G.T.B. v. SPAIN JUDGMENT III. International legal framework 12. The importance of birth registration in a child’s life and the impact of nonregistration on the enjoyment of the rights of the child are acknowledged regularly by the Committee on the Rights of the Child, in its general comments No. 3 (HIV/AIDS), No. 6 (treatment of unaccompanied and separated children), No. 7 (early childhood), No. 9 (children with disabilities), No. 10 (juvenile justice), No. 11 (indigenous children), No. 13 (right to freedom from all forms of violence) and No. 15 (right of the child to health). 13. As described by the Committee on the Rights of the Child in its general comment No. 7, children who are not registered may be denied basic rights, such as health, education and social welfare. It therefore recommended that States take all necessary measures to ensure that all children are registered at birth, which can be achieved through a universal, well-managed registration system that is accessible to all and free of charge. The Committee added that an effective system must be flexible and responsive to the circumstances of families, and reminded States of the importance of facilitating late registration of birth and ensuring that children who have not been registered have equal access to health care, protection, education and other social services. In its general comment No. 13, the Committee adopted a progressive view, clearly indicating that the lack of birth registration can be a form of neglect and of negligent treatment when those responsible for the child’s care have the means, knowledge and access to services to do so. IV. Impact of non-registration on human rights 17. The right to birth registration is not only a right of the child but of all human beings. Birth registration, and more especially a birth certificate, is a life-long passport for the recognition of rights, which may be necessary to, inter alia, vote, marry or secure formal employment. In some countries, it may be needed to obtain a driver’s licence, to open a bank account, to have access to social security or a pension, to obtain insurance or a line of credit, and, significantly, to be able to register one’s own children. It is also vitally important for securing inheritance and property rights, particularly for women and within families. A recent country-specific study suggests that further research is needed to evaluate fully the link between access to services and birth registration. 18. The right to birth registration is closely linked to the realization of many other rights, and has profound consequences for children’s enjoyment of their rights with regard to protection, nationality, access to social and health services, and education. In particular, inequality in birth registration rates may compound inequalities in access to basic services, besides heightening discrimination and vulnerability. An effective civil registration and statistics system is therefore an important first step to ensuring the protection of children. A. Right to education 19. Birth registration can have a fundamental impact on the right to education for children. ... Furthermore, in some countries, while children are permitted to attend primary school without evidence of birth registration, a certificate is required to be able to take the final school examinations and thus to receive relevant academic qualifications or to progress to secondary school. ... D. Child labour ... 20