New Human Rights Council Must Hold Governments to Account on Child Rights

The Save the Children Alliance today called for an end to the routine violation of the rights of the world’s children and says the new Human Rights Council must mark a turning point in the treatment of children. The call comes as Kofi Annan Secretary-General of the United Nations opens the Council’s first session in Geneva on Monday 19 June.

Jasmine Whitbread, Save the Children UK Chief Executive, said: "The rights of children have been well established for years yet countries continue to violate them leaving millions of children around the world without protection from abuse, violence, exploitation and without access to healthcare and education.

"This is a global opportunity to hold Governments to account on their promises to protect the rights of children."

The Save the Children Alliance, operational in over 100 countries, wants the Human Rights Council to commit to:

• Promote the implementation of the Convention of the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols throughout its deliberations and decisions.
• Ensure children are given the opportunity to be involved in making the decisions that affect them.
• Involve child rights NGOs in its work including consultations during the Universal Periodic Review process

Further information

• First session of the Human Rights Council (19-30 June 2006)
• Human Rights Council page on the OHCHR website
• CRIN's news page on the Human Rights Council