Individualized support within a community The Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee noted in the 2018 Addendum to the 2015 Guiding Principles on Foreign Terrorist Fighters (S/2018/1177) that, in cases involving children, States should ensure that rehabilitation and reintegration strategies: (a) Make the best interests of the child a primary consideration; (b) Are implemented in compliance with criminal legislation, taking into account the gravity of any crime that may have been committed, while considering the age of the child and recognizing that such a child may also be a victim of terrorism; (c) Include access to health care, psychosocial support and education programmes that contribute to the well-being of children, and grant access to regular education whenever possible; (d) Are age and gender-sensitive; and (e) Enable the involvement of child-protection actors and the social sector, as well as their effective coordination with the justice sector.300 5.1.2 Human Rights Considerations Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Children in 153. A child rights-based approach requires that rehabilitation and reintegration be carried out in an individualized manner. Consideration should be given to: (a) the child’s views; (b) the child’s safety; and (c) any predictable impact of potential intervention on the child’s long-term well-being, health and development.303 Depending on the child’s needs, medical, mental health, social and legal services may be required with longterm follow-up services.304 States should start planning early for the reintegration of children returning from conflict areas and engage all relevant ministries. Given that the majority of children affected by the foreign fighter phenomenon and returning from conflict-affected areas are likely to be suffering from psychosocial distress, provision of these services in the long-term is likely to be critical to ensuring each child’s well-being. A child should also be able to maintain contact with both parents, unless it is found to be contrary to the best interests of the child.305 (See chapter 3 on preserving family unity.) 152. Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, recovery and integration of a child shall take place “in an environment which fosters the health, self-respect and dignity of the child”.301 A child rights-based approach to such measures requires a paradigm shift from treating children as “objects in need of assistance” to treating them as “rights holders entitled to non-negotiable rights to protection”.302 154. Reintegration is a process whereby a child enters or re-enters a family or community and develops the identity, skills, and competencies that allow him or her to thrive and participate in community life. Given the stigma and sensitivities around children affected by the foreign fighter phenomenon, the individualized approach described above should be complemented by, and situated within, a community-based approach that seeks to support all extremely vulnerable children. Children should not be isolated or provided with special programmes. Rather, services should 300 S/2018/1177, annex (2018), guiding principle 47. 303 Ibid., paras. 50-52. 301 Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), art. 39. 304 Ibid. 302 Committee on the Rights of the Child, general comment No. 13 (2011), para. 59. 305 Ibid., para. 53; Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), art. 9(3). Child rights-based approach 69.