| Children,
torture and other forms of violence: Facing the facts, forging the future |
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| 27
November – 2 December 2001 Tampere, Finland First announcement and......CALL FOR PAPERS Aim of the conference Transportation |
Aim of the conference
The aim of the conference is to propose a programme of action with concrete,
realistic and measurable goals aiming at the long term elimination of torture,
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment, arbitrary arrests, summary
executions, forced disappearances or other more subtle forms of violent
repression against children.
Reasons behind the conference: cross-cutting themes
OMCT children’s rights programme has now been running for 10 years and has
denounced, documented and acted on several thousands of cases of child torture
all around the world. The first decade of the children’s rights programme has
revealed specific needs and actions that need to be taken at national, regional
and international levels:
During the last five years OMCT has documented around 2.300 cases of torture,
summary executions, forced disappearances and arbitrary arrests of children
worldwide. The scale of the abuse is not only huge but is on the increase. The
growing figures can be attributed partly to a better reporting of violations but
in some countries are definitely the consequences of the worsening of
children’s conditions. Furthermore, there is a great deal of work to be done
before the exact level of abuse can be accurately estimated and assessed.
1. Interpretation of torture within the framework of the Convention on the rights of the child
Definitions of and protection from torture and other forms of ill-treatment at
both the international and national levels have been interpreted with reference
to adults’ rather than from a children’s perspective. The almost universally
ratified Convention on the Rights of the Child has strongly contributed towards
the changing of attitudes in some respects, but prompt action now would assist
this process enormously.
2. Absence of a specific UN mechanism to address violence against children
OMCT, through its network, brings to light on a daily basis cases of violence
perpetrated against children by the state or with its acquiescence. On several
occasions, the national justice system has remained inactivate or, if there is
an investigation, the pace and the procedures of the investigations reveal
deficiencies and a lack of impartiality in the system. This results in the
multiple violations of the rights of children who are neither protected from
violence nor guaranteed the right to redress and reparation. This cycle of
violation and impunity is likely to be perpetuated at the international level
where there is no specific mechanism to address violence against children.
3. International UN Study on Violence against Children
In September 2000, the Committee on the Rights of the Child recommended, on its
discussion day on state violence against children, that the General Assembly
request the Secretary-General to undertake a major international study on
violence against children. Such a study should, inter alia, explore the
different types of violent treatment of which children are victims, identify
their causes, the extent of such violence, and its impact on children, and put
forward recommendations for action, including effective remedies and
preventative and rehabilitative measures. The conference will provide a forum
for a thorough discussion on the study, its scope, methodology, timeframe and
the involvement of civil society.
Conference sub themes
1. Interpretation of torture within the framework of the Convention on the rights of the child
2. Establishment of an international mechanism to address violence against
children
3. Prevention of torture and violence against children
4. Juvenile justice systems and child institutions
5. The right to redress, reparation and compensation. Rehabilitation and
reintegration of child victims
6. Domestic violence, sexual violence and child trafficking related to it
7. Child bonded labour, slavery and child trafficking related to it
Who should attend?
The international conference will combine the skills, resources and experiences
of, UN mechanisms and specialised agencies, regional mechanisms, experts on the
rights of the child, human rights activists, decision makers and doctors and
psychologists specialised in medical and psychological counselling and
rehabilitation of child victims of torture and violence.
The number of participants is restricted, to provide maximum networking and
participation opportunities.
Working languages
The working languages of the conference will be English, French and Spanish;
Russian translation will be provided.
Why attend?
2001 is a particularly suitable year to put the issue of children’s rights on
the international agenda. The Special Session of the UN General Assembly on
Children, the Thematic Discussion Day of the Committee on the Rights of the
Child on violence against children in September 2001 and the Yokohama Conference
on sexual exploitation of and trafficking in children in December 2001 are
creating a worldwide awareness and a momentum which OMCT will contribute to and
build on.
The conference will try to mark and strengthen the process of mainstreaming
children’s rights and especially violence against children within the existing
mechanisms and set the basis for a possible new mechanism addressing violence
against children.
Furthermore, on the occasion of the day devoted to the thematic discussion on
state violence against children in September 2000, the Committee on the Rights
of the Child recommended that the existing UN mechanisms having a direct or
indirect mandate on children’s rights, organise a workshop, the aim of which
would be to increase the exchange of expertise and strengthen collaboration
amongst them. OMCT firmly believes that this conference could provide the ideal
opportunity for the star of this exchange and collaboration.
The conference approach
The conference will have a multidisciplinary and holistic approach, focusing on
preventive measures, causes of torture and ill-treatment, denunciation,
advocacy, assistance to victims, redress, rehabilitation and reintegration. In
particular, the incorporation of a gender perspective is fundamental to the
process of gender mainstreaming. With regard to this conference, the gender
mainstreaming will involve the assessment of the implications of any planned
action for girls and boys, including legislation, policies and programmes, in
all areas and at all levels.
Venue
The city of Tampere was founded in 1779. With a population of 195,000, Tampere
is the third-largest city in Finland and a dynamic centre of industry, culture,
research and education. Thanks to its central location – a two-hour drive from
Helsinki - and excellent services, Tampere is a very popular congress city. The
city, situated between two beautiful lakes, has a distinct air of natural peace.
In the evening, the city comes alive and visitors can choose from a whole host
of theatres, concerts, bars and restaurants.
Transportation
SAS
- Scandinavian Airlines has been appointed as the
Official Airline for
International Conference. SAS offers delegates and accompanying persons special
flexible and favorable
conference fares to Finland.
To obtain SAS conference fares
kindly contact your nearest SAS office and quote the reference number: FI
0143.
Accommodation
Guests will be accommodated in different hotels, providing comfortable and
inexpensive accommodation, located at a walking distance from Tampere Hall, the
conference venue. To avail of specially negotiated conference rates, early
booking is essential.

Weather
November is the ideal time for committed participants and hard workers. The
weather can be cold and rainy and therefore warm clothes are advised.
Social events
A lively programme of social and cultural events is planned to allow a maximum
enjoyment for participants and to provide valuable time to network with
colleagues from around the world.
Dates to remember
Registration deadline: 31 August 2001
Submission of papers: 1 October 2001
International Conference: 27 – 30 November 2001
OMCT statutory matters: 1 December 2001
| For
further information please contact: Ms Roberta Cecchetti Children’s Rights Programme Manager World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) P.O. Box 21 CH - 1211 Geneva 8, Switzerland tel. +41-22-809 4939 fax +41-22-809 4929 web site: www.omct.org |
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| Ms Leena Sulonen Managing Director Tampere Conference Service Ltd. P.O. Box 630 FIN-33101 Tampere, Finland tel. +358-3-366 4400 fax +358-3-222 6440 web site: www.tampereconference.fi |
| With the support of the European Union | and the Government of Finland |
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