Violence Against Children: Side event at World Fit for Children follow up event

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[NEW YORK, 11 December 2007] - At a side event co hosted by World Vision and the government of Uruguay, the recently adopted GA resolution that establishes the Special Representative on Violence Against Children was reiterated as a welcome step towards eliminating all forms of violence against children.

H.E. Elbio Rosselli, Ambassador of the Permanent Mission, Uruguay, said his country welcomed the decision of the General Assembly, particularly as Uruguay had recently become the first state in Latin America to ban corporal punishment in all settings, “the SRSG will have the primary responsibility to follow up on the recommendations of the Violence Study”, he continued.

Fabien Freschi, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of France also welcomed the adoption of the resolution and reiterated some of the key messages of the Violence Study, including the importance of prevention, prohibition, punishment of perpetrators and especially the need to involve children in all processes that affect them to enable them to claim their rights.

He further emphasised the need to educate the judiciary and ensure both the judiciary and law enforcement personnel have a child friendly approach

Laoura Lazoura of the Mission of South Africa also welcomed the establishment of the SRSG and mentioned the recent meeting organised by the African Union to reiterate the promises made by African States in the 'African World Fit for Children'.

Christelle Binti Lutala, leader and spokesperson of the BENI Children’s Parliament, Democratic Republic of the Congo talked about some of the issues that affect children in her country, particularly armed conflict and extreme poverty. She called on her government to end impunity of those who violate children’s rights and for the parliament to pass laws protecting children and implement these. She called on the international community to help in ending conflict in her country and hold perpetrators of violations to account.

Jaylord Langbayan, member of the children’s association and the National Coalition of Children’s Association, Philippines said “all of us should grow up in a world fit for children and peaceful. We are hearing many stories, but in our present time, this is not yet a world fit for children.

“After 5 years of implementation the WFFC resolution, where are we as a global community? Have we taken our part? We are the children, we are a gift and should not be a victim. Let us not blame each other but uphold one another, learn to listen, in the stillness of our voices we have power. See us as children with potential, as partners, we are willing to help build a better world”.

Sara Austin, from World Vision, and member of the NGO Advisory Council for follow up to the UN Study on Violence Against Children said that over 1000 NGOs had recently signed a call for action for the establishment of the SRSG on violence against children, which included children, and was now calling on the Secretary General to carefully consider the selection process for the appointment of the SRSG. She urged UN agencies and others to contribute to the budget of the office of the SRSG to enable its speedy establishment.

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Organisation: 
Child Rights International Network

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