With a third of the population in the European Union being Children, it's about time their voices where finaly getting a platform to be heard on. The European Commission recently issues three press releases concerning their efforts to increase their protection of children in the EU, aiding in the prevention of human rights violations.
On June 4, 2007 in Berlin, the European Forum on the Rights of the Child was established. The forum involves children, ngo's, governments and other parties to share and exchange information and ideas, to aid in the protection of children's rights. The forum came from the efforts of the EU strategy on the rights of the child, which was adopted by the Commission on July 4, 2006. These are the first step in working to effectively implement the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and set the framework for adhering to children's rights across the globe.
This May 25th the Commission also celebrated its third recognition of International Missing Children's Day. Vice-President Frattini, EU Commissioner responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security said:
“The rights of children and the protection of children against violence and sexual exploitation are a priority for …the European Commission. …in the framework of the G8 Justice and Interior Ministers Meeting…I will discuss the means to combat sexual abuse of children, in particular, prosecuting sexual offenses committed abroad and stepping up international efforts to fight child pornography”.
Sexual explotation, including sex tourism and trafficking, are major issues in the EU, and will continue to increase as the borders widen. Efforts to track predators, enforce laws, and successfully prosecute international sexual predators is a constant battle, that seldom ends with a great number of successes. Therefore the European Commissions commitment is the first step of many in putting an end to the sexual exploitation of children around the world.
Press Releases:
25 May 2007 , International Missing Children's Day- Commission steps up efforts to better protect children in EU
Context of Commission's work in area of protection of children rights
European Forum on the Rights of the Child created to look to the future
