UN ISSUES CALL ON MEMBER STATES TO RATIFY CONVENTION ON RIGHTS OF THE CHILD

From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 19 Sep 2013 17:00:00 -0400
Subject: UN ISSUES CALL ON MEMBER STATES TO RATIFY CONVENTION ON
RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

UN ISSUES CALL ON MEMBER STATES TO RATIFY CONVENTION ON RIGHTS OF THE
CHILDNew York, Sep 19 2013 5:00PMUnited Nations officials today urged
Member States that have not done so to ratify the Convention on the
Rights of Child and its three Optional Protocols, stressing that this
is vital to protect children from abuse and mistreatment worldwide.

"Millions of children around the globe suffer daily from violence,
exploitation and abuse. Ignored by statistics and neglected by policy
action they are silent victims, excluded from the public debate," said
the Secretary-General's Special Representative on Violence against
Children, Marta Santos Pais, addressing the press.

Countries will have the opportunity to ratify the Convention and its
Optional Protocols at the 2013 Treaty Event, which will be held 24 –
26, and 30 September and 1 October at UN Headquarters in New York.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child is a universally agreed set
of non-negotiable standards and obligations, providing protection and
support for the rights of children. Its three Optional Protocols deal,
respectively, with protecting children from trafficking, prostitution
and child pornography; prohibiting their recruitment in armed
conflict; and allowing children to bring forward their complaints to
the UN if their rights are being abused.

"The Treaty Event is an opportunity for Member States to reaffirm or
to express their commitment to be accountable for the rights of the
child everywhere – all children under their jurisdiction," Ms. Santos
Pais told reporters during a briefing in New York. "It is also a way
of recalling that ratification, while very important, is just the
start of a very long process, and a continuous process of national
implementation."

The Convention is the most widely and rapidly ratified treaty in
history, but has not achieved universal ratification. Currently, 193
States are party to the Convention. Somalia, South Sudan and the
United States are the only Member States that have not ratified it.

The Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict
entered into force in 2002 and has been ratified by 152 countries.
Twenty States have signed but not ratified it and 22 have neither
signed nor ratified it.

"Every new commitment brings us closer to a world where all States
agree that children belong far from the battlefield," said the
Secretary General's Special Representative on Children on Armed
Conflict, Leila Zerrougui, also at the press conference.

"The goal is within reach and many countries have taken the additional
step to criminalize the use of children under 18 in conflict in their
national legislation."

The Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child
pornography provides is closer to universal ratification as 164 States
have ratified it, and less than 30 are yet to join. The third Optional
Protocol allows children to bring complaints to the UN was adopted in
December 2011, and has been ratified by only six countries and signed
by 37.

"Ratification and implementation of the Protocols lay the foundation
for children's protection from violence, abuse and exploitation." said
Ms. Santos Pais. "Children are key actors in this process."

During the press briefing, Ms. Santos Pais launched a child-friendly
version of the Third Optional Protocol to inform children them about
their rights and prevent their victimization.

The child-friendly version was developed in consultation with children
in different regions of the world and is an advocacy tool to help
young people raise awareness and promote the safeguard of the rights
of the child.

"This means a lot to children around the world, especially those who
were born or are growing up in countries torn apart by conflict," Ms.
Zerrougui told reporters, adding that she had seen the devastating
impact of conflict on children who had been recruited by armed groups
in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Iraq.

"States should take all possible measures to prevent such
recruitments. That includes legislation to prohibit and criminalize
recruitment of children under 18 and involve them in hostilities," she
said, adding that Governments should also provide support to help
children who have experienced abuse.Sep 19 2013 5:00PM
________________
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

Follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/UN.News.Centre) and
Twitter (http://twitter.com/UN_News_Centre)

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to: http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/


--
President of The United States
Guy Ralph Perea Sr President of The United States
Weatherdata1046am0426 a Discussion Group of
Weatherdata<http://groups.google.com/group/weatherdata1046am0426>
USFMSC
http://www.cityfreq.com/ca/avalon/>
QUALIFY QICP
OCCUPS
http://www.occupationalinfo.org/02/025062010.html
goldlandabstracts; link check
own search engine - The United
States International Policies
http://lnk.ms/8d5gl aol
http://groups.google.com/group/united-states-of-american
http://twitter.com/ptusss Federal Communication
Commission<http://columbiabroadcast.spaces.live.com/>

Ambassador Chevy Chase; Kevin Corcran; Jack Nickolas; Cher; Shirley Temple
Black; Liza Minnille; Ansari; Ernest Tascoe; Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
Agent Jodie Foster; Department of Veterans Affairs Director George H.W. Bush
Title 22 USCS section 1928 (b) The e-mail
transmission may contain legally privileged information that
is intended only for the individual or entity recipient, you are hereby,
notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or reliance upon the
contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
E-mail transmission in error, please reply to the sender, so arrangements
can be made for proper delivery. Title 42
USCS section 192 etseq Margie Paxton Chief of Childrens Bureau
Director of The United States Department of Human Services; Defendant
Article IV General Provisions Section 2
(Supreme Law of The Land) The Constitution of The United States "Any thing
in The Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary Notwithstanding"
Contrary to Law (of an act or omission) illegal;
https://twitter.com/ptusss