HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL - 28th Session
12 March 2015
ORAL STATEMENT DELIVERED BY THE WORLD ORGANISATION AGAINST TORTURE (OMCT), CO-SPONSORED BY DEFENCE FOR CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL (DCI)
Thank you Mr President,
The World Organization against Torture (OMCT) and Defence for Children International (DCI), as part of the NGO Panel for the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty, would like to thank the Human Rights Council and the UN experts for their considerable work and consideration for the human rights of the child.
We welcome the continued support received from member states, UN representatives and civil society organizations to the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty, which was requested in Resolution 69/157 of the UN General Assembly last December. The reports of the Special Rapporteur on Torture, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (A/HRC/28/54) and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children (A/HRC/28/55) to the Council, all express support to this important and much needed Study.
Children deprived of liberty is not merely a legal issue (of international obligations not being fulfilled by states), but also a social issue: there is strong evidence that detention worsens recidivism rates and while detained children are deprived education and exposed to increased violence. Even the shortest periods of confinement create a situation of extreme vulnerability for the child and an opportunity for practices of torture and ill treatment, causing the need for accountability, rehabilitation and reparation. Detention of children also increases public expenditure. All in all generating negative short- and long-term impact, not only on the child deprived of liberty but also on society at large.
To undertake a Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty - which would comprehensively and scientifically analyze the status of the situation of children in detention worldwide - will take time, close coordination with States, UN agencies, civil society organizations, academia and children, and of course financial and human resources. It is crucial that an independent expert be appointed to carry out this Study, as it will best ensure a comprehensive approach and broker clear cooperation and contributions by all relevant stakeholders.
The Study does not intend to be an end in itself, but rather a starting point, by getting all actors involved in this grave issue and placing it on the political and social agenda of countries worldwide. Through the Study, governments will be able to realize and improve their national policies and practices, while serving the best interests of both the child and society at large.
OMCT and DCI thank the Council and UN experts for their continuous support in launching this major endeavor, and look forward to realizing the Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty together.
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