Special Representative Santos Pais welcomes ratification of United Arab Emirates of Optional Protocol on sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography

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.    

“By becoming a State Party to this Protocol, the United Arab Emirates make a crucial step to strengthen children’s protection from sexual exploitation. It also supports international cooperation efforts to prevent very serious crimes and to fight the impunity that surrounds them. As we start the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, I trust this excellent news will mobilize further and determined action in the region in support of the targets aiming at ending violence against children.” said SRSG Santos Pais.  

The treaty, one of three Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, extends the obligations of States parties to guarantee the protection of children from the sale and sexual exploitation of children in particular through explicit prohibition of these acts in their laws.  

The United Arab Emirates has become the 172nd State to adhere to this important human rights treaty, bringing the world closer to the universal ratification goal.