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News Releases
EUROPEAN UNION MARKS UNIVERSAL CHILDREN'S DAY
November 20, 2007
November 20 marks the day on which the United Nations
General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights
of the Child (1959) and the Convention on the Rights of
the Child (1989). Both instruments recognize children’s
basic
human rights and give them protection and
support in the development of their personalities. The
Convention on the Rights of the Child affirms that a
child is not only a fragile being that needs to be
protected, but also a person who has a right to be
educated, cared for, protected, wherever in the world
he/she is born. And also that a child is a person who
has the right to have fun, learn and express him- or
herself.
 European
Commission Vice President
Franco Frattini, European Commissioner
responsible for
freedom, security and justice said:
"Today we celebrate the 18th anniversary of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child. The European
Commission joins in highlighting the importance of this
Convention and reaffirms its commitment to protecting
the rights of vulnerable people such as children, and
has resolved to place the Rights of the Child as one of
its main priorities."
Furthermore, in regard to European Commission's
report
on the implementation by EU
Member States of the
Council
Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA of 22 December 2003 on
combating the sexual exploitation of children and child
pornography, which finds that most Member States have
criminalized sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and child
pornography on the Internet, Vice President Franco
Frattini, stated: "The prevention and the fight against
sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and child pornography
is at the core of our commitment. No area of freedom,
security and justice exists if our most vulnerable
citizens are exposed to such offences. The approximation
of legislation is the first essential step. But we can
do more and better. Now we have to strengthen our action
and reach more effective results. Recent incidents in
Member States show that we have to be more vigilant than
ever, and really protect our children."
Vice President Frattini further congratulated EU
countries which mostly meet the key requirements of the
Framework Decision. "However, I am disappointed that so
many Member States have not transmitted sufficient
information about the real implementation of some
essential provisions such as the jurisdiction rule which
obliges Member States to prosecute sex tourism, and the
special treatment of children as particularly vulnerable
victims in criminal proceedings," said Vice President
Frattini. "Member States should go further. In certain
areas such as child pornography the real level of
protection varies in the EU countries depending on the
age of consent to sexual relations established by
national legislation, which goes from 13 to 17 years,"
added Vice-President Frattini. "From our side, we are
considering the possibility of strengthening the EU
legislative framework especially concerning offences
committed through the Internet. We are looking at, in
particular, the criminalization of 'grooming,' which is
the solicitation of a child for sexual purposes, and the
enhancing of international cooperation to detect crime
and identify child victims on the Internet."
On the occasion of the International Children's Rights
Day, the European Commission has put at media's disposal
the following documents:
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Information containing an overview of the
Commission's work in this area;
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Une
aide concrète pour défendre les droits des plus faibles";
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"Member States Implement EU Legislation to Combat the
Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography.
But Member States Can Still Do More";
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"REPORT from the Commission on the Implementation of the
COUNCIL FRAMEWORK DECISION on Combating the Sexual
Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography"
Further Contact Information
Press and Public Diplomacy
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
http://www.eurunion.org/PressRoom
Tel: 202-862-9552
Fax: 202-429-1766
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