ensure that birth registration is universal, free and accessible, as outlined in this General Comment, States should also adopt laws and procedures that allow for alternative forms of evidence of possession of a nationality where a birth certificate is not available or accessible. These may include the notification of birth provided by a hospital or clinic, oral testimony from a birth attendant, religious leader or other person with knowledge of the birth, and other appropriate forms of documentary or non-documentary evidence. 4.6 Interdependence and indivisibility of the rights within the African Children’s Charter 25. The Committee takes the view that all children‟s rights in the Charter are interdependent, indivisible and mutually reinforcing. The following are examples of how Article 6 provisions interact with a number of other rights contained in the Charter. This General Comment reiterates that the right to birth registration plays a significant role in the realisation of other children‟s rights. 4.6.1 26. Justice for children Being registered is for a child of paramount importance for his/her enjoyment of protections guaranteed under recognised justice for children principles. It is the age of the child that determines whether he/she is criminally responsible or not; the birth certificate is the primary documentary proof that a child has attained the minimum age for criminal responsibility. If found criminally responsible, proof of age still serves to ensure that the criminal process is carried out in his/her best interests with the necessary protections. 27. The Committee notes in particular that a non-registered child may fail to invoke the protections under the provisions of Articles 5 and 17 of the Charter. Article 5 (3) protects a child found guilty of a crime from a death penalty while Article 17 guarantees numerous other protections such as the right to special treatment in a manner consistent with the child‟s dignity, the right to be separated from adults in places of detention or imprisonment, the right to a speedy trial, the right to privacy 11