Source: http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/conferences/hrc2006/four/hrc070319pm-eng.rm?start=00:58:50&end=01:01:12

UN Human Rights Council
March 19, 2007
Afternoon Session

Pakistan on behalf of the OIC

Mr. President, I’m making this statement on behalf of OIC countries that wish to thank you on convening a special event on Violence Against Children during this session.  This is an issue that deserves the immediate attention of the international community because of the alarming increase in violence against civilians both in the situations of armed conflict and of the areas under occupation.  Unfortunately, children bear the major brunt of these disturbing developments.  Professor Pinheiro’s study reveals that violence against children cuts across culture, class, education, income, and ethnic origins in all the regions.  OIC agrees with the conclusions of the study that no violence against children is justifiable and all violence against children is preventable.  The OIC also wishes to emphasize that any vision of building civil communities for children around the world would require focus on the following priorities:

First, we should focus on conflict resolution, particularly the immediate and peaceful resolution of situations of foreign occupation.  Prolonged armed conflicts as well as foreign occupation have wrecked havoc to millions of children, leaving hundreds of thousands as orphans, causing them permanent disability, subjecting them to sexual violence and abuse, and recruitment as child soldiers.

Second, we should enhance our efforts to the promotion of an agenda for development and implementation of MDG.  This can make a crucial difference in challenges of poverty eradication, globalization, migration, organization, and health threats that have a direct bearing on the well-being of millions of children.

Thirdly, we need to place particular focus on education.  Considerable efforts and resources are still required to achieve targets set out in MDG.

Mr. President, we are optimistic that the international community is fully conscious to move faster on the issue of child protection and making the world fit for children.  A strong commitment by all states followed by practical action in the priority areas highlighted by the OIC would be a crucial step in the right direction.  Let us resolve today that we shall give the rights of the child our first priority to ensure a respectable and dignified life that every child deserves.

I thank you, Mr. President.