The European Union, Switzerland, Defence for Children International, and Human Rights Watch will hold a side event on the Impact of Counter-Terrorism Measures on Children on March 6 from 13.30 – 15.00 in Room XXIII at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.
In many countries, children are increasingly detained for alleged national security offences. In some countries, hundreds – or even thousands – of children are detained at any given time, as countries have adopted increasingly aggressive counter-terrorism measures. Counterterrorism strategies and legislation have introduced new surveillance measures, restrictions on behaviour, powers of detention, and hundreds of new offences carrying heavy sentences.
The recruitment of children into terrorist or violent extremist groups is often unlawful – and sometimes constitutes trafficking—yet these children are often treated as perpetrators rather than victims.
This side event will explore the impact of counter-terrorism measures on children, including their deprivation of liberty. In particular, it will focus on how these issues will be addressed by the UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty.
Moderator:
Alex Kamarotos, Executive Director of Defence for Children International (DCI)
Panellists:
- Prof. Manfred Nowak, Independent Expert, UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty
- Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict
- Jo Becker, Children’s Rights Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch (HRW)
- Leo Ratledge, Legal and Policy Director, Child Rights International Network (CRIN)
Please RSVP via email to globalstudy@defenceforchildren.org
Please note that this event is only open to those who currently possess a UN access badge.
To see the program please click here.
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