The Independent Expert for the UN Study on Violence against Children, Professor Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, addressed the first session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The expert expressed the urgent need to end all forms of violence against children and invited the Council to keep the rights of the child as one of its priorities. During the same segment, the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, Rima Salah, also expressed UNICEF commitment with the promotion and protection of the human rights of children and adolescents. To read Pinheiro’s statement click here. To watch video of Independent Expert’s speech, click here.

The Independent Expert for the UN Study on Violence Against Children, Professor Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, addressed the UNICEF Executive Board on Thursday 8 June 2006. He provided an update on progress made so far and recent developments with regard to the Study, asserting that ‘no violence is justifiable – all violence is preventable’. Mr. Pinheiro said the UN study is the first global review to meaningfully engage children.

In her presentation, Deputy Executive Director Rima Salah also underscored the active involvement of children in the study, especially in the nine regional consultations."

In her closing remarks on Friday 9 June, the Executive Director for UNICEF Ms. Ann Veneman expressed her continued support for the Study: “This week, there has also been a special focus on child protection issues, in particular concerning violence against children and women. UNICEF is committed to this ongoing mission, and to addressing child protection. UNICEF will implement the conclusions in the forthcoming UN Secretary-General’s Study on Violence Against Children in our work with partners and in our cooperative programs with Governments.”

For more information, see the UNICEF web site.