Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: The sixth regional consultation for the UN
Study on Violence Against children opened
with over 220 participants, including 26
children, government delegates and NGOs
from 24 countries in East Asia and Pacific are
meeting for three days to look at the main
forms of violence affecting children and work
to find lasting solutions to eradicate these.
[BANGKOK, 14 June 2005] – The sixth regional consultation for the UN
Study on Violence Against children opened this morning in Bangkok. Over
220 participants, including 26 children, government delegates and NGOs
from 24 countries in East Asia and Pacific are meeting for three days to
look at the main forms of violence affecting children in the region and work
to find lasting solutions to eradicate these.
The consultation was officially opened by the Governor of Bangkok, Apirak
Kosayodhin, who said that too many children are living in violence in the
name of discipline and that this can no longer be protected by silence. In
welcoming delegates to Bangkok he said that this consultation was an
opportunity to expand and encourage more international and local
initiatives to end violence against children, “please do your utmost to
develop practical recommendations and practical follow ups” he concluded.
Anupama Rao Singh, Regional Director for UNICEF EAPRO, listed some of
the key points that will be explored here, which include data collection
systems, reporting mechanisms and monitoring systems, and the fact that
children must be fully engaged in the full process.
Paulo Pinheiro, Independent Expert leading the UN Secretary-General’s
Study on Violence against children, mentioned that this was the sixth such
consultation taking place around the world and emphasised the
importance of meaningful participation of children as “their inputs and
those of the youth delegates with us today, will provide us with insight
and fresh perspectives in the fight against prevention of violence against
children.” On the region he said that East Asia and Pacific had shown
progress in comprehensive child protection laws, a Juvenile Courts Act has
been enacted in Papua New Guinea, and NGOs, UN agencies and
governments are collaborating for the development of appropriate juvenile
justice systems in seven countries.
Other positive steps include an inter-governmental Memorandum of
Understanding on cross border trafficking signed by Thailand and
Cambodia, and China and Vietnam. Furthermore, commitments were made
during the 7th Ministerial Consultation, the Bali Consensus of the 6th
Ministerial Consultation on children identifies the combating of trafficking
and the commercial sexual exploitation of children as one of four key
priorities, later reasserted at the 7th Ministerial Consultation on Children.
“We cannot wait to see violence occurring to act, many successful
initiatives have already shown that much violence is absolutely
preventable”, he continued.
He then congratulated those countries that had sent in their
questionnaires, including: Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
Mongolia, New Zealand, The Republic of Korea and Singapore. However,
significant obstacles remain in the region, such as the reluctance of some
governments to adequately acknowledge the scope of the problem and
address them within their own countries. Such issues include border
conflicts and impacts of these on children, violence against refugees and
other stateless and displaced children, and violence against ethnic
minorities who are also being denied other fundamental rights.
Jaap Doek, chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child explained
the role of the Committee on the Rights of the Child in pushing for this
study several years ago. “Why are we here today?”, he asked. “Don’t we
know children are suffering violence on the streets? Do we need to know
more? We have piles of documents, in all contexts. Still, when the
Committee on the Rights of the Child organised the two days of
discussions on this subject, we had a feeling there was a need to focus on
this.”
He continued: “Why the study? We would like to figure out why it is those
who are supposed to educate our children in tolerance and respect, who
beat them using all kinds of instruments? Why do people in institutions,
who are providing care for abandoned children or children who were left
behind, why are they whipping and flogging children, and isolating them,
why is that? And why do parents, those who children trust the most, why
do they beat their own children.”
Doek stressed that the study will contribute to developing effective
measures to eradicate this, but it was not a UN ritual, supported by 9
regional consultations, “you are here to make sure the report reflects your
determination, provide insights from this region, what works and what is
effective in eradicating violence”, he said. “This meeting is not completed in
three days, the study is not completed by its publication; that is not the
end of the exercise, ladies and gentlemen, it is the beginning. It is up to
you, governments, NGOs and others present here, to use this study as a
tool for action, not an exercise to satisfy your curiosity, we need to
translate action into policy and change attitudes. The ultimate test is to
respect the child as a bearer or rights, and this means abolishing corporal
punishment as children as rights-holders does not fit with a practice where
they are subjected to all sorts of physical violence. You must start a
momentum in this region that you maintain after the report, and this
should contain concrete time-bound steps.”
Helen Veitch, from the Steering Committee on Children’s Participation, and
author of the Minimum Standards for child participation, introduced the
process that had taken place to ensure children’s participation at this
consultation was meaningful. Out of more than 220 participants, 26 are
children, from different backgrounds and countries. The selection process
was transparent and democratic. She explained that these children are
here because they may have previously taken part in various local,
regional and international events, because they are experts on violence,
and although some may be victims of violence, they are here to talk about
solutions, not their personal experiences. “Children are often portrayed as
victims but they are competent campaigners and social actors in promoting
positive change”, she said.
In previous regional events, children were being seen and heard, but they
were not involved in decision making processes. So when the study was
announced, a steering committee was set up to organise children’s
involvement. Subsequently, it was felt that the time was right to develop
minimum standards for child participation. Children are thus participating
as full delegates and have equal status to adults. The final outcome
document will reflect both adults and children’s recommendations, there
will not be a separate statement or declaration.
Six girl delegates were chosen by other children to give a keynote
address. The first delegate explained that for the last two days, they had
been working with thematic groups, discussing priority issues and
recommendations to lessen violence in the region. Another child explained
that during the forum they learnt to communicate, they shared knowledge,
discussed most important issues, thought of recommendations, and made
friends.
A third child said that they were all under 18, they say what they think,
represent children from their countries, and are bringing their ideas
here. “Children are being hurt,” she continued, “we must speak out to
protect ourselves, we can communicate with children more easily and
reflect the views of children who are victims, so we request all of you to
speak slower so we all have time for translation… Although it is more
difficult for us because we need support from guardians and parents, we
are not afraid of carrying the responsibility of representing our peers.”
Read more details about children’s address
href='http://www.crin.org/violence/search/closeup.asp?infoID=5702'>
here.