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LATIN AMERICA: Regional Consultation for UN Study on Violence held in
Argentina [news]
[BUENOS AIRES, 1 June 2005] – The Latin American Regional Consultation
of the UN Study on Violence has been held this week in Argentina. 250
participants attended the event including 40 children, 250 experts and
representatives from governments and NGOs. The aim of the consultation
is to look at violence in the region and work on recommendations for
preventing and eliminating it.
Domestic violence and the unwillingness of democratic governments to
stop using repressive practices against children and young people are two
of the main obstacles to children’s rights in the region, according to
participants. Other issues discussed include corporal punishment; sexual
abuse; HIV/AIDS; migration, especially from Central America to the US;
human trafficking. In the host nation, Argentina, sexual abuse and the
imprisonment of poor children in detention centres or police stations are
the most prevalent forms of violence against children.
Professor Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, Independent Expert for the Secretary-
General’s Study on Violence Against children said that “The home is the
most dangerous place for children. There are no democratic freedoms in
the home”. He also highlighted the abuses of children committed by state
officials and the importance of transforming state institutions, especially
those responsible for justice and policing. He gave the example of police
abuse in Argentina where children are incarcerated in adult
prisons. “Democracy in this region did not change policies against
children”, he said, “this is not a key issue for governments because
children don’t vote”.
Professor Pinheiro went on to talk about the abuse and discrimination
faced by indigenous children, and the situation of girl domestic workers.
“It’s essential to listen to children. States and politicians don’t do this. This
study provides an important place for children to speak”.
The Regional Consultation on Violence against Children is part of ongoing
work across the region. Every country will put the issue on its national
agenda and work to strengthen cooperation at all levels to tackle violence
against children head-on and in a unified way across Latin America.
The information collected for this study is based on the answers to
questionnaires sent to governments by the United Nations, data from
academic institutions, professional associations, NGOs and from children
themselves. For more information about the questionnaires, visit:
http://www.violencestudy.org/r53
Association: The Child Rights Information Network