The OMCT celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child

'The OMCT celebrates the 25th Anniversary of theConvention on the Rights of the Child'

New York, 20 November 2014

Today the World celebratesthe 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The most widelyratified human rights treaty in the World is a milestone for the empowerment ofchildren and promotion of their rights.

In the past weeks the OMCT has promoted and participate in a series ofactivities in order to advocate for the rights of children and their protectionfrom torture and ill-treatment, culminating with the participation today at theHigh Level Panel on the Rights of the Child at the General Assembly in NewYork.

"To celebrate therecognition of children's basic human rights also means recognizing theirspecial vulnerability to all forms of harm, including torture andill-treatment. In this landmark occasion we should not forget that children'special needs entail an increased duty of diligence and responsibility ofStates." Said the OMCT Secretary General, GeraldStaberock.

The OMCT's child rights coordinator has met with the UN Special Rapporteuron Torture, Juan Mendez, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence AgainstChildren, Marta Santos Pais, to discuss the advancements and challenges facedby children and their advocates in promoting their rights and ensuring theirprotection from torture and ill-treatment.

Despite the many reasons to celebrate, today the OMCT would like toremember the thousands of children deprived of liberty who are still subject toinhumane conditions of detention and frequently submitted to practices oftorture and ill-treatment around the globe.

"We still see in ourdaily work monitoring juvenile detention centres around the World that childrenare not seen as subject of rights and practices of torture, ill-treatment andcorporal punishment, that in some cases wouldn't be allowed or accepted towardsadults, are often tolerated by States and societies when applicable tochildren." Noted theOMCT's child rights coordinator, Carolina Barbara.

On the anniversary of CRC, the OMCT would like to call members states tostep up to the commitments and promises made 25 years ago to protect childrenfrom torture and ill-treatment and ensure accountability for the crimescommitted against them.

For further informationplease contact:

Carolina Barbara at cb@omct.org