reported tragic events of the 11 March 2002 fire at the girls’ public Intermediate School No. 31 in Mecca that claimed the lives of at least 14 schoolgirls and information that the school building did not meet adequate safety standards for children. 35. While respecting the information provided by the State party delegation that the tragic events were due to the old school building and the inadequate training of the school staff on emergency measures, the Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child at all times and ensure that all school buildings and other institutions are safe for children and that all staff are regularly trained on such emergency measures. Respect for the views of the child 36. The Committee commends the State party for its efforts to respect the right of the child to have his/her views heard, inter alia, through establishing children’s councils, recreational activities and, notably, in judicial proceedings. Nevertheless, it is concerned that traditional attitudes towards children in society, in particular towards girls, limit the right to express their views and to have them taken into account, especially within the family, schools and media.