A/HRC/19/64
namely through the Safer Internet programme and cooperation with the industry through
self-regulatory initiatives (2009-2014).
2.3.
Children in the EU's external action
The EU is determined to give priority to the promotion and protection of the rights of the
child also in its external actionnn including in judicial cooperation in civil matters in areas of
EU competence. In this respect, it is crucial for the EU to have a strong single voice in
external matters when the rights of the child are concerned in relations with third countries
to ensure swift and effective action where necessary. The EU‘s external policy on the rights
of the child will be conducted in line with the 2008 Communication ―A Special Place for
Children in EU External Action‖ and the accompanying Action Plan.
The EU is strongly committed to eliminating all forms of violence against children.
Approximately 200 million children worldwide witness domestic violence annually, over
200 million children worldwide are subject to sexual violence, over 50 000 children die as a
result of homicide every year, and up to 2 million children are treated in hospitals for
violence related injuries. The EU will continue the implementation of the EU Guidelines on
the Rights of the Child, which currently focus on combating all forms of violence against
children. By the end of 2011, the EU will evaluate the implementation of the Guidelines
since 2007. The "Investing in People" thematic programme envisages funding for projects
aimed at combating violence against children in the years 2011-2013.
More than 200 million children worldwide are still in child labour and a staggering 115
million at least, are subject to its worst forms. The EU will continue its efforts to combat
child labour, in line with the 2010 Commission Staff Working Document and Council
conclusions on Child Labour. The EU will prepare by the end of 2011 a report on the worst
forms of child labour and trade, taking into account international experience and the views
of competent international organisations. In 2011, the EU will select projects targeting child
labour in third countries under the "Investing in People" thematic programme.
Children in armed conflictsoo are particularly vulnerable, even more so when they have lost
or have been separated from their parents or care-givers.
Children are exposed to risks of recruitment by armed groups, sexual abuse and
exploitation or trafficking. They disproportionately suffer from malnourishment and illness
as they are deprived from access to basic social services, health care and education. At any
given time, an estimated 300 000 children are associated with armed forces and groups,
among which 40% girls. The EU will continue its work on safeguarding rights of children
in and affected by armed conflicts based on the concrete actions envisaged in the 2010
Implementation Strategy of the EU Guidelines on Children in Armed Conflicts.
Child sex tourism must be eradicated. This phenomenon is part of an organised sex industry
that includes prostitution, human trafficking, the production and distribution of child
pornography and the exploitation of children by travelling sex offenders. Since few
nn
oo
The 2006 Communication Towards an EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child led to the development
of a comprehensive policy framework in the external EU action, including the Communication "A
Special Place for Children in EU External Action" and its accompanying Staff Working Paper on
"Children in Emergency and Crisis Situations" (2008), the EU Guidelines on the Rights of the Child
(2007), the EU Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflicts (2003, updated 2008), the Council
Conclusions on Children in Development and Humanitarian Settings (2008) and the Council
Conclusions on Child Labour (2010).
In the past decade alone, armed conflicts are estimated to have claimed the lives of over 2 million
children and physically maimed 6 million more while some 20 million children are displaced or
refugee and one million have become orphans due to conflicts.
101
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents