New York, 8 September 2023 - “Education is not merely a privilege but a fundamental right that empowers children, shapes societies, and paves the way for a brighter future. In time of crisis, the lifesaving role of education for children cannot be underestimated but it is still under constant threat in countries plagued by armed conflict.
News Articles
News Articles
New York, 30 July 2023 - On the occasion of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid, calls on all stakeholders to come together to protect all children by reducing their vulnerabilities and by increasing the risks to traffickers.
New York, 20 July 2023 – SRSG Maalla M’jid joined high-level representatives of regional organizations, Governments, UN experts and civil society representatives in a lively discussion on Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels.
Andorra, 14 June 2023 – On her first visit to Andorra, Special Representative Maalla M'jid praised the country for adopting an integrated and cross-sectoral approach to child protection and wellbeing, and for fostering a strong culture of meaningful child participation.
Riga, 10 June 2023 – In a country where 19% of the population are children, Latvia is taking important steps to secure the protection, wellbeing and a better future for the country’s most valuable human asset.
Vilnius, 7 June 2023 - On a three-day visit to Lithuania, the Special Representative commended the strong political commitment and investment in child protection and wellbeing despite changes in government. This includes steps taken to strengthen cross-sectoral child-protection systems, as well as significant progress made in the area of deinstitutionalization.
New York, 24 May 2023 - With more than 42 million children displaced worldwide and increasing exposure to multiple forms of violence, the Office of the Special Representative on Violence against Children joined UN agencies to co-launch an advocacy brief on Protecting the Rights of Children on the Move in Times of Crisis that highlights the urgency of protecting the rights of children on the move due to the increasing multifaceted crises they face.
Honiara, 27 April 2023 – At the conclusion of a five-day visit to the Solomon Islands (23-27 April), the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, welcomed the political commitment to uphold the rights of every child and to tackle violence against children.
Joint statement by the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and on Violence against Children
Press Statement: For Immediate Release
Suva, 25 April 2023 - The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, concluded a six-day visit to Fiji (16-21 April) with a call for greater investment in integrated services for violence prevention and response.
Geneva, 17 March 2023 – Speaking at a side event in the margins of the Human Rights Council, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Dr. Najat Maalla Mjid, stressed the urgent need to ensure a safe, inclusive and empowering digital environment for all children, leaving no one behind.
Press Statement: For Immediate Release
Geneva, 16 March 2023 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child*, jointly call on Member States today to ensure a child rights-based approach when developing counter-terrorism and national security measures.
Their joint statement is as follows:
Concluding her visit to Senegal, Dr. Najat Maalla M'jid, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations on violence against children called for greater mobilization protecting children from violence in Senegal.
New York, 13 February 2023– The importance of incorporating child protection considerations into efforts to prevent and end conflicts is at the heart of a United Nations Security Council briefing today, under the Presidency of Malta.
Madrid, 17 November 2022 - At the invitation of the Minister of Social Rights and the Agenda 2030, Special Representative Maalla M’jid visited Spain to participate in the launch of the Strategy for the Eradication of Violence against Children and Adolescents 2023-2030 implementing the Law on the protection against violence against children and adolescents (LOPIVI).
Viet Nam, 11 November 2021 - In her first official visit to Viet Nam, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, encouraged the country to further strengthen the ongoing efforts to protect children from all forms of violence and exclusion keeping the promise - ending all forms of violence, neglect, abuse and exploitation of all children by 2030.
Kingston, 21 October 2022 - Dr. Maalla M’jid’s first country mission to Jamaica aimed at accelerating progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development, addressing the drivers that lead to violence and strengthening the long-standing cooperation between Jamaica and her office.
New York, 15 October 2022 - The continuing reports of children, injured, killed, and arrested amid the ongoing public unrest in Iran, is of extreme concern.
Our deepest sympathies to the parents who lost their children and our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the wounded children.
Children victims and witnesses of violence in the streets and through media are paying a huge toll, their development, well-being, and mental health being severely and long-lasting affected.
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, UNICEF, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, jointly call on Member States today to respect and ensure the rights of all children around the world and to recognize and protect all persons under 18 years.
Their joint statement is as follows:
New York, 1 October 2022 - Ahead of the presentation of her annual report to the United Nations Third Committee, Dr.
Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), 7 September 2022 – Special Representative Maalla M’jid joined children and young activists calling for urgent action to tackle climate change and its devastating impact in children’s rights. “We must treat the climate crisis as an emergency. Our house is on fire” said Leah, a child climate activist at the closing session of the Ninth International Policy Conference held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
New York, 30 July 2022 - As the world has continued to transform digitally, so have traffickers who have kept pace by developing sophisticated systems and using technology to commit criminal activities, at every stage of the process, from recruiting, exploiting and controlling victims to transferring the profits of their criminal activities. Rapid technological change presents opportunities for traffickers to adapt their modus operandi, taking advantage of digital platforms to target their victims.
New York, 6 July 2022 - At the opening of the High-Level Political Forum 2022, under the theme Building back better from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development., Special Representative Maalla M'jid made a strong call for governments to integrate preventing and responding to violence against children into their economic growth and development strategies and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development plans, demonstrating why investing in the protection of children makes economic sens
Geneva, 4 July 2022 - At the Human Rights Council annual thematic panel discussion on technical cooperation and capacity building, on the theme of technical cooperation and the full and effective participation of women in decision-making and in public life and on the elimination of violence, with a view to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girl, Special Representative Maalla M'jid said the ongoing humanitarian situations, including protracted conflicts, climate change, food insecurity and the effects of COVID-19, were at the core of th
Reykjavik, 26 June 2022 - On a two day visit to Iceland, Special Representative Maalla M'jid commended the Government for strengthening of national legislation to prohibit all forms of violence against children. Dr Maalla M'jid was particularly impressed with the widely participative, including engagement with children, process of devising and adopting the legislation and policy in this field.
The United Nations Task Force on Children Deprived of Liberty pledges:
Bucharest, Romania 20 May 2022 - In her first official visit to Romania, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid, commended the Government for the important steps taken to end and prevent violence against children.
New York/Vienna, 20 May 2022 - Strengthening protection of Ukrainian children against any form of violence, including trafficking, was the focus of the roundtable organized on 20 May 2022 by the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, with the support of the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine.
Athens, Greece 17 May 2022 - SRSG Maalla M’jid has concluded a four-day visit to Greece commending the Government efforts and steady steps to enhance the protection of unaccompanied children on the move.
Statement attributable to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Dr. Najat Maalla M'jid– on Ukraine
New York, 9 May 2022 - "I am horrified at any attack on schools as the one recently occurred in Luhansk region, Ukraine.
Protecting schools and all civilian structures is not negotiable.
While casualties and injuries are still uncertain, attacks add to the suffering of families and hundreds of children lives lost in conflicts.
Rome, Italy, April 6 2022 - Special Representative Maalla M’jid addressed the participants of the High-level Launching Conference for the new Strategy for the Rights of the Child entitled “Beyond the horizon: a new era for the rights of the child” co-organized by the Council of Europe and the Italian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers.
Vienna, Austria, 4 April 2022 - Special Representative Maalla M’jid called for a paradigm shift to combat trafficking in children at the 22nd Conference of the Alliance against Trafficking in Persons” organized by OSCE in Vienna, Austria.
New York, 24 March 2022 – “Today is a dark day for millions of girls in Afghanistan, who have been told that they aren’t allowed to pursue their education and their dreams.”
“This week was supposed to be a joyful one as it marked the return to schools for millions of children in Afghanistan. The excitement was cut short for girl students entering sixth grade and above, whose education has been suspended until further notice by the Taliban.”
Geneva, 15 March 2022 - SRSG Maalla M'jid presented her annual report to the 49th Session of the Human Rights Council on Tuesday, 15 March 2022.
New York / Geneva, 12 March, 2022 – In a historic moment, Dr. Najat Malla M’jid, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, reported to children about the work of the mandate in 2021, with children moderating and asking questions while Dr. M’jid listened to their views and reacted. Over four hundred participants joined the virtual event around the globe.
New York, 25 February 2022 - In view of the escalating armed conflict in Ukraine, the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, and on Violence against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, remind all parties involved in the conflict, whether operating inside Ukraine or in its vicinity, that the protection of civilians must be their first priority.
New York, 8 February 2022 - Every seven minutes, a child dies because of violence, with half of children around the world experience violence every year. The coronavirus pandemic exacerbated risk factors and increased the incidence of violence. At the same time, children and youth are turning more to online sources for support.
New York, 26 January 2022 – The Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, and on Violence against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, are deeply concerned about the impact of the coup on children’s rights in Burkina Faso.
Beirut, 17 December 2021 - One in two children in Lebanon is at serious risk of physical, emotional, or sexual violence, as families struggle to cope in the country’s deepening crisis, according to a new report from UNICEF.
New York/Niamey, 20 November 2021– During her mission to Niger and Chad, Dr.
New York, 20 November 2021– SRSG Maalla M'jid called for prioritizing prevention, restorative justice and alternatives to detention, rehabilitation, and reintegration of children at the World Congress for Justice with Children that gathered over 4,800 intergenerational participants from over 100 countries,
New York, 20 November 2021 – On the occasion of the Universal Children’s Day, SRSG Najat Maalla M’jid calls on the urgent need to ensure children’s safe return to school in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
New York, 06 November 2021 –
New York, 15 October 2021 – As chair of the UN Task Force on Children Deprived of Liberty, SRSG Maalla M’jid co-organized a high-level side event with the Governments of Colombia, Morocco, Portugal, Thailand, and Turkey on ending child immigration detention in line with the SDG agenda.
New York, 13 October 2021 – Child Safeguarding policies are essential to ensure that children are free from harm wherever they are - whether they are learning, being active in sports, engaged in arts or community organizations, or in institutions charged with their care and protection.
New York, 7 October 2021 – The severe impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on children, the mainstreaming of child protection issues within the United Nations system, progress towards realizing the vision of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to build a just, inclusive and peaceful environment that keeps all children safe from all forms of violence, while building back better and concrete recommendations emphasizing the critical need for greater investment in integrated services for children are central messages in the 2021 Annual r
New York, 22 September 2021 – The office of the Special Representative joined the Permanent Missions of the Republic of Bulgaria, Jamaica, and Luxembourg to the United Nations in New York, the European Union, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in a high-level side event to discuss the causes and impact of "Violence against Children in Times of Crisis".
New York, 16 September 2021 - Special Representative on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid, joined an online event on “Faith-Based Actors and Preventing Violence Against Children: A Global Perspective” organized by the ENDViolence Partnership and the Lutheran World Federation.
Joint statement by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid
Press Statement: For Immediate Release
New York,17 August 2021 - Special Representative on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid congratulates Colombia for the enactment of the “law prohibiting the use of physical punishment, cruel, humiliating, or degrading treatment and any type of violence against children and adolescents as a method of correction against children and adolescents” (Law 2089 of 14 May 2021).”
Geneva/New York 30 July 2021 – Despite progress during the past 20 years, trafficking in persons, particularly children, remains a high-profit, low-risk crime and a more concerted effort is needed to fight it, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children (SRSG) said today.
New York, 30 July 2021 - Statement by the Inter-Agency Coordination Group Against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT) on the occasion of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
New York/Kuala Lumpur 28 July 2021 - Special Representative Najat Maalla M’jid and Ahmad Alhendawi, the Secretary-General of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) established a formal partnership aiming to WOSM to enhance the Safe from Harm policy.
New York, 8 July 2021 - At a high-level event organized in the context of the 2021 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development , the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, urged countries to invest in supporting children's mental wellbeing, through the creation of robust social protection systems.
New York / Cairo, 7 July 2021 - The League of Arab States and the UN Special Representatives for Children and Armed Conflict and on Violence against Children today renewed their commitment to put an end to the continuum of violence and to prevent grave violations against children before, during and after conflict as well as in humanitarian settings; and further expressed their will to continue strengthening their cooperation to protect children’s rights across the Arab world.
New York, 10 June 2021 - For the first time in twenty years the number of children in child labour increased. At the beginning of 2020 a total of 160 million children-63 million girls and 97 million boys-were in child labour globally, accounting for almost 1 in 10 of all children worldwide. The alarming estimates were anounced in a joint report by ILO and UNICEF iahead of the World Day against Child Labour, on 12 June.
Urgent to Protect Girls & Education in Conflict Said UN Officials After Deadly Attack in Afghanistan
New York, 12 May 2021 – The Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, and on Violence against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, condemn in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack that took place outside a school in Dasht-e-Barchi in Kabul, Afghanistan on 8 May 2021, in which, according to the latest reports, hundreds of civilians have been killed or injured.
New York, 6 May 2021 – Special Representative Maalla M’jid joined ITU and inspiring young girls to celebrate the 10th anniversary of international Girls in ICT Day in an interactive dialogue entitled #GirlsinICT: Online Safety Moment.
New York, 3 May 2021 – Corporal punishment – a clear breach of children’s rights – is the most common and normalized form of violence against children worldwide. More than 2 in 3 children experience corporal discipline at the hands of their caregivers and 87 percent of the world’s children are not protected from this by law.
New York, 1 April 2021 The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, and the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid condemn in the strongest possible terms the ongoing violence against civilians, including children, in Myanmar since the military coup on 1 February.
Joint statement by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid
Press Statement: For Immediate Release
Human Rights Council, 46th Session. General Debate, Item 3
Thank you, Madam President.
UNEP welcomes the opportunity to deliver this joint statement on behalf of 15 UN entities. See below the list of entities.
New York, 8 March 2021 – SRSG Najat Maalla M’jid called for allocation of adequate budgets and strengthened integrated and truly accessible services to accelerate action for implementation of the 2030 Agenda while ending the pandemic of violence against children in the presentation of her.annual report to the 46th session of the Human Rights Council.
New York / Geneva, 10 February 2021 – As the world marks Safer Internet Day, UN human rights experts* have urged the European Union to reach agreement on temporary legislation to allow for the continued use of technological tools to tackle online child sexual abuse.
The document produced jointly by ECLAC, UNICEF and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, recommends concrete actions for addressing violence against children and adolescents within the framework of the response to the COVID-19 crisis.
New York, 14 December 2020 - Greatly concerned by the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of children around the world, we, the participants of the Global Week of Faith in Action for Children, have issued this Statement.
New York, 9 December 2020 - The results of the global consultation survey #CovidUnder19: Life Under Coronavirus to understand children’s experiences and views during the coronavirus pandemic were presented at a global virtual event featuring children as ke
New York, 8 December 2020 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Virginia Gamba and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Dr.
New York, 30th November 2020 - To mark the 30th anniversary, SRSG Malla M'jid joined the launch of the African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) Report “Africa’s 30-year Journey with the African Children’s Charter: Taking Sto
New York, 30th November 2020 - On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the ACERWC and the UNSRSG-VAC have issued a joint statement on the pervasive and entrenched nature of Violence Against Children (VAC) in Africa.
New York, 5 September 2020 - The impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on violence against children and with recommendations for the way forward, including on the importance of involving children as part of the solution, are central messages in the 2020 Annual Report of SRSG Maalla M'jid to the to historic 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
New York, 14 August 2020 – The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children (SRSG-VAC) Najat Maalla M’jid is deeply concerned over numerous allegations of torture and other ill-treatment of minors in detention in the aftermath of the elections in Belarus on 9 August.
New York, 15 July 2020 - The Office of the Special Representative co-organized with UNICEF a Voluntary National Review (VNR) Lab as part of the official programme of the 2020 High-Level Political Forum aiming to encourage Governments to report on the SDG targets related to children in their VNRs by sharing positive examples from Member States.
New York/Geneva, 2 July 2020 - In her annual report, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid, outlines the impact that violence has on children’s mental health and provides an overview of major initiatives and developments to sustain and scale up efforts to safeguard children’s freedom from violence and advance implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
New York / Geneva, 23 June 2020 -The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) today launched its new 2020 Guidelines on Child Online Protection (COP), a comprehensive set of recommendations for children, parents and educators, industry and policymakers on how to contribute to the development of a safe and empowering online environment for children and young people.
New York, 20 June 2020 - Children constitute more than half of the world’s refugees. Refugee children are already among the most vulnerable with high risks of violence, abuse and exploitation child labor, trafficking for sexual exploitation, or child marriage. The COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns and the economic downturn have further exacerbated these pre-existing vulnerabilities and protection risks.
Joint statement by Najat Maalla M'jid, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children and Karin Hulshof, UNICEF Regional Director East Asia and Pacific
COVID-19 could severely jeopardize gains made in East Asia and Pacific in reducing child poverty and deprivation over the last 30 years and exacerbate existing inequalities and violations of children’s rights.
New York, 18 June 2020 - Half of the world’s children, or approximately 1 billion children each year are affected by physical, sexual or psychological violence, suffering injuries, disabilities and death, because countries have failed to follow established strategies to protect them.
GENEVA/NEW YORK (25 May 2020) – Four UN experts* on children’s rights are urging States to protect all children from sale, sexual exploitation and recruitment and use in hostilities and calling for universal ratification of two international human rights instruments that protect children from these violations of their rights.
New York / Geneva 27 April 2020 - Following the the Secretary General’s policy brief on the impact of COVID-19 on children, the UN Inter-Agency Working Group on Violence against Children has put together an Agenda for Action. The Agenda for Action is based on the different mandates of the entities involved and provides a child rights and multi-sectoral framework for action.
As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the globe, we are seeing an alarming pattern.
The poorest and most vulnerable members of society are being hardest hit, both by the pandemic and the response.
I am especially concerned about the well-being of the world’s children.
Thankfully, children have so far been largely spared from the most severe symptoms of the disease.
But their lives are being totally upended.
I appeal to families everywhere, and leaders at all levels: protect our children.
Is it tomorrow or today? As time advances in the COVID19 crisis, so does confusion, anxiety and frustration for millions of children who are forced to suffer in silence. The Great Lockdown, as it was called recently, will be for many of them the darkest period of their young lives.
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a devastating impact across the world. Efforts to contain the coronavirus are vital to the health of the world’s population, but they are also exposing children to increased risk of violence – including maltreatment, gender-based violence and sexual exploitation. As leaders of organisations committed to ending violence against children, we come together in solidarity to share our deep concern, call for action and pledge our support to protect children from violence and reduce the impact of COVID-19 on children in every country and community.
GENEVA/NEW YORK (7 April 2020) – UN rights experts have appealed to States to boost child protection measures to help safeguard the welfare of millions of children worldwide who may be more exposed to violence, sale, trafficking, sexual abuse and exploitation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parents, caregivers, service providers and law enforcement officials all need extra support to minimise the increased risks to children, the UN human rights experts said.
Our world faces a common enemy: COVID-19.
The virus does not care about nationality or ethnicity, faction or faith. It attacks all, relentlessly.
Meanwhile, armed conflict rages on around the world.
The most vulnerable — women and children, people with disabilities, the marginalized and the displaced — pay the highest price.
They are also at the highest risk of suffering devastating losses from COVID-19.
Let’s not forget that in war-ravaged countries, health systems have collapsed.
Male, 10 March 2020 - “The President of the Maldives and leadership across the Government have shown strong commitment to the realization of the right of children to live free from violence as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and promised in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Jakarta, 9 March 2020 - SRSG Maalla M’jid praised the strong leadership of the President of Indonesia in addressing violence againats children during her five day visit to the country. In her official visit, the SRSG held discussions with senior government officials, the United Nations system, business and political leaders, local government, civil society organizations, bilateral donors, and children and young people, on how to further strengthen the protection of violence against children.
Bangkok, 28 February 2020 - SRSG Maalla M'jid speaking at the close of the first ASEAN Regional Conference on Child Online Protection stressed that an enhanced partnership between governments, the tech industry and children themselves was key to tackling the growing problem of online abuse and exploitation in cyberspace.
Press Statement - For Immediate Release
GENEVA (11 February 2020) – States must urgently develop comprehensive strategies to prevent child sexual abuse online and to address both the opportunities and the risks that the Internet presents for children, UN human rights experts* said in a statement marking Safer Internet Day on 11 February 2020.
New York, 16 December 2019 - 2019 has been a year of opportunity. It marked a strategic milestone on the path towards ensuring children’s freedom from violence with the commemoration of the thirtieth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most widely ratified United Nations treaty. The year also marked the tenth anniversary of the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children.
Maputo (Mozambique), 1 December 2019 - On her first visit to Africa since assuming the role of Special Representative, Dr. Maalla M'jid visited Mozambique where she met senior government officials, the President of Parliament, children, child protection services, representatives from civil society and development agencies to support national efforts to end violence against children, including harmful practices.
GENEVA / NEW YORK (19 November 2019) – UN experts on human rights* have urged all States to sign up to a framework convention on the ethics of tourism, which they hailed as an important step forward in combating the exploitation of children in travel and tourism, and in promoting their rights.
“There is an urgent need to tackle the violence and exploitation experienced by children in the context of travel and tourism,” the experts said.
Vatican City, 16 November 2019 - 30 years after the proposal for the creation of the world wide web, religious leaders from different communities, experts, academics, policy makers, and technology industry leaders discussed the promotion of digital child dignity in the Vatican.
The conference organized by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences and the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities in the Vatican took place just a few days before the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Strasbourg, 14 November 2019 - Redefining Power: Strengthening the rights of the child as the key to a future-proof Europe was the theme chosen by the Council of Europe for the conference aiming to review its mid-term of its Strategy for the Rights of the Child (2016-2021).
New York, 11 November 2019 - Four United Nations High-Level Advocates express their concerns about the precarious human rights, humanitarian and security situation faced by thousands of people, mainly composed of women and children, who are being held in inhumane conditions in overcrowded camps or other settings in northern Syria and Iraq.
New York, 10 November 2019 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children (SRSGV-VAC) Najat Maalla M’jid is deeply concerned with the on-going violence in Chile and its effect on children with reports of at least 32 children being injured and 549 children having been detained.
Many schools all over the country have been closed and not all of them have re-opened. An increasing number of children are also affected by the wider effects of violence with the spread of a general sense of fear that affects children’s mental health.
Wuzhen, China, 22 October 2019 - The cyber world converged on Wuzhen for the sixth World Internet Conference. More than 1,500 guests, including internet experts, scholars, government officials and technology entrepreneurs attended the conference organized by the Cyberspace Administration of China.
Geneva/ New York, 8 October 2019 – The United Nations Task Force supporting the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty calls on Member States to put an end to children’s deprivation of liberty, following the submission and presentation of a report by the Independent Expert to the UN General Assembly.
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.
Muscat, 17 September 2019 - Around 400 experts, professionals, and high level officials from over 35 different countries around the world attended the 2019 International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect (ISPCAN)'International Conference organised for the first time in Muscat, Oman.
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.
Beckley (WV), USA 26 July 2019 - More than 40 thousand children and young people from 150 countries wearing shorts and scarfs around their necks are meeting in West Virginia for twelve days for the largest ever World Scout Jamboree, since the creation of the movement by Baden Powell in 1908.
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.
New York, 15 July 2019 - SRSG Najat Maalla M’jid opened a High Level Political Forum "of very special relevance", with SDGs 4, 8, 10 and 16 under review. These goals directly affect the realization of the rights of children to the best start in life, an education of good quality and a childhood free from violence, abuse and neglect, while ensuring that no child is left behind.
Geneva, 4 July 2019 - The Justice for Children global initiative launched at the United Nations a Call to Action to place children at the heart of justice in every nation of the world.
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, 01 July 2019 - Dr. Najat Maalla M’jid of Morocco assumed today her new role as Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children.
Dr. M'jid, a medical doctor in Paediatrics, has over thirty years’ experience in the promotion and protection of children’s rights. From 2008 to 2014, she served as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.
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”.
New York, 31 May 2019 - "It has been my honour and privilege to serve the world’s children as UN SRSG on Violence against Children, and as I step down from this position today, I would like to thank the ever-growing movement of visionary leaders, child rights defenders, scholars, development partners, artists and especially millions of inspiring children and young people around the world for your efforts.
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.
Geneva, 8 March 2019 - SRSG Santos Pais presented her annual report to the Human Rights Council at its 40th Session on March 5. In her remarks she highlighted major results achieved in preventing and responding to violence against children.
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 2018 - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was briefed today by his Special Representative Ms Marta Santos Pais, on global progress towards ending violence against children.
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, 21 February 2019 - The Ninth High-Level, Cross-Regional Roundtable convened by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, and co-hosted with the African Child Policy Forum, will take place from 26-28 February at the headquarters of the African Union, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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.
New York, 10 December 2018 - Today marks a special day in the history of humankind! As the international community commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, world leaders adopted the Global Compact For Migration, reaffirming their strong commitment to protect the human rights of all migrants - including the human rights of all migrant children on the move around the world.
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.
New York/Geneva, 20 November 2018: Today, as we celebrate Universal Children’s Day and the 29th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, UN child rights experts* urge Governments around the world to be united in ensuringpriority attention to the realization of the rights of the child and to accelerating efforts for implementation of the Convention, the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history.
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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, 4 October 2018 - In countries around the world, whether online or in person, bullying is at the top of children’s concerns. Worldwide, more than 1 in 3 students between 13-15 years of age experience bullying, which compromises their health, emotional well-being, school performance and is associated with devastating life-long consequences.
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, 24 September 2018 - The Special Representative’s 2018 report to the UN General Assembly documents global, regional and national efforts to end violence against children and ensure their effective protection, and recalls critical progress made in policy and law, in data and research, as well as in strategic partnership and social mobilization initiatives. These have been critical to stimulate action and address serious concerns, including bullying, cyberbullying and online abuse.
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.
23 July 2018 - New York: SRSG-VAC Marta Santos Pais welcomed the Ministerial Declaration of the 2018 high-level political forum on sustainable development.
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
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New York, 27 June 2018 - Warm thanks to each and every one of you for your strong support and critical commitment to create a world free from all forms of violence for all children in all settings. While there is still much work to be done, we are seeing important progress to better protect children in countries around the world. A few examples follow:
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.
New York, 13 June 2018 - “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development promises to leave no one behind. International Albinism Awareness Day is an opportunity to declare solidarity with people with albinism and strive together so those who are often left furthest behind are able to live free from discrimination and fear, and empowered to enjoy their full human rights,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
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.
Malta, 6 June 2018 - High-level delegations from all regions of the world met in Malta to enhance efforts towards the prevention and elimination of the corporal punishment of children.
Convened under the patronage of the President of Malta, the High-Level Global Conference on the Universal Prohibition of Corporal Punishment was the third in a series of Ministerial meetings aimed at supporting governments in their efforts to put an end to this widespread form of violence. *
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.
New York, 1 June 2018 - SRSG Santos Pais congratulated the Government of Lao PDR for the launch of the findings of the Survey on Violence against Children and the multi-sectoral response plan identifying priority actions to address violence against children. The Survey findings and the Action Plan were launched by the Deputy Prime Minister, Sonxay Siphandone in Vientiane, on 1 June.
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.
Jakarta, Indonesia 28 March 2018 - In her annual dialogue in Jakarta with the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and of Children (ACWC), SRSG Santos Pais acknowledged progress made in implementation of the Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence against Children (RPA/EVAC), and the Development of the Baseline Study on national action undertaken to strengthen children’s protection from violence.
Member States commend SRSG-VAC for placing investment in early childhood at the center of the debate
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, 9 March 2018 - “A child who has been accused of witchcraft, experiences psychological violence which can be devastating in itself,” said Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais. “But such accusations are also often associated with other forms of violence, including serious abuse tantamount to torture, sometimes leading to life-long injuries and even death.”
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).
New York, 3 March 2018 - The gender parity threshold has been reached among United Nations senior leaders. This is historic! ” said UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais.
“Gender parity within the UN Senior Management Group bringing together leaders of United Nations departments, offices, funds and programmes, tangibly represents the UN’s commitment to genderequality and women’s empowerment across its work and priority agenda."
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, 6 February 2018 - Today is an important day in our collective work and efforts to create a world free from violence for all children: 6 February 2018 marks both 'Safer Internet Day' and the ‘International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)’.
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.
New York, 18 December 2017 - “Through my work I have had the opportunity to listen to the ordeals of so many migrant and refugee children forced to flee their homes and countries due to violence,” says Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children (SRSG-VAC). “Sadly, in too many cases, the violence they are trying to escape often accompanies them in different forms throughout their travels in search of safety.”
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.
New York, 10 December 2017 - It is essential that human rights standards guide action, especially when children are at risk and when situations of violence can undermine their wellbeing and development. By investing in children’s rights, social progress and peace are within reach for all, stresses SRSG Santos Pais marking Human Rights Day.
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.
New York, 24 November 2017 - “The focus on violence against children in this year’s resolution is an encouraging reaffirmation of States’ solemn commitment to the protection of children’s rights” said SRSG Santos Pais in welcoming the adoption by the General Assembly of the 2017 resolution on the Rights of the Child. “The resolution calls for all necessary measures to prevent and address violence against children in all its forms to be put in place, and recognizes the detrimental impact it has on the enjoyment of children’s rights.
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.
Athens (Greece) 14 November 2017 - On a three-day visit to Greece, Special Representative Santos Pais met with children living in a refugee camp in Athens, from whom she heard painful as well as inspiring stories of courage and resilience. The visit was organized in the framework of a meeting of European Independent Children’s Rights Institutions, held in Athens to identify challenges and provide recommendations for future action to ensure the safeguard of refugee and migrant children across Europe.
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, 3 November 2017 - The new UNICEF report, “A Familiar Face: Violence in the lives of children and adolescents” makes a crucial contribution to our understanding of the root causes, scale and impact of violence in children’s lives.
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 - A new book to honour all those who are committed to building a world free from violence, where children can grow up happy, safe, confident, cherished, nurtured and respected was launched by SRSG Santos Pais on Tuesday during the UN General Assembly segment devoted to the promotion and protection of the rights of children.
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 shared alarming data on violence against children at the presentation of her annual report to the 72nd Session of United Nations General Assembly on Monday revealing the hidden face of these violations of children’s rights across regions.
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, 2 October 2017 - SRSG Santos Pais warmly welcomes the ratification by a growing number of countries of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure. 36 countries have now ratified or acceded to the Optional Protocol, and 51 have signed it.
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.
New York, 26 September 2017 - The launch of the new Global Report 2017 Ending Violence in Childhood, issued on September 26 by the international learning initiative Know Violence in Childhood is an important contribution to our understanding of the scale and impact of violence in childhood based on a critical review of research and data from across regions.
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.
Warsaw (Poland) 19 September 2017 - SRSG Santos Pais joined the 8th International Janus Korczak Child Rights Congress in Warsaw as keynote speaker on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the last road of Janusz Korczak and children from the Orphans Home in Warsaw.
The session was hosted by the University Maria Grzegorzewska in cooperation with the Office of the Ombudsman for Children in Poland, and brought together child rights experts and academia from around the world.
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.
SRSG calls for steady investment in early childhood to promote the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence
New York, 8 September 2017 - To promote the implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, the President of the General Assembly hosted a High Level Forum “Sowing the Seeds of the Culture of Peace: Early Childhood Development is the Beginning”, at UN Headquarters, New York.
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, 21 July 2017 - SRSG Santos Pais welcomes the greater visibility given to the promotion and protection of children’s rights, including their right to freedom from all forms of violence, in the Ministerial Declaration of the 2017 High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
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".
New York, 16 June 2017 - The Special Representative welcomes the 2017 theme for the Day of the African Child (DAC) on accelerating protection, empowerment and equal opportunities for all children in Africa by 2030.
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.
New York, 13 June 2017 - Attacks against children with albinism are not limited by geographic borders. In many countries, particularly in Africa, children with albinism are often perceived as ghosts, a curse, a cause of shame to the family, and a misfortune to the community. Social and structural discrimination condemns these children to a position of extreme vulnerability and to tolerance of violence against them simply because they look different.
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, 24 May 2017 - SRSG Santos Pais joined partners in the launch of a new study, the first of its kind to review Official Development Assistance (ODA) allocations to end violence against children. The report Counting Pennies highlights that in 2015, total ODA spending to address violence against children amounts to less than US$1.1 billion – or 0.6 per cent of total ODA.
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.
New York, 18 May 2017 - I am delighted to add my support to the Panama Declaration on Ending Violence against Children adopted by over five hundred faith leaders from 70 countries at the 5th Forum of the Global Network of Religions for Children (GNRC).
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.
Children’s protection from violence gains further ground with new legislation in Malaysia and Brazil
New York, 18 April 2017 - SRSG Santos Pais welcomes the passing in Malaysia of the Sexual Offences against Children Bill 2017 - The new law provides for stronger legal protection for children from sexual abuse and exploitation, including a clause that criminalises the grooming of children and significant provisions concerning child sexual abuse material. The new legislation also acknowledges children as competent witnesses in sexual crime cases.
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.
São Paulo, Brazil 4 April 2017 – SRSG Santos Pais joined leaders from business, government, civil society and academia at the 9th Global Child Forum in São Paulo Brazil. The Forum was devoted to the theme “investing in every child” aimed at identifying and sharing good practices to address some of the most pressing challenges facing children in the South American region.
SRSG Santos Pais called on the private sector to promote innovation and creativity in the protection of children’s rights.
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.
Vatican City, 18 March 2017 – In a private audience at the Apostolic Palace, SRSG Santos Pais met with Pope Francis to enhance cooperation in children's protection from violence.
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, 11 March 2011 - At a special event held during the current meeting of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva today, UN experts called for better data and research on violence against children in order to strengthen government action for prevention and response to violence, including legislative reform to prohibit it in all its forms.
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) 1 March 2017 - Meeting with the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children (ACWC), SRSG Santos Pais noted the important foundation provided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action to End Violence against Children, adopted at the 27th ASEAN Summit in November 2015 for translating into reality the ambitious goal of building a world free from fear and from violence for all children.
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).
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), 25 February, 2017 – SRSG Santos Pais has concluded a three day visit to Malaysia with her participation as key note speaker in the national Forum on Violence-free Early Childhood. The Forum was organized by the Early Childhood Care and Education Council of Malaysia and UNICEF and brought together more than 150 policy makers, early childhood educators, academia, parents, caregivers and other key stakeholders in Malaysia to discuss strategies for creating a violence-free environment for young children.
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.
New York, 27 January 2017 - The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises children as essential agents of change who will channel their infinite capacities for the creation of a better and more inclusive world, a world in which every child grows up free from fear and from violence. Investment in children is crucial to sustain peace and development, and build peaceful, just and inclusive societies.
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, 13 January 2017 - Children’s protection from violence is a legal and ethical imperative and it is also a distinct priority in the global sustainable development agenda. Ensuring progress in implementation, follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda targets on violence against children needs to be at the heart of the policy agenda of every nation. But to achieve this goal, leadership and accountability are of the essence and in all actions it is vital to honour the pledge of leaving no child behind.
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, 28 December 2016 - SRSG Santos Pais commends the French parliament for passing the Equality and Citizenship bill which promotes the ending of violence against children including corporal punishment.
On Thursday, 22 December, a final vote was taken on Article 68 of the “Egalité et Citoyenneté” (Equality and Citizenship) bill, which states that the exercise of parental authority must exclude "any cruel, degrading or humiliating treatment, including corporal punishment".
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, 6 December 2016 - SRSG Santos Pais welcomes the release of the first national survey on violence against children by the Philippine Council for the Welfare of Children and UNICEF. Though deeply saddened by the details of the data, which reveals that 8 in 10 children in the Philippines suffer some form of violence in childhood, the SRSG commends the Government for conducting this ground-breaking survey and committing to a policy response.
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.”
Santiago, Chile 29 November 2016 - From November 28-29, in Santiago de Chile, the “International Conference on Crime Prevention and Reintegration of Children in contact with the Law ” took place. This event was co-organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security, the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and the National Council for Children of the Government of Chile; the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children (SRSG VAC) and UNICEF Chile.
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.
New York, 18 November 2016 - On the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, SRSG Santos Pais highlighted the central role of States, as well as families, teachers, law enforcement officials and other community members to raise awareness and mobilize action to end the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
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.
New York, 15 November 2016 - SRSG Santos Pais welcomes the Call to Action to End Crimes and Extreme Violence against Children adopted by the International Policy Conference on the Rights of the Child, organized by the African Child Policy Forum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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.
New York, 2 November 2016 - SRSG Santos Pais met with a delegation from the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to exchange information on their respective priorities and to identify opportunities for enhancing collaboration.
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.
Malawi, 28 October 2016 - On her second visit to Malawi, the Special Representative met senior government officials, traditional leaders, and representatives from civil society and development agencies to support national efforts to end violence against children, including harmful practices. The visit provided a strategic opportunity to assess progress in the implementation of the policy agenda developed by the Government in response to the findings of the survey on violence against children launched last year.
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, 24 October 2016 - Armed violence in the community compromises children’s rights and is associated with serious risks for their development and safety, causing children to be injured, disabled, traumatized, exploited, orphaned, imprisoned and at times killed.
On 19 October, SRSG Santos Pais, launched her new report on Protecting children from Armed Violence in the Community on the occasion of Habitat III, the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development held in Quito.
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, 12 October 2016 - Speaking today at the presentation of the recently published Secretary-General’s report on the protection of children from bullying to the General Assembly, SRSG Santos Pais outlines both the progress that has been made at a global level in tackling this form of violence against children and the substantial challenges that remain.
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.
Geneva, 29 September 2016 - The Special Representative joined the Working Group on Children and Violence of Child Rights Connect, a wide group of civil society organizations, and the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children in a panel discussion to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the UN Study on Violence against Children on the margins of the 33rd Session of the Human Rights Council on 27 September in Geneva. The event was co-sponsored by the Governments of Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden and Uruguay.
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, 21 Septmeber 2016 - A new Global Alliance to eradicate forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour was launched today at a side event of the 71st UN General Assembly in New York. SDG Alliance 8.7 builds on the momentum created by the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and brings together all key stakeholders to focus efforts on the eradication of forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of all forms of child labour.
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, 8 September 2016 - Progress in implementation of the Agenda 2030 targets on violence against children needs to be at the heart of the policy agenda of every nation, urges SRSG Santos Pais
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, 8 August 2016 - On the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, SRSG Santos Pais welcomes this year’s focus on the right to education.
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.
Luxembourg, 15 July 2016 - SRSG Santos Pais joined the launch of the Terminology Guidelines for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, an initiative promoted by ECPAT Luxembourg and ECPAT International.
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.
Ha Noi (Viet Nam), 22 June 2016 – The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, has concluded a three day visit to Viet Nam, welcoming significant developments and calling on the government, civil society and all stakeholders for strong collaboration and action to eliminate violence against 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, 16 June 2016 -Conflict and crisis in Africa have a devastating impact on children’s right to life, the right to live in a family environment, the right to protection from violence, the right to health and education and the right to survival and development.
Regardless of whether in times of conflict or in times of peace, children have the right to protection from violence wherever they may be and to grow up in a safe and supportive environment in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding.
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.
Vienna (Austria) 4 June 2016 - Governments from over 70 countries, many represented at ministerial level, met last week in Vienna to reflect on strategies to prevent and eliminate the corporal punishment of children.
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
Joint statement by the Special Representative of Children and Armed Conflict, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children and the Chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of the Child
New York/Geneva, 25 May 2016 –Universal ratification 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) is closer than ever, UN experts have said.
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.
Buenos Aires (Argentina) 20 May 2016 - On 19 and 20 May the International Seminar "Monitoring and supervision of centres of deprivation of liberty for children" was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This activity was co-organized by UNICEF Argentina and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children (SRSG VAC) as a contribution to the preparation of the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty requested by the UN Secretary General.
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.
Florence 10 May 2016 - SRSG Santos Pais convened a consultation with experts from around the world on the prevention and elimination of bullying and cyberbullying in preparation of the Report of the Secretary-General on Protecting Children from Bullying, called for by General Assembly resolution 69/158. Hosted with UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti, the consultation took place in Florence on 9-10 May.
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.
New York, 14 April 2016 - Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, welcomes the recent accession by the United Arab Emirates to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography.
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
New York, 18 March 2016 - The adoption of these two new laws is critical to secure children’s rights and very especially children’s right to protection from all forms of violence in all settings, including corporal punishment within the family. This is a significant step for Mongolia and constitutes an important reference for developments in other nations in the Eastern and South Eastern Asia region" stressed SRSG Santos Pais.
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.
Geneva, 9 March 2016 - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon supported the launch of the High Time to End Violence against Children Initiative on Wednesday 9 March. In his message to the participants, the Secretary-General stressed that every child has the right to freedom from all forms of violence.
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, 8 March 2016 -SRSG Santos Pais presented her annual report to the Human Rights Council on Tuesday, 8 March 2016.
In her presentation, SRSG Santos Pais celebrated progress in the promotion of children’s protection from violence through legislation highlighting that the number of countries across regions with a comprehensive legal ban on violence had more than tripling.
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.
New York, 2 March 2016 -The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais welcomes the coming into effect on 1 March 2016 of the new Anti-Family Violence Law of the People’s Republic of China. The new law is a significant milestone in the recognition, prevention and response to violence against children, including within the family.
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 19 February 2016 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais has completed a mission to Indonesia during which she met Vice-President Jusuf Kalla and other senior officials of the Government of Indonesia, including Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Yohana Yembise, and Education Minister Anies Baswedan to discuss efforts towards protecting children from all forms of violence.
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 9 February 2016 - Speaking on the occasion of Safer Internet Day, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, renewed her call to ensure that the empowerment of children is at the heart of building a safer and more inclusive Internet:
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, 4 February 2016 - "I warmly welcome today's ratification by Italy of this important child rights treaty. With this significant step, 25 countries have now ratified the the Optional Protocol on a Communications Procedure and 50 have signed it." said Marta Santos Pais at the signing ceremony.
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, 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, 10 December 2015 - SRSG Santos Pais warmly welcomes the adoption by the National Congress of Peru of a new law to secure children’s protection from violence on the occasion of the celebration of International Human Rights Day (December 10, 2015).
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, 20 November 2015 - The Universal Children’s Day is dedicated to promoting the well-being and human rights of the world’s children, especially those suffering the impacts of poverty, armed conflict, discrimination and exploitation. The date of the observance -- 20 November -- marks the day on which, in 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
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.
New York, 11 November 2015 - “Today, Ireland has taken a decisive step towards the elimination of all forms of violence against children. By abolishing the common law defence of reasonable chastisement, the Houses of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) have made an unequivocal statement: children’s dignity and physical integrity enjoy the effective protection of the law.
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, 5 November 2015 - During a three-day visit to Argentina, SRSG Santos Pais met with Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, 1980 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and President of the Association Peace and Justice Service.
At the meeting, SRSG Santos Pais and Mr. Pérez Esquivel discussed the promotion of Human Rights and protection of children from violence, namely of children and young people involved with the criminal justice system in the Latin America Region.
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 16 October 2015 - In a high-level panel discussion, co-organized with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the Governments of Austria, Chile, Norway and Thailand, SRSG Santos Pais launched a new study on the critical role of criminal justice systems to prevent incidents of violence against girls, bring perpetrators to justice, and ensure recovery and social reintegration for victims.
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, 8 October 2015 -In the course of the annual meeting of the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children (ENOC), SRSG Marta Santos Pais and ENOC further enhanced their strategic collaboration to prevent and address all forms of violence against children.
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.
Brussels, 17 September 2015 - In the lead up to the Human Rights Council 2016 full-day debate on "information and communication technology (ICT) and child sexual exploitation," the Government of Belgium hosted on 15 September, in cooperation with SRSG Santos Pais and UNICEF, a high level panel event to strengthen public-private partnerships for the protection of children from on line sexual abuse and to ensure the implementation of a safe, inclusive and empowering digital agenda for children.
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.
Abuja, 10 September 2015 - Findings from the Nigeria Violence Against Children Survey were released in Abuja on 10th September 2015 unveiling the first nationally representative data on the prevalence of sexual, physical, and emotional violence among girls and boys in the country.
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.
New York, 20 August 2015 - The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issued six new stamps to raise awareness about ending violence against children and to support the work of the United Nations to support the protection of children from violence.
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.
New York, 2 August 2015 - On Sunday, 2 August, the Member States of the United Nations agreed the final text of “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, the post 2015 outcome document for adoption at the UN Summit in September in New York.
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.”
Panama City, 10 July 2015 - On 9-10 July, during her official visit to Panama, SRSG Marta Santos Pais met with high level national authorities to discuss progress achieved by the Government of Panama to safeguard the rights of children and young people.
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.
Strasbourg (France) 26 June 2015 - Joining hands with the Council of Europe, SRSG Santos Pais held in Strasbourg (France), on 18 and 19 June, the 5th Cross-Regional Roundtable to promote accelerated progress in the prevention and elimination of violence against children around the world.
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, 13 June 2015 - SRSG Santos Pais joins other partners in welcoming the first International Albinism Awareness Day, which is celebrated today.
“I warmly welcome this recognition by the UN General Assembly to devote a special day to raise awareness on persons with albinism.”
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).
Honiara, 21 May 2015 - Concluding a three day visit to the Solomon Islands, the SRSG commended the government for the expression of its strong commitment to the prevention and elimination of violence against children through the enactment of legislation, policy reform and increased budgetary allocations for children. During her visit, the SRSG met the Prime Minister H.E.
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, 15 May 2015 - The theme of this year’s International Day of Families – “Men in Charge?” – highlights the importance of gender equality and children’s rights in contemporary families. Around the world, more women are becoming recognized as the equal partners and decisionmakers in families that they should be, thus helping to ensure a conducive environment for the full and harmonious development of children.
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.
Brasilia, 13 May 2015 - In the year in which Brazil commemorates the 25th anniversary of the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the adoption of the Statute of Children and Adolescents, a meeting of the Permanent Commission of the initiative “NiñoSur” of MERCOSUR was held on the 7th and 8th of May in Brasilia (XXVI RAADH Meeting).
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.
Geneva/New York 14 April 2015 - As we celebrate the first anniversary of the entry into force of the Third Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a Communications Procedure, the International Coalition Ratify OP3CRC, together with leading UN experts on children’s rights, including Kirsten Sandberg, Chairperson of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, and on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, as well as the Special Rapporteur o
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.
Lilongwe, Malawi. 25th March 2015– 2 out of every 3 Malawians experience violence in childhood, 1 in every 5 girls were sexually abused before they celebrated their 18th birthday, and nearly 2 out of every 3 boys suffered physical violence before the age of 18, a violence against children and young women study launched today has revealed.
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, Mar 10 2015 - SRSG Santos Pais joined other high UN officials and civil society in an event in the context of the 28th session of the Human Rights Council aiming at sharing information on the situation of children in detention worldwide in light of the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty (A/RES/69/157).
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 - SRSG Marta Santos Pais met in Jakarta with the ASEAN Commission on the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) to assess progress in the prevention and elimination of violence against children.
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.
New York, 11 February 2015 - A new report The African Report on Violence against Children was launched on 11th February at the United Nations in New York, in an event jointly organized by the African Union, the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence against Children, the Permanent Mission of Zambia and the African Child Policy Forum (ACPF).
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.
New York, 15 December 2014 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children participated in a high-level event “Children, Sport and Development – CRC@25: achievements and looking to post-2015”, at the Trusteeship Council Chamber at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
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, 25 November 2014 - Statement by Marta Santos Pais, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, at the High-level meeting on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
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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.
New York, 20 November 2014 - This event brought together some of the members of the drafting group of the CRC to reflect on the ethos of the Convention and the impact its principles and provisions have in today's world. The event also celebrated the Convention’s vision for children and the continuing pursuit of its noble mission.
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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.
Oslo, 7 November 2014 - In a high level meeting in Oslo, SRSG Santos Pais called on Governments around the world to invest in early childhood initiatives for the prevention and elimination of violence against children.
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 – Over half of Cambodian children have experienced at least one form of violence before the age of 18 while roughly a quarter have been emotionally abused, a new United Nations-backed survey has revealed, exploring the magnitude and nature of violence against children in the Southeast Asian country.
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.
Phnom Penh, 22 October 2014 – In a three-day mission to Cambodia, SRSG Santos Pais joined the Government of Cambodia in the launch of the findings of the national Survey on Violence against Children. SRSG Santos Pais commended the Government for conducting this groundbreaking survey and for committing to a policy response and noted that it can provide a model for Asia and across regions.
During her visit, she also discussed the findings of the survey with senior government leaders, civil society organizations and representatives of young people.
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 - The Panel Discussion was co-organized by the Special Representative and the Government of Costa Rica in cooperation with UNICEF and aimed to:
• Launch the thematic report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children “Releasing children’s potential and minimizing risks - ICTs, the Internet and Violence against Children”;
• Share good practices and experiences associated with the empowerment of children and their online protection;
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.
Geneva, 23 September 2014 – The need to accelerate progress towards the elimination of violence against children at the heart of a panel discussion held in the Human Rights Council, in Geneva.
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.
Berlin 26 June 2014 - At the launch of the 2014 UNICEF report “Every Child has Rights”, in Berlin, SRSG Santos Pais praised progress in the area of child protection, but recalled that many challenges persist a quarter-century after the adoption of the UN Convention on Rights of the Child.
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, 25 June 2014 - SRSG Santos Pais and representatives from regional organisations and institutions will hold on June 30 and July 1 a Cross-Regional Round Table on the prevention of violence in early childhood. The meeting is promoted by the SRSG and hosted, in Kingston, by the Government of Jamaica.
New York, 5 June 2014 - The Brazilian Senate approved a new law prohibiting all forms of corporal punishment against children.
Stockholm (Sweden) 4 June 2014 - “The elimination of all forms of violence against children, including corporal punishment, is a human rights imperative. Crucial for child development, it is also a pre-requisite to the realisation of a peaceful society, promoting investment in the human capital of nations and generating huge social and economic benefits."
SRSG Santos Pais' call was made at the two-day High-Level conference “Childhood free from corporal punishment”, held in Stockholm, Sweden.
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, 15 May 2014 - “The adoption of the Model Strategies on the Elimination of Violence against Children in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice is a milestone in the world’s commitment towards the elimination of all forms of violence against children”, stressed SRSG Santos Pais.
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”.
Stockholm (Sweden) 11 April 2014 - SRSG Santos Pais and the Global Child Forum signed in Stockholm, Sweden, a strategic partnership agreement to safeguard children's right to freedom from violence
The agreement promotes collaboration with the corporate sector to support the implementation of the Children’s Rights and Business Principles, developed by UNICEF, the UN Global Compact and Save the Children, and advance progress in the follow-up to the recommendations of the UN Study on Violence against Children.
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.
The Children's Parliament of Slovenia is committed to place children’s rights high on the political agenda in the year that celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
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.
Bangkok (Thailand) 19 February 2014 - Building upon General Assembly resolution A/RES/68/189, an inter-governmental expert group met in Bangkok to develop United Nations model strategies to address violence against children in the criminal justice system. Chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, and hosted by the Government of Thailand in cooperation with the Thailand Institute of Justice and UNODC, the meeting gathered experts from different regions, representing governments, UN agencies and civil society organizations.
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.
New York, 7 January 2014 - We urge Latin American and the Caribbean States to put an end to the placement of boys and girls under three years of age in residential care institutions. Most countries in the region rely disproportionately on institutionalisation as a child protection strategy despite the fact that this approach should be used only in exceptional circumstances.
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 York, 20 November 2013 – Ten years of data from telephone records, emails, text messages and chats compiled by Child Helpline International (CHI) show that children and young people around the world contact helplines for support with violence and abuse, peer relationships, psycho-social and mental health, and family conflicts.
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, 18 October 2013 - SRSG Santos Pais launched a new thematic report on Restorative Justice for Children in a high level event organized with the Governments of Indonesia and Norway during the General Assembly Debate on the Rights of the Child.
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, 24 September 2013 - The 2013 UN Treaty places a special emphasis on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols.
SRSG 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 the Russian Federation. Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister, deposited the instrument of ratification in the presence of SRSG Santos Pais during the first day of the UN Treaty Event.
New York, 23 Septemeber 2013 - The SRSG annual report to the General Assembly marks the start of a new phase.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children launched a new publication entitled: Raising Understanding among Children and Young People on the Optional Protocol on a Communications Procedure (OPCP).
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.
Ghana, 2 September 2013 - The Children and youth Forum was co-organised with Plan International, UNICEF and other child rights organisations and hosted by the Ghanaian Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ms Nana Oye Lithur. The Forum brought together 100 young advocates from 13 countries in West and Central Africa who shared experiences and discussed strategies to abandon harmful practices against children and young people in the region. As stressed by the young advocates, the aim of the forum is to make harmful practices part of a distant past.
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.
Bali (Indonesia) 26 June 2013 - Hosted by the Government of Indonesia in collaboration with the Government of Norway and the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children, the Expert Consultation includes the participation of governmental officials, experts from international and regional organizations, representatives from human rights and children’s rights independent institutions, as well as from academia and civil society.
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 - The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General on Violence against Children, Ms. Marta Santos Pais, concluded on June 14 her official visit to El Salvador. She recognized significant progress achieved in the country and made recommendations to the State to protect children and young people from all forms of violence as she emphasized “For many children and adolescents in El Salvador life is defined by one word: fear”.
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.
Nw York, 14 June 2013 - "On the commemoration of the Day of the African Child, it is imperative to express our determination to work for the protection of children from all forms of violence, including harmful practices.
I wholeheartedly welcome the decision of the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the African Union for the crucial attention given in this year’s celebration of the Day of the African Child to the theme: “Eliminating Harmful Social and Cultural Practices Affecting Children: Our Collective Responsibility.”
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.
Helsinki (Finland) 30 May 2013 - During her mission to Finland, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children Marta Santos Pais welcomed the new UNICEF report on the State of the World’s Children, which focuses on the challenges that children with disabilities face in ensuring their participation as full members of society and the enjoyment of children’s rights in supportive and a violent free environment.
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.
New York, 28 May 2013 - " This new report, Breaking the silence on violence against indigenous girls, adolescents and young women: a call to action based on an overview of existing evidence from Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America, is a thoughtful contribution to the global agenda to prevent and eliminate violence against indigenous girls, adolescents and young women.
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.
New York, 29 April 2013 - Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children Marta Santos Pais welcomed the adoption by the 23rd session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice of a resolution calling for model strategies and practical measures on the elimination of violence against children in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice.
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, 4 April 2013 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, welcomed the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). "This new treaty constitutes a crucial piece in the international normative framework for the protection of children from violence and for the prevention of the detrimental impact of armed violence on children's well being".
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 an interactive debate, SRSG Marta Santos Pais presented her annual report to the Human Rights Council. The report built upon the General Assembly’s decision from November 2012 to extend the mandate of the SRSG on Violence against Children for a further period of three years.
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.
Geneva, 7 March 2013 - On March 7th 2013, as a contribution to the Human Rights Council’s annual discussion on the child’s right to health, the Special Representative and Plan International organized a side-event "Protecting Children from Harmful Practices" in Geneva. The meeting was organized in the framework of the annual day of discussion on the rights of the child to highlight the enormous challenge presented by harmful practices to the realizations on children’s right to health.
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”.
New York 3 December 2012 - The SRSG welcomes the adoption by the General Assembly of the United Nations of the Omnibus Resolution on the Rights of the Child and reaffirms her strong commitment to pursue her global advocacy work to break the invisibility and impunity surrounding incidents of violence against children across regions.
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.
Universal Children’s Day - "No room for complacency to prevent and prohibit crimes against children"
Geneva / New York 20 Nevember 2012 - Five top United Nations child rights experts* today urged world Governments to adopt more active measures to protect children from all forms of violence, to prevent the perpetration of crimes against children and to bring to justice those responsible for child sexual exploitation and for the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.
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 Marta Santos Pais presented her third annual report to the General Assembly, highlighting the achievements made for the protection of children from violence in all settings. Ms.
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, 19 October 2012 - 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 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 8 October 2012 - The event was co-organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Office of the High-Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the SRSG on Violence against Children, with the support of the Governments of Austria and Thailand. The panel discussion was chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand, Chairperson of the Commission on Crime and Criminal Justice and counted on the participation of experts from the United Nations, USA and the Council of Europe.
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, 26 September 2012 - "I strongly welcome the historic ratification by Gabon and Thailand of this important child rights treaty. These are the two first States to ratify the the Optional Protocol on a Communications Procedure.
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, 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.
New York, 13 September 2012 - SRSG Santos Pais participated in a roundtable discussion on children with disabilities during the fifth session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, alongside with Ms. Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, Deputy Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities of South Africa, UNICEF and civil society representatives.
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.
Lima (Peru) 28 August 2012 - The Expert Consultation aimed to identify achievements, persistent challenges and to formulate strategies for the prevention and response to all forms of violence against girls and boys in early childhood. The consultation had a global and regional dimension.
The meeting was broadcasted in English and Spanish in www.inversionenlainfancia.net and www.salgalu.tv.
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.
Georgetown (Guyana) 13 July 2012 - At the the Twenty-Third Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on Children and Youth, held in Georgetown, Guyana, CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque called for greater investment in evidence-based policies and sustainable social programmes to address violence against children and youth.
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
Satra Bruk (Sweden) 21 June 2012 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Violence against Children joined the Government of Sweden and the Children’s Welfare Foundation Sweden in the organization of an expert consultation on knowledge for change, data and research.
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
New York 12 June 2012 - I welcome the celebration today of the World Day against Child Labour, which is an opportunity to renew our commitment to end the plight of the more than 215 million children worldwide who are still trapped in child labour and denied their basic human rights.
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.
Colombo (Sri Lanka) 30 May 2012 - Special Representative Santos Pais participated in the South Asia Follow Up Regional Consultation on the UN Study on Violence against Children, on 26-30 May, 2012, in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The consultation was organized by South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC), in collaboration with the Office of the SRSG, and with the support of South Asia Coordination Group on Action against Violence against Women and Children.
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.
Kingston (Jamaica) 15 May 2012 - Caribbean leaders converged at the Jamaica Conference Centre May 14-15, to discuss stepping up efforts to tackle the regional epidemic of violence against children.
Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, and Jamaica’s Minister of Youth and Culture the Hon. Lisa Hanna, were among 150 delegates from CARICOM Member-States, civil society groups and adolescents who participated in the meeting.
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.
New York, 12 April 2012 - “It is easy to get beaten if you are a street boy. People can rape you. There is nothing you can do but run away if you are lucky”
Boy, 12 living in the street. Eastern and Southern Africa. 2005 (UN Study on Violence against Children)
“In joining the commemoration on April 12 of the International Day for Street Children, I reiterate my strong support to the promotion of the rights of children living and or working on the streets, including their protection from all forms of violence.
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 7 March 2012 - The Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children (SRSG), Marta Santos Pais, presented her new report during the 19th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) on 7 March 2012, in Geneva. The Interactive Dialogue on Violence and Sale of Children was webcast live by the United Nations Webcast and is available here.
SRSG statement
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, 2 March 2012 - The fifty-sixth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is being held at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York, until Friday, 9 March 2012. This year’s priority theme is “The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges”. The emerging issue for this session is “Engaging young women and men, girls and boys, to advance gender equality”.
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.
Brussels (Belgium) 27 february 2012 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Marta Santos Pais, attended a high-level event in Brussels on “Protecting Children in and out of Emergencies”, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary commemoration of the entry into force of the Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child the Optional Protocol, namely on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography and on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict. The event was organized by the Belgium Government and UNICEF.
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.
Tokyo (Japan) 10 February 2012 - On a four day visit to Japan, the SRSG advocated for the strengthening of national legislation to prohibit all forms of violence against children, including within the home, fight child pornography and to promote the signature and ratification of the new Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure, adopted by the UN General Assembly on 19 December 2011.
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.
New York, 8 February 2012 - The third annual report of the SRSG on Violence against Children to the Human Rights Council is available. The report reviews key developments and initiatives promoted, and identifies priority areas to which the Special Representative will devote special attention to accelerate progress in children‘s protection from all forms of violence. The report will be submitted to the Human Rights Council, in its upcoming session in March 2012.
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.
Paris (France) 25 January 2012 -
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children attended the launch of Child Helpline International’s fifth report on violence against children 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.
Manila (Philippines) 18 January 2012 -The ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) convened a Consultative Meeting with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence against Children (SRSG-VAC) and CEDAW Committee experts on violence against women in Manila, the Philippines, on 16-17 January 2012. The Consultation was supported by UN Women and UNICEF.
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.
New York 19 December 2011 - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, welcomes the adoption by the General Assembly of a new protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child introducing a system of individual complaints for children.
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.
Doha (Qatar) 26 October 2011 - The SRSG participated in the meeting organized by the Follow up Committee on Monitoring the Implementation of the Recommendations of the UNSG's Study on Violence against Children that also counted on the participation of representatives from all Member States from the League of Arab States (LAS).
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, 12 October 2011 – A joint statement from regional organizations working on protection of children from violence was adopted, on Tuesday 11 October, at a roundtable discussion at the United Nations Headquarters.
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.
Tanzania, 20 September 2011 - On a four day visit to Tanzania, the Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence Against Children, Marta Santos Pais, welcomed the ground breaking national study on violence against children, and the strategic priority responses announced by the Government to address the findings of the study.
New York, 2 August 2011 - The second annual report of the SRSG to the General Assembly is available.
New York, 29 July 2011 - With the achievement of independence on 9 July, South Sudan can now be recognized as the 30th country to prohibit all forms of violence against children, including by parents. Prohibiting legislation was originally enacted in 2005 under the Interim Government of South Sudan, in article 21 of the Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan. Prohibition was subsequently confirmed in article 21 of the Child Act (2008).
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.
Oslo (Norway) 28 June 2011 - At the conclusion of a two day meeting on the theme of “Tackling Violence in Schools”, experts in child rights joined together to call for a holistic, child-centred approach to prevent and address all forms of violence against children in schools.
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.
Berlin (Germany) 20 June 2011 - The study "Kinder vor Gewalt schützen" ["Protecting Children from Violence"] was launched in Berlin, in a press conference sponsored by the German National Committee for UNICEF with the participation of First Lady, Ms. Bettina Wulff.
The study was made public as the German Parliament starts the review of a new law on child protection, expected to strengthen early interventions to prevent violence and abuse.
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.
Brasilia (Brazil) 19 May 2011 - The announcement that Brazil is very close to enacting a total prohibition of corporal punishment of children came during a seminar on legislative responses against corporal punishment of children and adolescents, held in the House of Representatives of Brazil.
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.
Asunción (Paraguay) 28 April 2011 - The Sub-Regional meeting of follow up to the UN Study on Violence against Children in South-America was held in Asuncion, Paraguay, on 28 and 29 of April.
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, 1 March 2011 - “Educate a boy, and you educate an individual. Educate a girl, and you educate a community,” so goes the oft-quoted African proverb.It is backed by empirical evidence. During a panel discussion on 1 March at the United Nations in New York on tackling violence to secure quality education for women and girls, participants heard that research in some countries shows that an educated girl reinvests 90 percent of her income in her family, compared to 35 percent for boys.
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.
New York, 9 February 2011 - Extreme poverty and violence against children were centre stage in a panel discussion held during the 49th Session of the UN Commission for Social Development and the UNICEF Executive Board meeting.
The event was co-organized by UNICEF, the SRSG on Violence against Children, ATD Fourth World, with the support of the Government of Bangladesh and counted on the participation of a youth representative of the Tapori children’s movement.
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.
Geneva, 19 November 2010 - Despite existing international standards, violence and abuse continue to be a harsh reality for millions of children around the world, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, said Friday in a message delivered on the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and in support of a proposed World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Violence against Children.** An initiative of the Women’s World Summit Foundation, an NGO coalition of women and children or
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.
New York, 13 October 2010 - The investment in early childhood was at centre stage in an interactive panel hosted by UNICEF with the support of the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of Barbados, Belgium, Uruguay, and the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, and in collaboration with Plan International, Save the Children, World Vision and America Latina en Accion Solidaria (ALAS).
The panel discussion addressed key child rights dimensions in early childhood, the focus theme for the 2010 General Assembly on the Rights of the Child.