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New Council of Europe Convention to protect children against sexual exploitation and abuse adopted

16 July 2007 10:31 (UTC +04:00)

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted the Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, which represents a major advance in this field. APA reports quoting COE Office in Baku.
â€œThere should be no hesitation or complacency in the fight against sexual exploitation and abuse of children,â€ said Council of Europe Secretary General Terry Davis when he welcomed the adoption of the Convention.
â€œThis Convention is a true added value for member states to reinforce their action to prevent and combat this intolerable violation of childrenâ€™s most fundamental rightsâ€, continued the Deputy Secretary General of the Organisation, Maud de Boer-Buquicchio.
This new Convention is the first instrument to establish the various forms of sexual abuse of children as criminal offences, including such abuse committed in the home or family, with the use of force, coercion or threats.
The Convention will be opened for signature at the Conference of European Ministers of Justice in Lanzarote on 25 and 26 October this year. /APA/