A/HRC/16/2 reporting mechanisms to which children can safely report incidents of violence, including sexual violence and exploitation,17 Welcoming also the work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict,18 the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on violence against children19 and the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography,20 and taking note of their reports, Welcoming further the work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Welcoming the constructive dialogue on the theme “A holistic approach to the protection and promotion of the rights of children working and/or living on the street”, on the occasion of the full-day annual meeting on the rights of the child, held on 9 March 2011, and the renewed commitment to the implementation of the Convention expressed on that occasion by States parties, Profoundly concerned that the situation of children in many parts of the world remains critical and has been negatively affected by the world financial and economic crisis, Deeply concerned about the situation of girls and boys working and/or living on the street worldwide and the negative impact that this has on the full enjoyment of their rights and their development, Recognizing that the prevention and solution of certain aspects of this phenomenon could be facilitated in the context of economic and social development, Recognizing also the need for States and the international community to create an environment in which the well-being of the child is ensured, including by strengthening international cooperation in this field, Deeply concerned about the multiple forms of discrimination and stigmatization children living and/or working on the street often face because of factors such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, disability, birth, immigration status or other status, Deeply concerned also about children, including adolescent girls, working and/or living on the street, facing violence, including sexual exploitation, HIV infection and other serious health problems, substance use and early pregnancies, and about the situation of children born on the street, Recognizing that prostitution of children is a serious form of exploitation and violence and a crime against those most vulnerable, that States parties should prohibit and address it in accordance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, and reiterating the importance of States ensuring children’s protection from them, Bearing in mind the diverse causes of the emergence and marginalization of children working and/or living on the street, such as poverty; migration, including rural-to-urban migration; trafficking; violence; abuse and neglect at home or in care institutions; broken families; lack of access to basic services, including free education; HIV/AIDS and child relinquishment; substance abuse; and mental health issues, intolerance, discrimination, 17 18 19 20 GE.11-17059 A/HRC/16/56. A/HRC/15/58. A/HRC/16/54. A/HRC/16/57. 27

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