Panel on accelerating global efforts to end violence against children (HRC27): Joint statement OMCT and DCI

Distinguisheddelegates and panelists,

The World Organisation Against Torture and Defence for ChildrenInternational welcome the initiative of a panel discussion on the ways andmeans to end violence against children. We believe that this event is apositive contribution to the fight against torture, inhuman and degradingtreatment.

On this occasion we would like to express our concern about severalissues.

Regarding children deprived of liberty, we would like to recall thatthey are at higher risk of violence than many other children. Because of thesetting they are in, children deprived of liberty are highly vulnerable tophysical, psychological and sexual violence.

Therefore, we would like to emphasize the importance for States toestablish effective and independent complaint mechanisms to deal with cases ofviolence involving children deprived of liberty. Complaint systems should leadto an effective investigation of possible abuses committed either during thearrest or during the detention.

It is then imperative to ensure that children in detention are aware oftheir rights and can access the mechanisms in place to protect them.

Moreover, there is a need to ensure effective monitoring and regularaccess to justice institutions by independent bodies empowered to conductunannounced visits and interviews with children and staff, and to investigateallegations of violence.

Finally, we encourage States to mainstream the concern of childrendeprived of liberty and to call for the inclusion of a child protection goal inthe post-2015 development agenda.

Thank you.