Press release
06 July 2009
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Sweden supports new UN function for children's rights
No less than 300 million children around the world are subjected to violence. Sweden is now increasing its commitment to these children by supporting the newly appointed UN representative to combat violence against children, Marta Santos Pais. Sweden will begin its economic support by making an initial contribution of SEK 3 million.
"It is vital that this important work gets underway quickly. Everyday, children are being subjected to inconceivable violence even though 20 years have passed since the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We welcome Marta Santos Pais in her new role, and are pleased that she is visiting Sweden," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
Sweden has long worked within the UN to call attention to children's vulnerability and to increase compliance with their rights. For this reason, Sweden financed a study on violence against children, headed by Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro. One of the recommendations made was that the UN Secretary-General should appoint a Special Representative on Violence against Children.
On 1 May 2009, Ms Santos Pais, a lawyer with long experience of human rights work, was appointed to lead this new function. On 6-7 July, she will make one of her first official appearances when she takes part in the NGO Forum on Human Rights focusing on violence against children being held at Frösundavik, Stockholm.
The Forum is being arranged by the Swedish Presidency of the EU together with the European Commission. The aim is for NGOs and EU actors to meet for an exchange of experiences between field work and decision-making.
"I hope that the Forum will help us arrive at conclusions that we can make concrete use of in EU work for human rights, such as in implementing EU's guidelines for children's rights," says Ms Carlsson.
Contact
Peter Larsson+46 8 405 10 00
