http://srsg.violenceagainstchildren.org/story/2012-02-09_430

[9 February 2012] - The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure which was adopted at the sixty-sixth session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, will be open for signature at a signing ceremony to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 28 February 2012 and thereafter at United Nations Headquarters.

This new Protocol will allow children to bring complaints to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child. Recognising that children, just like adults, have access to international human rights bodies, this new instrument reinforces the international system of accountability for human rights, and is a major step towards the full protection of children’s rights and the participatory approach of the CRC.

The Protocol shall be open for signature by any State that has signed, ratified or acceded to the Convention on the Rights of the Child or either of the two Optional Protocols thereto on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography and on the involvement of children in armed conflict.

Certified true copies of the Protocol, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, are being printed and will be transmitted to all States as soon as possible. Electronic copies of the Protocol are posted in the United Nations Treaty Collection Web site: http://treaties.un.org/doc/Treaties/2011/12/20111219%2003-15%20PM/CTC%204-11d.pdf .

Further Information:

• UN adopts complaints mechanism for children (19 December 2011)
• More on the campaign for a complaints mechanism under the CRC

Previous News release items

• 09/02/2012: SOUTH AFRICA: Ending impunity for homophobic killings
• 09/02/2012: SOMALIA: Al-Shabab abducts 200 teenagers in southern town
• 09/02/2012: AFGHANISTAN: Tackling child addiction to opium
• 09/02/2012: CHILD LABOUR: Confectionery giant commits to fight child labour amid international pressure
• 09/02/2012: ECUADOR: Govt to shut down anti-gay torture clinics after online campaign

Organisation Contact Details:

Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children

Last updated 10/04/2012 12:06:16

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