In 2014, the United Nations General Assembly requested an in-depth Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty. This is a historic opportunity to improve the lives of millions of children deprived of their freedom and a milestone in advancing child protection globally. Professor Manfred Nowak has been appointed as the Independent Expert to lead the effort, but so far only two states, Austria and Switzerland, have made donations towards the total cost. Given the Study is to be funded entirely by voluntary donations, the whole process is now at risk.
Like the two previous UN studies on children—the 1996 Study on Children and Armed Conflict led by Graça Machel and the 2006 Study on Violence against Children led by Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro— the Global Study has the potential to bring global attention to children’s rights and spark far-reaching national and global reforms.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) began on 12 September. As heads of states come together to tackle global issues, this is an opportunity to make our calls heard by those that have the power to make the Study a reality.
How to get involved
From 26 September to 13 October, the NGO panel are asking Member States to pledge funds towards the Study. Join our call and download our campaign toolkit to show your support online
Why do we need the Study?
Despite progress in the realisation of children’s rights, as set out in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, too many commitments remain unfulfilled. This is particularly true for children deprived of liberty, who often remain invisible and forgotten.
Most countries lack data on the number of children deprived of liberty. Children living on the street, in institutions, victims of trafficking, prostitution, organised crime and conflict situations are at special risk.
Children deprived of liberty remain an invisible and forgotten group in society despite increasing evidence of being victims of human rights violations. Countless children are placed in inhuman conditions, where they are at high risk of violence, rape and sexual assault, including acts of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The personal cost to these children is immeasurable in terms of the destructive impact on their development, and on their ability to lead healthy and constructive lives in their societies.
To address this situation, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, by resolution 69/157, invited the UN Secretary-General to commission an in-depth global study on children deprived of liberty. On 25 October 2016, the Secretary General welcomed the selection of Manfred Nowak as Independent expert to lead the new global study on the situation of children deprived of liberty. By resolution 71/177 the General Assembly invited the independent expert to submit a final report at its seventy-third session in September 2018.
Contact
For further information on the campaign, please contact Anna Tomasi
Join us in making the Study a reality.
i work as Child Protection in Emergencies Consultant , Co _chair of Child Protection Sub Sector which part of Global Alliance for CP Member of national committee in compacting Human Trafficking in Sudan .