Summary: Annual debate on the rights of the child at the Human Rights Council Session. This year, the debate is on sexual violence against children.NEW: Read the report from the day
Every year, during its March session, the Human Rights Council dedicates a day to the rights of the child. During the same period the HRC also adopts a Resolution on the Rights the Child. This year, the debate and the Resolution will both be on the theme of sexual violence against children.
The aim of this discussion is to raise awareness about the question of sexual violence against children, reaffirm existing standards and commitments, highlight good practices and lessons learnt from work over the years, identify key challenges and anticipate future work.
It is hoped the meeting will contribute to the understanding of sexual violence in the daily lives of children and in times of emergencies. It should address specifically how it affects both boys and girls, identify the main challenges in addressing sexual violence, and agree recommendations for future action.
The discussion will build upon core international standards and commitments and draw upon the work of human rights bodies and mechanisms and the experience of other key actors. The context of the discussion will be the recent 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the 10th anniversary of the first two Optional Protocols, the process of follow up to the recommendations of the UN Study on Violence Against Children and the follow up to the III World Congress Against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents.
The day will be divided into two panel sessions. The first one will focus on manifestations of sexual violence against children, and the second, will focus on the prevention of sexual violence and respsonses. Each session will hear from a number of experts and will be followed by a debate during which States, Independent Human Rights Institutions and NGOs can make interventions.
Panellists are not yet confirmed but will most likely include: Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children. She will also be presenting her first report to the HRC on 11 March, where we are expecting her to present the strategic direction for her mandate.
Other panellists should include the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, Ms. Najat M’jid Maalla, and Radhika Coomaraswamy, Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. There will also be NGO representatives on each panel as well as a representative of UNICEF.
As in previous years, NGOs with the appropriate accreditation can attend and submit written submissions and deliver oral statements. It is strongly recommended that NGOs coordinate their efforts and prioritise on joint statements as there is never enough time for all statements to be presented.
Two NGO working groups are coordinating joint activities for this session: the Working Group for the Human Rights Council and the Working Group on Violence Against Children. Both groups function under the umbrella of the NGO Group for the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Find out more here: http://www.childrightsnet.org/
Other events will include:
- HRC 13: General information on the 13th session and how to participate
- A number of side events are being organised. More information will be made available shortly as and when these are confirmed.