A summary of issues of relevance to Children’s Rights that were raised during 

The 61 session, 11th meeting of 
Commission on Human Rights
17th of March 2005

During the two and a half hour long 11th meeting, child right related issues were discussed only to a limited extent. Among the issues that were brought forward, the main focus was on trafficking in persons, children’s education, and the integration of children of minority groups. 

The following is a slightly more detailed account of the major points brought up by those speakers who touched upon children rights issues.

Ms. Edda Makabagwagwiza, Minister of Justice of Rwanda, who was the opening speaker, emphasized the importance of protecting and helping children as well as the elderly, who she saw as the most vulnerable in the population.

The next speaker, Dr. José Ramos Horta, Senior Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, spoke of the progress the government was making in the formation of a national education curriculum. He also mentioned the intention of the government to establish a National Council for Children, meant to address specifically child right-related issues. Dr. Ramos Horta also stressed the need for help to the children, as well as women and men in Darfur.

Prof. Adam Daniel Rotfeld, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Poland, stressed the great significance attached by the Polish government to the advancement of the rights of children, and to the eradication of trafficking in humans. He also mentioned the fact that Poland is this year planning to introduce a resolution addressing these issues.

Mr. Eduard Kukan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, highlighted the Slovakian government's approval of the concept of integrated education of Roma children and youth. Proposals to this effect were included in the "Basic Theses of the Slovak Government's Policies for Integration of Roma Communities", adopted in 2003.

Dr. G. Ali Khoshroo, Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, noted that various issues relating to children and juvenile justice have been a main focus of the reform and development efforts in Iran. 

The following speakers participated in the meeting but spoke little, if at all, of child right-related issues:

- Mr. Conor Lenihan TD, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland with Special Responsibility for Overseas Development and Human Rights

- Mr. Vidar Helgesen, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway

- Ms. Wendy Chamberlin, Acting United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 

Mr. Ricardo Mangue Obama Nfubea, Vice-Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea was absent.