News

New York, 8 October 2019 - SRSG Najat Maalla M’jid calls on member States to join efforts to keep the promise made to children in the Sustainable Development Agenda to end violence against children by 2030.

 UNICEF / SRSGVAC poll U-Report highlights prevalence of cyberbullying and its impact on young people

NEW YORK, 4 September 2019 – One in three young people in 30 countries said they have been a victim of online bullying, with one in five reporting having skipped school due to cyberbullying and violence, in a new poll released today by UNICEF and the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Violence against Children.

New York, 16 July 2019 - In front of a full room, children asked the implementing partners of the 2030 Agenda to bring them to the table when discussing children’s policies.

“Nothing for us, without us!” demanded Luis, a young activist from Chile, turning to his right where Najat Maalla M’jid, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children; Henrietta Fore, UNICEF’s Executive Director; Stefania Giannini, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education, and numerous representatives of Member States were seated.

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New York, 3 July 2019 - SRSG Najat Maalla M’jid commends the passing of the Bill entitled “interdiction des violences educatives ordinaires” approved by the French Parliament.

New York, 26 June 2019 –Acting SRSG on Violence against Children, Virginia Gamba highlighted progress achieved on the field of children’s protection from violence and commended the joint effort of the six largest international non‐government organizations working with and for children that came together to share findings of the Global Child Rights Progress Report “A Second Revolution”. 

Geneva, 12 April 2019 – UN experts on children’s rights will on Sunday 14 April celebrate the five-year anniversary of a legal instrument allowing children who face human rights violations to complain directly to the Child Rights Committee in Geneva. 
  
“Children using this complaint procedure can have a concrete, positive impact on their lives as it leads to changes in laws and policies,” said the experts. 
  

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 28 February 2019 – “In November 2019, we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. But we must not let this be simply a symbolic celebration! It must instead become a turning point in our efforts to translate the Convention into a reality for every child.

New York, 20 February 2019 - Speaking at a meeting of the “Group of Friends of Children and the SDGs” convened to discuss the protection of children from violence, SRSG Santos Pais urged UN Member States to seize the opportunities presented in 2019 to raise awareness of the urgent need for action on to prevent and respond to violence against children.

New York, 18 December 2018 – SRSG Santos Pais welcomes the accession of Tunisia to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure.

"I warmly congratulate the Government of Tunisia on its decision to accede to this important child rights treaty. With this significant step, the number of States parties to the Optional Protocol has risen to 42, while more than 50 States have signed it,” said SRSG Santos Pais.

Abu Dhabi, 20 November - On 2018 World Children’s Day, SRSG Santos Pais joined faith leaders gathered in Abu Dhabi at the first Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities forum on Child Dignity in a Digital World who pledged their commitment to children’s  safety online. 

The meeting gathered senior leaders from all the world’s major religions who explored the risks children may face in cyberspace as well as the actions needed to ensure children’s awareness and protection. 

Montevideo, Uruguay 3 November 2018 -The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, (SRSG-VAC) Marta Santos Pais, welcomes MERCOSUR’s commitment to safeguard children’s rights, including their protection from violence as a crosscutting dimension of its work towards realizing the vision of the 2030 Agenda. 

New York, 26 September 2018 - As a follow-up to the 2016 report of the Secretary-General on bullying, the SRSG has released a second report pursuant to General Assembly resolution 71/176 giving attention to measures promoted by Member States over the past two years to prevent bullying and to protect children.

New York, 9 August 2018 – SRSG-VAC Marta Santos Pais welcomed Uganda’s historic launch of its first comprehensive national survey on physical, sexual and emotional violence against children, adolescents and youth, led by the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development of Uganda.

11 July 2018 - New York: SRSG Santos Pais welcomes the adoption by the Committee of Minister of the Council of Europe of new Guidelines to respect, protect and fulfil the rights

New York, 20 June 2018 - Children make up more than half of the world’s refugee population. They are compelled to flee their homes to find a place of safety, and in too many cases, these children make a dangerous journey unaccompanied or separated from their families.

“Millions of girls and boys on the move face a vicious continuum of violence: they are as much running from violence, as they are running with violence,” said UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais.

Bogotá, 8 June 2018 - The Office of the UN SRSG on Violence against Children and UNICEF today launched a joint regional publication, “The private sector and the prevention of violence against children in Latin America and the Caribbean”, in Bogotá, Colombia.

4 June 2018 - Today is International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. Now, more than ever, we must work together to end all forms of violence against all children in all settings. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides us with the universal masterplan to secure a better future for all children. The new agenda includes for the first time a specific target (16.2), to end forms of violence against children. Ending the abuse, neglect and exploitation of children is also mainstreamed across several other violence-related targets.

Thimphu, Bhutan, 11 May 2018 – “The 8th Cross-Regional Round Table is strategically timed and has provided new impetus to accelerate progress in children’s protection from violence around the world in the lead-up to the July 2019 High-Level Political Forum and its review of SDG 16, including target 16.2 to end all violence against children, and to the first 2030 Agenda Summit which will gather world leaders in September 2019 at the UN General Assembly,” highlighted SRSG-VAC Santos Pais. 

Geneva, 10 March 2018 - In the interactive dialogue with the Human Rights Council on 6 March 2018, Member States commended the Special Representative on Violence against Children for placing the prevention from violence in early childhood at the center of her annual report and interactive dialogue.

Geneva, 8 March 2018 - “A world free from fear and from violence, where no one is left behind, is the ambitious vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” recalled SRSG-VAC Marta Santos Pais in her Annual Report to the 37th session of the Human Rights Council (February-March 2018).

Stockholm (Sweden), 15 February 2018 - “The Solutions Summit is an important milestone in our journey to end violence against children. And we have strong reasons to feel encouraged by the excellent national experience and tangible progress that is being made on the ground.

New York, 29 January 2018 -The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children (SRSG-VAC), Marta Santos Pais, congratulates the Government of Chile for enacting legislation on 22 January 2018 which created the new position of ‘Ombudsperson for Children’. 

This new legislation, the design and promotion of which was done in collaboration with SRSG-VAC Marta Santos Pais, marks a critically important milestone towards a world free from the fear of violence against children.  

Phnom Penh (Cambodia) 12 December 2017 - “Protecting children from violence is essential if we are to realize the vision of the Sustainable Development Agenda of a world free from fear and violence for all children,” said Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children (SRSG-VAC), in her keynote address to launch Cambodia’s first ever Action Plan to Prevent and Respond to Violence against Children.

Wuzhen (China), 4 December 2017 -  At the 4th World Internet Conference held in Wuzhen, China, SRSG Santos Pais took centre-stage to bring attention to the critical role of legislation in preventing and combating children’s online abuse and exploitation drawing on international experience.  “In a field where technology advances very rapidly it is critical to keep legislative measures under constant review to address emerging concerns.

Geneva/New York, 20 November – On Universal Children’s Day, UN child rights experts[1] call on all Governments to safeguard the rights of children on the move.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified human rights treaty and is further strengthened by its three Optional Protocols on the involvement of children in armed conflict; the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; and on a communications procedure.

Brussels (Belgium), 9 November 2017 -  SRSG Santos Pais participated as a keynote speaker in the 11th European Forum on the Rights of the Child: Children deprived of their liberty and alternatives to detention, held in Brussels 7-8 November, where she stressed the importance of hearing the voices and recommendations of children when these challenging issues are considered.

New York, 19 October 2017 - Children in institutional care, already vulnerable as a result of the circumstances that led to their separation from their families, are at high risk of violence, neglect, abuse and exploitation. The situation of children in care and the incidents of violence compromising the safeguard of their rights is often surrounded by a curtain of silence.

New York, 11 October 2017 - In commemorating the International Day of the Girl, SRSG Santos Pais recalled that while progress in reducing child marriage is still slow, there are encouraging signals of progress and levels have decreased slightly compared to earlier generations. Today, for example, seven countries across the African continent have levels of child marriage below 10 per cent, compared with only one country 25 years ago.

New York, 9 October 2017 - SRSG Santos Pais participated as the keynote speaker at an event at United Nations headquarters organized by the Permanent Missions of Norway and Chile, and in collaboration with UNICEF, on Strong Child Rights Monitoring.

Ms. Santos Pais highlighted the key role played by Ombuds for children across regions as critical partners in the realization of children’s rights and as independent and influential voices, determined to safeguard the best interests of the child in policy, law and practice. 

New York, 27 September 2017 - Stepping up progress towards the 2030 SDG targets on violence against children must be at the heart of the policy agenda of every nation is a central message in the 2017 Annual Report of SRSG Santos Pais to the General Assembly. “Leadership and accountability are essential to realize the ambitious vision of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda for a world free from fear and violence, a world that invests in children and where no child is left behind.

Geneva, 25 September 2017 - To strengthen children's protection from violence and prevent associated risks, the Office of the Special Representative co-organized an international workshop in Geneva with the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism, in collaboration with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, the Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network and Lancaster University.

New York, 19 September 2017 - The office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children joined a ministerial level panel discussion on ending violence against children organized by the Governments of Maldives, Estonia and Nigeria during the high level segment of the United Nations General Assembly.

New York, 5 September 2017 - Special Representative Santos Pais welcomes the launch of the New Zanzibar Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children, 2017-2022. The National Plan builds on the country's initial response to the findings of the Violence Against Children data survey carried out in 2009 to advance implementation of the recommendations made by the UN Study on Violence against Children.

New York, 18 July 2017 - Joining a conversation with leaders during the High Level Political Forum, SRSG calls for sound investment in children to end child poverty and violence against children, stressing that "the best way to leave no child behind is to place children first".

Norway, 14 June 2017 - SRSG Santos Pais joined representatives from the European Union, the Council of the Baltic Sea States, governments, ombuds, civil society and Children’s Houses in the launch of PROMISE- the European Barnahus Movement. 

Manila, Philippines 8 June 2017 - SRSG Santos Pais highlights importance of cross-regional cooperation to prevent and eliminate violence against children at Seventh Cross-Regional Round Table.

New York, 22 May 2017 - SRSG Santos Pais joined the Washington College of Law, the Permanent Mission of Switzerland, Disability Rights International and Human Rights Watch in hosting the UN launch of the new publication Protecting Children against Torture in Detention: Global Solutions for a Global Problem. With contributions by more than thirty international children’s rights experts, the book seeks to strengthen the protection of children deprived of liberty from torture and other forms of violence.

Panama City, 9 May 2017 – In her keynote speech to the 5th Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children, devoted to the theme of ending violence against children, the SRSG welcomed the strong commitment of participants to use the special role of religions in society to help bring violence to an end.

Bangkok, Thailand, 9 April 2017 – SRSG Santos Pais joined Buddhist leaders from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam to discuss the scale and impact of violence against children and how they could use their special position in society to help bring it to an end. The meeting was organized by Arigatou International, the International Network of Engaged Buddhists and ECPAT International and focused on the role of Buddhist communities in preventing violence against children, in particular the sexual exploitation of children.

New York, 30 March 2017– Speaking at the opening of the special screening of the French-Canadian movie “1:54” held at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York, SRSG Santos Pais commended the significant opportunity provided by this film to raise awareness of the painful reality of children’s exposure to bullying, which is still so often perceived as a rite of passage.

New York, 17 March 2017 - Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, warmly welcomes the passing by the Senate of Chile of the "Law on the abuse of children and adolescents, the elderly and persons with disabilities."

Geneva 10 March 2017 - SRSG Santos Pais placed the protection of children from violence at the heart of the 34thsession of the Human Rights Council where the rights of the child and large movements of migrants were discussed from 6 to 10 March. 
 

Jakarta (Indonesia) 27 February 2017 – Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, congratulated Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo for his leadership role in working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). 

New York, 17 February 2017 - SRSG welcomes amendments to Malawi’s Constitution banning marriage before the age of 18 and to Lithuania’s Law on the Fundamentals of Protection of the Rights of the Child prohibiting corporal punishment against children.

Seoul, South Korea 25 January 2017 -  Participating in the International Symposium School Violence and Bullying: From Evidence to Action, held in Seoul, 17 - 19 January, SRSG Santos Pais welcomed the increasing awareness and commitment to protect children from school violence and to enhance action for the prevention and elimination of bullying.

New York,  10 January 2017 - The Special Representative welcomes the launch of a new National Plan of Action to end Violence Against Women and Children in Tanzania which builds on the country's initial response to the findings of the Violence Against Children data survey carried out in 2009 to advance implementation of the recommendations made by the UN Study in Violence against Children.

New York, 18 December 2016 - "On International Migrants Day it is imperative to stand up for the rights of migrant children, especially for those who are traveling unaccompanied or separated from their families. It is crucial to transform the continuum of violence that shapes their lives into a continuum of protection of their fundamental rights", stressed SRSG Santos Pais

New York, 3 December 2016 - “Whether it happens in families or in the community, in schools or online, violence against children with disabilities must come to an end,” said SRSG Santos Pais. “In spite of limited data and research on this issue, available studies reveal an alarming prevalence of violence against children with disabilities, from higher vulnerability to physical and emotional violence when they are young, to greater risks of sexual violence as they reach puberty.”

Geneva / New York, 20 November 2016 - On November 20, as the Convention on the Rights of the Child commemorates its 27th anniversary, UN child rights experts* urge Governments in all regions to spare no efforts to ensure universal implementation of the most widely ratified human rights instrument.

Rome, 17 November 2016 - At the end of the General Audience in the Vatican on 16 November, His Holiness Pope Francis appealed to the conscience of all, of institutions and families, to ensure the protection of children from violence. The appeal was made in view of the celebration of the International Day of Children's Rights, on November 20th.

Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Kathmandu, 7 November 2016 – Governments from across Asia-Pacific are meeting today to discuss ways to advance children’s rights in a number of critical areas. The event, ‘A Billion Brains: Smarter Children, Healthier Economies’, is hosted by the Government of Malaysia on 7-8 November 2016. It brings together Heads of State and senior leaders from 28 countries across Asia-Pacific, a region that is home to more than one billion children, or nearly half the world’s under 18s.

Quito,  31 October 2016 - On the commemoration of World Cities Day 2016, SRSG Santos Pais reaffirms her firm commitment to promote the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, adopted during the Habitat III Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, held in Quito, Ecuador in October 2016.

New York, 25 October 2016 - “I want to express my strong commitment to work closely with the Independent Expert to prevent children’s deprivation of liberty and to safeguard their rights and ensure the effective reintegration of those placed in detention. I am confident that the work promoted by Mr.

New York, 14 October 2016 - The SRSG on violence against children launched a new landmark publication on the protection of children from bullying and cyberbullying today. Ending the torment: tackling bullying from the schoolyard to cyberspace brings together reflections and recommendations for action from leading experts around the world and builds on the recently published report of the UN Secretary-General on the protection of children from bullying.

New York, 11 October 2016 -“As we commemorate the 2016 International Day of the Girl Child in the era of the data revolution it is critical that reliable and disaggregated data is captured and used to inform policy decisions and support social change. The failure to capture gender dimensions of violence in data and research can compromise the impact of our efforts to address violence in its various forms and manifestations”, said SRSG Santos Pais. 

New York, 21 September 2016 - SRSG Santos Pais warmly welcomes today's ratification by Georgia of this important child rights treaty. With this significant step, 29 countries have now ratified the Optional Protocol on a Communications Procedure and 50 have signed it.

The Protocol allows children to bring complaints to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child on violations of their rights.

New York, 13 September 2016 - The report is framed by General Assembly resolution 69/158 which recognised bullying and cyberbullying as a manifestation of violence against children of global concern, and requested the Secretary-General to submit a report on protecting children from bullying, emphasising its causes and effects, good practices and guidance to prevent and respond to it.

New York, 7 September 2016 - SRSG Santos Pais welcomes today’s launch of the Guidelines on Children’s Reintegration, which provide guidance for the safe and effective reintegration of children into their families and communities, guided by international human rights standards and the best interests of the child. 

New York, 26 July 2016 - SRSG Santos Pais welcomed the Ministerial Declaration adopted by the 2016 High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development which strives for a world of peace, free from fear and violence. "With a strong resolve to ensuring that no one is left behind, the Declaration reaffirms the international community's commitment to advance progress in children’s protection from violence," she highlighted.

New York, 17 July 2016 - Joining the launch of the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children, SRSG Santos Pais warmly welcomed it as an opportunity to harness the ever-growing support for the protection of children.

Bangkok, 17June 2016 - SRSG Santos Pais participated in Bangkok, Thailand, in the second meeting of the Asia-Pacific Council for Juvenile Justice Subcommittee for ASEAN. Addressing juvenile justice priorities for the region, the meeting provided a momentous platform to brief governmental delegations from Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand on the UN Global Study on Children Deprived of their Liberty and to identify opportunities for the ASEAN region to support its important preparation.

New York, 13 June 2016 - SRSG Santos Pais joined hands with the Permanent Missions of Mexico and Norway to the United Nations to promote a discussion with Professor Dan Olweus on “Key Elements of a Successful Bullying Prevention Programme”.

The session, held in the Permanent Mission of Mexico, brought together, member states representatives, UN Agencies, civil society organizations and academia discussed the impact of bullying in children and young people and key measures to prevent and eliminate the phenomenon.

Stockholm, 10 June 2016 - On the year of the tenth anniversary of the UN Study on Violence against Children and as the implementation, follow-up and review process of the 2030 Agenda takes shape, SRSG on Violence against Children Marta Santos Pais convened the 6th Cross-Regional Round Table on the prevention and elimination of violence against children of regional organizations and institutions in Stockholm on 30-31 May to discuss the regions’ role in supporting efforts to reach the violence-related goals and targets agreed upon in Agenda 2030 on Sustainable

Montevideo (Uruguay), 25 May 2016 - Special Representative (SRSG) Marta Santos Pais conducted an official visit to Uruguay from 22nd to 25th of May on the occasion of the the Presidency Pro tempore of Uruguay.

Washington D.C. 12 May 2016 – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Ms Marta Santos Pais, welcomes the launch of a landmark Global Study on the protection of children from sexual exploitation in travel and tourism.

New York, 5 May 2016 - SRSG Santos Pais today commended the Government of Sweden for the appointment for the first time of an ambassador to combat trafficking in human beings.
 
“Child trafficking is a serious form of violence that compromises children's rights and needs to be vigorously addressed at national and international levels. I congratulate the Government of Sweden for the creation of this new position designed to prevent, early detect and respond to situations of trafficking, protect the rights of victims and fight impunity.
 

Strasbourg (France) 6 April 2016 - Participating in the launch of the Council of Europe Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2016-2021), SRSG Santos Pais recalled the significance of the Strategy to accelerate progress in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and in creating a European wide circle of non-violence to secure ch

Colombo (Sri-Lanka) 16 March - Special Representative Santos Pais joined representatives from the eight countries in South Asia in a high-level roundtable to discuss and advance national and regional implementation of the violence against children related goals of the Sustainable Development Agenda.  

The meeting was organized by the South Asia Initiative to End Violence against Children (SAIEVAC), SAARC Apex Body with the support of ECPAT International and UNICEF, and was hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka.  

10 March 2016 - Following the General Assembly’s call for an in-depth global study on children deprived of liberty, SRSG Santos Pais organized a side event in close cooperation with Member States, United Nations agencies and offices and civil society organizations to mobilize political support and commitments to the development of the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty.

Geneva 7 March 2016 - SRSG Santos Pais moderated a highly participative debate on national, regional and international initiatives to empower children through information and communication technologies (ICTs). The panel was part of the Human Rights Council annual full day on the Rights of Child and provided an opportunity to discuss effective ways to enhance children’s protection from child sexual exploitation both online and offline.

Lagos, 25 February 2016 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, conducted a week-long visit to Nigeria in support of the Year of Action to End Violence against Children, launched by the President of Nigeria in September 2015 in response to the findings of a comprehensive national survey on violence against children. As a key contribution to this process SRSG Santos Pais participated in the launch of the Lagos State campaign to end violence against children.

Jakarta, Indonesia 18 February 2016 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais has completed a week long mission to Jakarta where she held a series of policy dialogues with the Deputy-Secretary General of ASEAN for the Socio-Cultural Community, the ASEAN Commission on the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), and the Government of Indonesia.

New York 5 February 2016 - The annual report of the SRSG-VAC to the Human Rights Council builds upon the decision by the General Assembly to renew the mandate of the Special Representative for a further period of three years, and upon the strategic opportunities provided by the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to accelerate progress in children’s protection from violence.

New York, 12 December 2015 - On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, SRSG Santos Pais calls for an end to violence against children with disabilities and adds her voice to the Campaign to #ENDViolence against Children with Disabilities.

New York, 23 November 2015 - SRSG Santos Pais warmly welcomes the adoption of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence against Children (RPA/EVAC) by the 27th ASEAN Summit of Heads of State and Government, held in Kuala Lumpur, on 21 November.

New York, 18 November 2015- Marking the first European Day against Sexual Violence on 18 November, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children welcomed this important initiative by the Council of Europe.

Bueno Aires, 6 November 2015 - SRSG Santos Pais joined more than 200 children from the Americas to discuss effective ways of ensuring that children and teenagers can safely embrace ICTs (Information and Communications Technologies). 

As keynote speaker at the First Regional Summit on Digital Literacy and Citizenship "Technology for a Better World" held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ms. Santos Pais called for the promotion of a safe, inclusive and empowering digital agenda for children as an indispensable strategy to protect children from violence.

Buenos Aires, 6 November 2015 - SRSG Santos Pais participated as keynote speaker at the First Regional Summit on Digital Literacy and Citizenship "Technology for a Better World" which took place on November 5th and 6th in Tecnopolis, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

New York, 13 October 2015 - Bullying is a serious concern for millions of children all over the world.  The scale, pervasiveness and impact of bullying on children’s development and wellbeing were discussed at a side event co-organized by SRSG Santos Pais with the Governments of Mexico and Japan. The event was held during the United Nations General Assembly‘s debate on the rights of the child, which this year places particular emphasis on children’s right to education.

New York 2 October 2015 – “Somalia’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child is a significant and very welcome step toward realizing the rights of the country's 6.5 million children.

“The children of Somalia face enormous challenges. Somalia today has one of the highest under-five mortality rates in the world, alarming malnutrition rates, and very high levels of violence affecting children.  

New York, 25 September 2015 - As from today, ending violence against children is part of the 2030 sustainable development agenda! We want to celebrate this historic moment with governments, organisations and individuals that have made this possible and call on each and every one of them to keep this commitment at the heart of their work, and to translate it into tangible change for children the world over.

New York, 11 September 2015 - The 2015 annual report of the SRSG-VAC to the UN General Assembly highlights the continuing toll that violence takes on the lives of children around the world and calls for urgent and enhanced efforts to prevent and eliminate violence against children.

New York, 2 September 2015 - SRSG Santos Pais joins UNICEF and UN Women in welcoming the decision made by Senior Chief Kachindamoto to annul 330 child marriages in Malawi.

Geneva/New York, 5 August 2015 – The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children have condemned the execution in Pakistan of Shafqat Hussein, who was reportedly 14 years old when he was convicted of murder.

“The execution of Shafqat Hussein is regrettable and in flagrant contravention of Pakistan’s national and international obligations,” said Committee Chair Benyam Dawit Mezmur.

Addis Ababa, 13 July 2015 - SRSG Santos Pais co-hosted with Unicef an event at the Financing for Development Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where a Global Partnership and associated Fund to end violence against children was announced. This new initiative seeks to mobilize the resources needed to deliver on Target 16.2 of the Sustainable Development Agenda (SDG) to “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.”

Tegucigalpa (Honduras), 8 July 2015 - The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, in cooperation with UNICEF and the Government of Honduras, convened an International Expert Consultation on Children’s Right to Protection from Armed Violence in the Community. Held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, the meeting gathered representatives from national governments, UN agencies, regional organizations, research institutions and civil society; as well as children and young people.

New York 16 June 2015 - 25 years after the adoption of the African Children’s Charter, millions of children, particularly girls, continue to suffer from many forms of violence, including harmful practices such as child, early and forced marriage. As we all know, this practice has devastating consequences on the child’s life, health, development, education and protection.

New York/Geneva, 22 May 2015 – On Monday, 25th May, the world celebrates the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (OPSC) and on the involvement of children in armed conflict (OPAC).

Nadi, Fiji 20 May 2015 – SRSG Santos Pais praised Pacific leaders for their strong commitment to reduce the high rates of violence against children reported in the region.

During a three-day conference in Fiji that brought policy makers, civil society groups and government leaders from 13 Pacific countries together to discuss more effective ways to address violence against children in the region, Special Representative Santos Pais outlined an agenda to reverse a global, widespread, hidden and in many cases socially condoned pattern.

New York / Geneva 13 May 2015 –Speaking ahead of the International Dayagainst Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, a group of United Nations and international human rights experts* call for an end to discrimination and violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex young people and children.

Santiago (Chile) 1 May 2015 - SRSG Santos Pais participated in Chile in High level Meetings for the development of comprehensive legislation for the protection of children's rights, including a legal prohibition of all forms of violence against children. The legislation will be supported by a national policy framework to advance effective implementation.

New York, 2 April 2015 - The National Institute of Human Rights of Chile, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, the Regional Office for South America of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNICEF welcome the decision by the Senate of Chile to unanimously approve the Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which will soon enter into force.

Geneva 10 March 2015 - On the occasion of the Human Rights Council session, the SRSG joined a side event with the theme "2015 : towards better investment in the rights of the child" organised by the Working Group on Violence Against Children of Child Rights Connect.

The event aimed at stressing the importance of ensuring that prevention, protection and action to end violence against children becomes a priority in the post-2015 development agenda. 

Geneva 9 March 2015 - Jointly organised by the SRSG on violence against children and the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child pornography and child prostitution, the event explored children’s engagement with ICTs and the opportunities and risks that this represents for children’s rights. Sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica and the United Kingdom, the event focused on ICTs and violence against children, in particular on-line sexual exploitation.

Jakarta, Indonesia 27 February 2015 - During her visit this week to Jakarta, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Ms Marta Santos Pais, congratulated the Government of Indonesia for addressing violence against children in its new National Medium Term Development Plan (2015 – 2019).

“Violence against children is a global phenomenon. It happens in all countries and in all groups of society - including in Indonesia. It’s often hidden in plain sight, and in many cases socially condoned,” Ms. Santos Pais said. 

Geneva, 28 January 2015 -"Restorative justice represents a paradigm shift in the way we envisage the justice system and its role in the safeguard of children's rights. Guided by the child's dignity and best interests, based on dialogue, negotiation and problem solving, restorative justice moves away from retributive and punitive approaches and focus on reparation and children's reintegration," stressed the SRSG in her statement to the Congress.

Brasília, 12 December 2014 – Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children Marta Santos Pais joined in Brasilia the XXI Pan American Congress on Children and Adolescents, devoted to “Childhood and Adolescence: Building environments of peace.”

New York, 20 November 2014 - Today as the world celebrates the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, we reflect on its continuing relevance and how far its solemn promises are being kept. In 1989, a compelling vision for a better world for children was carefully and comprehensively set out in the Convention’s 54 articles and embraced by the international community. The world has changed immensely since 1989 but the ethos of the Convention endures.

Warsaw, Poland 11 November 2014 -The Special Representative of the Secretary General on violence against children Marta Santos Pais joined this week the commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in Poland.  

Vientiane, 23 October 2014 – During her visit to Lao PDR, SRSG Santos Pais met with H. E. Pany Yathotou, President of the National Assembly, to discuss the important work taking place on the development of a new Law on Violence against Women and Children in Lao PDR.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 22 October 2014 - SRSG Santos Pais initiated today a three-day visit to Cambodia to participate in the launch of the findings of a survey conducted in 2013 on violence against children across the country. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 22th, in Phnom Penh.

New York, 16 October 2014 - More than 800.000 children were involved in the numerous consultations held across the world on the future sustainable development goals. The report just launched by SRSG Santos Pais in New York captures the richness of children’s opinions and their recommendations for the future. “The message from the children involved in the consultations has been clear and unambiguous: violence is a major obstacle to child development and it urgently needs to be brought to an end!” - she said.

New York 15 October 2014 - SRSG Santos Pais presented her annual report in an interactive dialogue with the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.

"25 years after its adoption, the CRC is as relevant as it was in 1989. Despite important progress achieved in many regards, fear and pain continue to haunt the lives of millions of children. For these children, the convention is a broken promise." - she said.

Kingston, 1 July 2014 - Acting as a bridge-builder between regions, the SRSG convenes each year a Cross-Regional Round Table on violence against children. This important annual forum enables regional organizations and institutions to assess progress achieved, reflect on trends and common concerns, share planned initiatives and identify opportunities for cross-regional cooperation.

This year and for the first time, the Round Table also addressed a priority area of common concern: the prevention and elimination of violence in early childhood.

New York, 26 June 2014 - SRSG Santos Pais welcomes the enactment by President Dilma Rousseff of Law 13.010 which recognizes the right of the child to be cared for and educated without any form of corporal punishment or degrading treatment. The new law was enacted enters into force on 26 June 2014.

New York, 5 June 2014 - The Brazilian Senate approved a new law prohibiting all forms of corporal punishment against children.

Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) 23 May 2014 -  Participating in the Commission on Security of the Central American Integration System (SICA), SRSG Santos Pais welcomed progress achieved in many Central American countries in ensuring the protection of children from violence through legislative reforms, the adoption of national integrated policy frameworks, the strengthening of institutions and a process of public information, communication and social mobilization.

New York, 17 April 2014 - The declaration, adopted during the last session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, urges “Member States to combat child marriage through setting the minimum age for marriage at 18 years for both girls and boys without exception, including establishing an effective mechanism for registration of birth, marriage and termination of marriage”. 

Trebnje (Slovenia) 8 April 2014 - SRSG Santos Pais joined the celebration of the International Roma Day participating in an event organized with the Roma community in Trebnje, in Slovenia.

The event in which Roma young children and their families took active part, marked the launch of the process of regularization of housing for the members of this community.

New York, 19 March 2014 - The Office of the Special Representative on Violence against Children is developing a web tool for children to provide a platform for children to share and access resources for/by children about ending and preventing violence (a sort of ‘clearinghouse’ of resources). An online survey for children has been developed to help  gain a better understanding of how children currently use and access resources and what kind of online tool could be most useful to them.

New York, 14 January 2014 -  The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Ms. Marta Santos Pais welcomes the ratification by Costa Rica1 of the Optional Protocol on a Communications Procedure which paves the way to the historic entry into force of the Protocol on 14 April 2014.

Brasilia (Brazil) 13 December 2013 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Ms. Marta Santos Pais, addressed the World Forum on Human Rights in which more than 9000 participants from around the world took part. The World Forum was convened by the Government of Brazil to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

New Delhi (India) 25 October 2013 - We, the delegations of the governments of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Cook Islands, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Niue, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vietnam committed to the promotion of child rights in our South-South cooperation agenda; the development of

New York, 11 October 2013 - The III Global Conference on Child Labour, held in Brasilia from 8 to 10 October, took stock of the progress made since The Hague Global Child Labour Conference 2010, assessed remaining obstacles and agreed on measures to strengthen actions to eliminate the worst forms of child labour by 2016, as well as to eradicate all forms of child labour.

New York, 23 Septemeber 2013 - The SRSG annual report to the General Assembly marks the start of a new phase.

San José (Costa Rica) 11 September 2013 - Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children Ms. Marta Santos Pais joined a Global Youth Summit on the use of new technologies, in which more than 700 youth leaders from different parts of the world and over 3000 online participants took part. Held from 9 to 11 September, 2013, the Summit was convened by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), and hosted in San Jose by the Government of Costa Rica.

New Yor, 8 July 2013 - "Across the world, violence affects millions of children who are working, both legally and illegally. Violence against children and child labour are closely related. Violence in the home, at school or in institutions can push children into child labour. For them, work becomes a way to survive, even if it is hazardous or exploitative.

Washington DC 21 June 2013 -  The Rapporteur on the Rights of Children of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Rosa María Ortiz, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos País, agreed to strengthen their cooperation and to develop joint activities to prevent and eradicate violence against children and adolescents.

San Salvador (El Salvador) 14 June 2013 - On June 2013, the Special Representative held a high-level meeting with SICA, the Central America Integration System, in El Salvador, to discuss strategic areas of cooperation on children’s protection from violence, and to promote the mainstreaming of this concern in SICA´s agenda. The promotion of the rule of law, restorative juvenile justice programs, and public policies for violence prevention were identified as key priority areas of collaboration between the two entities.

New York, 12 June 2013 - On World Day against Child Labour, the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, called on all governments, civil society and the public to join efforts in the fight against child domestic labour.

Oslo (Norway) 26 May 2013 - From 23 to 27 of May the Special Representative conducted an official visit to Norway. The visit took place on the occasion of the Parliament’s review of the governmental White Paper on violence in the family and in close relations. The White Paper, developed by the Ministries for Children, Health and Justice provides a significant evidence base to inform more targeted and effective prevention and services to those affected by violence in the family and close relations, including vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.

Malé (Maldives) 8 May 2013 - 

In a five-day visit to the Maldives, SRSG Marta Santos Pais expressed her support to national efforts to address concerns about a young girl of 15 years of age victim of sexual abuse and sentenced to flogging, whose case has received worldwide attention and whose protection remains a serious concern.

Vienna (Austria) 24 April 2013 - A side event on the crucial issue of violence against children in the criminal justice system took place during the 22nd Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Speakers view the UN's standard and norms in the area of crime prevention and criminal justice as offering strong support to children, but they also expressed fear that violence against children increases the likelihood of further violence.

New York, 25 March 2013 - SRSG Santos Pais joined high-level Government officials, UNICEF and civil society representatives in a strong call for the inclusion of children protection from violence as a key dimension in the post 2015 development agenda.

Geneva, 8 March 2013 - In the annual full day meeting on the rights of the child, the Human Rights Council focused on the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health. The meeting included discussions on the challenges in achieving the full realization of the universal right to health and focused on strengthening the implementation of the right of the child to health and on accountability mechanisms that need to be in place to ensure that Member States comply with their human rights obligations.

New York, 28 February 2013 - SRSG Marta Santos Pais called for the rapid entry into force of the Protocol in her address at the event “Making Children’s Voices a Reality: Mobilizing States toward Ratification of the Third Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child”.

Ankara (Turkey) 28 November 2012 - SRSG Santos Pais joined high-level governmental officials and leading child rights experts from across Europe in the conference “Stepping up Progress in Combating Violence against Children”, held in Ankara, Turkey.

The event was organized by the Government of Turkey, the Council of Europe and UNICEF, in collaboration with the SRSG on Violence against Children.

San José (Costa Rica) 1 November 2012 - SRSG Marta Santos Pais was a keynote speaker at the XVII Annual Session of the Iberoamerican Federation of Ombudsman held in San Jose, Costa Rica on October 24 and 25 with representatives of institutions from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Spain, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela.

New York, 17 October, 2012 – SRSG Santos Pais welcomed the strong normative human rights foundation for safeguarding the rights of indigenous children at a side event co-organized by the Permanent Missions of Uruguay and European Union to the United Nations with the support of World Vision, Plan International and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

New York 11 October 2012 - As the world came together to commemorate the first International Day of the Girl Child, the Special Representative on Violence against Children, the Government of Angola and Plan International co-organized an interactive panel discussion on protecting children from harmful practices in plural legal systems, where national legislation is in place alongside customary and religious laws.

New York, 2 October 2012 - Forty States either signed or ratified international treaties on a range of issues, from protecting children from violence to promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, during the annual high-level event that accompanies the opening of the United Nations General Assembly.

New York, 24 September 2012 - The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, welcomed today the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, by Indonesia, deposited by the Foreign Minister, Dr. Natalegawa. The event was hosted by Patricia O'Brien, Under Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and the UN Legal Counsel.

Lima (Peru) 28 August 2012 - The question of violence against young children took center-stage at an expert consultation organized by the SRSG on Violence against Children, the Government of Peru, the Bernard van Leer Foundation, UNICEF and the Global Movement for Children of Latin America and the Caribbean. The consultation included the participation of leading policy and academic institutions, government representatives, international experts and children and adolescents from the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa.

New York, 9 August 2012 - The past years have been marked by a strengthening of the rights of indigenous peoples, including the rights of indigenous children. Together with other international standards, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols remain a crucial reference in this regard. The new third Optional Protocol to the Convention on a Communications Procedure will allow children to bring complaints to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

New York, 22 June 2011 - The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children warmly welcomes the adoption by the annual Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) of a new international convention which will contribute to improving the working conditions of domestic workers worldwide, and which will protect children from fallin

Adis Ababa (Ethiopia) 14 June 2012 - Law Reform, community dialogue and social mobilization are key strategies to prevent and promote the abandonment of harmful practices against children these were crucial strategies identified by the International Expert Consultation held in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia, hosted by the SRSG on Violence against Children and Plan International, and co-organized with the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Committee on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF, the NGO Council on Violence against Children and the Afri

Dublin (Ireland) 12 June 2012 - The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, Marta Santos Pais left Dublin this evening at the end of a two day visit to participate in an international jury to oversee the design competition of a memorial to victims of childhood abuse in institutions in Ireland.  The commissioning of a memorial was recommended by the Ryan Report. The jury is expected to deliver its recommendations to the Minister for Education and Skills Mr Ruairi Quinn T.D. shortly.

Kingston (Jamaica) 15 May 2012 - Today, we the delegates present to you our declaration first because we would like to think of it as strategy to get you to listen to what we have to say before you formulate the plans you have for us. This would further concrete the reason as to why you are here to first ask us what we think as opposed to you planning and deciding and then asking. Therefore we would like to present our points and hope that our voices won’t be left in this conference room.

Vienna (Austria) 30 April 2012 - The SRSG on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, participated in the 21st Session of the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice that took place in Vienna.

The SRSG emphasized the importance of a juvenile justice system based on the respect of the rights of the child for the prevention and elimination of incidents of violence against children.

Geneva, 8 March 2012 - SRSG Santos Pais participated in the Thematic Debate on:"Children and the Administration of Justice" in the afternoon panel: "Children deprived of liberty and children of incarcerated parents: protection and realization of their rights".

The meeting contributed to take stock of the implementation of the Convention to achieve a better understanding of the situation of children in conflict and in contact with the law, identifying main challenges and recommendations to move forward in accordance with international standards.

Geneva, 6 March 2012 - Within the framework of the debate on the Rights of the Child in the Human Rights Council, the Office of the SRSG, with the support of the Government of Norway and in cooperation with the Council of Europe, Plan International and Child Helpline International, organized a panel discussion on Protecting children from violence in school – Bridging the gap between standards and practice. The event took place at the Human Rights Council, in Geneva, Room XXVII, on 6 March at 1.00pm.

New York, 28 February 2012 - The SRSG welcomes the strong political support to the third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on a Communications procedure expressed during the signing ceremony that took place today in Geneva.

This new Protocol will allow children to bring complaints to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

New York, 15 February 2012 - The strategy on the Rights of the Child 2012-15 proposes a vision for the Council of Europe’s role and action in this field, taking into account the progress achieved during the two previous policy cycles (the latest one referred to as the Stockholm Strategy), the needs expressed by governments and the challenges identified by the international community.

New York, 9 Feburary 2012 - The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure which was adopted at the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, will be open for signature at a signing ceremony to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 28 February 2012 and thereafter at United Nations Headquarters.

Paris (France) 26 January 2012 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children participated in an international colloquium on extreme poverty and violence, which was organized by the International Movement ATD Fourth World with support from UNESCO, in Paris, France.

Vienna (Austria) 24 January 2012 - UN partners based in Vienna, New York and Geneva convened an Expert Consultation on the prevention of and responses to violence against children within the juvenile justice system.

Bangkok (Thailand) 11 January 2011 - On her way to meet with the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children’ in the Philippines, Ms Santos Pais visited the UNICEF Regional Office for East Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok to speak to colleagues from regional UN agencies, NGOs and interested embassy representatives about pressing child protection issues and childrens’ right to freedom from violence.

Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) 2 December 2011 - Authorities from Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Dominican Republic, gathered  in Santo Domingo in a regional follow-up meeting to the UN Study on Violence against Children, adopted a strategic declaration to promote progress in the implementation of the recommendations of the UN Study.

New York, 19 October 2011 - Representatives of MERCOSUR, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and of the Government of the Dominican Republic, alongside the Latin America and the Caribbean Movement for Children (MMI LAC) gathered in New York in an event organized with the SRSG on Violence against Children on protection of children from violence.

New York, 26 September 2011 - The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, welcomes the recent ratifications by New Zealand and San Marino of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.

New York, 2 August 2011 - The second annual report of the SRSG to the General Assembly is available.

Geneva, 7 July 2011 - On 6 and 7 July 2011, the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children (SRSG), Ms. Marta Santos Pais, in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the International NGO Advisory Council on Violence against Children, hosted an expert consultation on law reform in Geneva.

New York, 21 June 2011 -  "The adoption by the Human Rights Council of a new Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child is an historical and commendable decision.

The new protocol will enable children to challenge the violation of their human rights and will consolidate the international system of acountability for human rights.

New York, 9 June 2011 - In a joint statement with the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children, UNICEF Pakistan today welcomed the Government of Pakistan’s move to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

New York 16 May 2011 - Representatives of Finland, Mauritius and Pakistan announced their countries' intention to ratify the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography in the near future.

New York, 12 April 2011 - Open Letter:

Across the world millions of street children face a daily struggle of abuse, hunger and exclusion as the international community fails to realise their rights.

In India alone there are an estimated 11 million children living on the streets with no access to the most basic of living conditions, whilst in Rwanda 93% of street girls surveyed are reported rape victims.

New York, 28 February 2011 - The Deputy Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Ms. Maud de Boer-Buquicchio joined forces with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on violence against children, Marta Santos Pais, at a UN panel discussion in New York.

Both high officials are avid campaigners for children’s rights. In her speech, Ms. de Boer-Buquicchio called for an urgent action to eliminate all forms of sexual violence against children.

Amman 21 December 2010 - Participants at an Arab conference on children’s rights today adopted a declaration calling for further action to protect children and promote their rights.

Kathmandu (Nepal) 10 November 2010 - The first meeting of the governing body of the South Asia Initiative to End Violence against Children (SAIEVAC) was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, with the participation of the SRSG on Violence
against Children.

Marta Santos Pais congratulated the members of the Board for the historic step for South Asia’s commitment to prevent and address all forms of violence against children.