From 27th February to 18th March the Independent Expert participated, in his capacity of Commissioner, in the 124th Period of Sessions at the Inter American Commission on Human Rights of the Organizations of American States. Among other issues, the hearings focused on the situation of child migrants at the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica and the vulnerable condition of child workers in Latin America. The Commissioners also approved the request for an advisory opinion on the legality of corporal punishment. (To read about the sessions click here).

Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro meeting with Ces Adorna, UNICEF Representative. Photo: UNICEF/India.

The Independent Expert went on a mission to India, Malaysia, and Indonesia facilitated by UNICEF. In India, the Expert met with the Foreign Secretary, the Minister for Women and Child Development, and representatives of UN agencies, local NGOs, and he visited an institute for juvenile justice, a shelter for girls and centres of alternative learning. In Malaysia, he met with the Foreign Minister, officials from the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, and representatives of UN agencies. In Indonesia he met with the Foreign Minister, the Deputy Minister for Child Protection, and local NGOs. From all of these meetings, the Independent Expert was able to learn about local efforts to respond to and prevent violence against children. He also had the opportunity to present his thoughts on the key emerging issues from the regional consultations process.