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[13 March 2008] - A draft mandate (what is this?) of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, written by GRULAC (Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries) was discussed during a briefing, ahead of its discussion at the Human Rights Council. The role is up for review during the current Council session (plenary discussion scheduled for Friday 14 March). Many NGOs and States hope that the position, currently the only 'Special Procedure' with a specific focus on children, will be retained and improved. Speaking at the briefing, Juan Miguel Petit, who has held the post for the last six years and will step down over the coming weeks, said: “I think that this mandate should continue. It is a good time after six years to review. It is very important not to lose these instruments.” He said the uniqueness of the mandate, in being specific to children, was crucial. Focus on child rights He also reiterated that he did not believe the mandate overlaps with the new role of Special Representative to the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children. “There are many-different forms of violence, and ways in which children's rights are infringed. But trafficking, prostitution and child pornography are specific and need a specific mandate. We are still discovering why these crimes occur, and we don't know how to stop them, to rehabilitated the victims, and the criminals. “There are still lots of question marks over these issues. This mandate is a way to put together everything that happens all over the world – programmes, problems, legislation and best practice.” He said the review of the mandate should not be viewed as a problem, but as a way of developing and improving its impact. A representative from Greece agreed that the mandate was crucial. He also asked what advice Mr Petit would have for any new appointee, and how they might coordinate with other mandate holders. Not magicians Mr Petit replied: “It's worth recognising that the results from our work are very modest. We are not magicians, but we can make suggestions on policies and tried to promote change. “In terms of coordination, it is of course not good if two mandates are doing the same, but it is not a bad thing if two mandates overlap a little, because social problems also overlap. This mandate is of course related to other mandates, but it has some very specific points which are not related.” He reiterated, as he has recommended in previous meetings during the session, that there needs to be more dissemination of information. He said a better joint web site, or some sort of annual prize, or Special Procedures day, may add value to the system. A Russian delegate asked about the response to the 'Zoe's Ark' scandal. Mr Petit replied that his office had followed up on the report. He said: “We were very clear that the activities of this organisation looked very bad. Of course, it opened up questions about transparency and the need for NGOs to watch out for this kind of thing.” Not a threat Mr Petit said the appointee would ideally visit every region of the world, and reflect different cultures and practices. He said: “States should see the visits as positive and not as threatening. In some countries, it is difficult to know how to offer children attractive education programmes to compete with what the gangs offer them. “ He continued: “A sad reality we face is that many boys and girls that are involved, they are many times kidnapped and put in bad situations but they reach hat situation after many years of being abandoned or abused, lacking friendship, love or care. Often the criminal gangs offer them a more attractive place.” Further information
“We need to continue working in developing instruments specific for the protection of children,” he said.
The delegate from Canada asked Mr Petit how he thought the mandate could be improved, and what advice he would give to the new mandate-holder.