Sixty-third General Assembly

Third Committee

14^th & 15^th Meetings (AM & PM)

THIRD COMMITTEE SPEAKERS PRAISE STRENGTHENED CHILD RIGHTS LEGAL STRUCTURE, BUT

SAY CHILDREN IN POVERTY, CONFLICT ‘SAD REMINDER’ OF HOW FAR WORLD HAS TO GO

Hears Some 50 Speakers as Debate Continues on Rights of Children;

Draft Resolutions on Crime Prevention, World Drug Problem Introduced

While lauding the success of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its protocols as a legal instrument, and the increased attention given to children’s issues at high-level meetings and debates, delegates to the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) today decried the lack of targeted actions aimed at the specific needs of children, as discussions on the promotion and protection of rights of children continued for a second day.

As noted by the representative of Bangladesh, millions of children died each year from curable diseases.  Several million others had no access to basic primary education, and many under the age of 18 were active participants in armed conflict.  Those were among several “sad reminders” that the world had a long way to go in its struggle to protect and promote the rights of the child. 

Against that backdrop, many speakers from developing countries, including the representative of Pakistan, questioned whether children growing up in such circumstances could contribute meaningfully to society as adults.  She said violence against children, child trafficking and other crimes against young people were rampant, exacting economic costs to society that would only be visible in the long run.  The plight of children, therefore, could not be viewed separately from the development perspective.

Agreeing, the representative of Indonesia said when children could not thrive, it undermined the wider objectives of reducing poverty and promoting peace.  In that light, it was important for the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the “World Fit for Children” campaign to be fully realized, so that children could fully develop their capacities.  In addition, children needed targeted policies that recognized their needs and rights to survival, protection, development and participation.  To that end, it was important that national budgets contain enough funding for children’s programmes.

A few speakers encouraged the view that children be treated as active participants in crafting solutions, such as the representative of Tunisia who informed delegates that 2008 was Tunisia’s “National Year of Dialogue with Youth”.  He said the full participation of children and youth in society, including politics, was a prerequisite for progress in a society’s development.  Tunisia had held numerous events where young people assembled to craft a document to define their vision of -- and their role in -- the nation’s future.

Voicing support for that notion, the representative of Norway asserted that child participation was key to the successful implementation of many other child rights, and suggested that the international community develop practices regarding children’s participation in decision-making, within the framework of a “World Fit for Children” -- the plan of action which came out of the twenty-seventh General Assembly special session on children in 2002.  She suggested that the General Assembly address that issue in the coming year, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Among the most talked-about topics today were the right of children to education, health, nutrition and a life free from exploitation, though a few speakers addressed “emerging issues” in social policy,such as migrant rights.  The representative of the International Organization for Migration said children-related migration issues had not gained the same level of interest as other migration issues.  Statistics had shown that, in some countries, the percentage of migrating youth could be as high as 50 per cent, although the exact number was unclear.  If the situation of children left behind by one or both parents working abroad was included in those figures, the number of children affected became even more relevant.

He explained that policymakers had paid little attention to the specific challenges relating to children and migration, such as the protection of unaccompanied children on the move, and the situation of children in countries of destination.  Further, children who migrated often did so illegally or irregularly, and faced an increased risk of exploitation and abuse as a result.  Increased cooperation at regional, bilateral and multilateral levels was essential to protect migrant children, as was the strengthening of measures by host countries to protect and respect the rights of migrant children, including their right to basic social services.

Offering statistics on children and trafficking, a representative of the International Labour Organization (ILO) said at least 2.5 million people across the world were subject to exploitation by trafficking, of whom nearly half were children under the age of 18.  Calling for a thorough understanding of the root causes and vulnerabilities of child migrants and victims of trafficking, she noted that poverty was often the root of the phenomenon, though poverty alone could not explain the magnitude of the phenomenon.  A range of risk factors, when combined, made children vulnerable to migration and trafficking.

She said solid data, a supportive legal framework, and government commitment to address child migration were important conditions for effective action.  It was also important to ensure children were in school and employment policies were in place to ensure parents had jobs that allowed families to enjoy a decent life.

Also speaking today were the representatives of Iraq, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Belarus, the Philippines, China, Bangladesh, the Russian Federation, Slovenia, Cuba, Kenya, Iceland, Iran, Algeria, Viet Nam, Libya, Chile, Tunisia, Pakistan, Switzerland, Senegal, Norway, Singapore, Georgia and Mozambique.

The representatives of Sri Lanka, Uruguay, India, Israel, Swaziland, Ghana, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Monaco, the United Republic of Tanzania, Jordan, Eritrea, Malawi, Netherlands, Yemen, Thailand, Fiji and Mongolia also spoke, as did the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The representatives of the Russian Federation and Georgia spoke in the right of reply.

Also today, the Committee heard the introduction of two draft resolutions by the representatives of Italy and Mexico, on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, and on international cooperation against the world drug problem.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Friday, 17 October, to continue its discussion on the rights of the child.

Background

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural) met today to continue its discussion on the promotion and protection of the rights of children (please see Press Release GA/SHC/3920).

In addition, the Committee had before it the draft text of two proposed resolutions, including:  on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular its technical cooperation capacity (document A/C.3/63/L.10); and on international cooperation against the world drug problem (document A/C.3/63/L.6).

Statements

GEHANNOORI EL-YAS ( Iraq) said that children today were the citizens of tomorrow, and, if they did not have their rights respected as young persons, they never would.  The rights of children were one of the fundamental elements of human rights.  In Iraq, children suffered from psychological trauma due to years of ongoing violence.  In addition, the social services system created by the former regime had created a situation in which children were unable to access all the essential services necessary for their overall health.  Cooperation with international organizations, such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), had allowed his Government to launch a number of initiatives to improve the lives of children, such as the establishment of a national plan of action for the vaccination and support for children living with physical and mental disabilities.

Iraq had also developed legislation and laws to provide for the protection of children, he said.  In Iraq’s constitution, there were provisions that banned the sexual or physical abuse of children, and guaranteed the protection of mothers, children and youth against all forms of exploitation.  Protecting and promoting the rights of children was a priority, and his Government had provided support to children to help provide them all essential services for childhood development.  The right of children to have free access to sports facilities and education up to the secondary level was also provided for.  Iraq had even set up a children’s parliament to help them participate in the transition period, and had made the recommendations from the Convention on the Rights of the Child available to them.  Promoting children’s rights would support the promotion of rights in general and, as such, Iraq was committed to following up on the recommendations included in the report of the Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict after her visit.

LUCIA MARIA MAIERÁ ( Brazil), aligning herself with the statement made by the “Rio Group” yesterday, said her Government had participated in a four-year consultative process on draft United Nations guidelines on alternative care for children living without parents.  She said she looked forward to working with other Member States on that initiative.  Another priority of the Government was to eliminate sexual violence against children, and it would soon host the World Congress against the Sexual Exploitation of Children,in November, aimed at encouraging international mobilization regarding the cause of child rights.  Around 3,000 people were expected to participate, including adolescents, Governments, civil society and experts.  Their task would be to identify gaps in the legal framework and accountability mechanisms of nations, and to promote an intersectoral approach to combat the sexual exploitation of children.  It was hoped that participants would broaden their partnerships with the private sector.  She renewed the invitation to all Member States to participate in that process.

VICTORIA CHALLACOMBE ( United Kingdom) said that her Government was expected to ratify the Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography in the coming year, and, overall, it supported all efforts to strengthen the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  The positive engagement by States parties with the Committees and treaty-monitoring bodies was essential to protect and promote human rights, and to ensure the proper functioning of those bodies.  As such, she encouraged all Member States to ensure proper communication with those bodies.  Turning to procedural issues, she noted the idea suggested by the Committee on the Rights of the Child to hold dual meetings, in two chambers, to improve the efficiency of their work.  She suggested that there would perhaps be other, and potentially better, solutions available to help the Committee deal with its workload, instead of working in two chambers.

SOHA GENDI ( Egypt) said, in light of multiple global crises facing the world, her Government had embarked on a cross-sectoral strategy with regard to promoting child rights.  Egypt, through the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, had seen progress in reducing morbidity and mortality rates among mothers and children; abolished polio and other diseases; and raised the rate of girls’ enrolment in school.  It was currently working to establish the basic legal and institutional infrastructure to tackle violence against children, including female genital mutilation.  The Government hoped to promote that infrastructure among Arab states.

She said Egypt was known as a pioneer in instituting child rights-based budgeting in education, health and capacity-building.  In light of the fact that child labour was a major theme this year, Egypt had doubled its actions to fight that problem.  Disabled children and children with special needs were also gaining visibility within the country’s national development strategy.  She stressed the importance of appointing a Special Representative of the Secretary-General on violence against children as a way of fostering international cooperation within the child rights movement.

She noted that Egypt had been one of the first countries to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and had withdrawn its reservation over some of its articles.  Her Government had raised the marriage age from 16 to 18 years; raised the age for responsibility for criminal acts from 7 to 12 years; and had begun dealing with matters relating to children born out of wedlock and other social issues.  She expressed concern over the request of the Committee on the Rights of the Child that it be allowed to meet in parallel chambers, since she believed it went against the principles of maintaining equitable, geographical distribution among experts when considering country reports.  She suggested that it might be possible to seek a compromise solution, involving extending the period of Committee sessions.  She ended by paying tribute to Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, and the work she was doing in occupied territories, Iraq and Afghanistan, and looked forward to receiving those reports.

SERGEI RACHKOV ( Belarus) said that overall progress in development areas such as health, HIV/AIDS, education and protections against violence frequently failed to address the individual and specific needs of children.  Development programmes often lacked vaccination programmes, as well as access to safe drinking water and basic sanitary services for children.  Failing to protect the rights of children by providing those services would significantly affect efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.  Belarus had made children and their development a priority.  As such, child mortality rates were gradually declining in Belarus, and the Government had also improved immunization programmes for younger children, to the point where, currently, 99 per cent of children less than 1-year-old were immunized.  Governments that were unable to provide immunization programmes for children due to a lack of proper health facilities should be given proper attention and support by the international community.  As well, the number of children affected by HIV/AIDS was also a matter of concern that required greater international support.

A healthy way of life for a child was directly related to their own physical development and, to a large extent, to the health of mothers, he said.  Belarus was, therefore, committed to achieving all development goals for mothers and children.  On education, he said that Belarus was on target to meet the Millennium Goal on universal primary education.  The level of primary school attendance in Belarus was currently at 93.5 per cent.  Overall, recommendations made in the reports before the Committee, calling for greater attention to, and understanding of, the strategic plans that had been developed to further protect and promote the rights of children, should be followed.  Progress could only be made with improved efforts by all partners, including the fulfilment of previously made commitments.

HILARIO DAVIDE ( Philippines) said that his country’s Constitution placed the utmost importance on children, and directed its states to promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being.  There were many laws and Governmental units that assured such protection, and the Council for the Welfare of Children was carrying out activities for Children’s Month, celebrated in October.  His country had also affirmed its concurrence with Security Council decisions on children and armed conflict, and, earlier this year, successfully presented its initial report under the Optional Protocol concerning armed conflict of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

He said that the Philippines also actively participated in the December 2007 follow-up event for the special session on children.  During that meeting, the delegation made it known that the Millennium Development Goals and the agenda of the “World Fit for Children were priorities.  The midterm progress report on the Millennium Development Goals showed significant gains for children, including the reduction of the child mortality rate and the poverty rate, along with progress in nutrition, gender equality and the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.  His country vowed to work harder in other areas.  He welcomed the adoption by consensus of the Declaration at the follow-up to the special session, but stressed that more needed to be done in order to improve the lives of children worldwide.  “The only way the world’s children can be provided with the necessary care, support, education, protection and love is through genuine, continuing cooperation among all States,” he said.

DAN ZHANG ( China) said it was imperative for the global community to take effective measures to better protect children’s rights, and Governments were required to take legislative and judicial measures to that end.  She called on developed countries to provide developing countries with financial and technical assistance to create a favourable environment for children.   China had long attached great importance to promoting children’s rights, and had established a domestic legal system in that area.  On an operational level, the State Council on Women and Children was the lead organization and supported by Government agencies.  In addition, China had adopted plans of action in specific areas, including one to combat human trafficking in women and children.

On an international level, she said China had ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and in 2007, the Optional Protocol on Children in Armed Conflict.  The country also had continued its fruitful cooperation with UNICEF in following up an implementation of the concluding observations of the Convention’s Monitoring Committee.  To eradicate hunger and poverty among children and improve their well-being, the Government would continue to increase input in children’s health and education, better the children’s welfare system, improve relevant legislation, and work to increase assistance to least developed countries in such areas as food, education and health care.

ISMAT JAHAN ( Bangladesh) noted that millions of children died each year from curable diseases, millions had no access to basic primary education, and many under the age of 18 were active participants in armed conflict.  Those were “sad reminders” that the world had a long way to go in its struggle to protect and promote the rights of the child.  As one the earliest States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its two Optional Protocols, Bangladesh was actively pursuing child rights, domestically and regionally.  Under its third national plan of action for children, from 2004 to 2010, stringent acts had been enacted to protect children, in particular girls, from exploitation, violence, trafficking and discrimination.  Significant safeguards were in place prohibiting child detention and confinement, and the threshold of criminal responsibility of children had been raised.  The Government had been implementing new interventions in the fields of juvenile justice administration, injury and accidents, family environment and alternative care and early learning.

On child labour, she said a labour law of 2006 had provisions for eliminating and reducing exploitative forms of such labour.  Elimination of child labour itself was being pursued through creation of viable opportunities.  Its garment industry was completely child-labour free, and a national policy on child labour was under formulation.  But, she acknowledged that the corporate sector had yet to be forthcoming to commit to social and ethically responsible business practices.

She went on to discuss progress in improving child nutrition, health and education, saying that those sectors received a significant budgetary allocation and had shown great progress.  The Government had also established a National Human Rights Commission, which stood ready to safeguard the rights of the child.  Public-private partnerships, as well as collaboration with non-governmental organizations, had resulted in notable improvements in the situation of street children and children with disabilities, such as through “open-air schools” and initiatives such as a “Children’s Development Bank”.  She also noted that children were most hard hit in situations of armed conflict and under foreign occupation, and it was encouraging to note that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations had recruited a child protection focal point.  As the sponsor of the resolution on the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, 2001-2010, she expressed hope that that resolution would enjoy enthusiastic support.

ALESSANDRO MOTTER, of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, said that no right was more vital to children than the right to good health.  Yet, 97 per cent of all maternal and child deaths occurred in only 68 countries across the world, and only 16 of those countries were on track to reach the Millennium Development Goals.  Recent years had seen growing attention paid to maternal health and child survival, and the efforts of international, regional and national actors had combined to raise awareness, support and to help track changes.  Thanks to those efforts, it was now possible to clearly identify gaps in achievement and how certain measures, if taken, could improve the lives of women and children.  Though change was possible, it was necessary to generate the political will for political and legislative action.

Parliaments should answer that call to action, he said.  In 2008, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and partners of the Countdown to 2015 Conference on Maternal, Newborn and Child Survival joined forces to enhance parliamentary efforts to promote maternal, newborn and child health within the 68 priority countries.  Parliamentarians were given the opportunity to meet with global health experts, policymakers and representatives from civil society and international organizations to address the urgent need to accelerate progress towards achieving Millennium Goals four and five, on child mortality and maternal health.  In those discussions, the importance of developing and strengthening health policies and systems, and ensuring a continuum of care to reduce maternal and child mortality was highlighted.  The Inter-Parliamentary Union was committed to supporting parliaments in:  overseeing Government action; budgeting for maternal, newborn and child health; advocating nationally and internationally for the Millennium Goals; representing the voices of women and children; and legislating to ensure universal access to essential care.

LUCA DALL’OGLIO, International Organization for Migration, said that the movement of people across national borders was a phenomenon that was becoming increasingly relevant to global public policy.  However, discussions on child-related migration issues had not gained the same level of interest as other migration issues.  Even if the precise number of children and adolescents who migrated worldwide was unknown, statistics had shown that, in some countries, the percentage of migrating youth could be as high as 50 per cent.  In addition, if the situation of children affected by migration -- children left behind, perhaps by one or both parents working abroad -- was included in those figures, the number became even more relevant.  As such, the International Organization for Migration had recently published a new study on international law and the protection of migrant children to advance the debate on the issue.

To date, policymakers had paid little attention to the broad range of factors that prompted children to migrate and the specific challenges they faced, he said, such as children left behind by their parents, the protection of unaccompanied children on the move, and the situation of children in countries of destination.  All relevant actors should undertake further studies to better understand the impact of migration on the well-being and rights of children that stayed behind in their countries of origin.  Children who migrated often did so illegally or irregularly, and were, thus, at an increased risk of exploitation and abuse.  Increased cooperation at regional, bilateral and multilateral levels was essential to protect migrant children, especially those who migrated unaccompanied by adults.  Host countries should also strengthen measures to protect and respect the rights of migrant children, including their right to basic social services.  Migrant children should enjoy the same protections that national children enjoyed when they arrived in their countries of destination.

ELENA GASTALDO, of the International Labour Organization (ILO), said, a 2006 ILO report described a significant decline in child labour since the global estimation of four years earlier.  Despite that, there were still about 218 million child labourers, 126 million of which were trapped in hazardous work.  Welcoming the decision made last year by Member States to focus section three of the General Assembly resolution on rights of the child, she said joint efforts to eradicate child labour were indispensable.  By ratifying the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention and the Convention on Minimum Age for Work, Member States were taking concrete first steps of national action.  The former Convention showed that even the most developed countries faced some forms of child labour, including its worst forms.  To that end, the ILO Governing Body had adopted a Global Action Plan, which called for eliminating the worst forms of child labour by 2016, and all its forms, thereafter.

She said at least 2.5 million persons across the globe were subject to exploitation by trafficking, and that included 1.2 million children under the age of 18.  Calling for a thorough understanding of the root causes and vulnerabilities of child migrants and victims of trafficking, she noted that poverty was usually at the root of trafficking, but poverty, alone, could not explain the magnitude of the phenomenon.  A range of risk factors, when combined, made children vulnerable to migration and trafficking.  Solid data and transparency with regards to research findings, a supportive legal framework, and Government commitment to address child migration, in particular trafficking, were important conditions for effective action.  It was also important to ensure children were in school, and employment policies were in place to ensure parents had jobs that allowed families to enjoy a decent life.  In conclusion, she said the ILO was coordinating the work of an inter-agency partnership, the Global Task Force on Child Labour and Education for All, which brought together United Nations agencies, teachers and civil society representatives to strengthen measures to help child labourers.

ANNE CHRISTENSEN, of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), focused her remarks on the critical issue of moving children out of the persistent threat of HIV/AIDS, as well as the growing threats posed by disaster risks and climate change.  She said the situation of children living with HIV has worsened considerably since the Special Session of the General Assembly on Children in 2002.  About 2.1 million children were living with HIV in 2007, up from 1.5 million in 2001.  Eleven million children in Africa had been orphaned by AIDS, and millions more were vulnerable and lived without support.  She urged all countries to act, and said there was a need for social mobilization, systematic engagement and harmonizing efforts, as well as improving coordination and acting at the community level.

The implications of climate change and disaster risks were creating a growing threat to children everywhere, she continued.  Many of the big disease threats to children, including the global killers malaria and diarrhoea, were sensitive to changes in temperature and rainfall.  Climate change also brought changes to the food supply and the availability of clean water.  The IFRC’s Climate Centre had addressed some of these concerns through local programmes and in the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Guide.  The guide offered a step-by-step approach for national red cross societies to identify the threats to their communities and develop their own solutions.  She encouraged Governments to use their national red cross societies, and support them in building safe and resilient communities.

VLADIMIR ZHEGLOV ( Russian Federation) said that ensuring the rights of children was a top priority for his Government, and, as such, it had launched a national programme to address children’s issues through to the year 2010.  That programme would support families raising children and would better provide for the healthy development of all children, even those raised outside of the family.  Indeed, reforms of the national custody system had already helped orphans and other children living in foster care.  A number of awareness-raising events had been held, over the previous year, for children and adolescents.  Those events were aimed at cultivating values such as love for family and friends, respect for elders and care for the young.  As well, the Russian Federation had recently ratified the Optional Protocol of the child rights Convention concerning children and armed conflict, which was proof that his country was firmly committed to the full respect of international standards and norms to protect children.

Turning to the issue of armed conflict and its impact on children, he highlighted the recent conflicts in South Ossetia and the terrible ways in which that violence had impacted upon children in the region.  Georgian artillery had placed at least 500 children in the line of fire, and, overall, the conflict had left civilians in the area without proper access to basic services.  Without water, food and medical help, pregnant women and newborns died.  In addition, the Georgian military had hunted down civilians and had carried out targeted bombing in areas and on roads where civilian refugees were present.  Homes, schools and hospitals were also fired upon, and many civilians had died in those attacks.  Such crimes against humanity should be condemned by the international community and efforts made to ensure that such violence would not flare up again.  Overall, the international community must ensure that any and all efforts were made to protect and promote the rights of children in all situations, including in situations of armed conflict.

SANJA STIGLIC ( Slovenia) called for the appointment of a Special Representative for Violence against Children, which had been announced last year, but not, as yet, filled.  She added that child protection was one of the priorities of Slovenia’s foreign policy in the field of human rights, security and socio-economic development.  She urged full implementation of the outcome of the special session on children to promote and protect the rights of children.  Strides made by her country included its commitment to implement recommendations made in the United Nations Study on Violence against Children, particularly in the prevention of family violence and the ban on corporal punishment for children, and the passage of a national Domestic Violence Prevention Act.  She also noted that Slovenia prioritized the issues of violence against children and children affected by war within the European Union framework, and pledged that they would also be top priorities for the upcoming Council of Europe session, which Slovenia would chair.

She said Member States and the European Commission were called upon to work on a coherent and coordinated approach to human rights, security and development policies to address the impacts of armed conflicts on children, one of the most vulnerable groups of children.  He commended the work done by various United Nations mechanisms, but said a new complaint mechanism was needed for the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as the only core instrument without one.  She expressed support for the Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict.  At the national level, her Government along with the city of Ljubljana and a non-governmental organization had established the foundation, “Together”, to work on the psychosocial well-being and rehabilitation of children affected by armed conflicts and post-war poverty in the West Balkans, Iraq and North Caucasus by strengthening local structures.  On the subject of sexual exploitation of children, she said the Third World Congress should define a more efficient and holistic approach to combat that form of violence, which would include a wide range of state and non-state actors, particularly private sector involvement.  Lastly, Ms. Stiglic highlighted the right of children to a healthy and secure childhood, and the importance of teaching children about their rights.  She also encouraged a comprehensive, rights-based approach to the issue.

CLAUDIA PÉREZ ÁLVAREZ ( Cuba) said some changes had begun to benefit children, but challenges remained, including in the struggle to reduce the global infant mortality by two-thirds.  The most recent statistics showed that over 9 million children had died before their fifth birthday, while in sub-Saharan Africa, more than 2,000 children died every day from health conditions, such as anaemia and others.  Given the current global food crisis, many more children were sure to go hungry.  Further, over 280 million children were working, of which 126 million were working without salaries and without protection in industries such as mining and agriculture.  Thousands suffered from oppression, sexual exploitation, intimidation, and migratory policies that violated human rights.

She remarked that her country, which was under “siege” by the United States, had nevertheless made progress in promoting and protecting the rights of the child.  Cuba boasted one of the lowest child mortality rates in the world, which was the fruit of the Government’s efforts to provide free health care and education to all.  Every year, the General Assembly rebuffed the United States’ policy of embargo against Cuba.  In light of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, and the damage they had wrought to Cuban infrastructure and agriculture, the international community had voiced agreement on the need for the United States to end its illegal, inhumane policy against Cuba.

She said violence against children was tantamount to denying them a safe future and access to health, food and safe recreation.  Such violence took the form of child pornography, the sex trade, child labour, drug use, the participation of children in armed conflict and others.  For as long as millions of boys and girls continued to “troop the streets”, died of hunger, or suffered through bombings, attacks, foreign occupation and poverty, the world must continue to fight for their rights.  Nations of the world must also put an end to environmental degradation that endangered children’s health.  The future of humanity itself was at stake.

ZACHARY D. MUBURI-MUITA ( Kenya) said the work of protecting and promoting children’s rights was making commendable progress, due to the unrelenting efforts of national Governments, the international community, specialized agencies, civil society and community-based organizations.  As noted in the Secretary-General’s report, child mortality was declining globally, with the number of children dying before their fifth birthday dropping below 10 million in 2007.  The use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets was increasing in sub-Saharan Africa, while immunization programmes had been expanded.  Yet, children still confronted many constraints and challenges, including violence, armed conflicts, civil wars, hunger, malnutrition, child labour and disease.

He said the best investment a country could make was to ensure the education of its children.  Despite the progress made in increasing primary school enrolment, more than 72 million children around the world lacked access to formal education.  Since introducing universal primary education in 2003, Kenya had seen its primary school enrolment jump to 8.2 million in 2007, up from 6.06 million in 2002.  Free tuition now was provided in secondary schools.  But, the shortage of teachers, overcrowding in classes, especially in urban informal settlements, and other challenges remained.  In arid and semi-arid areas, the nomadic lifestyles of pastoralist communities made retaining children in school a challenge.

Turning to health care, he said Kenya had adopted a National Health Strategic Plan 2005-2010 which had integrated the Millennium Development Goals.  Kenya had improved its immunization programme and recorded significant gains in the fight against malaria, the top killer of Kenyan children under the age of 5. To help children impacted by violence, Kenya had created a toll-free, 24‑hour helpline in May 2008 to channel distress calls involving children to the appropriate agencies.  More than 50,000 calls were answered between May 2008 and August 2008.  Kenya had adopted a national policy and plan of action on orphans and vulnerable children to provide a framework to improve the plight of disadvantaged children, which helped children impacted by poverty and HIV/AIDS.

HJALMAR W. HANNESON ( Iceland) said that more than five years had passed since Member States committed themselves to creating a world fit for children, at the special session of the General Assembly.  The reports before the Committee sent a strong message that failure to achieve the goals set out in of that session would seriously affect the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.  Despite some progress towards those goals, there remained much more that needed to be done.  The international community must intensify its work to address the issues laid out in the special session, and to move towards greater progress on all development goals.  In particular, there should be greater focus regarding the issue of violence against children.  The international community had already made many pledges to protect children’s rights and to combat violence against children.  Now, it was necessary to build the political will to turn those commitments into concrete actions.

No form of violence against children could be justified, he said.  Girls were most vulnerable to forms of violence and were often victims of sexual violence.  Impunity for the perpetrators of those crimes or crimes of violence against any child was unacceptable.  Effective national courts should be strengthened to ensure that perpetrators were prosecuted and punished.  Violence against children in situations of armed conflict was also a serious concern.  An effective arms trade treaty would help protect children in those situations.  It was important to note that the range of violations and abuses against children in armed conflict situations went well beyond the six grave violations set out in Security Council resolution 1612.  As such, efforts should be made to more properly address those other violations.  The strengthening of human rights monitoring and capacity within the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations and country missions was imperative and the office of the Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict should further strengthen participation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

SEYED MOHSEN EMADI ( Iran) said that violence against children, especially girls, was a complex global issue that impacted the overall physical, psychological and psycho-social well-being of the child.  The threats facing children were rooted in the ill-effects of poverty, occupation, sanctions, racism, discrimination, injustice and unilateral coercive measures.  The international community needed to ensure efficient, effective and committed efforts to protect the rights of children, and to address the root causes of their suffering.  Though there had been improvements in sanitation, education and health for children at certain levels, in general, the international community had seemingly not been able to create a more suitable world for children.

Increased knowledge and understanding of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and greater respect for its provisions was indispensable, he said.  The rights of children should be reflected in professional training curricula, codes of conduct and educational curricula at all levels.  Iran’s “Human Rights Headquarters” was living proof that the voices of children and youth were being heard by the Government.  Based on those voices, Iran had launched a number of initiatives to help children overcome the obstacles they faced, including the development of national laws to give children better legal protections from violence, the development of juvenile justice standards, and media projects that allowed children to share their experiences with other members of society.  As well, the UNICEF office in Iran had sought the support and collaboration of important religious leaders and scholars to help fight violence against children.

SALIMA ABDELHAK ( Algeria) said the General Assembly’s 2007 commemorative high-level meeting on children allowed States to identify obstacles blocking fulfilment of children’s needs and protection of their rights.  States had also reaffirmed their political will to implement the declaration and plan of action adopted at the Assembly’s 2002 special session, and redouble their efforts to break the poverty circle, realize the Millennium Development Goals, and create an environment for children’s well-being.  Such engagement was welcome, as it expressed States’ will to implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child, notably during the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For its part, Algeria accorded primary importance to protecting children, believing that their well-being helped to create a peaceful society, she said.  Their education, health and protection were priorities, confirmed by Algeria’s ratification of the Convention in 1992, and its two protocols in 2006.  Progress had been made in the improved health of children, in general, and reduction in infant mortality, achieved, in part, by an increased number of health facilities.  Abandoned children had been placed in families, and education had quickly become a channel for their social integration.  To combat poverty, there were social measures that helped poor families in rural areas with free school transport.

She said Algeria regularly evaluated its implementation of the Convention.  The country took seriously violence against children, and had created a strategy to combat it.  In closing, she reaffirmed Algeria’s political will to realize the Goals, and objectives outlined in the high-level session’s declaration.

BUI THE GIANG (Viet Nam), aligning himself with the statement made on behalf of the “Group of 77” and China, said Viet Nam had persisted in placing the responsibility of child protection, care and education at the heart of its national development strategies and policies.  As the first country in Asia and the second in the world to accede to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, it had worked to put in place the recommendations adopted in 2003 and 2006 by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, and was also working on the third and fourth national reports on the implementation of the Convention during the 2002-2007 period.

He described the broad measures taken to implement the Convention, which included such steps as incorporating Convention rights into labour laws and incorporating child protection into socio-economic development programmes. He added that those synergistic efforts had yielded tangible progress, particularly in health and education.  Over 90 percent, or 8.4 million, of Vietnamese children under age 6 had free health care, while the mortality rate for children under age 5 was 27.5/1,000, and while the figure for those less than a year old stood at 16/1,000.  The universal education rate was 97.5 percent at the primary level, and 85 percent at the secondary level.  The children of ethnic minorities now had greater access to the social safety net and education.  Some 55 per cent of orphans and 25 per cent of children with disabilities were receiving social care.  Among them were 155,000 children affected by dioxin-containing Agent Orange used during the war that ended 33 years ago.  He said they planned to ensure care for 90 per cent of children living in special circumstances by 2010.

SAMIRA A. ABUBAKAR ( Libya) said her country had drawn up a policy to protect children’s rights, within which the Government had created “children’s centres” in all cities to provide health care and social services.  The national high committee on children’s issues was tasked with creating programmes to meet the needs of children, overseen by the Ministry of Social Affairs.  In addition, Libya had acceded to the Convention on child rights and its Optional Protocols, and was committed to upholding all General Assembly resolutions in that regard, including as set forth at the special session on children and the “World Fit for Children” plan of action.

She noted that, despite the enthusiastic support given to the Convention and its Protocols ‑‑ on children and armed conflict, and on banning the exploitation of children and their use in pornography ‑‑ violations persisted.  Children continued to be killed, injured and maimed, as a result of their participation in armed conflict.  Girls were raped or sexually harassed.  She called on the international community to work towards the return of those children to their families and communities, so as to help them escape from the cycle of exploitation by armies seeking to recruit them.  In that regard, she voiced appreciation for the work of the Security Council working group and its recommendations to countries suffering from armed conflict, as well as to the Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict for her recent visits to the Middle East.  She remarked that Security Council resolution 1612 (2005) was of great importance in aiding countries to end the impunity of those responsible for such violations.

She denounced the treatment of children in some correctional institutions, whose numbers had reportedly increased.  Similarly, she denounced child labour for hindering children from going to school, and exposing them to potentially dangerous activities.  Those community violations must be brought to justice.  She also expressed concern over street children, whose situation was conducive to delinquency and robbery, and made them vulnerable to exploitation.  For that reason, she called on countries to provide them with the necessary care, and to ensure their education and reintegration into society.  She also expressed deep concern regarding the situation of children living under foreign occupation, particularly in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, who suffered daily persecution at the hands of Israeli occupation forces.

BELÉN SAPAG ( Chile) said that her Government, in compliance with international norms and standards on the rights of children, had undertaken a number of initiatives in support of children.  Among the most significant was a new comprehensive child protection system that targeted children up to 6 years of age.  That programme levelled the playing field among girls and boys in the early stages of life, and provided them with equal access to the essential resources needed to ensure them a high quality of life.  The programme also recognized the vital importance of parental attention and included training and education opportunities for parents of young children.  The health of pregnant women, newborns and children was also a top priority.  Recently, Chile had launched a programme to specifically manage the health needs of those groups, entitled “Delivering now for women and children”.

Turning to the concerns of children living in situations of armed conflict, she welcomed the recommendations made in the report of the Special Representative, in particular those regarding the sustainable reintegration of children into their communities and issues specific to the situation of girls in armed conflict.  The work of the Special Representative had been widely praised, and had resulted in significant progress.  As such, her delegation supported the renewal of the Special Representative’s mandate.  In addition, her delegation supported the speedy appointment of a new Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, as such an appointment would help protect children, and prevent further acts of violence against that vulnerable group.  Providing regular resources to middle-income countries was also essential, to help those countries develop the capacity to respond to issues of child protection and promotion at the national level.

HABIB MANSOUR ( Tunisia) said that new global threats -- climate change, rising food prices and the financial meltdown -- were intensifying the negative effects of already existing challenges, such as poverty, disease and malnutrition.  Collective action was required on the part of the international community to meet those challenges.  For its part, Tunisia had ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991, and, since then, had ensured regular and ongoing support for its children.  The practical measures that had been implemented over the years were aimed at improving the daily lives of children, and included:  the creation of a child protection organization to help support children living in difficulty; the creation of a children’s parliament; and the elaboration of a second national plan of action for children covering the years 2002 to 2010.

In addition, a centre for autistic children had been created and equipped to support greater research on the condition and to help parents increase their knowledge of the best ways to raise an autistic child, he said.  Tunisia had also launched a number of large-scale programmes aimed at creating the most favourable environment for the intellectual, scientific, artistic and athletic development of children.  “Youth are the solution, not the problem,” he added.  2008 had been named the “National Year of Dialogue with Youth”, and numerous events had been held in Tunisia, during which young people worked on the creation of a document that would define their vision of the future and their role in creating it.  The full participation of children and youth in society, including politics, was a prerequisite for progress in a society’s development.

AQSA NAWAZ ( Pakistan) said investing in children was investing in the future.  Crimes such as violence against children, child trafficking and others were still rampant, exacting a social and moral burden, as well as economic costs to society.  Their effects were visible in the long run, as societies grew to lack skilled people.  Indeed, the plight of children should not be viewed separately from the development perspective.  While it was encouraging to see children’s needs were being met to a greater extent than ever before, many continued to face a dismal situation, replete with various injustices.

She said the 1990 World Summit for Children was a global landmark event, forming the first universal effort to prepare a road map for the world’s children.  The twenty-seventh special session, culminating in the plan of action “A World Fit for Children”, had demonstrated the world’s commitment to children, which should be strengthened.  For its part, Pakistan had been one of the first countries to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child, among other accords touching on children’s rights, and had placed importance on fulfilling those rights.  Child welfare development centres had been set up all around the country, which also functioned as data collecting points.  Corporal punishment in schools was banned, and a plan of action against abuse was recently finalized, with a special focus on the girl child.  Human trafficking ordinances provided for the repatriation and rehabilitation of children smuggled abroad for commercial purposes.

In addition, she said, the country was undergoing a literacy drive aimed at bringing about universal enrolment at the primary school level by 2015.  A child protection bill was currently under consideration by Parliament, which would alter the legal provisions for marriage, sexual abuse and child labour.  The Pakistani media and civil society were playing their part in raising awareness of the rights of children, by helping improve existing legal and administrative structures, among other things.  However, funding gaps required attention from Governments and the international community, in general.  In that regard, the crucial question was whether enough investment had been made to better the life of children.

JEAN-DANIEL VIGNY ( Switzerland), noting that Switzerland was active in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its two optional protocols, said the report of the Special Representative showed the progress achieved in the action programme framework for children and armed conflicts.  However, now the application and implementation of the normative framework must be ensured.  In that regard, measures had to be taken against individuals who had committed serious violations of international law on children.  Also, the monitoring mechanism for communications about children and armed conflicts should enlarge the field of violations against children in armed conflicts; all six categories of grave violations should be included.  Further, the mechanism for combating serious violations of children’s rights during periods of armed conflict should be strengthened and consolidated, which could include deploying child protection advisers in peacekeeping and political missions.

Taking up the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, he said although ratifying the protocol was a significant political act in terms of solidarity, implementation was even more important.  The widespread dissemination of child pornography and the ease with which it could be accessed on the Internet was an alarming problem.  Likewise, sexual tourism involving children was a matter of deep concern.  It was, therefore, essential to tackle comprehensively the underlying causes that made children vulnerable to becoming victims of abuse, and he underlined the importance of the upcoming Third World Congress.  On the issue of the children of imprisoned parents, he said they often underwent feelings of social exclusion, economic difficulties and a sense of abandonment or rejection, although those effects were often not taken into account during penal law procedures.  Concluding, he noted that Switzerland would have liked to have taken an active part in the preparation and negotiation of the resolution on the Rights of the Child, which the Latin American and Caribbean Group and the European Union authored.  He regretted that the negotiation process had been opaque for the majority of delegations, including his own.

LEYSA FAYE SOW ( Senegal) said that, over recent years, national and regional policies and programmes in support of children had helped to increase budgetary allotments for issues that centred on the protection and promotion of the rights of the child.  Thanks to the increase in available resources within the national budget, Senegal had implemented a number of new measures to protect children, and, especially, young girls.  Those measures included programmes aimed at preventing female genital mutilation and the forced marriage of underage girls.  A national poverty reduction strategic document served as the framework for all interventions by the Government and its partners in development.  That document paid particular concern to issues relating to children, such as child labour, violence against children and birth registration.

In addition, Senegal had drawn up an early childhood development programme that targeted children under 6 years of age and a 10-year programme on the promotion of youth, she said.  Another 10-year programme focused on education and the national goal of achieving education for all by 2010.  Children and youth in Senegal had been involved in establishing those programmes and policies, and their input had been sought, as well, for certain international initiatives, such as the United Nations Study on Violence against Children worldwide.  A national children’s parliament had been established, in which children from every province and region now participated.  Despite the progress made, there remained persistent difficulties in the lives of children, and Senegal remained fully committed to overcoming those challenges.

Introduction of Draft Resolutions

The Committee interrupted its discussion on children’s rights to hear the introduction of two draft resolutions, including the proposed text on strengthening the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, in particular, its technical cooperation capacity (document A/C.3/63/L.10), which was introduced by the representative of Italy.  She said organized crime networks jeopardized the security of nations and, at times, interfered in the proper functioning of Government and legitimate economic activities, thus threatening their stability and placing constraints on development.  The resolution stressed the importance of strong, coordinated international responses to crime networks, regardless of the geographic origin of those networks.

She explained that the resolution would have the General Assembly reaffirm support for the efforts by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to provide technical assistance to nations seeking to combat organized crime in all its forms.  Among other things, the text would touch on emerging issues, such as violence against women and girls, and cyber crime, as well as on the UNODC’s resource needs.

Next, the representative of Mexico introduced the draft resolution on international cooperation against the world drug problem (document A/C.3/63/L.6), saying that the text would have the Assembly reaffirm the importance of a “broad approach” in tackling that scourge, while underlining the principle of shared responsibility.  That resolution would promote compliance with commitments already undertaken at the twentieth General Assembly special session in 1998.  New elements covered in the draft included:  references to links between illicit arms trafficking and illegal drug trade; and ways to control the spread of “chemical precursors” used in making synthetic drugs, among other things.  The resolution would have the Secretary-General report to the General Assembly on compliance with that resolution.

Statements

MONA JUUL ( Norway) said that child participation was key to the successful implementation of many child rights.  The international community needed to further develop and share practices regarding children’s participation in the decisions that affect them, specifically in terms of the 2007 World Fit for Children +5 Declaration.  As such, she suggested that the General Assembly address that issue in the coming year, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  At the forefront of all efforts on child rights must be the protection of children from violence in all settings.  The United Nations Study on Violence against Children brought the Organization, Governments and civil society together in a new partnership, where children were active partners as well.  The study was making a difference, but its global impact needed to be strengthened by the appointment of a Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children to act as a high-level and independent global advocate.

The proactive advocacy work of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict was much appreciated, she said.  Her report highlighted both persistent and new challenges threatening the protection of children, and further support should be given for her role in consolidating, expanding and strengthening partnerships within the United Nations system and with other relevant actors.  The Special Representative’s report also outlined a series of priority areas for advocacy and action, based upon the findings of the 10-Year Strategic Review of the Graça Machel Study.  In the future, it would be useful to develop a strategic work plan that could facilitate stronger partnerships within and outside the United Nations system.

PAMELA YOONG ( Singapore) said that Singapore currently had the lowest infant mortality rate in the world and among the highest life expectancies from birth.  Such achievements were the result of robust health screening and immunization programmes.  To promote effective and cost-efficient disease prevention and control, Singapore had established a National Immunization Registry that was designed to collect and maintain accurate, complete and current vaccination records of children from birth to 18 years of age.  The school system helped to monitor the immunization schedule for children to ensure that no child missed any compulsory inoculations.  Turning then to the situation of schools, she noted that Singapore had made great progress in reforming its education system.  Until the late 1970s, almost 30 per cent of primary school students did not move up to the secondary level.  Through a sustained series of policies, almost all students now received at least 10 years of quality education.

For a small country like Singapore, with no natural resources other than its people, it was natural for the Government to have been unsparing in its efforts to help children develop to their fullest potential, she said.  Even at a tender age, children could contribute to society.  Therefore, Singapore had implemented a community service and involvement programme in all its schools, and every pupil was encouraged to contribute a minimum of six hours of community service in each school year.  Many students had developed a personal passion for service and often chose to take on additional service projects.  At the international level, Singapore youth had initiated, planned and organized a youth-oriented event to support the country’s bid for the inaugural Youth Olympics in 2010.  Hosting those Youth Olympics would allow Singapore youth, and youths from all around the world, to interact and learn together.

MAIA SHANIDZE ( Georgia) said protection of human rights was a key issue on the agenda of the Georgian Government, which had acceded to the Convention on the Rights of the Child in June 1994, and submitted its third periodic report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child.  “Unfortunately, the gravest violations of the rights of children and human rights occurred in Georgia during the military aggression just recently imposed by our neighbour,” shesaid, adding that women and children formed a significant portion of those caught in the conflict.  Of the 115,000 people that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said had been displaced, nearly 40 per cent displaced in Georgia were under 16 years old.

She said the Government was doing its best to support children who were refugees or among the ranks of internally displaced persons, adding that they had the “absolute right to return to the places of their origin”.  She went on to say that “ethnic-based violence had been a characteristic of the whole period”, and that the children involved needed particular care to cope with their post-war psychological trauma.  Further, Russian Federation occupation forces had prevented humanitarian aid for women and children from reaching recipients, leaving thousands of them without homes, and in urgent need of temporary shelters.  In that regard, he expressed deep appreciation for the flash appeal organized by the United Nations during Georgia’s time of crisis.

She said the Russian invasion had affected Georgia’s educational system.  The widespread use of landmines and cluster munitions by the Russian armed forces had made many buildings unsafe.  Hundreds of schools were turned into emergency accommodations for displaced civilians, and the start of the 2008-2009 academic year had to be postponed in many areas for that reason, and because many educational institutions had been damaged or looted.  She noted that displaced children were at higher risk of academic failure.  Already, the Ministry of Education and Science had terminated or suspended a number of education and research programmes, putting the future of Georgia’s “dynamic” education reform programme at risk.  About 115 schools in Tbilisi began their academic year in October.  He further added that a young generation of Georgian-speaking returnees in the Gali district, which was controlled by separatists, were deprived of one of their most fundamental rights -- to study in their mother tongue -- since the de facto regime prohibited the use of Georgian as a medium of instruction.

FILIPE CHIDUMO (Mozambique), aligning himself with the statement made by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), said his country had adopted policies, laws and administrative measures to facilitate the effective realization of the rights of children.  As a signatory to the Convention on child rights and its various Optional Protocols, and the ILO Convention touching on underage workers, Mozambique had incorporated a number of principles contained in those documents in its new constitution.  The national parliament had passed laws regarding child protection and human trafficking as it related to children’s rights.  There had also been new developments on the civil registry code, the statute of legal assistance for minors and on family law.

He said the country had a National Action Plan for Children for the period 2006-2011, whose main priority was to support the development and coordination of activities involving Government, civil society, the private sector and other civil society actors in promoting the welfare of children.  The main focus was nutrition, legal protection, mother and child health, HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, basic education and child development, social welfare, leisure, culture, and sport.  The plan would award special attention to the needs of vulnerable children, such as abandoned children, children living in absolute poverty, child victims of abuse and violence, orphans, disabled children and children suffering from chronic illnesses.  In pursuit of those goals, the Government had established coordination mechanisms involving public institutions, the private sector and civil society.  He noted that the global crises were undermining efforts to provide adequate nutrition, education, shelter, and health care to needy children, and reiterated the appeal for global political commitment to fostering “more equitable and balanced economic and social progress”.

HMGS PALIHAKKARA, of Sri Lanka, stated that since his country’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child two decades ago, “robust” social development policies and legal, institutional measures had been implemented in the country to ensure children’s equitable access to a safe and protective environment.  He noted that 36 per cent of Sri Lanka’s population was under the age of 18, its literacy rate was 93 per cent, and the country was on track to achieve universal primary education nationwide well before the targeted dates of the Millennium Development Goals.  Universal child immunization had already been accomplished, with help from a free public health care system.  Also, his country was committed to ensuring the rights of children with disabilities, especially in providing greater protection from abuse and neglect, and to combat the exploitation and abuse of children, which includes sexual exploitation and trafficking.  He noted that the criminal justice system was geared towards rehabilitation for child offenders.

The plight of children affected by armed conflict continued to be of grave concern, because of the long-standing problem with the Sri Lankan domestic terror group, Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which had systematically and forcibly recruited over 6,000 child soldiers, and continued to do so, despite pledges made to the United Nations and the children’s families.  A zero-tolerance policy was declared by the Government, and a national task force set up to fight child conscription.  Also, efforts were made to secure the release of child soldiers and to eradicate “this abhorrent practice”.  A comprehensive Government programme was being implemented to rehabilitate former child combatants and facilitate their reintegration into society through family unification, educational access and vocational training.

As a key element of Sri Lanka’s national development plans and strategies, the promotion and protection of children’s rights were in keeping with Sri Lanka’s long-standing tradition of economic advancement in parallel with social development and social justice, he said.

GUSTAVO ALVAREZ ( Uruguay) said that every child and adolescent had a right to be heard and receive answers when decisions were made that affected their lives.  States should acknowledge the rights of children in all their work, be it in developing policies, legislation or in everyday social relations.  To that end, Uruguay had established an advisory council on the rights of the child to coordinate all national efforts and activities to protect the rights of children and adolescents.  That council helped carry out policies, analysed and evaluated existing and potential legislation, generated new proposals for action, and ensured proper budgeting for children’s issues.  It also helped guide public awareness activities that were aimed at sharing information on the rights of all children, and disseminating relevant recommendations made by national, regional and international entities, such as the Committee on the Rights of the Child

One issue of particular concern was the increasing impact of poverty on children, he said.  At one point during Uruguay’s economic crisis, over 60 per cent of persons under 18 years of age were living below the poverty line.  Thanks to a number of initiatives, those levels had dropped by 10 per cent in the last two years.  Despite the significance of that achievement, much more needed to be done, particularly in terms of the eradication of poverty and malnutrition, improving gender equality, reducing infant mortality, and improving the health of mothers.  The sexual exploitation of children was also a matter of great concern.  A number of factors contributed to the vulnerability of young people to sexual exploitation, including issues relating to poverty, the “street scene”, child labour and family violence.  Protecting children from sexual exploitation required effective institutional coordination between the State, civil society and all other actors.  To ensure full protections for the rights of the child, an effective legal framework would also be necessary.

TARIQ ANWAR ( India) said that the gap between progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and the targets that had been set was still too great.  While enrolments in primary schools had increased, there were still more than 73 million children not receiving any kind of formal primary education.  In the health sector too, progress had not been uniform.  While the under-five mortality rate had been reduced to less than 10 million, the root causes of under-five mortality -- poverty, poor sanitation and environment -- had not been addressed appropriately.  Dealing with those larger issues would also enable the effective implementation of more children-specific programmes.

India was fully committed to the development of every child and ensuring the protection of the rights of the child, hesaid.  To that end, the Government had launched a flagship programme that was aimed at the holistic development of children less than 6 years of age, and catered to pregnant and lactating mothers.  Forty-one million women and children were currently benefiting from that programme.  India had also revised some provisions of its Juvenile Justice Act to ensure uniformity, and had developed new guidelines to combat child prostitution.  The Government was also working towards formalizing child-budgeting procedures, whereby budgetary allocations and expenditures on sectors that had an impact on the well-being of children would be analysed.  In closing, he reiterated his Government’s commitment to work towards the realization of the goals included in “A World Fit for Children”, as well as related Millennium Goals.

SANDRA SIMOVICH ( Israel) said that armed conflict and terrorism presented greater dangers to children today than in years past.  In some areas, armed groups routinely launched their operations or attacks from among civilian populations and those groups also, frequently, targeted civilians as well.  Children were sometimes used to carry out suicide bombings and the indoctrination of children into the world of extremist ideology could lead to grave violations of their rights.  The reports of “summer camps” run by Hamas in the Middle East were alarming and entire generations would be lost if Member States did not resolutely address the scourges of indoctrination and incitement.  Sexual violence had become commonplace in conflict, though sexual violence as a tool of war was particularly shocking to the conscience of civilized nations.  Impunity must not be tolerated and the United Nations policy of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation must be implemented swiftly and transparently.

However, all was not gloom and significant progress had been achieved in areas such as childhood disease and primary education, she said.  In Israel, a special committee on the rights of the child worked to advance the status of children and to assist them in exercising their rights, in accordance with international agreements.  As well, in an effort to protect children from violence, Israel had instituted a total ban on corporal punishment, including in schools and at home.  He urged Member States to join his country in working towards improving children’s security in every sense of the word.  Doing so would require more resources, universal ratification and implementation of international instruments designed to protect children and genuine cooperation, setting aside internal and external differences for the sake of the children.

JOEL M. NHLEKO (Swaziland), aligning himself with the statement delivered by SADC, said the rights of children were enshrined in his country’s Constitution, and as a State party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, it had several initiatives in place to address issues affecting children and their protection.  Efforts were currently under way to accede to the two Optional Protocols to the Convention.  A Children’s Unit had been established under the auspices of the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, which would foster collaboration with law enforcement authorities in managing cases involving child abuse.  Guidelines to that end had been developed in partnership with non-governmental organizations.  Also, Swaziland was a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol, and was in the process of acceding to that Convention before developing a national disability policy.

Despite progress in creating a world fit for children, certain challenges remained.  One such area was in containing the spread of HIV/AIDS, which had led to a large number of orphans and vulnerable children.  It had also resulted in a significant number of child-headed households.  To address that predicament, the Government developed a national action plan of 2006-2010, designed to ensure that such children had access to water, food, shelter and basic education.  Delivery was done through neighbourhood care points, supervised by adults who taught life skills to children.  In addition, the national action plan also provided for the protection of children from abuse, violence, exploitation, discrimination, trafficking and loss of inheritance.  He noted with concern that a report on violence against children would not be available to the General Assembly until a Special Representative on that issue was assigned, and so voiced his eagerness to see that that post was filled.  For its part, the member nations of SADC had signed a protocol on gender and development, which stressed the importance of taking on behalf of women and children.

LESLIE CHRISTIAN ( Ghana) pointed out that the accelerated development of Africa depended, largely, on policies and programmes designed for the well-being of children.  Thus, by deciding to accelerate the Africa Fit for Children initiative, the continent had resolved to take specific measures towards bettering the lives of children between now and 2012.  Continuing, he said the rights, survival, protection and development of children guided Ghana’s scaled-up, cross-sectoral response to the matter.  Critical issues addressed by the Government included ensuring equal access to free and compulsory education, combating malaria and malnutrition, early childhood development interventions, prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS and a national antenatal care and delivery programme.  Ghana had also reformed its legislation and institutions to cover areas relating to violence against children and had finalized its National Child Protection Strategy in 2007.

However, despite those steps, a lot of children still faced varying degrees of violence, he said.  That was because a change in legislation did not necessarily guarantee social and behavioural changes.  Much more needed to be done to change people’s attitudes, perceptions and actions.  Pointing out that the findings of the 2006 United Nations Study on Violence against Children portrayed a grim picture of violence perpetrated on children, he said the context of the report left the world no option except to act with urgency in ensuring States fulfilled their obligations to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  After all, despite progress achieved since 2002, creating a world fit for children had been slow.  A large number of children were still subject to violence, exploitation, abuse and discrimination.  In that regard, the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly last December underlined the need to fully implement the Declaration and Plan of Action contained in A World Fit For Children; its implementation, in cohesion with fulfilling obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, its optional protocols and other relevant international instruments, would be “mutually reinforcing” in protecting the rights and promoting the well-being of all children.

MARIAMME NADJAF ( Afghanistan) said 30 years of war had disproportionately affected the children of Afghanistan.  Years of conflict had destroyed the basic necessities of life, such as adequate shelter, water, food, access to schools and health care.  It had also disrupted family relationships and had created post-traumatic distress among children.  As such, Afghanistan was firmly committed to addressing issues relating to its children, including the implementation of Millennium Development Goals and “World Fit for Children” action plan.  Since the fall of the Taliban, the Government had made substantial progress in promoting and safeguarding the rights of the child.  In the area of education, close to 6 million children had returned to schools and 35 per cent of those children were girls.  However, approximately 1.2 million primary-school-aged-girls remained at home, due to an ongoing lack of security and dire socio-economic conditions.

On health, she said that infant and maternal mortality rates had been reduced in recent years, and over 5 million children had been immunized against polio.  Eighty-one per cent of the population now received health care, up from only 9 per cent in 2003.  Yet, recent estimates indicated that national child and maternal mortality rates remained among the highest in the world.  Indeed, close to 600 children under the age of 5 still died every day, and she, therefore, called on international partners to help enhance the capacity of health centres throughout the country.  Terrorism was also a major threat to the health and well-being of children in Afghanistan, and they continued to be the primary victims of terrorist acts.  The Taliban and Al-Qaida had resorted to brutal acts and new tactics, such as the recruitment, training, and exploitation of children as combatants and suicide bombers, and attacks on female teachers, students and schools.  To ensure the promotion and protection of the rights of children in Afghanistan, it would first be necessary to combat the physical threat posed by the Taliban and other terrorist groups.

ADE PETRANTO ( Indonesia) noted that what happened to children immediately before and after birth significantly determined their development and how much they would contribute to society as adults.  It was, therefore, important that the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the “World Fit for Children” campaign be fully realized.  Both acknowledged that providing needed resources and services for children was vital, so that they could fully develop their capacities.  However, since their establishment, many recent trends had made things worse for children.  The spread of HIV/AIDS, the widening gap between rich and poor, and the continuing use of children as soldiers had all emerged as threats to their health and well-being.  Under such circumstances, children would not thrive ‑‑ thus undermining the wider objectives of reducing poverty and promoting peace.

He listed several accomplishments to date, including increased availability of safe drinking water, improved sanitation and widespread immunization against disease.  But, much more needed to be done.  Children needed more targeted policies that recognized their needs and rights to survival, protection, development and participation.  It was of fundamental importance to fill national budget gaps on children’s programmes.  Further, heexpressed the belief that preserving the integrity of the family structure was the most effective way to ensure children’s best interest.  Investing in women’s education was central, in that regard.  In addition, evidence showed that children were doing better in countries where women made a large contribution to the labour force, including work done by female migrant workers.  For that reason, it was important to uphold the human rights of migrant workers and their families.  Briefly, he stressed the importance of ending impunity for grave violations against children, and addressing child protection issues in peacekeeping, peacemaking and post-conflict building, saying it was important to support the reintegration of those children through community-based approaches.

On Indonesia’s part, measures were being taken to promote healthy lives by providing vaccinations and improving maternal health.  The country was also actively combating the AIDS scourge.  In terms of education, which was nearly universal, the country was putting great effort into expanding access to children in remote areas and improving the quality of educators.

GILLES NOGHÈS ( Monaco) said that the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals depended on the achievement of the goals laid out at the special session of the General Assembly on children.  For its part, Monaco had not forgotten the pledges it had made, in particular its commitment to a three-year project, in partnership with UNICEF, to help prevent mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS.  That project would help affected women access information, and would provide them with the appropriate treatments for their newborns.  As well, the Government had adopted a 2002 plan of action that was aimed at developing and improving access to education and health care for young children, especially those from the most vulnerable groups.

Violence against children was becoming a more and more complex phenomenon, he said.  For example, modern technology and the Internet had changed the nature of sexual tourism, child pornography, and child prostitution.  In the face of such a challenge, the international community must ensure a coordinated response.  His Government had ratified the Optional Protocol concerning the sale of children, prostitution and child pornography, and he encouraged other countries to do the same.  He also urged the Secretary-General to expedite the appointment of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Violence against Children, as such an appointment would help to coordinate all international efforts towards the protection of all children from violence and exploitation.

MARIAM JOY MWAFFISI (United Republic of Tanzania) said that as children –- the future human resource –- comprised 50 per cent of her country’s population, the Government had taken several measures to develop and protect children, including the 2008 children’s policy which provided guidance on child survival, protection from abuse, violence and exploitation, and child development.  The 2007-2010 National Costed Plan of Action for the protection of the most vulnerable children aimed at providing orphans, street children, child labourers, sexually exploited children and children with disabilities with support in the areas of household care, education and health.  Primary school enrolment was 97.6 per cent, and the country was set to achieve the Millennium Development Goals on education ahead of time.

She said challenges faced in the protection of children’s rights included:  poverty; inadequate financial and human resources; inadequate medical services; lack of access to safe water; lack of a quality education; a high rate of HIV and AIDS; and weak legal provisions on children’s rights.  Concerned about the increasing use and targeting of children in situations of conflict, the Government called for cooperation in ending impunity in that area.  She encouraged the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children in Armed Conflict to look at the root causes of conflicts.  While recognizing the primary responsibility of the Government for the well-being of the people, she underlined the importance of international community support to complement the Government’s efforts.

SOUHAD KHRIESAT ( Jordan) noted that a failure to achieve the objectives of the General Assembly special session on children would undermine efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.  Efforts must be exerted to provide children with quality education, to protect them from violence, and to combat the prevalence of AIDS among them.  Progress on those goals would only be possible if there was enough political will to turn ideas into concrete plans.  She said she looked forward to further discussions on whether the Committee on the Rights of the Child should sit in two parallel chambers, as modelled by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

For its part, she said Jordan had taken part in the recent high-level meeting to follow up on the special session on children, and was fully committed to applying the “World Fit for Children” plan of action, as well as the child rights Convention and its Optional Protocols.  Jordan’s national plan, inspired by “World Fit for Children”, was aimed at building on accomplishments achieved so far.  Queen Rania, an advocate for children’s causes with UNICEF, had expressed an interest in fostering a global movement for children.  Jordan wanted to be a model in terms of upholding the human rights of children.  It sought to create a safe environment for children, and to create an education system that encouraged innovation and freethinking.

She added that Jordan was highly successful in the delivery of health services, with wide access to preventive services especially for children.  As a result, infant mortality had declined, and widespread vaccination had eliminated many diseases, including diphtheria.  Turning to the situation of children living in occupied Palestine, she stressed their right to live in security and safety.  Children traditionally received a big share of government support in health, education, nutrition and social care, and the international community had a responsibility to help countries fulfil that condition.

SABA HABTE ( Eritrea) noted that the most disadvantaged nations were likely to be severely damaged by the financial and food crises and children stood to suffer the most.  As such, the world had a “moral obligation” to commit to creating a child-friendly world.  For its part, the Government of Eritrea was practising an integrated approach across various government sectors to enhance the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on children’s rights.  Shortly after the introduction of a programme on the integrated management of childhood illnesses in 2002, Eritrea witnessed significant improvements in the management of childhood illnesses.  The number of people receiving immunizations had recently reached 73 per cent.  Malaria mortality had been halved.

Shewent on to address the issue of child nutrition, saying the Government had prepared and was seriously pursuing a food security strategy, salt iodization, food fortification and instituting “therapeutic feeding centres” in hospitals and health centres.  As a result, Eritrea saw a sharp decline in childhood mortality, putting the country on track to achieve Millennium Development Goal 4, on child health.  In addition, the overall prevalence of HIV had been stabilized and antiretroviral therapy had been made available to those with AIDS.

She also addressed the quality of education for children, saying it was high on the Government’s agenda.  Enrolment for pre-primary and elementary school had increased, and the integration of vulnerable children -- such as disabled children and street children -- into the mainstream was gathering momentum.  The Government also recognized that the education of the girl child was a fundamental human right, and was working to narrow gender disparity in education.  With respect to the protection of children against abuse, exploitation and violence, the Ministry of Labour and Welfare were proposing to collect data on the abused and those that perpetrated it.  Around 40,000 orphans were reintegrated with their extended families, and host families were given “income generating assets”.  The juvenile justice system was also being improved, so that cases concerning children were heard separate from those involving adults, and that there was a heightened focus on rehabilitation.

Aligning her delegation with the statement delivered by Namibia on behalf of SADC, JANE ASANI-NDELEMANI ( Malawi) said that promoting and protecting the rights of children and creating a “world fit for children” was one of the most fundamental responsibilities of the international community. The full attainment of the United Nations Special Session on Children outcome document, “A World Fit for Children”, was the surest way of meeting the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. For its part, Malawi had made considerable improvements under the Integrated Management of Child Illnesses Policy with regard to the distribution and supply of essential drugs and the training of health personnel in management of child illnesses. Government had intensified efforts to distribute insecticide-treated bed nets to “ordinary people”, and immunization coverage of children had been maintained at over 80 per cent. Education plans were also in effect to improve school participation for girls and special needs children.

With regard to preventing children against abuse, exploitation and violence, Malawi had launched a series of initiatives to combat trafficking, child labour and child marriage. To ensure sustained action on the issue, she said the government endeavoured to create an environment conducive to cooperation between local and international non-governmental organizations. In addition, the National Network against Child Trafficking would work to eliminate child trafficking and support reintegration and rehabilitation.  In closing, she said that more than four million Malawian children lived in poverty, exacerbated by low income, low literacy, food insecurity, HIV/AIDS, and malnutrition. To address some of those problems, Malawi had implemented a cash transfer scheme which would not only tackle income poverty, but also address broader development objectives. Efforts were also being stepped up to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV and make anti-retroviral drugs available to prolong the life of the parents.

MIRA WOLDBERG ( Netherlands), aligning herself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union, said children could never reach their full potential when their rights and physical integrity were violated.  The United Nations Study on Violence against Children, though published two years ago, contained accurate and valid recommendations that should be vigorously implemented by Member States.  In early 2009, the Netherlands would organize an International Conference on Violence against Girls, with a main theme of domestic violence.  The conference would bring together both experts and decision makers to discuss best practices and worldwide implementation of the United Nations study.

She reminded the Committee that more than 200 million children continued to be victims of child labour.  A majority of those children were subject to the worst forms of child labour, such as prostitution and slavery.  In addition, they often did not go to school, and it was likely that once those children became adults, their children would also be forced to work, often in extremely harsh and dangerous conditions.  It was necessary to break that cycle before it affected another generation.  As such, she expressed her delegation’s hope that the Committee would draft a strong resolution on the rights of the child that would set an ambitious agenda to combat child labour.  Such a resolution should include not only a call to all States to ratify International Labour Organization Conventions 138 and 182, but also the inclusion of time-bound strategies for their implementation.

WAHEED ABDULWAHAB AHMED AL-SHAMI ( Yemen) said that, despite some progress and greater attention devoted to the rights of the child over recent years, what remained to be done required stepped up efforts by all States.  At the national level, Yemen spared no effort in protecting and promoting the rights of the child and ensuring their prosperity.  Yemen had ratified a number of Conventions, including those regarding minimum working age and degrading work conditions for children, and it had reported to the Human Rights Council on the implementation of those Conventions.  In terms of legislative efforts, a number of national laws helped to ensure protections for children and youth, like the national law on the rights of the child and the law on adolescents.  Yemen also sought to harmonize its national legislation with its international commitments and obligations.

In addition, Yemen had established a national ministry for human rights and a supreme council on women and children in an effort to further guarantee protections for the fundamental rights of children, women and all individuals, he said.  All Government efforts in the field of child protection had been enacted and coordinated with the support and participation of other partners, including civil society and children themselves.  International partners, like UNICEF, also contributed greatly to national efforts.  In closing, he touched briefly on the situation of children suffering under Israeli occupation, and called on the international community to lighten the suffering of Arab children in those situations.

NADARIYA NOPAKUN PHROMYOTHI ( Thailand) said that education was one of the most important elements in a child’s -- and a country’s -- development.  Thailand had eliminated the gender disparity in primary and secondary education and was now working on an ambitious “MDG-Plus” goal that aimed to provide free and universal secondary education.  At the global level, unequal access to education was further exacerbating poverty levels and gender inequalities and had widened the gap between rich and poor both within and among countries.  It was necessary to ensure that quality education was not an unattainable dream, but a basic right for all.  Investments in education should include capacity-building for teachers, to enable them to apply quality education, and child-centred learning methods.

Abusive, exploitative or violent acts against children were unjustifiable and intolerable, shesaid.  Such acts affected the physical and mental development of children in the present and as adults in the future.  Within recent years, Thailand had passed new and newly reformed child protection legislation that dealt with a variety of issues, such as violence against children within families, child trafficking, education and health care.  The family, as the fundamental unit of society, could also help prevent and protect children against abuse and the family unit should be strengthened so that it could provide the necessary protection and assistance.  Last year, Thailand began including youths in its delegation to the United Nations, in an effort to demonstrate its commitment to promoting the rights of the child.  She urged other Member States to do the same.

BERENEDO VUNIBOBO ( Fiji) said his country was committed and fully supportive of the rights of the child and more particularly the right of all children to be brought up in a home with a mother and father as part of an intact, nuclear family.  That was the ideal that had helped sustain societies over many centuries, but which regrettably appeared to be under attack from various quarters.  At a time when some would look at children’s “rights” in isolation from the familial context, or would seek to weaken the role of mothers and fathers in the care and upbringing of their children, it was equally important to stress that the primacy of the family structure was entitled to the support and protection of the State.  He expressed Fiji’s firm belief and commitment to uphold the right of mothers and fathers to raise their children in accordance with their values.  Some of the difficulties faced by young people today could partly be traced to what appeared to be “a concerted effort to destroy the family”.

He went on to say that parents were the primary nurturers and educators of their children, and the family was the fortress from which children departed as well-adjusted individuals and responsible adults ready to fully participate in society.  “In speaking of the supportive role that Governments are to give to the family, we must also be sensitive to the principle of subsidiarity,” he said,  that meant that decisions were not to be imposed top down -– and certainly not from far places like New York or Geneva, but were best made at the social level, closest to those affected. 

He said it made no sense to speak of children’s rights in isolation or as if they existed in a vacuum.  Rather, children’s rights were embedded in a social context, the natural family, and their rights could never be asserted by third persons as being in tension with those of the family, or of parents.

ENKHTSETSEG OCHIR ( Mongolia) said her country had taken seriously the commitment undertaken at the 2002 special session on children by adopting and implementing, that very year, a 10-year National Programme of Action for the Protection and Development of Children.  Specific goals and targets were aimed for making progress in six key areas:  legal reforms to make legislation child friendly; health-related targets to address malnutrition and infant mortality; reform of an “education for all” approach targeting the young and a child-friendly school policy; family-based child protection; child and adolescent participation and access to information; and building national organizations for children.

Overall implementation and coordination of the activities was the responsibility of the National Authority for Children, she said.  At the local level, provincial Governors were responsible for implementing local action plans developed within the Programme framework.

The five-year review of the Programme had identified a number of existing and emerging challenges, she said.  Poverty was a major cause of concern, with one-third of the population still living below the poverty line.  Single heads of household with many children and migrant families were at a high risk of slipping into poverty.  Protecting children in difficult circumstances, such as those with disabilities or in child labour situations, would require more policy action at the national level and enhanced international cooperation.  That challenge had been given high priority by the Government, as part of the Millennium Goal on promotion of human rights, democratic governance and zero tolerance to corruption, and she described a number of laws and legislation addressing the issue, including a Comprehensive National Development Strategy up to 2021.

Rights of Reply

The representative of the Russian Federation, speaking in exercise of the right of reply and responding to the statement made by the representative of Georgia, said that all States grieved equally over the senseless gamble of the Saakashvili regime in choosing to start a war.  He highlighted a number of aggressions against civilians carried out by the Georgian army in South Ossetia.  In addition, he said that the borders of the Russian Federation had been crossed by 35,000 residents of South Ossetia.  The actions of his Government against Georgia had been aimed at the protection of the people of South Ossetia from genocide, and all of those actions had been in line with international norms.

The impact of the conflict on children in the region had been significant, he said.  Indeed, even now a number of Georgian schools were opening a month later than usual, while many others had been destroyed completely by Georgian weapons.  It had also been reported that Georgia’s leadership had secretly sent a message to various international bodies preventing them from delivering aid to the children and families that remained in the region.  The people of Georgia and the Russian Federation had historically enjoyed links of kinship, and those links would continue to be strong in future.  However, the actions of the Saakashvili regime underscored the need for greater international efforts to prevent the negative impacts of armed conflict on children.

The representative of Georgia, taking the floor in response, called those statements “groundless, fabricated, and false”.  Georgia had attempted to initiate an international investigation into the cause of the conflict, but that attempt had been rejected by the Russian Federation.  Georgia remained committed to conducting such an investigation in the future.

In response, and in an effort to avoid a political debate around the conflict, the representative of the Russian Federation described a number of stories of residents of South Ossetia who had been killed, either directly or indirectly, by the Georgian military.  He noted that the killings took place in houses and on the streets, and those who survived, especially children, suffered from the ongoing psychological effects of seeing their family or friends killed before them.  Such crimes should not remain unpunished, and it was, therefore, necessary for all countries to ensure that those crimes would never be repeated in any part of the world.

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For information media • not an official record