[GENEVA, 22 March 2007] - The Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Juan Miguel Petit, told NGOs in a briefing this morning that his report to the Human Rights Council, which deals with organ trafficking and “disappeared children”, was a way of “knocking on the doors of governments” and calling on them to help combat these problems. He went on to say that governments need to see NGOs not as enemies, but as “sources of help.” Indeed, NGOs should not be passive in their behaviour by waiting for the Human Rights Council to act, he said, but take on a proactive role themselves. Speaking about Special Procedures, Mr. Petit said that they are a positive mechanism for the human rights cause as a whole and NGOs should fight to retain and improve them by presenting suggestions and statements and sending letters to country Missions. Mr Petit spoke of the key role that national coalitions play in his research, emphasising that cultural differences should not reduce NGOs’ work, but that they should find different ways to approach the same issues in different countries and among different cultures. In terms of following up recommendations, Mr Petit said spending one or two weeks in a country does not allow him to see the whole picture, but he relies heavily on the information he receives not only from governments and NGOs, but also those working at the grass-roots level and journalists. When asked how to raise the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography on the global agenda when there are so many other issues to contend with, Mr Petit commented that it is a question of raising awareness, not only among governments, but also among the people of a country must recognise as a problem. He said that communications need to be improved to educate public opinion and to raise awareness in schools. He hopes that an annual book of summaries of reports from the Special Procedures will be published so that they will not be forgotten. In closing, Mr Petit revealed that his next report will focus on issues around adoption. Read the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
Child Rights Caucus: Morning briefing with the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography
Countries
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