A/HRC/19/64 Council of Europe Policy Guidelines on Integrated National Strategies for the Protection of Children from Violence adopted by the Committee of Ministers, November 2009 Recommendation CM/Rec (2009)10 1. Executive summary In line with the recommendations of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child and of the United Nations Secretary-General‘s Study on Violence against Children, these guidelines promote the development and implementation of a holistic national framework to safeguard the rights of the child and to eradicate violence against children. The guidelines refer to the definitions of ―children‖ and ―violence‖ as contained in Articles 1 and 19, respectively, of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (hereinafter referred to as UNCRC). The guidelines are based on eight general principles (protection against violence, the right to life and maximum survival and development, non-discrimination, gender equality, child participation, a state‘s obligations, other actors‘ obligations and participation, best interests of the child) and four operative principles (multidimensional nature of violence, integrated approach, cross-sectoral co-operation, multi stakeholder approach). These have been mainstreamed throughout, including into sections on integrated national, regional and local action; education and awareness-raising measures; legal, policy and institutional frameworks; research and data collection. The guidelines support the promotion of a culture of respect for the rights of the child, based on an in-depth knowledge of the rights of the child and an understanding of children‘s vulnerabilities and capacities. The primary target group includes all relevant professionals in contact with children. The guidelines‘ core recommendations call for the development of an integrated national strategy for the protection of children from violence. The strategy is understood as a multifaceted and systematic framework fully integrated into a national policy for the promotion and protection of the rights of the child, with a specific timeframe, with realistic targets, coordinated and monitored by a single agency (where possible, and in conformity with national regulations), supported by adequate human and financial resources and based on current scientific knowledge. The guidelines encourage the setting up of child-friendly services and mechanisms. These are understood as safeguarding the rights of the child and pursuing children‘s best interests. An important recommendation calls for the mandatory reporting by all relevant professionals of incidents of violence against children. The guidelines recommend strengthening international co-operation to prevent violence against children Europe-wide. 2. 2.1. Aims, scope, definitions and principles Aims The aims of these guidelines are to: a. 72 protect the rights of children, in particular those who are victims of violence;