\23 7 PART VULNERABLE GROUPS 29. General provisions a. Legislative, administrative and other measures that apply to persons under arrest, in police custody and in pre-trial detention shall be consistent with international law and standards. b. In addition to the principles set out in these Guidelines, and the rights afforded to persons with special needs under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and relevant international law, States shall take measures to ensure that the special protections set out in Part 7 of these Guidelines are provided in relation to persons with special needs. c. States should provide for access to intermediaries to assist with capacity and communication, and should be provided for on the grounds of age or incapacity. Intermediaries should be subject to a state registration process and be neutral and independent. 30. Special measures are not discriminatory a. Measures designed to protect the rights of persons with special needs, such as children, women (especially pregnant and breastfeeding women), persons with albinism, the elderly, persons with HIV/ AIDS, refugees, sex workers, on the basis of gender identity, refugees and asylum seekers, non-citizens, stateless persons, racial or religious minorities, or other categories of persons with special needs shall not be considered discriminatory or applied in a manner that is discriminatory. b. Special measures shall be applied in accordance with the law, and shall be subject to periodic review by a competent, independent and impartial authority. 31. Children a. General principles i. The principle of the best interests of the child shall be paramount in any decision-making and action taken in relation to child suspects and detainees. ii. For the purposes of these Guidelines, a ‘child’ means every person below the age of 18 years.